Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Tall Fall Grasses
Finally, a hint of autumn in the air! Not a chill, just a faint suggestion of chill - which is good enough for us in LA to bundle up in handknit scarves and hats, usually worn with tank tops and flip-flops. For me, autumn really begins when my tall grasses bloom. These in the photo are the tropical Miscanthus floridus, which really have some presence to them, don't they? I have them planted behind my aloe garden, since they bloom somewhat concurrently. As a matter of fact, here's my first aloe bloom spike!
I can't wait! I have so many more winter-blooming aloes in my garden this year... it should be quite a show. I wish those of you in cold winter climates could have the pleasure of seeing so much color at such a relatively quiet time of the gardening year. But at the same time, I know cold zone gardeners cherish their winter breaks, and look forward to spring all the more. When I first started gardening, I followed all the directions in the big national garden books and 'put my garden to bed' for the winter in October- wrapping up roses, pruning evergreens, cutting back perennials and spreading a thick layer of compost everywhere ... I had perfectly tucked everything in for a long winter nap. Of course I felt like a total heel when I learned that we don't do that here! I learned a valuable lesson - reading isn't enough. Planting gardens, whatever their size, isn't a solitary pursuit. Don't let it be! Make a garden friend today!
You can't know how much I envy you, having something alive all year long in your garden (pine not included). We're waiting for the Big Frost...in one night it will all be gone until spring. I'd love to move to CA and not have that experience anymore!
But I've never had a white Christmas! Twinkle lights on palm trees just aren't the same ... but I do get your point, Simone.
There are a few houses for sale in my neighborhood! Take the leap!
Oh, remember that hint of a chill I was talking about? False alarm. It's 87F today, and dry as a bone. There are fire alerts for this weekend. So, it's back to knitting scarves instead of wearing them..