I was all set to write about something in particular but I had to change plans as it was so rainy and gloomy when I got home this afternoon that it wasn't conducive at all to take photos of the subject matter I was going to write about. Rather than succumbing to the temptation of a Wordless Wednesday I decided instead to write about a few random things...
Based on a few random photos I've taken over the past few days. The sort that were interesting enough to take snap shots of but not sufficient enough to become a stand alone subject for a blog post. I suppose they could be really but I'm not always good at limiting myself to short posts. Anyway, let the randomness begin!
Pseudopanax crassifolius 'Trifoliata'
Pseudopanax crassifolius 'Trifoliata' - one of those plants that I find so hard to take photos of and yet looks so eye catching in person because it is so unique and looks rather strange. Lancewoods are not everyone's cup of tea especially as they can look like upside down leafless trees for quite some time whilst they remain juvenile. As they develop and mature they eventually assume the look of a typical tree. This one is a hybrid by Hardy Exotics Nursery and is a cross between Pseudopanax crassifolius and one of the leafy types, perhaps Pseudopanax lessonii or P. adiantifolius. Is it hardy or hardier? Potentially as one of the parents are one of the hardier types (P. crassifolius) but I have tried planting one before and it perished...but that was naughty winter 2010-11. This one is a replacement and will remain in a pot for now.
Yucca rostrata
Found this absolute bargain in one of the garden centres relatively near where we live. Over a foot of trunk, well rooted, and they had loads when we were there (apparently not much left now since). I was tempted to buy several but restrained myself and only went home with one. A bargain at just £22 (US$37).
Magnolia tripetala
A fleeting moment of beauty. Magnolia blooms rarely lasts long so when I spotted our Magnolia tripetala starting to bloom I immediately took a photo of the first one to open. More blooms have opened in the days after this but true enough to its fleeting nature they were all shed by the time I looked at this tree again.
Schefflera taiwaniana
We may have to start hacking off some branches of our biggest Schefflera taiwaniana. They'll be cutting materials for possible re-rooting. The only thing is we're not always good at re-rooting cuttings....
Echeveria 'Compton Carousel'
Persicaria 'Kunming' has taken its role as a groundcover plant very seriously...
Schefflera macrophylla
Schefflera macrophylla is currently busy flushing away too. This one is looking extra good in front of the bamboo.
Pachystegia insignis
The rock daisies on our raised beds seem extra happy this year that they're all blooming. Looks like this Pachystegia insignis is set to give us a good show in the next few days.
One day it looked like this...
A few days later there was an intruder in the midst. Nice looking bamboo shoot though! This Phyllostachys nigra shoot has to go eventually but at the moment I think it looks nice surrounded by Persicaria filiformis.
A random, pick and mix sort of a post! Writing about random things can be nice too don't you think so?
Come to think of it, a 'Random Wednesday' meme perhaps?
Maybe!
Mark :-)
