Cacti flowers

Getting these pics means being there at the right time of the day. Too early and the flowers are closed, too late and the same.
I know /t likes these so here they are, enjoy.

Flowers galore

This cacti is doing well.

The Hippeastrum blooming this year for the first time in many many years.
No doubt the magic of cow manure fertilizer never fails to surprise me with how it helps flowering.

Bromeliad flower

In a shaded part of the garden underneath the large cotton palm there is a mass of different bromeliads I have planted.
Today I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of this flower on this very unassuming bromeliad. I've never seen anything like it before.
On a sad note, this may probably be the last post as Lexcen's garden is up for sale. The house comes with the garden for free.
It will be very sad to leave this garden which I have designed, created and tended to over the last eight years. I hope the new owners enjoy this garden, it is extremely low maintenance and all it requires is a bit of love and attention and the garden will reward you with many constant surprises as it has rewarded me.

Ameria maritima

I wanted a plant that is colorful but extremely hardy because in summer the heat is scorching and other than petunias, not much can survive in a pot or hanging basket because there's no shelter from the afternoon sun.
This Ameria is ideal, and as you can see is flowering profusely.

Wnter blooms

To the dedicated two followers of this blog, I bring you a bit of color from the winter blooms.
The Clivia flowers are blooming. The clivias were salvaged from a rubbish dump last summer.
The large leaves in the background are from impatiens.

















The orchid is in bloom again.














The aeonium schwartzkopf flower is a wonder as it contrasts the dark leaves of the succulent itself.


















I've had a draecena draco (dragonblood) tree in a pot which I finally planted in the garden as it's looking very sad and root bound. These marvellous trees live for up to 400 years so I'm not expecting much in my lifetime.


Here is a picture of a magnificent specimen that I can only imagine mine might grow into.

Phoenix canariensis

The female phoenix canariensis is bearing a record load of dates this year.

Bromeliad flower

I love bromeliads because they're such a low maintenance plant. Just plant it in a shady corner and forget about it. This one is the first flowering and I'm very happy with it.