When the Weeds are Sweet

One definition of a weed is a misplaced plant. While weeding this spring, I noticed a volunteer. Instead of pulling the plant or moving it to a different location, I left the plant alone. Last fall when I amended the soil for the citrus that I planted, I used some of my compost dirt. There must of been a seed in that compost just waiting for its chance to produce.

Well today, that volunteer rewarded me with its fruits, four to be exact. The fruit aren't very large, but they sure are sweet and juicy.

Rose Cactus

I call this cactus, Rose. I don't know if this is the correct name for this cactus, but that is the name I'm using since it looks like a rose. When I first planted this cactus four years ago, I had no idea how large or quickly it would grow. I only knew that it would survive the hot sun of summer that pelts the back yard deck.

Today, Rose has not only grown and survived the heat of the summer, but has also surprised me with surviving the wet winters and cold nights of this region.

My Helper

I'm always monitored by my special helper.

She frequently walks ahead of me anticipating my next stop in the garden.

Penstemon

Native to the hills and mountain regions of California, these hardy plants with their cute trumpet shape flowers are loved by hummingbirds and bees.

Penstemon is known as beardtongue because of the hairy stamen that hangs out of the tubular flower.

My pink and purple penstemons bloom all summer and into late fall. The bees and hummingbirds that frequent these beauties are always fun to watch.

Hanabi-Fireworks

Agapanthus, also know as Lily of the Nile, is not in the lily family. This plant is native of South Africa. Agapanthus is an easy-to-grow perennial that produces a globe of white to deep purple trumpet-shape flowers from summer through fall.

Each year around July 4th, my white and light blueish-purple Agapanthus bloom. I enjoy using them in a cut arrangement to decorate my dinning room table during the month of July since the globes remind me of fireworks. And the flowers also remind me of my summers in Japan watching the spectacular hanabi.

Whirling Butterflies

That is the common name of the Guara lindeimeri plant since the flowers have the appearance of dancing butterflies at the tips of the plant.

Guara loves full sun and tolerates drought. While other plants start to fade from the hot summer sun, Guara thrives on heat and drought. The 20 species of Guara that are native to the United States have a range of color from white to a deep magenta. This native Texas plant of the prairies is always rewarding with its pretty flowers that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies from spring to fall.

A Simple Gift

In spring, there is always a rebirth in my garden. The parade of blossoms and colors from the different variety of drought tolerant perennials is a rewarding and uplifting feast.

Plants look so compact while waiting for the warm, sunny days to revive them. Each year, I'm surprised how quickly the transformation takes place in just a couple of weeks.

The first to bloom, Spanish lavender with it's rabbits ears florets, fades to brown, and then the English lavender takes the stage with other plants.

Perennials are so spiritually uplifting- a simple gift.