What's Blooming?

 The Aloe are in full bloom!  This is a closeup of Aloe ferox.

Aloe ferox.  Also known as the bitter aloe.  This Aloe has distinctive red spines and wonderful, branching flower spikes.  The sap of this plant is sometimes used as a laxative and to treat arthritis.  This particular plant is blooming for the first time and is about 5 years old.  It's main source of water has been natural precipitation with an occasional watering during the hot San Diego summers.

 Mexican Sage is a favorite for both the bees and the hummingbirds.

 Aloe speciosa in full bloom.  Aloe put out a lot of nectar when they bloom, attracting bees for days!

 Cattleya loddigesii

Slc Katherine Clarkson X Blc Suncoast Sunspots

Hummingbird Heaven

Mexican Sage, Salvia leucantha. I really enjoyed seeing the sun filter through the translucent flowers and having it reflect off of the pubescent hairs. It reminded me of the pipe cleaners I played with as a child.

Sometimes you see these with white flowers out of the furry lavendar sepals. This one has lavender on lavender. They must be great nectar producers as well since the hummingbirds love them! As for me, they're hardy, grow quick and put on a year round floral show. Plus, anything the hummingbirds love is in good graces in the wayward garden! Needless to say, I have quite a few of them.

Caught in the Act

There has been a hummingbird hanging around the Mexican sage in front of the house for a month or two. I normally get a glimpse before he buzzes off. This time, I snuck out of the front door and used the passion fruit vine for cover as I snapped some quick photos. It's kept me from trimming the sage even though the flowers are starting to look ratty, not wanting to bumm out our hungry little buzzing buddy.