Random Friday

Some random shots from the weekend past.  First up are a few pictures from Furney's Nursery in Des Moines.

Love those Trachycarpus fortunei and dig the great purple foliage on the rhododendrons in the foreground.

A sure sign of spring is the appearance in stores of summer-flowering bulbs for spring planting. I decided to try a few things that I hadn't grown before and that might like to grow in a warm greenhouse along with the tomatoes.  I got a couple of Tuberoses (Polianthes tuberosa,) some Gloriosa superba (Gloriosa lilies,) and some Nerines for fall color outside.

Another sign of spring. Aren't the green markings on Galianthus beautiful?

"There's always an Agave" as Loree says.  Here are some lovely Agave schidigera 'Shira ito no ohi' whose label says it's hardy to zone 8.  Perhaps with really sharp drainage and an umbrella over it for the winter.

 Tibouchina's saturated purple flowers and red fuzzy buds were tempting!

Sleepy kitty on an overstuffed chair made me smile.

Now we have my favorite plant...this week - Moss and Lichen.  They grow so well in our climate and beautify just about every surface that doesn't move. These were spied at Jungle Fever Exotics Nursery and Dig.

Cool little trumpets or are they tiny alien life forms? 

This light green stuff is a favorite as it covers some deciduous  trees and makes them glow in the winter against the more somber greens of Douglas Fir and cedar.

 In some parts of the world they try very hard to emulate the moss covered surfaces which we have everywhere.  How lucky we are to live where we do!

To learn more about our "Mossy Paradise" and see some great pictures, click here. 

Happy weekend!