Early Winter Flower Survey cont'd Jatropha podagrica - Buddha Belly

If the bright coral/orange colored blossoms wasn't easy enough to spot
then there's always a large green seed pod to attract your attention.

If your familiar with the bulbous bellied based characteristic of this
specimen, then perhaps this seed pod is not that way off base.

Early Winter Flower Survey cont'd Drymaria cordata (L.) - West Indian Chickweed-

Even it's common name has 'weed' in it. That should
tell you something.

Everyday day of the year this has been looked upon
as a weed in every sense. It so happens that this time
of the year it goes into bloom. So naturally it's going to
be included in my 'flower' survey.

Once I looked at it's bloom more closely, I was enchanted
to say the least or just perhaps under the spell of this holiday
season.

Early Winter Flower Survey Commences with Oxalis regnellii - Black Oxalis

First time doing a flower survey of my yard at this time of the year.

What better time than on Christmas day to. Imagine the gifts of
beauty to found. Starting out with a breathtaking image of some
blooms from a Oxalis regnellii - Black Oxalis.

Just out of the picture to the left is one leaf with it's
two toned purple, clover shaped leaf.

I gave it a drink of water for it's reward for displaying
these two strikingly, full out blossoms. Partnered with
a bi-colored Wandering Jew - Tradescantia zebrina
specimen.

These two specimens were gifted to me by a fellow
Yogi. The intent was the T. zebrina and the hidden
bonus O. regnellii.

Patio Design Reimaging

First intention, using what I have
and superimposing these images
into a pleasant design, is the
first step.

Implementing them is another.

Slight variation on a theme.

Now if only the summer like temperatures
could cool down to our upcoming
forecast temperatures, will be
enough motivation to
get digging.

Winter Solstice Tomorrow

Some dramatic winter light lens flare to tell us that
tomorrow's shortest day of the year will be it's last.

I'm making some changes to the layout of pavers and
so I thought I would take advantage of the stack to allow
these winter plantings a reach for the precious low
winter light.

This year's shortened days were not so much as an issue
as in years past.

Grateful plantings: (rescued)Whisk Fern, (regenerating)ornamental grass,
(rescued)Texas Ebony, Buddha Belly and Turkish tomato var. seedlings.

Plenty to be grateful for this Winter Solstice and Holiday season.

Spiked Berry, Berry Shish Kabob...

What are the chances and what physics would have been in place
for this to have taken place and when?

The ground is littered with hundreds of berries from several Podocarpus trees

and yet this is a first time observation. These Spanish Bayonets have been

here for nearly three years now.

Anyways, this phenom has been been captured and documented. 

Euphorbia lactea "gigantea" (Giant form) - First Bloom

Had this specimen for nearly four years and it's the first time putting on
some blooms. Blooms that look like scrambled eggs, mind you.

Hope these produce some seeds.

It may not be a rose, but just as beautiful for a first time discoverer.