Early Morning wander

Come take a wander around my garden and see what is going on this early August morning. It is very early, the sun is barely up and a light sprinkling of rain (Yes-RAIN) is coming down. I wish the day could freeze and I could hang onto these moments.
The barrel cactus is budding out- soon those amazing red flowers will be here. I see these in all stages of bloom around town and in the desert area near where I work. Mine must be late bloomers.

The "Natchez" Crepe Myrtle I planted last summer is hanging on in the heat and even puts out a few little flowers now and then.

And the night blooming cactus is getting ready to bloom again. Here are 3 of the 6 buds...looks like tonight will be the night.

In the backyard the grape vine is growing nicely- not sure if it will give me grapes anytime soon but it sure puts out the green.

The tangerines are gaining a little size.

And the little Pomegranate tree only had 3 fruit. One of them showed up in my bedroom this morning, fairly well eaten, a gift from Miss Moo dog, which is what prompted this wander to begin with. So now there are two- are they not the cutest?

Hope you enjoyed this early morning wander as much as I did. Happy Bloomin' Tuesday! To see what is blooming in gardens around the world please visit Ms "Green Thumb" Jeans.

Pomegranate Tales

It was a dark and stormy monsoon night last summer when the little pomegranate tree came to my yard. I wasn't sure at first how well it would transplant but my son dug the hole nice and deep and I hoped for the best. This Spring, the first flowers fooled me- I thought they were fruit- until a reader corrected me. The flowers have a leathery covering that splits open to reveal a bright orange bloom. When it dies, the bottom is the beginning of the fruit- or so it seems to me. This will be the first time I've watched the flower to fruit miracle for a pomegranate- hope you enjoy the pictures.

Happy Easter

We have had a couple of rainy days and nights here in Tucson, not to mention some outrageous winds too. The rain has been nice and my garden enjoyed it too. Here are a few blooms from Easter afternoon.
The little Pomegranate tree only has a few blooms, but the first one cracked open today. The flowers in a fluorescent orange color, and is housed in a little red shell that resembles a tiny pomegranate. I can't wait until the bloom fully opens.

The pink rose bush that came with my home is going crazy with lovely blooms! I am so glad roses are forgiving of butchering.

And a twin set of blooms from the African Iris I bought last summer. It is doing well in the very shady area in the entry way of my home.

Happy Easter to one and all! Hope everyone has their taxes done- I don't! :)

April Fool's Day Surprises

I was walking around the yard today and noticed baby Pomegranates on my little Pomegranate tree! This tree was almost a victim of the mortgage crisis but was saved by my son, and found a new home in my backyard. I thought these were tiny fruit and that I had missed the flowering, but Claude left a comment telling me they are actually flower buds. I took another look and I think he is right- I'll have to keep closer watch on this little tree and catch them when they open up. Hopefully fruit will not be far behind.

Here is the little tree

And as I was out in the backyard I also noticed the Orange tree has finished blooming and is loaded down with teeny tiny oranges now. Many of these will drop, but hopefully I will still get a nice crop this year.

And the last surprise- my Bird of Paradise plant is unfolding a gorgeous new leaf! I wish this guy would bloom- so far nothing!

Hope April Fool's only held good surprises for you!