Meanwhile, Down in the Suburbs...

The two greenhouse posts Country Mouse posted here and here really are a tough act to follow. And with those views and those sunsets, and now a greenhouse, who wouldn't want to be a Country Mouse?

Then again, we've had some excitement here as well. Just after the last rains, I wandered around near the plum trees and saw the strangest mushrooms ever. At least 6 inches high, straight up, and with a little puddle on top. Then gone a day later. Where did they come from? Will they come back? So much to learn.


My own plantings are also enjoyable. Above, Eriogonum arborescens in the middle, with a newly planted Chaparral Current (Ribes malvaceum) to the left, the mystery succulent along the edge of the bed, and an Artemesia a little further back. Considering that just 14 months ago, that whole area was covered with concrete, I do think we're making progress.


On the other side of the house my view from the breakfast table. The graceful Festuca Californica nicely contrasts with the lush Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spatacea) and the first poppies. In the background, the Ceanothus is starting to green up and setting flowerbuds.

The scene near the fountain is a little surreal, with the Japanese maple planted by the previous owner showing some pretty fall color while the succulent in the pot is not following the color scheme and looking more purple than ever. Hummingbirds love the other succulent that's in bloom right now, so I'm just leaving the scene alone, clash or no.


I did actually mess with my succulent arrangement a bit: Combined the plants into 2 pots, turned over the empty pot, and placed the saucer on top. Added some sand (important!) and water.

I heard about this simple bird bath arrangement at the class I took with Acterra, though the speaker there places the saucers with sand and water just on the ground. I'm following the advice from Las Pilitas and elevating the saucer to give the birds a better chance at escape should one of the neighbors' cats swing by. The saucer has been surprisingly popular, especially with slightly larger birds such as house finches who don't like the hanging bird bath as much.

So, yes, I don't have the views, and I won't have a greenhouse (no room, no room!). But there's much to enjoy even in a suburban garden. The birds, the native plants greening up, and small surprises such as the Sidalcea malvaeflora (Checkerbloom). This new arrival, just bought in October, already out some blossoms. I hope that means it will do well ... Maybe I can collect some seeds and Country Mouse can propagate the plant...Once the greenhouse is up.