Finally!

Yes, it was great to spend time in Boulder. We had a real summer, I enjoyed the many bike paths (filled the gas tank once in 6 weeks), and I learned a lot. But in the back of my mind, I was homesick for my garden. It was just a little too long.

So I was delighted to find that the miserably cool weather here in California -- the coldest summer in 39 years -- has left the garden looking green and happy. The California Fuchsia was blooming when I arrived, and even the Agapanthus (shown in the first photo) still looks pretty good. 

The wine barrel is a little overgrown -- Eriogonum fasciulatum does seem to find this the perfect spot. But the water lilies are doing well and were blooming almost daily. This despite a vicious attach by a racoon (or two, or three), who broke the solar fountain spout and tried to get at the lily bulbs and the goldfish. Fortunately, the pot was too heavy and the fish were too cautious. Mr Mouse covered the barrel with a plywood circle secured with shock cords every night, and even the day after this photo was taken, a new blossom opened up.

The back garden was a symphony in gray and green, with the bright orange dots of the poppies (still closed when the picture was taken) and the inviting red trumpets of the California Fuchsia sprinkled throughout.

In the side garden, Eriogonum grande rubescens stunned me with the vibrant red blossoms, fading to pink, then rust, and set off nicely against Eriogonum arborescens, in the back.

The sedum also delighted with its beautiful flowers, justed opened up. But I was tired. I'd seen enough to be very happy that Mr. Mouse had tended the garden so well. And I needed rest, knowing at the same time that some serious pruning and sweeping was in my future.