YOU MIGHT WELL SMILE, MR SUN

Look at him, pleased as Punch. He now gets to shine in the Spanish Oak garden. So, I thought it fitting to put this plaque on the wall where once a shade loving plant grew.
The fierce heat and drought of last summer was responsible for the demise of the clump of five Spanish oaks that have shaded this small garden for the last 10 years.

You can see the trunks of these oak trees above the retaining wall. Their leaves used to cast beautiful dancing shadows on the walls and floor.

There will be no more. David is taking the trees down little by little as they hang over the house. We would also like to do as little damage to the surrounding trees as possible. These aren't the only trees to die. All over our lot are oak trees in a state of decline. The Spanish oaks seem to have been the hardest hit.
This is not the only change this little garden has seen over the last few weeks. When we discovered water leaking from the base of the wall into the garden, it wasn't long before the wall was opened up and jackhammers were pounding at the slab in search of a leak, in the copper pipe, deep in the foundation. It resulted in some damage and loss of plants in this area.

I had replaced a large butterfly iris, in the fall, with an Anacacho orchid tree, Bauhinia lunariodes, and was fearful for its life when scaffolding was erected to repair the wall.  I wrapped the tree in cloth to protect it as best I could. The men worked really carefully and a week later, with new plantings in place the tree came into full bloom. I did have to get over the loss of a large clump of the blue gilia which was about to burst into glorious bloom, replace for now with an A. desmettiana.

Bees have been hovering around the flowers and an overnight visitor hung around until the air temperature warmed up.
This is my easy care garden. The only real job being the clipping of the 'hedge' the creeping Ficus repens, which covers the retaining wall.
But all this means that we shall have to re-name this garden. Any ideas?

CLEAN UPS AND CACTUS

I really worked hard yesterday and the work was not much fun. In the Spanish oak garden I had to do a major job on the Ficus repens which covers the concrete retaining wall. For the second year in a row it was severely hit by the freeze. Dead stems and crispy leaves covered but protected the underlying new growth. I started with my pruning shears and ended with the weedy whipper. That resulted in everything, including me, covered in debris. Next it was the rake then the blower, followed by the hose to clean everything off and give the plants a much needed drink of water. Wouldn't it be nice to sit down int he shade with a book. Nope-too much to do!

Overwintered in the greenhouse these cactus and agave plants are back outside for the summer. I also decided to move the road runner out here. I'm glad I managed to save the aloe, Aloe saponaria, because all the ones in the ground, except one, died in the freeze. As I was cleaning up the leaves a red stripe ribbon snake slithered out from underneath the rock and quickly retreated. He'd better watch out for that road runner!

Even more potted agaves, cactus and succulents reside on the fireplace where they receive only morning sun. Many cactus would prefer a spot underneath a tree where they get some shade.

And there are more round the front. What did I say about not having so many pots this year. And it is the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society show and sale tomorrow and I'll be there.