Lil’ Lisa, How Does Your Garden Grow???
or the State of the Yard Address
The yard at casa 22 has seen better years and Lisa and I are slowly trying to improve things. Three things have really contributed to the current state of things; 1) sort sort of disease attacked the wonderful hedges, 2) the powers that be cut down an enormous number of trees on the recinto, and 3) no one seems to have taken much care with the yard in many years.
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This a view of the south side of the house, Here you can see a portion of the hedge still in good condition and a palm type tree I like. The flowers around it can go, as far as I’m concerned. |  |
These are two “boogenvalias” or whatever they are called. Lisa got them too climb up and over the front door overhang. The one farthest from the house is doing well and has lots of new growth coming. The other one is a bit more touch and go at this point. |
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This little plot has Lisa’s peppermint flower plant in the center. It was once surrounded by nice little flowers. Then the evil bunny rabbits came and destroyed the plot and ate the flowers. I then put up this little fence and so far it has kept anything from getting in. Unfortunately, only two plants seemed to have survived this horrible coming of the bunnies. |  |
The real mystery is why this group of flowers remains untouched by the rabbits. They are right across from the other plot and have many of the same flowers. Whatever the reason, these are looking good. |
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This is much more typical of the rest of the yard. A real hodgepodge of plants, some nicer than others. |
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This is a close-up of one of the plants. I like this one since the petals emerge green and turn purple and white as the age. I have no idea what kind of plant this is. Any ideas? |
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This is view down the driveway. We haven’t decided what to put here yet but what is there already looks more like weeds than anything else. You can see some of the decimated hedge in the background. |
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This is the wall to the recinto that forms about 1/3 of our property line (our plot is a triangle). Obviously, we would like to do something to obscure this as much from view. |
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Lisa’s herb garden. This was seed a few weeks ago. |
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One of the nicer plants around this house. There are a bunch of these in the backyard. |
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Here a group of plants I really don’t like. These ‘spider shoots’ or whatever they are don’t look so good and just get in the way. I think they were an attempt to disguise the electric and gas meters. However, since people have to access them to read them, they are actually cleared there. I don’t foresee much future for these plants. The ground beneath them is covered in some sort of clover. |
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Here is a mystery plant. I thought this was a rose bush. Has rose-like leaves, stems, thorns and flower bud. Only when it opened, it was this flower. It even smells like a rose. Maybe this is a type of rose I’m unfamiliar with, Any clues? |
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Here is the sad state of affairs at the top of the property (the top point of the triangle). The hedge is wiped out, the trees are gone and there is pretty much dirt and weeds. Sad. |
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Here is why it is really sad. There is such a great view and potential at the top of the hill. |
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One last mystery. This is one of the plants/weeds growing at the top of the hill. It is covered with what appears to be dew drops over the entire surface of the plant. It isn’t water and they are some sort of protected bubbles of sap or something. I only touched it with a twig since I wasn’t sure if it was poisonous or not, and I have no desire to itch the night away. Does anybody know what kind of plant this is? What strikes me as especially odd is the fact that this is growing naturally (no special care from us) in arid environment. This seems like a particular waste of moisture in this type of environment. This plant is all over the hilltop and seems to be doing well. |
Well, I hoped you’ve enjoyed this tour of the yard. I’m sure as we get some work done and Lisa returns with the real camera (these are all from the camcorder), she’ll be sharing our progress. Until next time…
Comment by Deanna
Steve the pictures are wonderful. I have no idea what a lot of those flowers are but, if you have lisa write Marcia Wood (a nurse at Bloomington) she is an expert on all flowers. She makes them her life. I bet she would have the answers to all of your questions.
You still have a beautiful yard and I am very proud of the work that you guys have done. Keep it up. (Oh yes, I am Lisa’s friend from Blgtn Hospt.)
Posted on September 24, 2005 at 5:37 pm
Comment by Steve
I now think the rose is an Altissimo rose or similar variety. I guess I didn’t realize there were rose varieties that don’t look like traditional roses. Or at least, what I think roses always look like.
Got one. Can’t seem to google an ID on the other two mystery plants. I’d ask my gardener but he wouldn’t understand me and I wouldn’t understand him.
Posted on September 25, 2005 at 12:50 am
Comment by Lisa
Baby- You’re doing a great job with the garden!!! I love you and can’t wait to see you. I took some pics today withmy parents camera, so I can update too!!
Posted on September 25, 2005 at 5:04 pm
Comment by Cara Resig
Great pics of the yard! Can’t wait to see it in person. Sorry the cute, not evil, little bunnies were eating your plants, but they just can’t help themselves ; )
Posted on September 27, 2005 at 10:28 am
Comment by Heidi
A GIS for “evil bunny rabbit” turned up this picture: http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rabbit%20angora.jpg
I think you better put up “Wanted” posters…
Posted on September 27, 2005 at 11:57 pm
Comment by flygrrl
Bouganvillia
It’s in a song from the musical “Mame.”
And I doubt your dewdrop plant is poisonous– I’ve seen plants like that that actually trap insects. Couldn’t help you with species though.
Posted on September 29, 2005 at 6:25 pm