A year ago, dear friends gave me this very sweet, very tiny Orchid plant for my Birthday....and here, a year later it has bloomed, once again, I am happy to say....And just so you can see the size of this plant, here below is a far away shot showing this dear little plant, sitting on the dirt in another plants very pretty pot!
The other sort of amazing thing about this little Orchid is that it has been outside, here on the patio, for months and months....And certainly being outside, though protected to a degree, was not the ideal conditions for an Orchid.....Well, it had it's own plans and you are seeing the results!
And above, another view on another day----in fact 5 days later, where you see a second bloom....though it does not look as healthy as the first....and looks like it is more than 'on the wane'....Still, this is an amazing little plant.....that outer pot is about a 3" pot.....!
And then, above.....A beautiful flower that is produced by the wonderful Ice Plant.....The plant makes a gorgeous ground cover that really holds the hill, and puts out this incredibly lush flower....And here below, is a kind of wonderful picture of a classic blue Agave...also known as The Century Plant....we have them all over Southern California. I think this is a beautiful plant....It is another one of the Agave's that dies, after it flowers....
This next picture below is of some flowers that are produced by a lovely succulent that is growing in my garden down below......One might not even notice these flowers unless you actually stopped and looked.....
And then, you might wonder as you really looked carefully at these very complex flowers...which came first....the flower or the little square pod....or, is the 'flower' in the little square pod? You tell me.
Well, whatever the answer is, these are truly fascinating flowers in every way....pods, and all! And I thought everyone might like to see one of the Bouganvilla's on the left side of the garden down below....It's that same one that I have upstairs only this plant has been allowed to grow and bloom to it's hearts content....it is right up against the fence that seperates my neighbor Bob Dickenson's yard from mine...Here is a close view of the lushness....
And here below is another view of this beautiful Bouganvilla, looking through the arms of a tall lovely plant....
And because I am excessive....one more view below....
There really is nothing quite so beautiful as a Bouganvilla ib bloom....And in this case, it brings some gorgeous color into the garden and as I said in that post about the one upstairs, it compliments all the many and varied 'greens' of the many and varied cactus and succulents that live in the garden....There is so much more and I will show it all to you, soon.More To Come......
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well just look at that little beauty of an orchid peeking it's beautiful face out at everone! Gorgeous!
and that Bouganvilla is outstanding! Wow! If I remember they don't grow very rapidly? That bush must be quite old?- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:12:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
That Bouganvilla is just amazing. I love that when we visit the islands and had no idea what the name was. I think it is so pretty. I remember when you got that orchid last year and it is so nice to see it has done so well. I know so little about orchids I'd be afraid it wouldn't make it.
I've been catching up on your posts. I find it fascinating that you get to watch the Emmy DVDs..I also wanted to note that I did get to see the Keith Oberman "Impeachment" speech that I thought was spot on perfect! If only Bush and Cheney had any compassion for this country or a decent bone in their souless bodies they would resign. But evil never listens to its people does it?
Nice to be back!- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 7:01:00 AM PDT
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There's a award waiting for you at my blog...I know you're not really into the whole thing...but this one really made me thing about you!!!
M.- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 8:03:00 AM PDT
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As usual, your garden is amazing. I just love seeing your garden pics. Keep 'em comin'!
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 9:23:00 AM PDT
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I LOVE that Ice Plant flower. I have never heard of that...ice plant. I doubt 1/4 of your garden would even grow here...I can't imagine planting an orchid outside and having it bloom!!!! Unreal! Once when we were little, my sister and I were eating a watermelon, and we planted the seeds in a huge gravel pit in our backyard. Much to my mom's amazement, it sprouted, flowered, and got a watermelon the size of a golf ball. It was great fun. I've loved planting things ever since!!
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 9:53:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I am so darn envious! I've had a bougainvillea that I've been nursing for over a year and I can't get it to do ANYTHING. Your pictures are lovely, as always, though, and I'm so glad you shared them. It's hot and rainy here, so they were a pleasant distraction!
Here from Michele's! (Today, anyway!)- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 10:23:00 AM PDT
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You have plants and flowers that I just can dream about. And when you show it to the world with your photos - then I'm flattered.
PS. Sitting here with RennyBA- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 10:39:00 AM PDT
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Beautiful, just beautiful. You have a wonderful garden and probably a green thumb to go along with it.
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 11:31:00 AM PDT
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Welllll, lemme see. I think the square pod is in the flower! Smack dab in the middle. Then, maybe another flower appears out of that, so maybe it's a high-rise flower-pod. OK OK I'll shut up! Lovely, juicy, gorgeous, colorful post, dear lady!
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 11:55:00 AM PDT
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Gorgeous flowers and great photos! If I lived there, I'd neer get anything done for looking at the garden! Naomi, orchids grow outside in the tropics, up in the trees, so that is the ideal place for it (as long as it is warm enough).
As you the comment you left about camp: age 4 is definitely too young to go, especially to stay for sooooo loong! My younger daughter went at age 6, and it was een too young for her (as it was for me at age 6). Did you see the wedding flower photos before the camp post? I thought you'd like the colors.- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 12:27:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Hello?! We know how exotically gorgeous an orchid can be, but the pink and yellow flower from the agave looks like pure bliss and sunlight. I'm going to go back to the front page and stare some more.
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1:23:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Oh, it's an ice plant bloom, but it looks so warm.
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1:24:00 PM PDT
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Nothing wrong with being excessive when it comes to beauty.
Let's just call that orchid The Little Orchid That Could. It's tough and pretty at the same time.- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1:24:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Like Tor said, having a Orchid in your garden sounds like paradise!
You know I love this round trips in your beautiful garden and the bougainvillea was just breath taking - thanks for sharing!
Btw: Welcome over to a blog gathering between Tor and me:-)- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 2:25:00 PM PDT
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Lovely plants and flowers!
My mom and dad had green thumbs. Mom still directs landscaping changes at her house, but and her sunroom is full of great plants. I always seem to miss seeing her bouganvilla bloom, though.
My dad used to plant a vegetable garden. He would love to have puttered in the yard more, but his spontaneity clashed with my mom's plans for the yard. She didn't want a surprise tomato coming up among her roses!
So he started specializing in potted cacti and succulents. When they moved to a retirement community he even found people to trade with, so the variety exploded - all over the house. After he died my mom found a lot of folks to adopt his plants. I do miss seeing the cactus blooms. So many took weeks building up a large bud, only to bloom for a single day or a single night!
I'll be back.- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 3:45:00 PM PDT
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I recall you getting that orchid last year and seems it has done well considering it's outside! I have never had an orchid before.
On that one plant, I think the flowers came first??...but maybe not!!! Very interesting those plants. Nature is truly wonderful, awesome, and amazing!!!- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:23:00 PM PDT
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Oh, I really loved geewits stove in the previous post as well! Very pretty!!
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:23:00 PM PDT
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My face sparkled when I logged on this morning and certainly was overwhelmed by the colours :D
Hey, orchid is our national flower so I am glad you have them over there :D- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:33:00 PM PDT
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Hi Naomi! You've green fingers and what a lovely and beautiful garden you've got there.
I miss my morning walks in spring and summer here as I'd peer over the beautiful gardens of neighbors and occasionally snap pictures of the lovely blooms.
I was told the colors of bouganvilla are actually its leaves, not petals. What a lovely bush! Surprise...the orchid sitting with the cactus! Oh I simply love ground covers with huge flowers (compare to the size of plant). Thank you for this treat.- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:50:00 PM PDT
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You have some freaky but cool plants, Naomi! We just have some run of the mill impatients on our property (we live in a condo corp).
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:57:00 PM PDT
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Its funny the plants that we have around the world and the gardens they grow in, don't you think? No gardens are ever alike. Not many people plant flowering bushes and shrubs like that where I live. Instead gardens are full of lush tropical plants (which I love) but I do miss seeing a rose bush or, as in your case, a flowering bouganvilla. Thank you for sharing your amazing photos again Naomi.
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 9:22:00 PM PDT
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Beautiful photos!
- Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 11:04:00 PM PDT
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Wow. So beautiful. Bouganvilla are one of my favourite flowers - I planted some many years ago at my parent's house, and now they cover the entire pergola out back - and when they are in bloom, oh, they are just to die for!!
Sorry haven't been around much lately - my Dad actually had a heart attack a few weeks back - he is okay now, but it's been a really hectic, stressful time. Your beautiful flowers were just what I needed. :)- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 4:39:00 AM PDT
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Your garden is wonderful, Naomi!
The Orchid and Bounganvilla are breathtaking! You took great photos there! Well done!- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 4:51:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
my mom is the goddess of flowers haha.
she loved her flower garden more than me. she wont forget watering them, fertilizing them, and yet, she forgot its my birthday.
silly. but i love her.- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 5:41:00 AM PDT
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You have the most amazing garden! *sigh* It's to die for.
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:16:00 AM PDT
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Dear Naomi, thanks so much for your nice comments and compliments on my blogs! So sweet of you!
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:25:00 AM PDT
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Your garden is a feast for the eyes - I can just imagine what it must be like to walk around in it...drink it in with eyes and nose. It's obvious you put a lot of loving care in to tending it!
XO- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 10:07:00 AM PDT
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I am so glad that I you first came to visit me so that I, in turn, found your beautiful pictures!! I love your garden. I'd kill them all if they were in my care.
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 12:59:00 PM PDT
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The fact that you surround yourself with flowers and all things beautiful does not surprise me at all - you are simply making visible what is in the inside.
I adore orchids and always have at least one in bloom in my home.
I also adore the picture of yours.- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 1:31:00 PM PDT
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Love the flower pictures, love flower pictures in general, but the Agave photo is way cool! That would make a great large photo. It's interesting in its detail, angles, shading. Love it!
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 1:32:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
My gosh, it doesn't seem like it's been a year since you got that orchid. I can't believe it has survived, aren't they supposed to be very delicate flowers?
I always enjoy pictures of your garden & I know that you enjoy it even more.- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 2:37:00 PM PDT
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Beautiful photos as always from you Miss Naomi:-). You take care and I'll check back in on you every now & again.
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 3:01:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Hi, dear Naomi, your pictures of flowers are wonderful. I expect you have excellent weather to grow phalaenopsis outdoors - - but to be successful with them and bouganvilla, that's a big deal!
You're a terrific people person AND plant person!
thanks for the blog.- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 3:49:00 PM PDT
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Your flowers and plants are so beautiful, you must have two green thumbs....
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 5:25:00 PM PDT
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How beautiful! thank you for sharing with us!
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 8:39:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
hey there lovely one.
thanks for the visit and trying to comment, sorry for what my blog colors has to offer. thats why i submitted myself to answer my readers reclaim, so i want to present you my new blog color....
go click on it :D color specially blended for you. tell me if it still dont meet your needs. take care dear.- Friday, July 13, 2007 at 1:22:00 AM PDT
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I am very happy that your little orchid decided to bloomm :) They are such a challenge adn yet it is worth it as youa re rewarded with the most exquisite flowers. Gorgeous!
I love that blue agave too - wonderful colour!- Friday, July 13, 2007 at 2:46:00 AM PDT
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I fell in love with the ice plants when we moved here... the solid carpet of color! It reminded me of the Walt Disney feature, Snow White... I remember as a child thinking, there could not be flowers that form a solid carpet of vivid color like in that movie... then I moved here and discovered the colorful ice plants. We have some planted along side the house. I love the way the petals shimmer in the sun. :)
~S- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 3:29:00 PM PDT
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