The Pine Tree has died but Lives on!

The large pine tree has died.  The tree trimmers removed the dead branches but left about 30 feet of the trunk so that Mike could plant it with ferns, bromeliads, orchids and begonias.

The view from the front door looking up at the dead pine tree.

The tree trimmer used a bucket truck to access the tree and to cut it down piece by piece.

Three tree trimmer and his team worked quickly, removing the dead tree.

Mike Flaherty starts to work adding plants to the trunk.

There is a lot to look at as you walk down the steps.

I think it looks great

I think this Stag Horn fern looks great mounted on the tree trunk.

Fragrant Tillandsia

My fragrant tillandsia is in bloom.  I bought this about 3 years ago when it was in bloom and I thought it would never bloom again and it hasn't until today! 

Tillandsia

The bloom is less than a half an inch and has a strong sweet fragrance.

71st Santa Barbara International Orchid Show

Here are some pictures that I took on Sunday at the 71st Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.  We timed it just right and arrived a few minutes after the show opened and before it was crowded.

Vanilla Orchid (not in bloom)

Tillandsias mounted on a tree

Bromeliads and Tillandsias

Tillandsia Starting to Bloom

I've had this Tillandsia for several years and it has grown several clumps over that time period but this is the first time it has bloomed.  It really came to life right after the rains we received about a week ago.

Tillandsia

Tillandsia

I really like Tillandsias and they seem to do well in our garden.  

Tillandsia,

Tillandsia,

A variety of Tillandsias in a glass basket.

I bought some of these Tillandsias at the bromeliad show in May and Mike bought this one below Tillandsia Secunda.  It is the largest Tillandsia and this one is about 20 inches wide.

Tillandsia Secunda

The following week Mike brought home another Tillandsia Secunda only this on is in bloom has a bloom stalk.  Here is a picture of it in the garden path.

Tillandsia Secunda

It's hard to see how tall it is so I took another picture of it outside this door to my glass studio.  It is about five feet tall.

Tillandsia Secunda

Here are some more Tillandsias that Mike brought home.

Tillandsia

Tillandsia bloom

This one sits in the Japanese maple tree outside our front door.

This Tillandsia Xerographica is almost a foot wide. 

I like the shape of this Tillandsia Andreana