Peruvian Cactus, matucana madisoniorum

 I like the rough texture of the matucana madisoniorum cactus and how the blooms appear to "shoot out" from the top.  I've had this cactus for a very long time, maybe 20 years?

matucana madisoniorum

matucana madisoniorum

matucana madisoniorum

Hibiscus Bloom Details

 Here are some close up pictures, of a couple of Hibiscus blooms.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Impatiens

Mike grows several different kinds of impatiens in the garden, and these four caught my eye!

Impatiens

Impatiens

Impatiens

Impatiens

Impatiens with an ant!

 Begonias are monoecious, meaning that they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant.  Male flowers are referred to as staminate, while female ones are called pistillate. This photo has both male flowers (top three) and female flowers with the curly pistillate.

Begonia Big Green Leaf White with both male and female flowers

4th of July

 I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July.  Here are some pictures that I took of the Santa Barbara fireworks display.

The finale was a bit over the top!

African Violet

 One of my African Violets is blooming.

African Violet

African Violet

African Violet

Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant)

I inherited this Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant) almost a year ago and I'm happy it's doing well.  I like the shape and look of the caudex and the little green flowers.

Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant)

Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant)

Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant)

Euphorbia bubleurifolia (Pine Cone Plant)