141018 - Cosmos

While the drought intensifies, I use a relay system of kitchen pots and pans to capture grey water (e.g., the water pasta was boiled in) and transfer it to the front gardens between the garage doors.

I grew these cosmos from seed and am happy they are nearly three feet by three feet as they now bloom.

1408 - Cactus

In Vallejo, California, Phil's friend pruned a cactus more than thirty feet tall. He brought home the "cuttings," all of which were at least four feet in length.

We were lucky to receive two. They bloomed almost immediately.

This is the second bloom cycle this year. The flowers are almost as big as my hand, smell like peanut butter and open for only one night.

140102 - Toe

Yesterday, I took a break at the top of the steps in the backyard, and Toe sat down beside me.

I was surprised she let me take her photograph, since she usually runs in terror the second I hold up the camera.

140101 - Cabbage Poppies

A cabbage poppy has bloomed among the sweet peas now flowering beside the garage doors.

Each flower is about as big as your hands cupped together to catch water.

140101 - Sweet Peas

Our mild, sunny fall encouraged sweet peas to grow alongside the garage doors. The plants are about six feet tall and covered in very fragrant blooms.

This is the earliest these flowers have bloomed since we moved into this house seven years ago.

1312 - Vertical Gardens

I recently created these vertical gardens out of suet bird feeders about nine by seven by two inches big.

All of the succulents came from the gardens.

1311 - Rose

One of the great successes of this year was a rose we moved from the back of the house to the first level of the terraces. It immediately doubled in size to three feet tall and produced more and more blooms.

This is the first time five flowers bloomed in unison.

The nursery where I bought it says it will grow to eight feet tall.

1311 - Hollyhock

Here's another photograph of the hollyhocks that did so well this summer and fall.

1310 - Larkspur

Only a few larkspurs thrived during our long, foggy summer to bloom this year.

1310 - Dahlias

Our very dry spring meant the dahlias sent up smaller-than-average flowers, which were beautiful, nonetheless.

1310 - Butterfly and Camomile

This butterfly waited long enough for me to take its photograph as he sunbathed next to camomile in bloom.

1309 - Amaryllis

I suspect our very dry winter and spring led to the best display of amaryllis in the gardens since we moved into the house.

1307 - Hollyhocks

I was surprised when several pale hollyhocks came up, as I don't remember planting this color last year.

The fall was mild last year, so I was able to gather lots of seeds to plant close together in the terrace near the top, left of the gardens.

I hope to have even more seeds for next year.

1306 - Poppies

These poppies volunteered in the front gardens next to the garage doors.

130504 - Sweet Peas

Late last winter, I purchased two of these in small containers from a nursery that not only promised this was the first year these sort of sweet peas were made available for purchase, but that they would be amazing.

They are spectacular in the fride (FRont sIDE) garden.

130410 - Anemones

After several days of rain, cold and fog, the sun has returned.

Anemones are blooming in the terraces to the right of the staircase.

310331 - Sweet Peas

The first of the sweet peas are blooming in a front garden.

The vines are nearly four feet tall and climbing up a trellis I made from garden twine.

130303 - Hyacinth

Dozens of hyacinths are blooming in the gardens.

They are one of my favorite cut flowers.

130303 - Candy Tuft

Candy tufts have begun blooming in the gardens.

130303 - Anemones

This winter, I planted dozens of anemones. The purple and red ones are the first to bloom.