121014 - Pineapple Salvai

One of Phil's friends gave us this pineapple salvia, which we'll plant with the purple Mexican salvia in the spring.

121014 - Larkspur

The larkspur in the side garden did the best this year.

121014 - Cosmos

In July, 2012, I planted cosmos seeds in nearly two dozen six-packs.

Two months later, when the seedlings were more than six inches tall, I planted them throughout the gardens. The ones at the base of the terraces have especially thrived, growing over two feet tall and producing these lovely flowers.

Beside the cosmos a delphinium has bloomed for the second time this year. Its flower stock is nearly two feet long.

A few weeks ago, Phil and I decided to grow morning glory over the front of the lower terraces. You can see the little plants coming up.

1209 - Gladiolus

In the side garden behind the house, I took this photograph a few days ago of this gladiolus in bloom.

It is one of two gladioli that come up each year, inexplicably avoiding the pocket gophers that have devoured the 50 or more bulbs I've planted over the years.

The red, purple and blue sweet peas climbing the fence behind it show no signs of relenting. They came up in early spring.

120830 - Sweet Peas

In the side garden behind the house, imperial dahlias are coming up around these sweet peas, which continue to bloom into September.

120830 - Candy Tuft

I was pleased to find a single candy tuft in bloom this late in summer.

120830 - Anemones

The perennial anemone has thrived in the shadow of the hot tub fence so much so that its offshoots seem to appear everywhere around it, even in the terrace one level up.

120830 - Dahlia

Despite our foggy summer, the dahlias have come into bloom.

This variegated one remains a favorite of mine and Phil's.

120830 - Amaryllis

While in some years we only see a few plants in bloom, the amaryllis have put on a spectacular show across the top of the terraces this summer.

120613 - Cabbage Poppies

During our dry, warm winter and spring, cabbage poppies have thrived in the gardens, some plants reaching nearly six feet tall.

Each flower lasts only a day or so and is about the size of your hands cupped together to catch water.