We brought several cacti with us from California last week. After we get the landscape ground toppings in place, I’m planning to plant most of the cacti that are currently in pots.
One cactus didn’t wait to get into the ground before it produced a nice pink flower. I don’t know the name of this little round cactus but it is about the size and shape of a tennis ball, has inch-long quills and the flowers grow on stalks. Click on the image to enlarge.
We made a deal and signed a landscaping proposal yesterday. That afternoon, a dump truck brought 50 tons of river rock and another 50 tons of Sedona red crushed rock. The former will go on the slopes around the front part of the lot and the latter will cover the flat places and the RV driveway. Eight more tons of quarter-inch gravel will cover the non-paved portions of the courtyard and dog run.
Damsel’s image – River rock on slope behind a trimmed-up native palo verde tree – inset is the Sedona red crushed rock – click on the image to enlarge
This morning, the landscape crew showed up and immediately started clearing off the area, installing the irrigation system, removing unwanted vegetation and trimming up those trees and shrubs we want to keep. This afternoon, they began placing the river rock on the sloped areas. When they left this afternoon, the front yard had been transformed from scruffy to presentable.
We have been getting bids from several landscape contractors for irrigation systems, rocks and plants to the Arizona property. Today, we were visiting one contractor at his garden shop where this cardinal-colored pansy was in bloom. The red color and black face of a cardinal match this flower almost perfectly. Click on the image to enlarge.
After clearing out some of the weeds in the garden, we found this pretty (and fragrant) white hyacinth in bloom. Click on the image to enlarge.
I can’t take credit for growing this bright gazania since it was growing at the County Recycle Center. I took this photo yesterday when we were recycling our cans, glass and plastic. Click on the image to enlarge.
When we got back to the California house, I found several of the flowers in bloom. This tiny yellow daffodil is one of several that always come out in late winter or early spring. The flower is only an inch across and the cup is about a half inch. Click on the image to enlarge.
The latest planned improvements milestone is now complete: steel security doors. We probably don’t need these doors for security as much as we want the southwestern style and the ability to open the front door, let the air in and keep the bugs out.
I made a composite image of the doors that the installer put in place yesterday. Left to right, the front entrance, patio entrance and the garage entrance. I have to admit that Damsel knocked this one out of the park. Click on the image to enlarge.
