Magnificent Magnolia

Two years ago I picked this Magnolia Felix Jury as the center piece for an old friend’s backyard. Today marks the first time that this tree is showing what it can do. Each glowing pink blossum is more than 8″ across, regally perched on the tips of branches. Their color, form, and texture are just […]

Signs of new year

Officially this winter is still not over, as proven by the thick layer of frost on the roof last night (2/5), but many flowers are already in full action. Quite a few also bring great fragrance, no doubt to entice the chill-braving pollinators.

Golden Trumpet Tree

From my neighborhood park. She was known as Tabebuia chrysotricha but is now Handroanthus c. just because of some extra minute hairs on the leaves and flowers. Job well done, petty botanists!

Kilmarnock Willow

Salix caprea ‘Pendula’ @ Yamagami Nursery – Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location:E El Camino Real,Mountain View,United States

Spring is Here

Even though this winter has been unusually warm, it is still nice to feel the return of spring. The days are getting noticeably longer and the temperature is rising. Of course we wouldn’t mind a few more good soaking rainstorms, but the last two wet winters should be enough to let us put off worrying […]

Dreams Happen Playhouses

In early June, I happend upon a Playhouse Tour at the trendy Stanford Shopping Center. A total of 15 structures were lavishly designed and built by Bay Area architects, designers and builders. Most were auctioned to benefit Rebuilding Together Peninsula, a non-profit organization helping low-income family to repair their homes. It was a real treat […]

Empress Tree

It is the time of the year that our resident female monarch (Paulownia tomentosa) is showing off her collection of fancy gowns and fine jewelry. If you head back a young specimen to ground (stooling) every winter, you will never get the jewelry(flowers), but you will be rewarded with gigantic tropical-looking leaves about two feet […]

Dragon again and New Summerwinds

For a cool $645k, you can become the new master of this magnificent dragon, plus a free small house behind. According to the friendly agent, Thailand is the birth place of this bronze sea serpent, and his name is “Ralph”, who enjoys water play on important occasions.