A Mini Garden Tour

blooming aloe plants!

My mom has such a green thumb.  She doesn't even realize it, but she's gifted at growing things.  Here are a few peeks into her back yard at the beach.  I didn't even know that aloe plants flower, but aren't they beautiful?

aloe, from above

my favorite, an early aloe bloom

bottlebrush tree in bloom

aloe flowers

this dwarf red maple sprouted a regular maple from the same roots--crazy!

river rock paths.  The girls love trying to balance along the edges of the path.  

What are you planting this spring?

Curious and Exotic Plants

 Check out this amazing flowering pink popcorn shrub in our neighbor's yard.  I haven't been lucky enough to run into my neighbors lately, but I'm dying to know what it's called.  My best guess is that it's a variegated weigela, but that's just based on a little googling I did.  If anyone knows what this might be, please leave a comment with a guess!

Flanna's new favorite pose for photos.  Cracks. Me. Up. 

Also, today, I went to the Museum of Life and Science for a field trip with our cohort of kiddos with autism, and during the tour of the butterfly house, I came upon this really cool vine.  The flowers are so  distinctive, light green and banana-shaped.  Gorgeous.

What's your favorite strange plant?  I just love cleomes.  They're so quirky.

Starting Seedlings

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I planted some seeds with 3 seedling starter kits.  Our seeds sprouted pretty quickly, and now our leafy green seedlings and soybean seedlings are almost ready to transplant.   Our basil is getting there, as well.  It's exciting!

Where are you seeing growth in your life these days?