Monday, March 9, 2009

Low Maintenance

California is now in its third consecutive year of drought. Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. (You can read more about it here.) With water in such scarce supply, I'm glad I decided last year to plant succulents in many of my containers and flower beds. They thrive on being ignored ... and they look like otherworldly creatures from a science fiction movie. Who says you can't have a colorful garden with little water?

33 comments:

Keith said...

Very nice! Bright, springtime colors and environmentally friendly.

Ken Mac said...

krayola uprising!

Judy Williams said...

I find it ironic that succulents almost look like underwater plants. This is a rainbow of color!!

Hilda said...

These are the most colorful succulents I have ever seen!

I'm sorry to hear about your continuing drought though. That's hard.

Yakpate said...

I literally gasped when this image opened on my screen... it is so beautiful it took my breath away.

How on earth do you get such color clarity with side-by-side elements of blue, yellow, fuchsia, green and lavender?

I want a print of this for my birthday!!!

Dixie Jane said...

Oh, happy, happy, happy. You know how I adore flowers. These are flowers in the most glorious colors without really being flowers. Ditto me with Yak on a copy of this picture. How wonderful to open both sleepy eyes and this is my welcoming committee. The rest of the day has just got to be great.

-K- said...

This is your most psychedelic photo ever.

Suddenly, a second cup of coffee won't be necessary.

Anonymous said...

Zowie! Is this one of your container arrangements? Fabulous. There's a house near the Trader Joe's in your neck of the woods; behind the laundramat. Front garden is planted entirely in succelents, and looks amazing!

(K is so sensitive.)

dbdubya said...

My first reaction when I saw this photo was to ask where in South Pasadena did you find an underwater coral reef. Amazing colors.

Leslie Saeta said...

Beautiful colors my dear! Love this photo!

Virginia said...

You are absolutely right. I am going to add some on my patio. It gets full afternoon sun now that the big oak was struck by lightning last March. This is just gorgerous L.!
V

Susan C said...

I can't take my eyes off this photo. Beautiful!

Sharon said...

Fantastic photo! I love the colors.

Hope said...

Glorious colors!

Unknown said...

Tres joli! :)

Jilly said...

I love succulents and grow a lot here. Easy peasy plants. Not in those colours tho!

Yakpate said...

I just had to come back for another view. Yes, it's just as fabulous as when I first saw it!

Unknown said...

Fantastic shot! I have a big collection of succulents and cacti too. Love them! :-)

Margaret said...

I'll just add my voice to the chorus. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Nicely done.

Anonymous said...

Want to do some trading?

Mister Earl said...

Nice. Reminds me of the big bracelet on Dinah's blog.

Patrizzi Intergarlictica said...

This is my favorite favorite favorite.

Dinah Brooks said...

I LOVE it, but then you know, I do love color & texture!

pasadenapio said...

Pastel succulents? I never saw such a thing!

Petrea Burchard said...

This one came up on my screen and pow! Love love love it. Tonight I'm going to dream of my college days.

-K- made me laugh.

USelaine said...

This combination of plant colors is perfectly inspired! Brava!

Laurie Allee said...

Wow!

Thanks for grooving on my psychedelic succulants, everybody! K, always glad to know I can help out save on the caffeine ... :-)

I have to say ... I'm really pleased with these outrageous little plants. The blue ones, in particular, are unexpectedly cheerful. I grew up in Texas where the only succulants I ever really saw were cactus. But in actuality, the variety of this kind of plant is mindboggling. And you can't beat something that lets you forget to water it for a month. When you do water frequently, you get weird and wonderful flowers.

I only pushed the color saturation slightly on this image. This pot is in a spot that almost always gets sunlight, so they've really responded with color. I have some of the same varieties in the shade and they aren't nearly as vivid. VIrginia, your hot and sunny deck is a perfect spot for a collection. (Same with you, Dixie Jane!)

I agree, these do look like the gorgeous jewelry on Dinah's blog. click here to see what I mean!

Thanks, people, for the kind words today. Until tomorrow!

Kathy H said...

Gorgeous photo!!! I'm forwarding it to my mom!!!

Jane Hards Photography said...

These are just too lush. Veritable feast for the eyes. If only I could name them.

Vanda said...

These are beautiful. Far nicer than grass.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, guys!

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Wow, how in the world did I miss this one? I want a print, too! :o)

Anonymous said...

Great photography..different photos..well done..


Thanks for sharing...
___________________
Andrew
Lock in your price today for Your favorite channels - and keep it there until 2010!