Crassula 'Buddha's Temple'

I've always liked this plant, a hybrid created by Martin Krimnach a good many years ago. It's known as Crassula 'Buddha's Temple'. One of ours was flowering yesterday and so... It's a hybrid of Crassula
 pyramidalis and Crassula perfoliata var. minor.

Sedeveria 'Green Rose'

Introducing x Sedeveria 'Green Rose'. This lovely cultivar (Sedum pachyphyllum x Echeveria derenbergii) does indeed look like a green rose and makes a wonderful potted specimen. It's hardy to at least 25 F (-4 C) and where weather permits, makes an impressive addition to the landscape.

Enjoy your plants!

Lithops, Lithops, Lithops...

Now we couldn't come back from our trip without more Lithops in hand...some old faithful favorites and some new additions to the group. I never get tired of these little jewels.

This has been a bit of a rough week. First our water heater sprung a leak in our basement and had to be replaced. Not just a mess but a lot of money out the window. Then, yesterday, our DSL line to the computer refused to work and we couldn't get on the internet. Now that's a crisis. But we finally got it rectified and we're back at you.

A Convention of Echeverias

OK. Not really a "convention". Just a gathering on our deck. They've now been moved to allow us room to enjoy the deck...when it's not raining!
We've had to cove the pond to the left with netting to protect the fish from a very interested Great Blue Heron which has been visiting our yard on a very regular basis. I think they must have a rookery just over the hill from us and we must look like an easy food source.It hasn't been back for a few days, so maybe... We also haven't been able to get a good photo so I'm including one from another source. Since they don't mind nesting within a short distance of the downtown core of Portland, they're the official city bird!

Image by mikebaird via Flick

Echeveria 'Etna' and Echeveria 'Arlie Wright'

Tonight I'm posting a couple more classic Echeveria cultivars. The first one is another in the volcano series but not by Dick Wright, but by his close friend, Denise Manley: Echeveria 'Etna'. Some people are attracted to the carunculation of the leaves (that's the name for all the lumpy-bumpies); others are turned off. Each to their own. I like them in their own weird sort of way.

The second is a hybrid by Dick Wright, this one named for his mother, Arloine:  Echeveria 'Arlie Wright'. This one has a fantastic crinkly edge and beautiful color in bright light.

Related articles

• Etna explodes: Stunning close-ups of Europe's most violent volcano that nearly cost the photographer his life (theboldcorsicanflame.wordpress.com)

Echeveria 'Mauna Loa' and E. 'Culibra'

We came back from our trip with a fairly large assortment of Echeverias that we haven't had for sale before. Actually, these aren't for sale yet but will be later this year. The first is Echeveria 'Mauna Loa' and the second is Echeveria 'Culibra'. Mauna Loa is one of the volcano series created by Dick Wright. It grows massive heads up to 50cm across.

The second is Echeveria 'Culibra', a (relatively) smaller growing cultivar with fantastic rolled leaves, another hybrid developed by Dick Wright.

A visit to Solana Succulents

One of the places we always try to visit when we're in Southern California is Solana Succulents. It's hard to believe that Jeff is able to get so many fascinating plants in such a small space. Jeff Moore (third photo) is the owner and I certainly recommend a visit to his nursery if you're in the area.

Finally, if you can help us identify this plant. It certainly looks like an Opuntia or certainly of the Opuntiad family, but I'm not familiar with one that has this particular hairiness. And if it has glochids, they certainly aren't a bother. I just handle it with my bare hands with no problem. Jeff hadn't been able to I.D. it and we're not doing much better. Help!

Enjoy your plants!

Anzo-Borrego Desert Photos

Tonight just a few photos from the Anzo-Borrego Desert State Park. It's a very large park with lots of diversity, so this is just a tiny sample. Tomorrow we'll meet Jeff at Solana Succulents in Solana Beach and take a peek around his retail nursery.

Above we see a cholla along with Opuntia basilaris, a view with some ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), and an agave in flower.