The Coleus Plant, a Memory from My Childhood

coleus
The coleus plant was a favorite of mine when I was a young child. Looking back, I realize that I always loved plants. My Mom’s best friend in Canada, who lived across the street from us always grew coleus in her yard. I used to ask her for a piece and I would root it in water, then plant it in the backyard. In Canada, the coleus died off every winter, and that makes me wonder if our neighbor kept some plants indoors during the  winter months, or did she plant seeds the following spring? I have a very shady side garden, and I thought that the coleus would do well there. Continue reading

String of Pearls Succulent

String of Pearls Succulent photograph on Plum Bird Corner

This is a closeup of a String of Pearls ‘Senecio rowleyanus’. It’s a new Succulent that I bought.  I recently read that they can be a little temperamental  to grow, but also read that they are easy to grow, so having lost one several years ago, from too much sun, I decided to take on the challenge of cultivating a second plant. Continue reading

A Foggy and Damp California Morning


Foggy and damp definitely described the view out of the front window this morning. We  could barely see any of the neighborhood houses. I went into our family room and turned on the electric fireplace. You can see it below. I love the way it cozies up the room.

Next I went to the kitchen to make my morning cup of coffee, in my snowman mug.
Before long, the sun broke through and I  was out in the garden,  checking on my plants. Not long ago I showed you my flowering Thanksgiving cactus. Well, now it’s the day before Christmas, and my Christmas Cactus is very close to blooming. You can see it below.

It always amazes me to see how these plants know exactly what to do. I ‘m keeping the Christmas Cactus inside for a few days, so we can enjoy the beautiful color up close.