Under the Solano Sun

I have been doing my own gardening. I am, however, getting to the age when I can imagine not wanting to do it or actually not feeling/being able to do it. Pruning 75 roses, fertilizing, checking irrigation regularly, taking out the old and putting in the new.

One of the cheeriest parts of spring, in my opinion, is the Johnny-Jump-Up. No, not the Irish drinking song, but the flower, known officially known as Viola tricolor or Viola cornuta. The white, yellow and purple pansy-like flower is an ancestor of the modern pansy.

Plants that have adapted to the conditions found in a desert-scape are called Xerophytes. They tend to have smaller leaves and many have a waxy surface which helps the plant retain water.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go to Silicon Valley. While there, we visited Apple Park, the new headquarters for Apple, Inc. Naturally, I took pictures of their drought-tolerant landscaping on the way to Steve Jobs Theatre.

I have just returned from a trip that included Angkor Wat in Cambodia. One of the most interesting things about ancient ruins is the state they are discovered in. This particular site is about 900 years old in a very hot location.