Watch that woman with the sharp tongue and the fat belly, the typical ugly duckling that turned into a swan overnight!
She has a fancy name - Parodia Ottonis and hails from South America, but she's adapted well here in South Africa.
She is quite aloof with her sharp spikes, so make sure you don't touch her with your bare hands.
I only started appreciating the beauty of succulents a couple of years ago, and just love how they look after themselves. All they require is enough sunlight and not to be overwatered. What more could a laidback gardener ask for?
The Perodia is a type of Cactus and I did not know that it actually flowers. She's been growing here for a couple of years already.
What a lovely surprise to see the stunning yellow flowers appear, shyly at first and just a day later, it was fully open.
The stunning Lace Aloe also grows in a container, and is quite generous as it makes babies for us to replant elsewhere. I have not tried planting it directly in the garden but am sure it will grow bigger. This one does not do well in direct sun.
Another thorny specimen warning one to stay well clear, is the Pachypodium menabeum. This one is also a couple of years old and growns in a container, but it may soon outgrow this so it's going to be gloves on when we plant it out. They apparently also get a flower, but I have yet to see that!
For now, we admire the thorny trunk and graceful evergreen leaves. Those thorns are quite vicious as you can see!
Bromelias grow all over the garden, and seem to do well both in the sun and dappled shade. This one almost looks like it's wanting to climb the wall!
The fruit from this palm attracts bees but they were so busy buzzing here that I dared not get closer.
If anyone knows what type of palm this could be, please let me know in the comments.
Yet another kind of Cactus, called a donkey's tail, Burro's tail, cat's tail, and all kinds of tails, but it looks so pretty swirling round and round in the wind.
The Senecio is a very good succulent ground cover that will soon be flowering again; it gets a cluster of bright orange flowers, also needs very little to no care once it's strong enough.
A miniature succulent garden that was a gift from one of our bnb guests, still looking very pretty.
Not a succulent, but I simply had to show you my thorny Pomelo tree that's already heavily laden with fruit. This makes the best cooling and healthy fruit juice.
I really wish I could share some homegrown veggies with you, but we've had to give up planting them, as the monkeys harvest everything, even if it's not ripe yet, but they don't touch this as these thorns really give a hectic bite!
This is a section of my early summer garden, and I'm sure you will agree, there is beauty to be found among the thorns!
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Wow I so love the plants. The spikes hurt but give so much beauty. The miniature succulent are so cute. Love them all.🥰
They are beautiful, even the spikes look like works of art.
I was so happy to see the flowers.
Thank you for reading & sharing your thoughts @missleray 🤗
Yes, it's really an art.
You're welcome.☺️
That is called Paradise dear Lizelle and the monkeys need to be sent to the naughty corner!
LOL I wish we could do that @erikah, they can be so naughty but their antics never fail to make us laugh, the babies are really cute as well 😉 Greedy property developers in fact encroach on their habitat so we can't blame them as they have to forage for food.
You are so right, we are blessed to have nature all around, thank you for the visit dear @erikah 💕
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Sub-tropical gardens filled with spikes, many think our gardens are gentle to the touch yet quite the opposite with us rejoicing when flowers appear along thorny stems.
Garden is being productive in dual form beauty and food, perhaps not for humans, everything else celebrating a little excess.
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Yes those thorns really protect their beautiful flowers, it's a certain 'hands-off' warning!
I must start planting leafy veggies again as the monkeys don't like things like spinach & lettuce. They're very clever though as they dig up root crop like carrots as well!
At least we can enjoy the flowers.
Thank you for popping in Joan 🤗
One gets all eager to put in leafy plants, herbs especially then the monkeys arrive, whether they eat it or not the remove or dig through everything.
I tried so hard with a garden when we first moved in eventually gave up, now converted much to indigenous plants.
Happy Saturday, enjoy the blooms!
I love the donkeys tails! And that Pachypodium menabeum ... Omg the spikes! Glad you have these useful plants to adorn your garden despite those pesky monkeys.
Those spikes have nicked me more than once but I just love the symmetry, nature's artwork! The donkey tail is really pretty as well 😉
Nice photos and cactus flowers. greetings😊
Thank you @hindavi 😊