Pride of Madeira by r. r. bernet

Pride of Madiera by r. r. bernet

Echium candicans, commonly known as pride of Madeira, is a species of flowering plant native to the island of Madeira. Pride of Madeira is widely available throughout the world as an ornamental plant for traditional and drought tolerant water conserving gardens. It is particularly suitable for coastal planting, and is a popular ornamental in coastal California. With a minimum temperature requirement of 41–45 °F, in frost-prone areas it needs some winter protection. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

The Epiphytes of Spring

Epiphytes are cactus-like. They blossom brilliantly in the spring with large, short-lived flowers. Sometimes referred to as "air cactus," they need minimal soil and thrive in large hanging pots with minimal watering - "feeding out of the air". I hang them in my trees and from the crossbeam of my balcony, framing the view of the neighborhood.

Blooms Make Florida Pool Landscaping Perfect

Photograph © 2011 Robert Glenn Ketchum. For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

This is a garden in Florida. The pool is not large or unusually designed, but the planting and pots surrounding it change everything. Oversized, with great variety in color and texture, the added vegetation surrounding the pool adds to its lush, tropical feel and makes it seem more like a small hidden pond or oasis. 

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West Palm Beach, Florida

Photograph © 2011 Robert Glenn Ketchum.
For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

California Dreamin'

One of the "pools" at LotusLand in Santa Barbara. Abalone shells line the pool edge and several giant clamshell waterfalls trickle into it. LotusLand was built by the eccentric opera star Ganna Walska, who went through the fortunes of 4 husbands to create this garden.

Gorgeous Succulents...

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum.
For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

How gorgeous is this!?!

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum. For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

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Manhattan Beach

An "air cactus" blooming in a hanging pot on the balcony of my new home at the beach. I think it likes the moist air!

 

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum.
For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

cactus/succulent/agave at Huntington Botanical Gardens

Early morning light, Huntington Botanical Gardens, San Marino, (CA). The cactus/succulent/agave gardens are one of my favorite places and reflect a lot of the things I have grown in my gardens over the years, trying to minimize water use.

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6-foot monstrous agave!

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum. For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

From the hillside garden at my former home of 62-years on Stone Canyon Road. The yellow spikes are the flowers of the monstrous agave. The agave was nearly 6-feet tall when I sold the home. In the background are other agaves, a tangerine tree, and a climbing tree rose that put out 25-foot branches covered with blossoms.

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Mexican Blue palms & Senesia

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum.
For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

Mexican Blue palms and Senesia (?), a blue-colored succulent at Lotusland in Santa Barbara. I was one of the principle photographers for the garden before it opened for the public.

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succulents mixed with tradional flowering plants

Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum.
For Display Use Only, No Permission to Reproduce in Any Form.

The garden outside of my studio at my former home on Stone Canyon Road. Succulents mixed with more traditional flowering plants, azalea, etc.

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