Sharp sunlight

The sun is moving toward its southernmost position (12/21/2014). This south facing terrace is more exposed and is getting spanked by stiff, bright sun which can be withering. Watering every two days absolutely necessary. The bonsai bougainvillea suffer. I thought they'd like their new spartan, root-bound homes. Only so much. I should have used more of the water absorbing polymers when mixing the potting soil-- it's tricky down here using that however, as we have 5-6 months of heavy rain for part of the year during which time, the roots need to dry and breathe. Can't overwater in the cool of winter.. I need to retire and just sit in the garden and do the needful.

Candy darlings!

Yes sir, ruby red. 

I've been looking for some dead-on-red bougainvillea for a while. Today, I stumbled onto a few gallons at Living Color Nursery on Griffin Road. $14.95 per. I need to research the specific species from which reds are descendant.

Looking West over the middle handrail. Coral and yellow bougainvillea behind column. Jack Fruit and Bleeding Heart in foreground.  I think I'll throw one of the reds over the center rail. 

Please turn to page 176 of The Golden Age of American Gardens, Mac Griswold and Eleanor Wellor. Addison Mizner's Palm Beach garden for Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kay takes my breath away. BTW, This is a must have book for every gardener's library. You can pick one up for cheap on Amazon. 406 pages of exquisite gardens-- Joan Didion wrote respectful review in the NY Times, of course Joan got it right-  it is indeed a most beautiful reflection of this period of our country. 

Bougie bower

 a throw of purple bougie over the sliders-- in training for a nice arbor.  I'll post progress.

Several weeks later--weather is cooling the purple bougie is starting to sing