Citrus Punch

Rainy day, juicy hues

So, it’s been raining again, off and on. It’s windy and cold, too… and even though we’re having a party — the first big Rancho party — this weekend, I’m not worried. It’s supposed to clear up before Saturday, the party day … To prep for the big day I’m moving things around and creating seating areas for our guests. I’m also finding places for the citrus-hued recent acquisitions above. From one of our favorite local nurseries, Paradise Garden Center, I found some terrific aloes with unusual yellow-orange blooms and fleshy thick leaves. I also picked up some pincushion proteas, which are Australian natives and feature unusual blooms in lemon yellow, orange and tangerine. It’s easy to see how they got their name. But, falling firmly into the ‘almost free’ category are the tangelo-lookalike planters stacked at right.

My sister Julie found them for me at the Rubidoux Drive-In swap meet last weekend. Thick-walled ceramic globes from the 60s that make a big statement, I can’t decide if I’ll keep them stacked as shown, or use the pair to bookend a container group. I’m also not sure what to plant in them but I’m sure I’ll come up with something before Saturday. I just need it to stop raining so I can get out there and play around. And, the cost? A mere $15. Now, that’s a juicy deal!