Brugmansia is an exotic, small tropical tree in the family Solanaceae, also commonly called angel’s trumpet, that produces dramatic, pendant, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers. Captured in Santa Monica, California.

Brugmansia is an exotic, small tropical tree in the family Solanaceae, also commonly called angel’s trumpet, that produces dramatic, pendant, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers. Captured in Santa Monica, California.

Cannas are spectacular summer bulbs. Paddle-shape leaves wrap in ruffles around stems, tapering to refined buds. The buds open into eye-catching flowers of red, orange, yellow, and pink from late spring or early summer to first frost. Cannas are commonly referred to as “bulbs,” although they are not true bulbs. They multiply beneath the soil from a rhizome, an underground stem. The red cannas are from Hickory whereas the golden ones are from Santa Monica, California.



Grevillea Moonlight, a stunning shrub blooms all year in some climates. A fast grower, its large, moonlight-colored flowers and finely divided, gray foliage are a must for any southern-temperate garden. Frost and drought tolerant once established, it attracts bees and hummingbirds. Captured in Santa Monica, California.

Mandevilla sanderi, the Brazilian jasmine, is a vine belonging to the genus Mandevilla. Grown as an ornamental plant, the species is endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Here is a collage of Brazilian Jasmine flowers spotted in Santa Monica, California.

The genus name, “Agapanthus” is derived from two Greek words: “agape,” which means “love,” and “anthos,” which means “flower”. Taken together, the agapanthus is the flower of love. It is sometimes also known as “African lily” and “lily of the Nile,” tributes to its African origins. Lily of the Nile is a common ornamental in warm climates (below images from Santa Monica, California), grown for its large spherical flower clusters.

A collection of flowers of similar colors spotted in Santa Monica, California

The temperate climate of Southern California, especially around Santa Monica, allows growing of a variety of flowers. North Carolina is not far behind. Will be posting over the next few weeks images of flowers from Santa Monica and North Carolina.
Here is a collage of colorful roses ……

Signature palm trees and a lonely, near-barren tree provide stark contrast against white clouds and blue California sky


Spotted a Japanese style Zen garden with succulents in Santa Monica, California

Agave and other succulents line walkways along the Palisades Park, Santa Monica, California

Palm trees leaning towards the Pacific Ocean at Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California. Why do palm trees lean towards the sea? Palm trees lean to get more light called “phototropism.” The ocean acts as a mirror for light, so there is much more light coming from the sea than from a single building.

A colorful umbrella provides a resting place on a cloudy day at Santa Monica State Beach, California

Palm trees and beach chairs line up at Santa Monica State Beach, California

Located just west of Downtown Los Angeles, the 3.5 mile Santa Monica beach is an iconic example of the famed beautiful beaches of Southern California.

The beach sign below has cutouts for the umbrella and the birds so that the colors change depending upon the shade of the sky in the background.

A view of Santa Monica (California) and its beach from the Santa Monica Pier

Set in California at Santa Monica’s westernmost point, the Santa Monica Pier is a staple of this picturesque seaside community. Packed with family-friendly activities, vibrant street performers, restaurants and shops, the public pier also has stunning views and over a century’s worth of history. Here is a corner view of the famous pier.

A colorful, shaded, resting place overlooking Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Ocean in California

Man-made colors on the pier are enhanced by natural colors of the sky, clouds, ocean and even flowers on this home in Santa Monica, California


A colorful home stands in quite contrast to the plain one next door at Santa Monica Beach, California

Spectacular clouds hang over the Santa Monica Pier as it juts out into the Pacific Ocean, California
