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Back from La La Land

Had a great time. Snapped a few pics on the drive (yes, the car was moving, and no, I was not driving), from the 17th floor of the Doubletree Hotel on Wilshire, and at the Hotel Bel Air for my cousin’s graduation dinner and reception. That place is, well, wow.

Jacaranda trees were in bloom but it wasn’t in the cards for me to snap a pic. Everything was moving too fast, literally and figuratively.


I plan to!


Haystacks are so cool!


I’d forgotten how bare these hills were. They’re still interesting in their own way.


On a Starbucks pit stop, I spotted this dinosaur sculpture. There is a bird’s nest in its mouth!


Good advice in general.


A view from the 17th floor of the Doubletree in Westwood.


Another view of a building across the street.


A view of the neighborhood abutting the hotels and apartments on Wilshire Blvd.


The Hotel Bel Air. Oh. My. God.


Care for a swim?


Would you care to sit down?


Contemporary sculpture fountains like this one are scattered around the hotel grounds. They provide an interesting contrast to the older, Mediterranean-style hotel and lush landscaping.


A pretty place to sit and chat.


Lush… lush… lush.


Expansive lawn out front. There was a wedding nearby.


The bougainvillea grows waaaaay up into the trees. Very pretty.


The walk to a guest entrance. You don’t want to know how much a room costs.
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Off to La La Land…

… for my cousin’s graduation. Won’t have time to check out any major public gardens (dang!), but will bring my digi cam to check out the overall green scene in L.A.

Back in a flash.

Salpiglossis ‘Royale Mix’


This pic shows three different colors of salpiglossis, which I have growing in a pot. It’s another one of my favorites. Germination rate in the greenhouse wasn’t great, but I’m happy with even just these few plants. It definitely seems to do better in a nice, fluffy potting mix than in the ground in clayey soil. This one gets bright filtered light most of the day.
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Cerinthe major purpurescens


Cerinthe major purpurescens is blooming right now in the garden. I really love this plant. First spied and bought it in a 4″ pot at Annie’s Annuals, but now grow it from seed. Seems to tolerate full sun to dappled shade.
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