A while back I found only one blooming epiphyllum, and now it looks like there will be more on it’s way. So I just had to take a few photos of these pretty little buds.

Epiphyllum are actually hybrids of epiphytic cacti species (jungle cactus) native to jungles of Mexico, Central and South America. The word epiphyllum is derived from a Greek word meaning “upon the leaf”. The real Jungle cactus have no leaves but are just stems and branches that look like leaf.

It’s very difficult to see, but there are little prickly spines growing upon these leaves.  They look almost invisible, so be careful when handling them.  They are still not as bad as regular desert cactus that are totally covered with spines.

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Clematis are some of the most beautiful climbing vines. The name clematis comes from the Greek word “klema” meaning “climbing”. There are over 400 varieties of clematis in the world.

Clematis are natural climbers, so it’s best to grow them along fences, trellis, arbors, or even with a nearby shrub.

In the botany world, the colorful flowers are actually not petals, but sepals of the plant. In other plants, sepals are normally green and much smaller then the petals.

This one is called “John Paul II”.  The buds are very pretty, they look almost like lily blossom.  And the white flowers (sepal) look like fabric.

And this is the “Ariake” clematis from Japan. Such a delicate looking flower.

This down facing clematis is “Blue Boy”.  Also another delicate variety found growing in Japan.  It looks like a pretty parasol.  The buds are also very pretty.

This is the “Dr. Rupel” found growing in Argentina. It is another one of my favorite clematis. The pink ribbon like strips almost look like they’ve been painted in by someone. This one is similar to the “Nelly Moser” variety that is also very popular.

Note: These beautiful collection of clematis photos are by Tsuyoshi Isojima of Hiroshima, Japan. Of all the varieties of clematis, they are some of my favorites.

I’ve never grown clematis, but found some great tips from gardener Doug Green. And here are some of his useful tips:

- They love to grow in full sun and require good soil. It likes rich organic soil amended with compost. It does not like clay soil and will not do well there.

- When you are ready to plant them, dig a hole that is 2 x 2 feet and 12 inches deep.

- Protect the root by adding organic mulch (not rocks) around the base of the plant. Organic mulch provides good nutrients for the plant.

- Water weekly and water deeply.

Hopefully with these helpful tips I can then learn to grown my own clematis soon. I also like the idea that they bloom for months over the summer time.

Clematis are said to be easy to grow. And once the plant is established, they are easy to care for and plenty of flowers.

And unlike bougainvillea, which are also very pretty, these flowers do not have thorns. Which are good for me, since I’ve had my share of being around thorny plants.

This deep purple beautiful clematis are grown in North Carolina.  Nye Noona took this photo from her sister’s garden. The beauty of the flower and photograph itself just takes my breath away.

This new clematis cultivar is grown in New York. It’s a much lighter purple and growing along an iron fence. I love how the tips of the sepal look like stars. Photo by Bill Bird. He has a great photo gallery of many other cultivars too.

Blooming clematis is such a rare and welcoming sight here in Northern California. So just seeing them in photos is good enough for me.

I came across these interesting and useful designs from Finland. They are made by the designers at Tonfisk.

The philosophy behind their design company is to create not just a product with a different shape, but a whole new idea.  As stated, “Form follows function doesn’t mean all objects have to look the same” is built on Louis Sullivan’s functionalist dictum. However in spite of its cliché-status it describes best our design philosophy.”

Photo from Garden Design.

The “KIIKKU” is this stepped garden or potted plant display.  It lets you bring some color into your living room in a stylish and innovative way.  Kiikku consists of a walnut wood ladder from which hang four easily removable flower pots.

The term Kiikku means “swing” in Finnish. It swings upward to display your flowers in a pretty arrangement. The pots could also be used to hold a herb garden or even the easy to care for succulents.

It looks like a simple idea that serves a good purpose for people who like to collect many potted plants. The idea is to create a stepped garden which could also be placed either indoor or outdoor. A great idea for those with limited space. Available at Unison.  Photo from Unison.

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June is just around the corner, and I am looking forward to fresh summer vegetables. Especially cucumbers that are organic and fresh from the farmer’s market.

But I have yet to see any locally grown pickling cucumbers yet. Maybe in a few more months.

As soon as I get my hands on them, I would also love to try making my own pickles.

“Bread and Butter Pickles” are some of my favorite because they are a bit sweet, tangy, and crunchy. They are perfect additions to any sandwich or salad.

These cute little garden cucumbers would make great pickles! Photo from University of Wisconsin.

In the botany world, cucumbers are a fruit with it’s blossoms that are then pollinated. But in the culinary way, they are refer to as a vegetable. Either way, they are great eaten fresh, pickled, or stir-fried.

The easiest recipe I’ve come across for pickles is from the June issue of Country Living magazine.

The ingredient list isn’t bad and shouldn’t take more than a few hours to finish.

Here is the recipe Chef Jason Robinson of the Inn at Dos Brisas in Texas shared with the readers of Country Living’s magazine.

Ingredients: 1 lb of Kirby cucumber (although I think any small pickling cucumber would be fine). 1 large sweet onion, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup distilled vinegar, 1 tbs ground turmeric, 1 tbs mustard seeds, and 1 tbs ground coriander.

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Pacifica, a company from California, first started out making beautifully scented natural soaps and soy candles. I remember seeing them for the first time and thought how pretty everything was packaged. The design was a bit vintage, but also very cheerful too.

Most of all, it was their lovely scents that got my attention. Especially the tropical fruity scents like “Hawaiian Ruby Guava“. I have always enjoy having a ripe pink guava around just because it smelled so nice. Much like ripe quince.

So it was exciting to know that these scents can be replicated using only essential and natural oils of pomelo and grapefruit.

Now Pacifica has expanded to include solid perfumes and spray perfumes. Pacifica sent me a sample of their floral Tahitian Garden solid perfume to try out.

I don’t usually wear too much perfume or scent of any kind, as I am very sensitive to certain fragrances. Just coming near strong scents (such as cologne) could trigger an instant headache for me. But one thing I noticed is that essential oils don’t bother me at all.

I was glad to see Pacifica uses only essential and natural oils.  It is also made with organic (non-GMO) soy and coconut wax. I also like that it’s in a small tin that’s very portable and convenient.

Tahitian Garden solid perfume smells just like being surrounded by blooming gardenias and spring jasmine. The scent never gets overpowering and is very floral. The scent is blended using natural and essential oils including ylang ylang, osmanthus and jasmine. Ylang ylang essential oil is beneficial for relaxation.

Photo from Garden Express from Australia.  These variety are called “Gardenia Florida”.  They are such beauties and highly fragrant flowers.

Gardenia’s are some of my favorite flowers. I love the glossy green leaves and the pure white blooms. Unfortunately, I’ve never had much luck with growing them.  So having this tin of solid perfume in “Tahitian Gardenia” is perfect.

For more info, visit Pacifica: Fun, fresh and perfect for layering. $9 for Solid Perfume.

These are some plants I’m growing in pots.  It’s hard to see, but the bamboo plant is growing strong and turning green again.

I also got myself a little Meyer Improved Lemon tree, it’s really more of a stick with a few leaves.  They are suppose to produce tangy, juicy, medium-sized lemons.  But I’m sure that won’t be for a long while.

There is also a skinny aloe vera that needs some new soil soon.  The round cactus doesn’t require much attention.  And in the back is some peppermint.  The big green leaves in the background are just Ivy.

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In the remote mountains of Indonesia’s Foja Mountains comes frogs, gecko, and even the world’s smallest wallaby. The other recent discovery was of the golden-mantled tree kangaroo out of New Guinea. It’s always good news to hear that scientist have discovered new species.

This cute little guy is the world’s smallest wallaby. Photo by Tim Laman of National Geographic/Reuters

The other new animals discovered by researchers include an oversize yet tame woolly rat, a new bat that feeds on rainforest blossom nectar and a small tree mouse. There is even a new flowering shrub.

This part of Indonesia’s rain forest is very undeveloped and undisturbed without any roads. The elevation and tropical environment also provides much isolation. There are also local forest-dwelling people that depend on this place for resources. And the locals don’t take more then they need from the rain forest.

Bruce Beehler, a senior research scientist at Conservation International said it best, “While animals and plants are being wiped out across the globe at a pace never seen in millions of years, the discovery of these absolutely incredible forms of life is much needed positive news. Places like these represent a healthy future for all of us and show that it is not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis.”

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Living in California has many benefits, one of them being the amount of fresh produce available all year. But behind all this bounty, comes another hit to the environment. Or more specifically, to our water supply.

Nitrates are the most common groundwater contaminant in California. Although other places, such as Chesapeake Bay, has already seen environmental damages. The NY Times reported in November 2008, “As the phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the bay have grown, so have the algae that deplete oxygen needed by other aquatic life.”

A neat row of young corn growing in California. This nice photo is from ex.libris of

Nitrates are commonly found in artificial fertilizer such as ammonia. Under high temperatures and very high pressures, hydrogen and nitrogen (from thin air) are combined to produce ammonia. This process was invented over 50 years ago by German chemist Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch. Their Haber-Bosch process has often been noted as the most important invention of the 20th century.

Once farmers began using artificial fertilizer, the crop yield improves significantly. The bad part is that farmers often use too much nitrogen than the plants can absorb. The excess nitrogen has now found it’s way to our water supply.

California state law requires public water systems to remove nitrates. But many rural communities, such as those living near large farms don’t have access to the type of treatment systems available in big cities.

Julia Scott of the San Francisco Gate reported, “Nitrates have been linked to “blue baby syndrome,” in which an infant’s oxygen supply is cut off. Statewide, the number of wells that exceeded the health limit for nitrates jumped from nine in 1980 to 648 by 2007. Scientists anticipate a growing wave of nitrate problems in some parts of the state if remedial steps aren’t taken.”

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Destination spa vacation had been very popular in the past years.  But not everyone can afford to go on such vacations these days.  A staycation is probably a better idea.

In Asia, such places known for relaxing spas include Thailand and Indonesia. They provide services including massage, facial, body wraps and much more. Thaiways.com noted, “the meaning of spas changed to cover a relaxation in natural surroundings, using water as the main constituent, combining other natural therapeutic methods like massages and aromatherapy together with chemical-free ingredients.”

I like the idea of applying aromatherapy and natural surroundings. It’s easy to make spa day everyday with this Asian Spa handmade soap.

Made with all natural ingredients and essential oils. It’s has a fresh and aromatic scent of lemongrass. I also added a touch of tea tree essential oil, which is beneficial for troubled skin.

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Sometimes the sweetest things in life are thorny. There is the thorny blackberry bush with sweet berries. And in the floral world, it would be roses. Most of all, I’m thinking of the thorny kaffir lime tree.

They are loaded with as much leaves as sharp pointy thorns.  Wearing leather gloves would help and clipping off the thorns when they are young is another idea.   My mom usually pick loads of them in the summer to share with friends and relatives. They live in the cold northern states (Minnesota and Michigan) and can’t grow a tree of their own. Or at least not dedicated enough to wheel them in for the winter.

These are the first matured kaffir lime leaves picked fresh from mom’s garden.  I prefer cooking with the large mature leaves as they are very aromatic.  The leaves are naturally glossy and has an unusual hour-glass shape.

Young kaffir lime leaves can also be used, especially to flavor drinks. All you need to do is crush it up and squeeze out the juice.

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