A Courtyard Garden

Las Ventanas is the home and garden of my daughter ML and her family. Three dogs and a bevy of chickens. ML and her husband are keen gardeners and have created a heaven for birds and wildlife in their garden with planting hundreds of native flowering trees and shrubs.


"Sasha" is guarding the entrance.



In the corner in a pot grows epiphillum oxipetalum. Pots planted with a variety of succulents are arranged in groups. Hanging pots are filled with spider plants which ML likes.

The Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum, is a species of Chlorophytum native to South Africa.
Spider plants have long narrow leaves that are 20–40 cm (8–15 in) long and 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) broad, which grow from a central rosette. It also produces branched stolons with small white flowers and baby plantlets.
It is a very popular houseplant. The most widely grown is the variegated cultivar 'Variegatum', with one or two broad yellowish-white bands running along the length of each leaf, but natural, entirely green plants are also grown.
The Spider Plant is very easy to propagate. They can be propagated by splitting its main rosette, or more easily by removing plantlets from the stolons and potting them separately or putting them in a glass of water.
It is an especially popular plant with beginners, as it is easy to grow and propagate and is very tolerant of neglect, being able to thrive in nearly any type of condition.
Spider plants have also been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.
At the spot where a leaf would normally develop a node, these plants will produce adventitious roots down into the soil, and new above ground shoots.Wikipedia

The whole area holds an under ground rainwater tank. ML has covered the concrete floor with small river pebbles. She has placed matching slabs to walk. Along this pathway she has placed Pony tails in pots. Two matching lollipop fig trees are framing the blue entrance door, and in the corner are Aloes and Agaves growing in pots.

Beaucarnea recurvata (often called the ponytail palm in English, even though it is not a true palm) is a species of Beaucarnea often grown as a houseplant in temperate latitudes. Successful cultivation requires winter minimum temperatures of above 10 °C, rising to around 30 °C in summer

The tinkling water from a small fountain gives a relaxed feeling to the setting...

Along the wall grows a Wisteria and in the troughs are more succulents. The flowering one the "donkey ear" with huge spotted leaves and tall flower stalks. This is a very hot area in summer. The succulents cope well and don't have to be watered all the time.

A shot of Agave and Aloes. A spider plant keeps company with the potted fig and the Lady Julia looks on!

A group of succulents. In the corner a big pot with a variegated Agave. ML cuts of the sharp pointy ends.

Believe it or not: The ponderous clouds that speak of thunder hail and lightening are male. The soft, gray clouds that nourish the plants with their dancing rain are female. In Africa.

Organic tip of the week.


Plant trees! They filter air pollution, contribute oxygen, help with soil erosion, provide shelter and habitats for birds and other creatures. Trees help control the greenhouse effect and act as air conditioners, keeping areas shaded and cool.

Photos by ML.

Copyright. T.S. Yesterdaytodayandtomorrow in my garden.

Thank you for your visit and have a happy day.