This was a huge 8-10" fragrant bloom.

It just blew me away.

A crested cacti (or scary creatutre?)

Spotted another epiphyllum in a tree.

And two monster silver agaves

A section of barrel cactus near the house.

Walking away from the house through an agave section.

Around one curved path we came across the Fern Garden, "bordered by the swimming pool, which was built in 1947 and renovated in 1990. The pool area includes an adjacent sandy "beach" with giant clam shells."

Here's a begonia planting with a clam shell in the foreground.

Here is the old pool making up the Water garden, with lotus for which the grounds were named after.

In the center of the Aloe Garden is this kidney shaped pond, painted a bright white. It's surrounded by a border of abalone shells & two large cascading fountains of giant clam shells. (next picture)

An undersea looking garden with clam shell fountain

a side view

The aloe collection was extensive.

With many aloes still in bloom.

Next we came across the Japanese Garden, which includes Japanese maples, camellias, azaleas, and several species of pine

This doesn't show up clearly enough with the green background but it was a fabulous weeping bamboo.

Now for a few more shots around the house.

Potted geraniums always remind me of Germany.

A section behind the rose garden has these neat pebble mosaics and intricate brick patterned patios.