Carol, you have to know that I identify with your gardens don't you? They ARE gorgeous. Except for the rock with pockets of soil, it's so much like my home territory --- many of the same plants. The Rainbow Eucalyptus though --- ah! they take one's breath away. I can honestly say that I've never had so much fun, chuckles & laughter on an ATP garden tour as I did on yours. I know others will think I'm insane writing this but it's true. Remember folks, that I grew up in very southern coastal Florida and can really relate to so much of what Carol is saying. Carol, you have done wonders with a wild & wooly territory which constantly defies any attempts to wrest it & tame it. You win for a small space of time & the minute you turn your back it's almost taken over again. But I know you love it --- dearly,
Thank you for a glimpse back to memories of a time when my world was much the same before they paved paradise to put up a parking lot.
One can almost imagine them self as Adam or Eve before the apple incident walking down one of your lovely trails.

Sharon: What a great journey though Carol and Bob's lovely gardens, thanks for letting us tag along! Carol, your gardens and landscape are stunning ... pure Paradise!

Let's save our nickels and dimes, Lin, and go see them in person!!

None of the photos show up for me. Any ideas on what might be wrong?

I have no idea, Zig. Can you see photos in the forums?

Sharon said:Let's save our nickels and dimes, Lin, and go see them in person!!

Sharon: Sounds like a plan!



Zig: I wonder why you can't see the photo's in the article? Hope it gets fixed soon ... the scenery at Carol's place is really wonderful.

In the forums no problem seeing the photos and enlargements. I saw Carol's garden photos a few years back when she put some up on DG. Certainly would like to see how it looks now. There must be something in the settings which isn't quite right.

Zig, I hate that you can't see the images.
It doesn't seem that anyone else is having that problem.

Of course it's midnight here now so Dave won't be along until morning, but I hope we can get it resolved for you.

And if anyone else is having the problem, please let us know.

@Ann and Lin...thanks so much!!! So nice to hear such appreciation. currently doing 'winter' (rainy season) maintenance = fertilizing and mulching everything...and pruning!!!!

Oh Zig...I hope you work out the photo problem!!!

Carol, you definitely live in paradise. WOW -

Starting with raining mostly at night. I can't tell you the number of times I've told dh I wish our rain would only come at night so I can go out and play all day And your temps are just perfect.

I don't think I could pick a favorite bloom/plant/tree/flower so I will tell you they are ALL just stunning and I enjoyed each photo

I too, like coleus and have learned the same lesson as you. Survival of the fittest as I don't have time to coddle what doesn't grow easily.

I don't know if I'll ever get to visit your lovely state but I'm sure glad I got to visit through your article. Whenever I think of Hawaii, I instantly think of fragrant colorful flowers. You've shown me much much more. Thank you!

Sweet sweet doggie and beautiful grand-children

Thank you Sharon for writing this article and having Carol share this gorgeous and colorful state.

Edited to say I think I remember there are no snakes in Hawaii. If that's true, then I think I need to live there. *grin*

vic said: Edited to say I think I remember there are no snakes in Hawaii. If that's true, then I think I need to live there. *grin*

I ran into another big black snake in the backyard last week!

It truly is a paradise Carol. I just keep going back to look at the photos. They are amazing. I was totally fascinated by the lava tube photo.
And what happened to the dog in the Views group of photos?
It's unbelievable how coleus grows there.
I just find it all amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your tropical paradise.

Thanks all!! Nope, no snakes here which is a blessing!!!! But there are little red fire ants, centipedes and 3 different kinds of mosquitos!!!! I'ld take any of them over snakes!!!!

Ah...the other dog in the photos. My dear Louise. We got Thelma and Louise as 5 week old sisters and Louise was my soul mate. I found her hit by a car about a mile away about 3 years ago. I think someone tried to steal her and she jumped out of the car/truck.

I find coleus are fascinating!!! They change coloration depending on where I plant them (= wherever I throw them on the ground. Don't even need dirt on them!!!) Weeds will continue to grow/bloom/seed unless we throw them in the middle of the road in the sun. If there's no sun...they keep growing!!!! Sort of hydroponic gardening at time!

So sorry to hear about Louise.

How amazing that plants grow that easily.

I always joked that when I retired I was going to find a spot where I could stick a broom in the ground and it would grow.

Well...I did it!!!

You sure did. Wonder what you would get if you did stick a broom in the ground? Hmmm, maybe a place for another vine to grow up. : )

Carol: I do remember you talking about Thelma and Louise and the loss of your sweet Louise a few years ago. I hope that she has a resting place in those wonderful gardens where she roamed.

LOL regarding planting a broom! I agree with Lynn, it would make a great trellis for a hoya or some other vine ... although I know Hoya's and other vines grow right up the tall trees on your property!

Everything grows straight up!!!! Philos, hoyas...any vines!!! The trees can be over 50feet high and the plants and flowers are hard to see that high!!! Now I just grow them on trees we have cut shorter because they diedor because they had been uprooted and we want to let them recover...and not die. When we moved here I thought I was living in a telephone pole forest....