In their own peculiar way

Everywhere I look now there are flowers making an appearance, such as the Louisiana iris only yesterday, and my little succulent patch inmates are joining in on the fun, but in their own peculiar way.

Looking like confectionery from another planet, gasteria blooms dangle from long arms which arch over the other succulents. And if you think the blooms are peculiar, wait till you see mum.

Mrs Gasteria does seem like a stern matriarch but she's really quite the nurturing type, sending up weirdly glorious blooms above while sprouting new Gasteria babies around her skirts. She might need repotting in a year or two, she's doing so well.

"Pucker up!" say the dainty little bells of what I suspect is a graptoveria, but succulent labels being what they are (totally useless, merely saying 'succulent' and nothing else) I am guessing what this plant really is. This is it pictured below.

Wouldn't it be totally unhelpful if at the nursery all plants were simply labelled "tree" or "shrub" or "vegetable". Are succulents produced by spy agencies, who aren't permitted to reveal any more about their plants, for national security reasons? Whatever the cause, it remains a minor life ambition to find out each succulent's true name. Where was I? Oh yes, succulent flowers in spring. One more slide please, projectionist!

Yellow is a pleasant colour to come across, although you come across this hue while on your knees weeding, as they're vewy vewy tiny. At a rough guess, I'd say these are graptopetalum blooms.

Here they are in context. If that isn't a graptopetalum, let me know. I am thirsty for knowledge, as they say.

Spring is such a fine time here, as things pop up, burst out, open splendidly, come out shyly, appear all of a sudden and just emanate from the soil like magic. Succulents have a touch of the submarine about them. Periscope up, all is clear, blooom! I love their peculiar ways.