05/28/10

French Hollyhock 'Zebrina'

Every year, without fail, French Hollyhocks pop up from seeds dropped by previous plants. Some are pale purple and some are a deeper shade. This year a larkspur seeded itself alongside them. The colors of both together are zippy cool!

05/27/10

Spirea 'Anthony Waterer'

I've noticed these days there is a movement toward using perennials less and flowering shrubs more. I'll probably never give up perennial plants, but I definitely can see why shrubs are a wise choice. They tend to take up more room and fill the garden with less trouble, are easy to maintain, and are beautiful when they are in bloom. 'Anthony Waterer' Spirea is one of the best for this purpose. Mine has grown into a four by four foot shrub. The neon pink flowers are magnificent to see each year. If I dead head her regularly she will bloom all the way into fall. Not to mention, The foliage. in the Fall, turns shades of orange and red. I have Brazilian Verbena blooming on one side and on the other native Winecups.

05/26/10

Orange Echinacea etc.

I have to admit I have a thing for orange flowers. No matter how often I see them, I always think they are just a little more unique than all the other colored flowers. I must not be alone, because the popularity of orange Coneflowers has recently become enormous. I am keeping my pink Coneflowers separate from the orange. The orange reside in the front garden and the pink in the back. Soon the orange Daylilies will be bloom along with the orange Coneflowers. I'm a tad anxious!

05/25/10

Hydrangea

I got this hydrangea a few years ago from a wholesale nursery that also sales plants on the side to the general public. I do not know which hybrid it is, but I know it is definitely hardy and never fails to produce gorgeous flowers. I've had some 'big name' hydrangeas that have either died or haven't been reliable bloomers. I can always depend on 'Pink Lady' the name I've given her.

05/24/10

Red Hot Pokers

These beauties show up every year right when the Spring weather is changing into Summer brutality. I guess you'd expect 'Red Hot Pokers' to be, well, HOTTT!

05/21/10

 

Yarrow, Lantana and Wildflowers

I've devoted one of my front garden beds to wildflowers this year. It is to be a Rose garden someday but for now I thought I'd fill it in with flowers from the prairies . I ordered seeds of 'Summer Pastels' and 'Summer Berries' Yarrow. They grew nicely for me, but I didn't get to see blooms until this Spring. I'm very happy with the outcome. The larkspur etc. were from seeds tossed out last fall.

Last year this bed had two Wichita Blue Junipers growing that were finally getting about six feet tall. The heavy snow storm last winter however deformed them beyond recognition. I decided to pull them out and re-think the bed. Although I've grown wildflowers in this bed before, I haven't let them grow with such abandon. Driving up to the house, this is the first bed you see to the garden. I hope it says 'WELCOME.'

05/18/10

Cilantro and Parsley

Cilantro and Parsley love the cool weather. Cilantro gives up when the temps get too extreme. Parsley can keep on going. When they bolt and decide to produce seed, the flowers are gossamer beauties! I like the white of the cilantro with the green of the parsley. I haven't made a bouquet from them but I ought to.

05/17/10

Louisiana Iris (Black Gamecock)

I had this Iris growing in a pot in my little container pond. Somehow it leaped down to the ground and grew like gangbusters. Truthfully, I planted one that had fallen off of the mother plant. I can't believe in such a short amount of time how much it has multiplied. It's nice to have these bloom after the German Iris have all finished their show. Other than needing lots of water, they are pretty carefree.

05/14/10

'The Fairy' Rose and 'Red Cascade' Rose

Every May I look forward to the 'Red Cascade' and climbing The Fairy' Rose to bloom together on the same arbor. There is something romantic and Victorian about the scene.

05/13/10

Sweet Pea 'Cupani'

I decided to plant seeds of Sweet Pea 'Cupani' last fall. I'm so glad I did! The fragrance is out of this world not to mention the striking colors. This is called the 'grandaddy' Sweet Pea as it is the original dating back to the 1600s. The vine is growing on both sides of my front yard arbor. One side grows alongside a Bougainvillea vine and the other with a Rose that hasn't bloomed yet. The Bougainvillea and 'Cupani' together is fabulous!

I grow Sweet Peas every year even though their season is quite short in Texas, I don't mind because I'm so happy to have them when they are around. Click here to learn more about this wonderful plant.

05/07/10

Inland Sea Oats

In the spring, when the Inland Sea Oats begin to grow, they look very much like bamboo. This is what I think of as one of the more elegant grasses. It gracefully moves with the wind and has a calm and peaceful nature when it is still. When the oats begin to sprout, the show isn't better, but equally stylish with an added flare.

05/06/10

Texas Spiny Lizard

This little lovely was in one of my flowerbeds. I came upon her while I was planting some new plants. She was in the middle of laying eggs. I was going to plant a plant smack dab where she was. When I left the scene for a second, she had covered the hole. She saw me and took off. I now have a spot in my garden where a higher form of life is growing! I'm guarding it like a hawk!

Cinco de Mayo

I forgot to add a rose photo to the post a couple of days ago! Turns out it was a perfect mistake. Ladies and Gentleman I present the Cinco de Mayo Rose! :)

05/04/10

Clematis 'Warsaw Nike'

I love the color of this Clematis. An added benefit is that the deep purple does not fade in the sunlight. When it is in bloom, people are quickly motivated to see it up close. I plan on someday adding an Orange Crossvine to this arbor for the Clematis to climb. They bloom at the same time and I love an orange/purple combo!

05/03/10

Every thing's coming up roses!

05/01/10

The vegetables got in the flowers!

This year I've tried to add more vegetables into my garden. Most of my garden is pretty full of flowers, so I've had to find creative ways to incorporate the veggies. The top pictures show the red cabbage growing with the roses and the Butterfly Blue Scabiosa. I've crammed as many into the bed as possible. I guess you can call it my version of 'stuffed' cabbage!
I decided to put Swiss chard in my front yard garden. It is growing with the Dianthus, Alyssum, and Ranunculus. So far, everyone is getting along fine.