07/29/2013

Sweet Almond Verbena (Aloysia virgata) may not make the world's most beautiful bouquet but it could very well be a champion in the scent category.  This arrangement fills my whole house with the most amazing sweet almond fragrance.  The bush lives outside by my back door and grows to about eight feet each season.  It dies back in my zone but returns to its full magnificence, in a flash!

7/28/13

The less familiar white flowering Silverado Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) blooming in my moon garden

07/28/13

                                                                    Silverado Sage in full glory!

07/20/2013

I took this photo at the edge of Ralph Lauren's Double LR Ranch.  Mount Sneffels, in the distance, is a wondrous sight.  It's not hard to imagine where Mr. Lauren finds his inspiration. 

07/20/2013

Dennis Weaver Memorial Park

Yesterday I was able to visit the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park in Ridgway, Colorado.  Vic Payne created an amazing tribute in 2007 with an anatomically correct sculpture of a soaring American bald eagle.  The skies, during monsoon season, in Colorado, are often a spectacular sight to see.  Yesterday I was lucky enough to see the park while the skies were in a state of ecstasy.  The park is a beautiful tribute to a man who was one of earth's kindest caretakers.

A tradition, in the park, is the placing of prayer stones.  The Payne sculpture is surrounded by these stacks of stones added along with prayers from guests of the park.  These displays add a spiritual depth to an already reverent space. 

07/03/13

 

Liatris spicata Kobold

 

Liatris or more commonly known as Gayfeather is another flower that takes off in the beginning of the summer.  The blooms open from the top down.  Like little rockets of purple, the flowers shoot up, it seems, overnight.  The bright orange Cosmos that bloom every year at the same time make for a dynamic color duo.

7/01/13

 

 Phlox paniculata 'Texas Pink'

 

Not all flowers struggle in the summer in Texas.  Some actually wait for the hottest months to arrive to take off.  Phlox 'Texas Pink' is one of them.  It's one of my summer favorites!