03/21/2016

Backyard - First Day of Spring 2016

4/14/15

Kelly's Path

I dedicated this part of my garden to my friend Kelly a few years ago.The blindingly bright Golden Oregano, I know, would bring a smile to her face, if she were here. I think of her every time  I walk down this path.

3/30/15

The Kerria japonica, Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea) and Creeping Speedwell (Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue') are in full bloom.  This time, I can take credit for the trio. I intentionally planted them together because, yellow and blue in the garden is well as we say in Texas "dang purty!"  I added four of the Yucca Color Guard (Yucca filamentosa) this year to "gild the groundsel."

06/09/2014

My Late Spring front door border.

6/12/13

Pink Texas Skullcap Scutellaria suffrutescens

I planted a couple of Skullcap starts a few years back.  Through the years, I've been able to spread it by breaking portions of it off and sticking it back into the ground.  I've now got a nice little stream.

05/21/13

Golden Groundsel Packera obvata and Purple Heart Tradescantia Pallida

Sometimes even lazy gardeners are rewarded!  I haven't had a chance to clean up the old seed heads of the Golden Groundsel that bloomed a couple of months ago.  The stems have taken on a reddish hue that contrast nicely with the green and the purple of the foliage that surrounds them.  I always have to remind myself to relax and let the garden do its own thing.  Here's proof!

05/15/11 MAY DREAM GARDENS 'BLOOM DAY'

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Here's what is blooming in my front yard garden.  Photos were taken 5/14/11. 

Click here to see more MAY DREAM GARDENS

3/17/11 St. Patrick's Day

Oxalis (Shamrock Plant)

As the 'luck o' the Irish' would have it, my Shamrock Plant has a few little flowers on it.  In not too many days it will be covered.  This little clump has been returning for me for several years.  It surrounds my little container water pond. I send these photos with an old Irish blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

7/12/10

Datura

Datura, like me, is nocturnal. Last night the blooms on my Datura started opening. The scent that was in the air was overwhelming. The blooms only have this scent at night. In the morning don't try to sniff it or you will be more than disappointed. It's on the verge of peeeyyyyeeeew. Much like me in the morning!

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.

04/29/10

Sedum

I have various Sedum growing on my 'inferno strip.' They do wonderfully all through the four seasons. In the winter, as the snow melted their bright colors would show through. Quite a beautiful combination! They are blooming right now, some with tiny white flowers and some with yellow. Sedum is as close as you can get to a perfect plant!

04/26/10

Dianthus b. and Sage

This bright red Dianthus is growing in the flower bed dedicated to my mother. Her favorite flower was the carnation, so it's even more fascinating that this one returns year after year and is always in bloom on her birthday which was April 16. I planted several of this Dianthus around the time she passed, in 2002, but only this one lingers. Most Dianthus barbatus, that I've planted, stick around for about two years. This one is going on eight. I like how the sage makes the red even more pronounced.

btw- I have a brand new camera so I'm still getting used to it. This is the first photo!

04/08/2010

Phlox divaricata 'Louisiana'

I have Louisiana Phlox in a shady part of the garden near my front door. The fragrance is delish!

03/18/10

Johnny Jump Ups and 'Georgia Blue' Veronica

I've been watching my Johnny Jump Up Pansies bloom all through the winter. They were especially cool (literally) when they came up through the snow as happy as can be. Now that spring is almost here the pretty blooms of 'Georgia Blue' Veronica have decided to join the group. I wanted a drift of warm into cool and for the most part I think it worked.