09/02/13

Sweet Autumn Clematis

I've renamed this vine Sweet Hotter than Hell Clematis, since in Texas it blooms in late August and early September.  The hot  summer sun magnifies its sweet heady fragrance. By the time the part of year it's name for comes around the blooms are pretty much spent.   This Clematis climbs up an arbor in close vicinity to a huge American Beautyberry and an elderly Crepe Myrtle, which both contrast nicely with its pristine white flowers.

08/28/2013

Summer garden bouquet  for AFA

08/05/2013

Celosia

I started growing several varieties of Celosia years ago.  All of the different varieties seem to have morphed into this one type which self seeds every year.  Without fail, I'm guaranteed blooms in the very very hottest time of the year.  That time of the year is now!  

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.