03/09/12

Golden Groundsel Senicio aureus and Carolina Jasmine Gelsemium sempervirens

My back shed is awash with golden yellow this time of year.  The Golden Groundsel in the foreground blooms every year with the Jasmine.  I'd say the scene is a better antidepressant than most out there!

03/07/12

Leatherleaf Mahonia - Mahonia bealei , Camellia japonica 'Kramer's Supreme'

I'm not always the best planner.  A few years ago I planted these two shrubs near each other, way too near each other!  The Camellia is a verrrrrry slow grower and has taken some time to put on any substantial growth.  The Leatherleaf Mahonia has grown considerably faster and has almost reached its maximum height.  The Camellia has yet to reach one third of its maximum height.  When it does, I'm afraid the Mahonia will be out of site.  I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, but for now, I'm loving how they mingle together.

02/29/12



I planted tulips a bit late for Texas.  The red colored ones, Red Impression, did fine.  The plum colored ones, Burgundy Lace, not so much.  The color is great, but the stems are very short.  That happens when the heat comes on too fast, which is exactly what happens if you wait too long to get them in the ground.  I'm  enjoying them regardless.  The purple and white alyssum have been blooming all winter.

2/24/12

I haven't had a chance to take photos of my garden lately.  I do have various things blooming, and will most likely post some photos this weekend.  In the mean time, look at these amazingly beautiful photographs from Annie's Annuals in California.  My dream is to someday visit.  Okay- really my penultimate dream is to visit, move, and work there! ;) 

Annie's Annuals Spring 2012 Slide show

01/22/12

Nanocactus scopa

This fun little cactus appears to be covered in little cat whiskers.  The first thing that grabbed my attention, about it was its pure white color.  I've nicknamed it 'Snow Kitty.'

01/21/12

New Year's in Austin and the Hill Country of Texas

I spent New Year's Eve in Austin.  The fireworks downtown were amazing!  Even more exciting was a quaint little hidden lake in the Hill Country.  I love seeing what nature does without the hand of man.  Just as their is a different and more profound beauty in an aged person than in a youthful one,  the same holds true with the plants growing and dying on our soil.  The gnarled roots and broken bark of the trees help record their history.  You can almost visualize the rains, snowstorms, and violent winds that brought them to this place.  Even after death, their decay becomes more and more beautiful.  It would probably do all of us good to remember that aging is far from ugly.  Nature, if our eyes are open, gives us endless lessons to be learned.

01/18/12

Echinocereus pectinatus rubispinus

This Echinocereus is new to my collection of cacti and succulents.  Pretty spectacular!  It will produce a beautiful hot pink flower but it really doesn't need to, for me to be blown away by its beauty. This baby begs to be looked at up close and so far the little spider like spines haven't bitten.