Early summer color coming on
Mexican oregano, vitex, and ‘Vertigo’ pennisetum harmonize in shades of purple.
Since the Austin Garden Bloggers Fling tour in early May, when 92 bloggers trooped through my garden, a purple explosion has occurred. So many plants are in full bloom now that weren’t then, and that pains me a bit.
‘Peter’s Purple’ monarda makes a violet swath along the driveway.
Vitex, Mexican oregano, ‘Peter’s Purple’ monarda — these beauties wow in early summer, when temps regularly hover in the 90s.
A Texas sotol bloom spike rises high above the monarda.
I’m fairly certain the bloggers would not have appreciated touring in 95-degree weather (I know I wouldn’t), but still I wish the garden looked then the way it does now.
Purple on purple of ‘Vertigo’ pennisetum and vitex
Isn’t that always the way it goes when you have garden visitors? You should have seen it a few days ago, or I wish you could see it in a few weeks.
Vitex, or chaste lilac, in flower
Well, that’s what a blog is for.
Collecting rain lily seeds
Whether an in-person visit or a virtual one, it’s all about gathering seeds…or inspiration.
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This always seems to be my lament…you should have been here last week, or wish you could see it next week when… Your garden is always a delight.
It is a ridiculous lament, but it’s hard not to fall into it when you have visitors coming. 🙂
Having walked your incredible garden, I feel I better visualize the space now through your photos. Ninety degrees already?! I would probably be sitting in your pool and admiring the flowers!
That’s pretty much how I like to spend the summer!
The song of the gardener: You should have been here last week. BTW, thanks to you, Monarda ‘Peters Purple’ is blooming in my garden in Dallas!
That’s lovely to hear, Peter. You needed that namesake plant.
Thank you for sacrificing for us! I would imagine that Austin 95 packs a wallop of humidity? Ugh. Sticky is not fun.
Yes indeed. Even with the downpour, the weather in early May was much preferable to now.
Funny how your vitex is blooming already, when on mine you can’t even see the buds yet! And I’ll point out that as much as every gardener says “you should have been here last/next week”, every garden visitor says “I have no idea what they are talking about, the garden is gorgeous!” Thanks for sharing yours with us!
I had a blast sharing it with all the bloggers, flowers or no flowers!
I’m just as happy to have seen your garden under cooler temperatures, Pam! Seeing your Vitex in bloom last year encouraged me to plant one in my own garden this past fall. As it was planted from a 4-inch pot, it’s still tiny but I have great hopes for it. Happy Memorial Day!
If it’s like the vitexes in Austin, it’ll be growing like a monster soon. 🙂
What timing to see your blog and read about telling visitors the “gardener’s lament”! I was doing just that this morning while pulling out my phone to show photos of what was or will be soon! At least there’s always something in bloom to enjoy!
We all do it, don’t we?
Ok, tell me about your Vitex. Mine is a tree while yours appears to be a shrub. What gives?
I whack it back to about a foot high in late winter, just before the new growth starts. I don’t want it to be tree-size, and that does the trick.
I was hoping that is what you do to your vitex. I’m so gonna try it.
Happy whacking!
Your garden was beautiful when we visited. And you’re right, we wouldn’t have appreciated 95°!
Or even 100F, which is predicted for the end of this week.
Your visitors seemed quite taken with your garden even before the purple explosion and I’m certain they all appreciated being there when it wasn’t so hot!
I know I did!
Ditto on what you said about wishing the bloggers were here now. HOT. But masses of Indian Blanket and Mexican Hats in bloom, as well as Mexican oregano and vitex….rather than the smashed larkspur and petal-less poppies they saw. Such is life…
Your garden looks awesome as always!
It was an in-between garden season in early May, but the gardens all still looked wonderful. I have no regrets about choosing the weekend we did. But of course as gardeners we all want our visitors to see everything — impossible!