September 15, 2009 ‘Radsunny’ Knock Out rose is back. I love its lemony scent too. What a difference a month and several inches of rain make. Last Bloom Day there was a hint of desperation in my post, and I noticed that many of my fellow Austin garden bloggers didn’t …

September 14, 2009 On Sunday afternoon, with temps in the low 80s and rain-heavy clouds in the sky, the kids and I dropped by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for an hour-long stroll. During our hot summers I tend to avoid outings that don’t involve a steady supply of …

September 13, 2009 The kids and I lived in the pool this summer, trying to stay cool, and when they let me float around on my own, did I gaze peacefully up at the sky or the trees or even what I’d made of the new-baby garden during its first …

September 11, 2009 It’s said that Leucophyllum frutescens—also known as cenizo, Texas ranger, Texas sage, and, most tellingly, barometer bush—predicts precipitation by bursting into bloom. Overnight this airy, commonplace native Texas shrub transforms from a handsome silvery gray to an eye-popping silver-and-purple combo, with a profusion of bee-attracting blossoms stopping …

September 10, 2009 The rain lilies are rejoicing, as I am, over the definite shift in our weather pattern. And I know you are too, dear reader, if you’ve stuck with me through this summer, after I’ve droned on and on about the tiresome Dr – – ght and H …

September 09, 2009 We gardeners who love ornamental grasses may find autumn, their primary blooming season, to be our favorite time of year. I do love autumn. However, I’m choosing a spring-bloomer, Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima), for my entry in this month’s Picture This Photo Contest over at Gardening Gone …

September 08, 2009 My first oxblood lily (Rhodophiala bifida) opened this morning. They go so fast from sprout to bud to blazing bouquet of flowers. It’s fun to see the oxblood lilies, also called schoolhouse lilies, blooming on so many Austin garden blogs right now, thanks to the Johnny Appleseed …

September 07, 2009 Hope falls eternal, rather than springs, in an Austin gardener’s heart. Fall as in autumn, that is. Labor Day signals a wistful end to summer for some, but for those of us in the hot zone it’s a welcome holiday indeed. Temperatures may still cook in the …

September 06, 2009 The bees drinking at my stock-tank pond are no longer cute. They are too many, at least 50 at all times until after dark. They buzz around threateningly if you get too close. They are now fighting with each other over the water source. Yes, fighting. I’ve …

September 06, 2009 Late afternoon sunlight catches even fleshy agave leaves and makes them glow. Last weekend my DH and I heaved this variegated American agave in a heavy pot from the upper patio down into the raised bed to create a focal point. Serendipitously, it’s now in a position …

September 06, 2009 Late afternoon sunlight catches even fleshy agave leaves and makes them glow. Last weekend my DH and I heaved this variegated American agave in a heavy pot from the upper patio down into the raised bed to create a focal point. Serendipitously, it’s now in a position …

September 05, 2009 This red dragonfly makes a daily appearance at the stock-tank pond, and it is really quite tame about letting me approach. He has suffered a wing injury of late, though it doesn’t seem to slow him down. The blue dragonfly comes around less frequently and proves to …

September 04, 2009 Datura metel Late last night, I opened the front door to water a wilted plant on the porch and heard a mysterious rustling. Peering into the shadows I spotted the armadillo that’s been digging under my fence nearly every night to dig up my new plants in …

September 03, 2009 As I was driving away from Jeff Pavlat’s xeric garden, I spotted this beautifully crafted gate across the driveway of his neighbor’s house. Were they inspired by his garden, do you think? All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited …