Some like it hot
June 09, 2006 Whale’s Tongue agave Since August arrived early, I’ve been griping about the heat—like it doesn’t do this every year. There have been maybe two relatively cool, rainy summers since I moved to Austin 12 years ago, but let’s face it: this is not a hospitable climate from ...
Red berries and red caps
June 04, 2006 Fall is berry season, but these luscious-looking morsels are the summer fruit of a Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra L. ). Native to South Texas and points farther south, mine grows just fine with protection from blue northers (a strong, cold north wind). I’ve read that Barbados cherry ...
Skyward
May 22, 2006 Bill of Prairie Point pointed out that the sphinx moth in my previous post looks like a prop plane. Speaking of propellers, this military helicopter (a Chinook?) just buzzed our house while I was in the garden this morning. A National Guard camp is located less than ...
First rock rose
May 04, 2006 The first rock rose (pavonia) blossom appeared this morning. More cheerful pink! Pavonia is a great plant for central Texas. It’s tough enough to withstand our heat and scant rainfall, and it blooms all summer long. The flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon, ...
Surprise guest
April 01, 2006 Texas bluebonnet As I strolled through the front garden this evening, I was surprised to see a volunteer bluebonnet poking its head up amid the tall echinacea stems. April Fools? No, it was for real. I’d planted a couple of bluebonnets near that spot several years ago, ...
Everything's coming up roses
March 06, 2006 The red bed: ‘Valentine’ rose bush and purple prickly pear. I like grouping tough antique roses with cacti. It’s something about the softness and lushness of the rose petals contrasting with the spiny “modern” shape of cacti. These two show off their beautiful reds. The ‘Blue Elf’ ...
Everything’s coming up roses
March 06, 2006 The red bed: ‘Valentine’ rose bush and purple prickly pear. I like grouping tough antique roses with cacti. It’s something about the softness and lushness of the rose petals contrasting with the spiny “modern” shape of cacti. These two show off their beautiful reds. The ‘Blue Elf’ ...
October 2004
October 15, 2004 American beautyberry in fruit October ushers in my favorite season. After the endless Texas summer, cool northern breezes begin to push back the Gulf humidity by the end of October, earlier if we’re lucky. As a child, I loved October because it is my birthday month, though ...
