Shantung maple’s charming flowers
When I decided to experiment with a ‘Fire Dragon’ Shantung maple last April — purchased at Metro Maples during a garden scouting expedition in the Dallas/Fort Worth area — I had no idea it would do this: burst into bloom with starry, acid-yellow flowers.
My little 5-gallon tree, planted last spring, bravely survived the hellish summer of 2023. It didn’t show any remarkable fall color after that ordeal, but perhaps this year…
Meanwhile, I’m charmed by the dainty spring show.
By the way, I just saw Shantung maple for sale at Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery in Cedar Park this weekend.
I’m also soaking up the cottage-core beauty of native spiderwort, which shows off purple and magenta blooms every morning through midday, before closing up tight in the afternoon.
Three colors have appeared in this pretty patch.
Bees love them too.
Speaking of, thirsty bees have been dropping in for a drink from my saucer birdbath on the deck. I hadn’t noticed them doing this last year, even in the summer.
But this spring, I’ve got some thirsty neighbors!
I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!
__________________________
Digging Deeper
March 30-31: Come see the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society Show at Zilker Botanical Garden on 3/30 and 3/31, from 10 am to 5 pm. Includes a plant show with specimen cacti and succulents, handcrafted pottery, daily silent auction and hourly plant raffles, and expert advice. Admission is included with paid admission to Zilker Garden, $5 to $8 for adults, $3 to $4 for children (under 2 free).
April 6: Come out to Austin’s Mayfield Park on 4/6 for the Mayfield Park Gardening Symposium & Fundraiser, 8:30 to 11 am. This annual benefit for the park includes a raffle, plant sale, and garden speakers.
May 4: Explore “brilliant backyards, perfect pools and pergolas, and outdoor rooms and gardens” on the ATX Outdoor Living Tour on 5/4, 10 am to 3 pm. Landscape architects, designers, and builders will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets are $33.85 for adults, $17.85 for kids age 10-17.
May 11: Save the date for Austin Home’s Great Outdoors Tour on 5/11.
June 1-2: Take a self-guided, 2-day tour of ponds and gardens in and around Austin on the annual Austin Pond and Garden Tour, held 6/1 and 6/2, 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 to $25.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!
All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
That maple is lovely, and so are the native spider wort. Is the spider wort that’s native a special one, or are they all native? Do you find them invasive?
This is Tradescantia occidentalis, which is native to a wide region of the U.S., including Texas. There are other spiderworts that are not native to Texas. I tried one once, and it didn’t make it. I’d characterize this one as aggressive, not invasive. But I have an experienced gardener friend here in Austin who can’t get it to grow in her garden at all, so there you go.
I’ve never given a thought to growing spiderwort, finding it less than thrilling. But then I see yours and it’s possible that I could be convinced. Lovely!
It’s good for a glorious month, and then it’s a weedy mess, haha. But I whack it back in late spring, and all is right again.
Thanks for your response. I’ll be sure to look for the “occidentalis.” I do understand how plants decide which gardens in which they want to grow. I just tossed another Beauty Berry out today. Dead! The second one in two years. My daughter five miles from me has her own plants and volunteers coming up besides. What do they have against me? Happy Gardening!
It’s true — plants have a mind of their own about where they want to live. 🙂
Thirsty bees! They camouflage so well with the glaze of the saucer birdbath!
I’m not familiar with your new ‘Fire Dragon’ Shantung maple. It has a lovely happy blooms. From a quick internet search you are in for a spectacular fall colors. I guess that’s why it earned the name ‘Fire Dragon’.
I’m hoping!