Diana C. Kirby, Author at Diana's Designs Austin

The Green, Green Grass of Home

Ok – so this grass isn’t green! But I did see green grass this week in a most unusual place. My best friend and I took a day off and went to City Park – Emma Long Park — and enjoyed a picnic and some relaxation by the lake. It’s probably the first time we’ve been back since high school (the years that spans are too numerous to count). The lake was up and mucky and full of debris, but the hill country drive out there was an amazing sight to behold. Green, green, everywhere. Unheard of in the hill country in summer, much less August. But there it was, lush and moist and beautiful. It was a delightful afternoon.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:01-05:00August 10th, 2007|Blog, grass, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

I love the long row of crape myrtles that line our driveway. I’m eager for them to begin budding and blooming each Spring, but somehow I am always taken by surprise when their bark begins to peel in that mysterious way that brings us an abstract painting in our garden. Their blooms are so delicate and formal and soft, and the peeling bark offers up a rustic contrast that seems somehow out of place.

I ran my sprinklers last night for the first time in months. And between the sun and the wind and the sprinklers, most of my plants seem to be getting back to what we know as normal in Central Texas, and what they need to thrive in our gardens.

After yesterday’s post about the missing blooms, I did see 3 new buds on the Mexican Flame Vine that are almost ready to open. Since we’re leaving on vacation next week, I’m sure they are all waiting until I’m gone!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:01-05:00August 8th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, trees|0 Comments

Oh blooms, blooms, wherefore art thou?

It’s almost like Spring revisted. The waiting and watching and more waiting for the blooms to appear on a myriad of plants throughout my garden. They’re green, and they’re growing — and I’m growing impatient! But, Mother Nature does things on her schedule, not mine, and that’s a constant lesson for me in the garden. Maybe in a week or two I can post these pictures again with a profusion of beautiful blooms to share!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:17-05:00August 7th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Summer really has arrived…

Ok – so it’s officially hot. And Summertime. And watering time. S’ok. It IS Texas after all – it’s supposed to be HOT! And the heat is making so many of my plants happy again. Like this little guy, with his little bloom peeking out after a month of soggy, wet roots that I thought were going to give up. I’m not even sure what this plant is, but I like it — it makes me smile.

There’s a running “To Do” list in my head, including projects for the fall, like removing the dying oleander and overgrown primrose jasmine in the front beds and starting a new design from scratch. Something more appropriate to that space, and something I can call “mine,” instead of something that I inherited with the house. I think the previous owners literally planted one of everything with no regard to size or sunlight or sensibility! New projects and landscape designs excite me. Pulling weeds doesn’t excite me. But, THAT’s what’t at the top of my list right now! So, for now, I’ll pull weeds and dream about planting a flowering quince in that perfect pink/coral color that will join my daffodils as the first harbingers of spring next year.

Speaking of quince – I’m looking for a particular variety — with the coral-colored blooms we find dotting the beautiful, rich central Austin gardens of yesteryear. Not the Texas Red, or even pink, but that delicate coral color that is is so rare in the garden, and makes this quince so distinctive. I’ve done some searching, but haven’t had much luck. Any ideas on the name of the variety I want or where I can find one?

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:17-05:00August 6th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Oops — Time to water again!

After our wet and wonderfully cooler early summer months, it’s time to water again. Unfortunately, I got distracted this week and neglected some plants in planters and, lo and behold, they are strangling in the heat! After apologizing profusely (and a nice dousing of H-2-O), they are coming back to normal. But I did feel them giving me dirty looks when I walked by this morning…

My Dad sent me to a great website this morning – it was like garden eye candy! It’s http://www.tomatobob.com and it’s full of vegetables and heirloom tomatoes. It’s got me fantasizing about next year’s tomato crop — or, maybe even the second summer crop here in balmy Texas. We’ve so enjoyed my Cherokee Purple Heirloom tomatoes this year – they are just delicious. I think one of the things I like about planting heirlooms is the history entwined in their roots and vines. It’s somehow gratifying to think, that in all the hustle and bustle and modern convenience of our lives today, we can still till the soil and plant the same healthy foods our ancestors enjoyed hundreds of years ago.

Happy planting!

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:28:02-06:00August 5th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, tomatoes|0 Comments

Curious…

This is my giant, overgrown, “dwarf” oleander. It was here when we moved in, and much smaller. In 4 years, it has grown quite large, but now I am seeing an unusual phenomenon — there are large, “full-sized” oleander leaves growing up from the bottom of the shrub, while smaller, dwarf-like leaves come up the middle. Any clues about what’s going on? And, I’m sad to report, that one of the two has that common oleander disease, so I think its days are numbered. I cut out all the dying leaves and limbs, but it’s still coming back. I just hate to dig them up because they the prime bird and lizard habitat in front of the garage. If you have any ideas on what’s going on or suggestions on how to save it, please let me know!