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Heat-loving octopus agave creates garden focal point

It’s hard to plant when it’s 100 degrees.  And it’s not time to buy seeds yet.  And if I order bulbs they won’t come for months.

But this pot spoke to me when I walked by it Friday at Barton Springs Nursery.

It said, “wouldn’t I make a beautiful focal point for the black sheep bed at the end of the driveway?  Wouldn’t I make the other bed across the driveway jealous?  I know you want to take me home.”

I ignored the pot’s pleading and walked on down to the agaves. 

That’s when this octopus agave whispered to me, “wouldn’t I look stunning in a cobalt blue glazed pot?  I know where you can find one.”

Now,  I’m used to talking to myself, and I’m used to answering myself.  But when pots and plants start to talk back, it’s time to listen.

So, into the car they went.  And this morning I grunted and groaned as I raised up the pot, planted the agave with no spiky injuries and stood back, saying to myself,

“Isn’t this a beautiful focal point for the black sheep bed at the end of the driveway?  And isn’t that agave stunning in the cobalt blue glazed pot?”

To which I replied, “yes, it is.”

By |2016-04-14T02:39:34-05:00September 1st, 2012|Agave, Blog, color, octopus agave, pots, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

Succulents in the summer garden…

You know you do it.

Admit it, we all know it’s true.

Summer hits its high point – meaning the heat is emulating a boiling pot of oil or a fish under the broiler.  Or at least that’s how it feels if you have to stand in it for more than mere moments.

So what do you do?

You go to the nursery, the big box, heck, even the grocery store. 

You don’t think for a minute about exercising any restraint — waiting until the weather is suitable for bringing home new plants — nope.

You buy some cutesy succulent arrangement.

After all, it’s the only thing you can imagine taking home and caring for in this sauna.

It’s akin to buying tulips in the flower department of the grocery store before yours have popped up in the spring garden.

It’s when you know you need that 1-800 number for Gardeners Anonymous.  You just can’t control yourself.

Isn’t this one adorable?!

Late summer blooming perennials and annuals hang on in spite of the drought

We’ve had a slight break in the heat wave, and while some parts of Austin have enjoyed 2-3 inches of rain in the last weeks, we only got .12. But so many annuals and perennials in the garden are powering thouggh the heat and drought.

I love the contrast between this agave and the thryallis in the background.

I love this mandevilla, even though it’s typically an annual.  Our mild, wet fall and winter last year kept it going so I’ve gotten two beautiful summers out of it.

The datura is a powerhouse – it reseeds like crazy and transplanting is so easy. 

Indigo spires salvia is one of my very favorites – I always have a place in my garden for its tall, wild-looking stalks with their vibrant blue blooms.


While some of my perennial vines were barely hanging on, this morning glory decided a few weeks ago that it was time to grow and it’s been putting on more and more blooms every day.

Much of the garden is going to seed and slowing down, but these few, bright pops of color perk me right up when I’m walking around checking things out.

What’s perking you up in your garden today?

Garden inspiration, great plant combinations on vacation

This year’s low-key vacation didn’t include any garden tours for me, though I was pleasantly surprised at the beautiful gardens we enjoyed while at the amusement park on our trip to Virginia Beach.

I know, it’s called Busch Gardens, but I hadn’t really thought about the Gardens part of it.  The entire park is nestled into lush gardens that soften and enhance the entire family experience.

There were colorful and clever little vignettes around every corner.

Even though she was more interested in all the wild and wacky rollercoasters, Kallie appreciated the flowers, too and was one of the prettiest blooms in this garden.

Being so close to the beach, the garden glowed with traditional tropical colors and textures — all plants I love.

It was beautiful and made our experience there (the walking, waiting and sweating!) much more pleasant.

I suspect I’ll have some serious garden photos to share on our next summer vacation, which will be Thailand.

By |2016-04-14T02:39:34-05:00August 24th, 2012|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Sand between my toes…

I’ve missed my garden.

We’ve been on a wonderful vacation at Virginia beach.  We played in the ocean, read on the beach, toured Colonial Williamsburg, and went through the whirlwind of Busch Gardens.


There’s a post in there somewhere — probably tomorrow.  I thought I would blog on the trip, or write some draft posts for later, or read blogs.

But I didn’t.

I enjoyed the true vacation, but I missed my garden and the blogs.

And while reading garden magazines on the plane home, I found the inspiration I’d been missing in the mid-summer slump.

I made note after note about new gardening, landscaping, blogging and article ideas. 

So, tomorrow it’s back to the real world or writing, drawing and planning.  (Oh, and laundry.)

But I really did enjoy having my toes in the sand!

By |2017-11-29T23:27:16-06:00August 4th, 2012|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Glistening coat of raindrops on my thirsty plants is a welcome sight

We were enjoying an afternoon and evening with friends yesterday. The kids were swimming. It was a typical, hot summer Central Texas day. Then the clouds rolled in and by dusk we had a nice sprinkle.

After the nice little shower, we watched the weather forecast and were thrilled to see a chance of rain every day next week. I woke this morning to the plink, plink, plink of raindrops on the roof.

The plants are eagerly drinking in every drop.

This Pam’s pink turk’s cap, planted in almost full shade by the front door, looked so pretty with a soft, new bloom and a glistening coat of rain on her leaves.

I hope there is rain in your forecast.

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