Pretty pruning for plants at my house today. Everyone got their Spring-Spiff-Up to get ready for budding and blooming. Above is the Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Loropetalum
Guara
Salvia black and blue
Lantana confetti
Pink Skullcap
Lantana new gold
Mexican mint marigold
…is about to be in the air here in Austin.
My Mountain laurels are plump with buds and a few, ever-so-slightly open blooms.
It seems early, so I checked my blog from last year, and in fact, my post about the beautiful Mountain Laurel blooms in 2008 was dated February 28th, so I guess they are not so early, after all. (Nice to be able to look back, isn’t it?)
And I am ready. I saw one in our part of town that is a good 15+ feet tall and already full of blooms — it’s stunning. I can’t wait to walk along my driveway and smell all 5 of mine at once.
Just a shot to show you Ms. Phoebe Hellebore’s sister bud who will be joining us soon. Even the buds are delicate.
And the misty weather yesterday has made the Japanese quince really pop today, with even more pretty blooms.
And the garden Fairies were recently hard at work, adding a nicely-lined walkway up to the Fairy House.
Well, I did it.
Thanks to all the encouragement of my garden blogging friends, I took the plunge (and the pruners) and cut off the German Double Pink Brugmansia.
Yep – I whacked her off. And the good news it that I am trying to root threw new ones!
I took three shoots and planted them in good soil with compost and watered them well.
And I talked to them. I hope they all survive. I know my tall Mama will be better off, because she will continue to grow.
So, thanks for all your words of encouragement and “get over it!”
Many bees and butterflies joined me for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by Carol of May Dreams Gardens, and I hope you’ll enjoy the tour through the garden as much as they did!
This is my new Potato Vine, which Robin of GettingGrounded, encouraged me to buy for a shady fence.
The Rosemary is in full bloom all around the garden.
The Snapdragons that I planted in December are finally coming into bloom.
The beautiful fringe of Loropetalum adds a touch of whimsy in the garden.
My photos don’t so justice to the stunning purple of this verbena. (Or the ugly brown leaves that I’m leaving there for another 2 weeks to protect it in the event of a last freeze.)
Some more Daffodils joining the Spring party.
A lone Phlox bloom popped open today just in time for Bloom day.
Japanese quince loves these Spring days.
Can you believe I have a Hellebore? I love it. It was a catalog order, and her name is Phoebe. I need to get her some friends now that she’s survived to bloom.
Indigo Spires never fail to produce, though these will need to be cut back this week so they aren’t too leggy by Summer.
This Euonymous just seems to say, “Hello.”
This sneaky little Vinca is a volunteer that just popped up in the middle of a Bi-color Iris outside the back fence.
Some Sweet Alyssum in the rock garden may the path a perky place.
Happy Bloom Day!
Ok, I’m coming clean. This is my German Double Pink Brugmansia. (See the unbelievably tall, skinny stalk that goes all the way to the ceiling?)
I know I should cut it down at least some and let it start again at a more reasonable height, but…
…I can’t do it.
I just can’t.
It will be unstable, I may not be able to get it OUT of the greenhouse, and it might break off in the gusty winds we have out here all the time if I leave it like this.
I know all this.
But I still can’t bring myself to cut off this new growth at the top.
I’m just so glad it survived my digging it up and potting it for overwintering in the greenhouse.
It seems so, well … mean.
So, I need the computer equivalent of a group chant:
Do it, do it, do it, do it!
Won’t you help push me over the edge?!
It’s amazing what a little rain will do for the garden … and for the gardener’s soul.
I am totally invigorated by the recent two days of steady rain that totals more than an inch. In our drought stricken area, this is a real blessing.
So yesterday, after a lovely lunch with Robin, of Getting Grounded, we went to Barton Springs Nursery to see what we could see. And we — rather — I — saw some bluebonnet PLANTS that had to come home with me!
I have not been successful with seeds because I have too much mulch in most places they would like to grow. So yesterday I painstakingly amended the soil with crushed granite in 3 little spots and pulled back mulch and made them a home. And then fenced them in immediately so my deer friends, Emmy and Lulu, wouldn’t come snack on them! (Did you notice that Madame Daffodil has invited a friend to her Spring Party?)
I also planted a Potato Vine and I bought an Abutilon that will get planted today. I’ve been eyeing everyone else’s and been green with envy. Unfortunately mine was mis-labeled, and when I called they just didn’t know what kind it was because it was a gift to them from a friend. I guess nurseries get passalongs, too. So I will post a picture tomorrow and you can help me ID it.
I also got a few Rain Lilies that Robin picked up from Annie at The Transplantable Rose when she was passing-along. I didn’t get in on the offer quick enough, but Robin shared hers with me and I am so excited to have some — I’ve never had any — thanks to both of you!
And the rain has also prompted these little Crocosmia above to pop right up out of the ground in search of sunshine.
This lovely Hibiscus was waiting for me when I went into the greenhouse yesterday to open it up and let some humidity in from outside. Wow. It’s really very intricate. My photo doesn’t do it justice.
And here is the Bougainvillea that Robin gave me last Fall. Blooming happily — in February! She must think she is in Mexico!
As does this Desert Rose, happily blooming away in the greenhouse.