Goodbye, Sweet Autumn

Posted on October 29, 2020 by wedd4780

Winter snuck in overnight. Or maybe we weren’t paying attention. We both had what we thought was the flu and lots of outside chores were put on hold. Turns out, we tested positive for covid.

At least, the predicted freezing sleet and icy roads did not happen.

One moment tropical Hibiscus was blooming and the next, everything had to be rushed into the greenhouse. So bundled up in a drizzling rain, we hustled to gather up what needed winter protection.

After we added soil to the pots and cleaned out some debris, African Bulbine did really well this year. A South African native, it loves heat but is only cold hardy down to 20 degrees.

The roses have been a special treat this fall, blooming like crazy. Princess Alexandra of Kent, a David Austin rose, has the sweetest aroma of any of my roses. Plus, the form of the roses are spectacular.

Maggie Rose, which Dr. William Welch of A&M found in Louisiana, reblooms so often, it’s difficult to keep it deadheaded.

My all time favorite mum is Country Girl Mum. With a totally different look from the more common Purple Aster, it lifts my heart every time I see it.

With its pink white large petals, it looks like a daisy in the fall. It seems to originated in Texas, possibly as a seeding from another mum. It’s definitely one for a home landscape.

“A mean thought is just a sin that happens on the inside.” Lisa Wingate, Never Say Never

What’s Blooming and Growing in Cool Weather

Posted on April 19, 2020 by wedd4780

Cool weather continues. In fact, one day last week there was frost on the ground. The world has gone wonky.

Katy Road Roses covering a six foot bush. This rose was introduced in 1977 and was known in Texas as Katy Road because it was “found” on Katy Road in Houston. It was actually developed by Dr. Griffith Buck at Iowa State University to withstand the long, cold winters of the Midwest. He named it Carefree Beauty.

Because this rose also does so well in the hot, dry summers of Texas, it was named the 2006 “Earth-Kind® Rose of the Year” by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The bush has several flushes of rich pink blooms from spring until frost. Each flower produces a large orange rose hip.

So call it Katy Road or Carefree Beauty, it’s a great rose for the garden.

To the right side of the rose bush are Ox-Eye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare). They can be aggressive but are so pretty, I think they’re worth it.

Maggie is an old Bourbon rose that blooms profusely. It was “found” in Louidiana by Dr. William Welch of A&M and brought to Texas. It’s a winner.

Another Bearded Iris to praise. The solid dark purple ones are behind the purple and pale lavender ones. I’m sure I didn’t plan that. Just a happy accident.

These are so dark that they don’t photograph too well.

Artemisia is a plant that I think every large yard should have. This one has been in a pot for years. I have another one that is trying to take over a flowerbed. To keep it in a space, simply cut off the runners. They each have roots, so they can be potted and passed along.

To the left is native Yellow Columbine – very hardy perennial.

Artemisia has a slight silver tint and tends to be evergreen in our mild winters. The softness of the foliage is amazing.

This Iris looks light lavender in this picture. But in real life, it’s a true blue. Adds a little magic to the garden. Actually, all Irises provide elegance.

Hope you and your family are safe and well. I pray especially for those who live in city apartments or any confined space with children and for those whose jobs have been affected by all the closings. These times definitely call for patience.

“Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in your mind.” David G. Allen

Gray Days of Winter Around the Corner

Posted on November 7, 2019 by wedd4780

Enjoying a few more days of some color in the yard.

A few Jackman Clematis purple flowers hang on the vine.

Although all the foliage is gone, some Whirling Butterfly Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) still waves in the wind. Behind that are some red blossoms on a Flame Acanthus.

Henry Duelburg Mealycup Sage (Salvia farinacea) doesn’t want to say goodbye just yet.

This year the Mexican Flame Vine (Senecio confusus) won’t be carried inside, so it may pass away completely. Each year we haul it in and each spring it takes forever for it to recover, and it seldom blooms. So I give up. It belongs in zones 10 – 11, but I was trying to push the envelop.

On a misty, overcast day, native Flame Prairie Sumac (Rhus Lanceolata) looks like it’s on fire.

This year the Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) has lots of tiny orange red berries. I love the fact that it’s an evergreen tree.

Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua) berries are a little bigger and redder. A winter treat for the birds. It’s a Texas native and a very hardy small tree with multiple trunks.

The tree/bush is very full of berries.

A few buds have shown up on the Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) . It quit blooming months ago when the heat got too intense. It’s also called Apricot Mallow based on the color of its flowers.

Maggie Rose (Rosa ‘Maggie’) just keeps on blooming. It’s a fragrant bourbon rose that likes our climate.

Bought this bush a couple of years ago and kept it in a shed until I had a place for it. It has surprised me because the limbs have grown so long and gangly, and the magneta globe flowers are so tiny.