A small town in the midst of scrub brush in flat West Texas has a garden, which was the result of one man’s labor.
The Garden of Eden has some surprising elements. It’s been two years since I last visited, and it has changed some.
A large plastic tank has recycling water – nice soothing sound.
An old milk can is used as the spout vessel. I’m surprised that it hasn’t rusted out.
Flame Acanthus (Aniscanthus quadrifidus var. quadrifidus var. wrightii) is scattered throughout the garden. Once established, it’s very hardy.
No surprise that hummingbirds and butterflies visit the tubular flowers. It is drought tolerant and even does well in poor soils.
Coral Honeysuckle or Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) has become a bramble beside the metal archway where it was originally trained to grow.
A banana tree growing in West Texas. Hard to believe that it can withstand the dry heat or the winter temperatures. Yet, here it is producing bananas.
This was a volunteer plant that came up and no one has been able to identify it.
Lots of pretty grasses. Although many ornamental grasses last only one year, this one must be perennial.
Native Morning Glory grabs hold of lots of bushes and intertwines in the stems and leaves. Here it is growing among Mexican Petunias.
The yellow flowers are Texas Yellow Bells (Tacoma stans), which is a beloved plant that is native to far West Texas in the Big Bend area. It is a tall shrub with gorgeous flowers that is drought tolerant and abides limestone soils.
However, cold winters have done mine in. But I keep trying to save one.
Although this garden has been turned over to the city and depends on volunteers for maintenance, the man who planted it is still very much involved.
Typical agave with Mexican Petunias behind them. Agaves are not all that cold hardy, so I’m surprised to see them here.
Tangerine Beauty Crossvine (Bignonia capreolate ‘Tangerine Beauty’) is a perfect fit for this part of Texas. It is cold hardy, endures the hot summers, and is pretty, to boot.
Texas Sotol (Dasylirion leiophyllum) is a common sight in pastures and is extremely hardy. It has sharp edges, so it should not be planted close to walkways.
Another hardy plant, Salvia Greggii Red Sage has a pleasant scent, especially when brushed as one passes by it. It is a semi woody plant that is native to Texas and Mexico. It thrives in the heat but does not tolerant wet feet.
As a soft plant for touching, Artemesia in the Mugwort family is a wonderful choice. They are grown for their silvery-green foliage and for their wonderful aroma.
More Yellow Bells
Four O’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) were grown by the Aztecs for medicinal and ornamental purposes. They spread profusely. Where each black seed falls, a new plant will spring up. The seeds can be seen in the picture where spend flowers have fallen.
Palo Verde Trees (Parkinsonia aculeata) are desert trees that have pretty yellow flowers in the spring. Maybe the mild winters the last few years have allowed this one to get a foothold.
A clever tin man that I would like to duplicate but finding the right size cans could be a problem.
Although most of the plants in this garden are what one would expect to see in this area, it seems lush with the paths winding through tall shrubs and full plantings.
“Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.” unknown