Spring Fever

My phone camera went all wavy for this shot, like it was overwhelmed by the rapid arrival of spring and the scent of the blooms on this tree. Wish this gorgeous-ness could last.

Growth again in the garden

It might still be February, but you wouldn't know that from the warm afternoons this past week. Straight from cold, dry winter to humid, warm spring. Daffodils are out in full force, trees are starting to bloom, and dead looking perennials are coming back to life.

In the backyard, things are a long way from lush, but there are definite signs of life:

A redbud in bloom

Pineapple sage

I didn't think the lemongrass would come back so soon (if at all)

Lemon balm

Iris and strawberry runners

The geranium has been cheerfully blooming while awaiting a bigger pot

Tropicana canna seems to be a survivor (year 4 in this pot)

First winter I've been able to keep one of these succulents alive

New stuff to plant

In the front yard, more green things:

Butterfly weed coming back at the base

Freesia that were covered during the freezes (the others lost foliage but are slowly coming back)

A mix of coreopsis, standing cypress, larkspur, evening primrose, and weedy seedlings

Some coreopsis and standing cypress that jumped out of the bed and into the gravel

I've had to cut broccoli every day lately, but it's too pale and close to blooming in this warmer weather. Cold weather, sweet flavor. Onions and hollyhock seem to like it, though.

Cilantro has doubled in size the past week, and the kale looks bigger. I could stand to replant most of this bed.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day: February 2011

Despite the fact that it is 75 degrees and sunny outside, this rosemary is the only plant in the ground currently blooming. Way too many freezing days this winter for zone 8 vegetation.


Picked up the hot pink geranium on the right at Home Depot yesterday. The red one on the left was brought inside for the cold weather, but his brother in the large pot did not fare so well covered outside.


Inside a christmas cactus and bromeliad provide some color.

To see what else is blooming around the world today, check out GBBD at May Dreams Gardens.

Last of the snow

All but deepest shaded snow is now melted as it has warmed up to over 60 degrees! Seriously, weather: you are just messing with us now. My plants don't know what to think, esp. with more freezing temps ahead. But I'll take a cool, sunny Texas winter day and run with it. These are some photos from the yard this morning.




Last weekend, the bees were busy on a healthy bok choy. Now, it's mush, but the bees are still trying to extract nectar from the limp blooms.

Some pics from this morning's beautiful and brisk walk at Shoal Creek:

It might be winter

We've been in the 20's since Tuesday night, and now a snow day. A beautifully pristine inch of snow over everything. And a chance we'll get above freezing this afternoon! Tomorrow should get up to the 50's...so I can see what this weather has done to my garden.


The birds have been swarming the feeder the past couple of days. A cardinal tried to chase off a gang of sparrow toughs, but there were too many. Plus, my little feline lurker was not so camouflaged in the snow.

Bees and Bok Choy

Finally, some sun! And the bees are going crazy on one of the few things blooming right now. And below: sweet pea vines. I've never succeeded with these, but maybe this is the year.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day: January 2011

Not too much blooming on this rainy, winter day: trailing lantana, butterfly weed, geraniums, bok choy, and christmas cactus with a second round of buds (the second one is part of the cactus that dropped off the main plant in December and got replanted); not flowering, a donkey ear kalanchoe collects rain on the back steps (it's been in and out of the house every night the weather dipped into the 30's).