Beauty on the vine
Strolling through Austin’s Mueller neighborhood yesterday with a client, looking at examples of front-yard gardens he liked, I spotted some gorgeous vines in full bloom. Because the neighborhood is built to be pedestrian friendly and encourage neighbors to get to know each other, the houses are sited very close to the streets, making for postage-stamp-sized lots that many people have turned into jewel-box gardens.
This morning glory vine smothered a wall with purplish-blue, saucer-sized flowers.
Star jasmine turned a plain wooden fence into a scented tapestry. I thought it looked especially nice with Mexican feathergrass billowing at its feet.
For another look at Mueller neighborhood in a different season, see my post about the native prairie and sculpture at Mueller.
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Hey Pam – great pic of the morning glory vine! My morning glory vine only has a handful of blooms so far. I happened to read in one of my gardening journals that fertilizer causes morning glories to not bloom and have lots of leaves – so I’m holding off on the fertilizer!
Like wisteria, eh? Good to know. I’ve heard morning glory can be quite thuggish, but in my former garden, my neighbor grew it on our fence, and it was well-behaved. —Pam
I love vines! When you think you’ve planted everywhere there’s room, you can always add a vine. I bet a bunch of people appreciated the jasmine near the sidewalk. It’s the encore when the mountain laurels and loquat scent fades.
I didn’t realize loquat blooms are scented! I’ll have to do a sniff test next spring. —Pam
Is that the same Mueller that’s pronounced “Miller”? Cool you have a project there, seeing another garden there on a past CTG. Morning glory vines are nice, and so tough…I also took a neighborhood walk w/ a prospective client to see what they like, and what not to use…was more enjoyable than sitting down with a photo book. Thx for reminding me to do this w/ everyone.
Yes, it’s pronounced “Miller,” David. It’s a very cool development, neighborly with sidewalks close to the front porch, front gardens encouraged, solar panels on the roof (even the front roof) encouraged, and plenty of shared green spaces. Not your typical HOA, thank goodness. —Pam
Pam – I love morning glories here in Massachusetts – although ours won’t bloom until July. My daughter near Houston loves her star jasmine. Great plants, not hard to grow. Perfect.
Those are the best kind, aren’t they? Enjoy your morning glories when they come! —Pam
Love the Star Jasmine!
It’s one of my favorite vines. —Pam
oooh, my mailbox might just need a morning glory vine….
I bet it does, Robin! —Pam
That morning glory is gorgeous – although your pictures make everything gorgeous. And the link to your old post…the sculpture…WHOA! My kids would go bonkers over that….my wheels are turning for a sculpture in the front garden now! Pam, thank you!
Aren’t those sculptures at Mueller delightful? I’m glad you enjoyed the posts, Heather. —Pam
Oh, my what I wouldn’t give for jasmine. I had a potted one that I trucked in and out for years until it got forgotten by the garden sitter a few summers ago while we were on vacation. She moved it from it’s protected spot near the fence to weed and rake and forgot it in the middle of the patio. Poor thing literally fried in the sun. But that fragrance is unforgettable. An entire wall of it – mmmmmhmmm! I can smell it now… and I agree, the grass is a beautiful contrast! Love those morning glories as well. Too early yet for those up here…. another month or so and we’ll see some vines.
Star jasmine does smell wonderful. Enjoy your morning glories when their time comes! —Pam
I have recently noticed star jasmine, and I’d love to figure out a way to trellis it in my yard. Rock 1.5″ down makes that a tricky prospect.
Maybe you could try building up a raised bed to plant it in. —Pam