Orange crush
The flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii ) in the south corner of the front garden is kicking into gear with the return of the heat and sun.
My kids asked me to buy a hummingbird feeder the other day. I told them we already had several feeders, and rattled off the names of the plants that hummers favor in the garden, including this one. Sorry kids. While I see the appeal in having a feeder right by the window, for me growing hummingbird-pleasing plants is more fun than cleaning and refilling feeders on a regular basis.
The acanthus is half hidden behind a rosebush and the kidneywood tree when you’re looking at the corner from inside the garden. But from the outside, on the sidewalk, you see its delicate, hot-orange flowers reaching across the fence to greet you.
Carol, here’s the kidneywood tree (Eysenhardtia texana ) you wanted to see a photo of. Like the flame acanthus, it’s native to central Texas. Its airy shape makes it hard to photograph and requires a solid background to show well in photos; this one doesn’t really do the trick. Sweet smelling, white flowers appear off and on all summer.
A close-up of a kidneywood bloom from earlier this summer.
Bulbine (B. frutescens ) adds a paler orange to the inner circle of the garden.
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana ), more purple and gorgeous by the day.
I have plans for this variegated agave (Agave americana var. marginata ), a passalong from Zanthan Gardens. I tucked it into my foundation bed this spring. But I like its stripes and form so much that I’ve decided to give it a starring role in a new raised bed. I’ll have to wait until fall to move things around, and I’m itching for cooler weather so I can get busy.
Isn’t that really a sign that fall is coming? Austin gardeners are getting restless, making plans and getting the shovels out of storage.
Thanks for the close up of the kidneywood tree. I did some further googling of it and found out it is in the Pea family and it really only grows in Texas. No wonder I’ve never heard of it. That white flower is pretty and reminds of a small butterfly bush flower.
Indiana gardeners are restless, too. I got out my shovel yesterday and planted something, promising myself I would keep it watered, no matter what. It cooled down quite a bit and we might see some rain today and Monday before it heats up again on Tuesday.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Maybe it’s just that time of year for restless gardeners. The change in the seasons brings it on. —Pam
Hello Pam,
The anisacanthus you gave me is still alive, but not blooming yet in its sunny spot where I can see it from a window. At the other house there was a small stand of flame acanthus, but you could only see it by leaning over the deck rail.
When I visit blogs like Mary’s View, with her wonderful photos of hummingbirds at feeders, I’m tempted to buy one, but think I’ll also stick with the hummingbird-pleasing plants. Some of them were already here when we came – like the abelias.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Yes, I’m tempted too by those lovely photos of hummers on other people’s blogs, but I know I wouldn’t keep up with the maintenance of the feeders. The flame acanthus, Turk’s cap, and other plants will have to satisfy the hummingbirds in my garden. —Pam
Fall is HERE! The first oxblood lily opened today brought on by the rain earlier this week. That’s why one of their common names is hurricane lily.
We had only about ten days of summer, Austin style. I know, it will get hot again. I don’t care. The oxblood lilies are blooming and that’s fall in my book.
PS. If you want any more agave, I still have plenty.
Wow, that does seem like an occasion to celebrate. Mine aren’t open yet, but one or two have pushed up some leaves. I’ll keep a sharp eye on them.
I love those agaves, but I think I’m set. The big one in the front garden is offsetting a pup already, and the little one on the back garden is growing steadily. Thanks again. —Pam
Great pictures. The weather was gorgeous today with some breeze- we even went for a walk tonight. So nice to have this little break in the weather.
Thanks, Bonnie. Yes, the weather is not bad for August. And now September is right around the corner! —Pam
Pam, I’m with you on the hummingbird habitat vs the feeder. But that’s only because I’m too lazy for all the maintenance of a hummer feeder, especially when the squirrels end up knocking it down anyway. When the hummers started coming around again a couple of weeks ago I raced to the garden center and bought all the salvia I could find to supplement the few I had. Instant hummingbird patch, and they’re there every day.
That flame acanthus is marvelous and I do admire your beautyberry!
They do love salvias, don’t they? We vacationed in Estes Park, CO, one summer and saw a tremendous number of iridescent hummingbirds around the hotel. It was wonderful! Ours are duller in color than the ones we saw there, but who could resist any of those tiny, zippy birds? —Pam
Gee Pam, I had a lot of catching up to do and all posts are great! I have some hummingbird feeders but given all the flowers and the fact that re-filling the feeders every day is not on my list, I leave them either empty or don’t put them up. I love that you can grow so many plants that are unavailable and hence, unknown to me! Anisacanthus, Bulbine? I am getting and education here so I thank you! I do have the purple beautyberry though and it is only just flowering! No berries for a month or so!
I use a lot of native Texas plants, like the anisacanthus, which may be why some are unknown to folks outside this area. Bulbine isn’t native, but it’s from points even farther south than Austin. I feel the same way whenever I read about plants more commonly grown in the north. I admire them but haven’t the faintest idea what they are. I like that we both have purple beautyberry, even though we garden in very different regions. —Pam
But Mom……..I love hummingbird feeders and they really aren’t that much trouble, even a child can keep up the maintenance. Seriously though, to see these interesting creatures up close and observe their fascinating ways are worth every bit of trouble for me. Since I only have a few hummers here I don’t go through much sugar water, I just change it every few days.
I love the purple berries on that beautyberry. Stunning!
Hey, Pam, I was wondering, since agaves are so popular there, have you tried the agave sweetener? I’m beginning to see it in the stores here and have heard that it doesn’t spike blood glucose levels. I haven’t tried it yet. Do you know how it tastes?
That’s probably true, Robin, but I don’t think I’ll be adding them any time soon. The hummers will have to go au naturel here.
I’ve not heard about the agave sweetener, but it sounds intriguing. The only uses I know for agave are tequila, basket fibers, and soap, or is that yuccas? 🙂 —Pam
I still don’t have any berries on my beautyberry plants.
On the hummingbird feeders – we have natural foods for them also, but its cool to hang the feeder next to the window so you can see them closeup from inside. Around here the anisacanthus seems to be their favorite.
I bet they appreciate having all those choices in your garden. 😉 —Pam
Pam, that beautyberry is gorgeous… I’ve not seen them transform like that before, so I appreciate the “sneak peak.”
You sent me into a panic of sorts with your other comment, though. It made me realize, “Oh no… I’m at that point of the year when I really want to rip out beds and move everything around. Pam’s right–fall must be just around the corner!” Yikes. 🙁
Oh, but doesn’t that make fall fun in your book too? Plus you have those beautiful autumn leaves to enjoy. —Pam
Wow the flame Acanthus has gorgeous flowers. I have never heard of Bulbine – I like it especially because a paler orange colour isn’t all that common. The flowers of the kidneywood tree are lovely – oh how I wish I could grow some of the wonderful plants that you grow! I am eyeing your beautyberry!
The thought of fall usually makes me rather sad, but I’m realising this year, that I will be able to garden vicariously through blogs for the first time. Somehow that makes fall seem far more appealing.
Good! With so many garden blogs all over the world, someone somewhere will have something blooming for you all winter, Kate. —Pam