Things that make me happy during a drought
The stock-tank container pond is looking good
It’s all doom and gloom in Austin right now because of the drought and ongoing heat wave. More severe watering restrictions will go into effect on the 24th (thanks, Iris, for the heads-up). But I didn’t feel gloomy in my garden this morning thanks to the following:
Water! A container pond is a visual cool-down in the garden. Plus it gives you so much to look at: water lilies that open and close with the sun, thirsty bees all lined up along the rim to get a drink, jewel-toned dragonflies above and colorful fish below.
The silver stock tank adds lots of shine. Gloominess doesn’t stand a chance!
Beautiful blue agave! Fairegarden Frances recently asked after Moby Dick, the star of my former garden, the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave (A. ovatifolia), which I transplanted to the new garden last fall. Her query reminded me not to take Moby for granted. So I took a good, long look at it this morning…
…and remembered how much I love this plant. The color is a beautiful powder-blue, the texture a combination of smooth and spiny, the shape like a big, blue rose.
Looking closely (watch your eyes!) you can see the imprinted shadows from when the leaves were furled, as well as the orange-red tips of black spines along the serrated leaves.
A first bloom! Is there anything more exciting than seeing the first bud on a plant that has never bloomed for you before? I think not. Bloggers in the cool and rainy Pacific Northwest (Danger Garden and My Secret Garden) have been showing off their yucca blooms this summer, and I was getting a little miffed that my big softleaf yucca (Y. recurvifolia) has never bloomed for me, although I live in what must be an ideal climate for yuccas. I mean, there’s got to be some reward for getting through a summer in Austin, right?
And today, look what I saw peeking out of the yucca’s heart! I’m very excited—and glad that I didn’t put this transplant from my former garden in the front yard of my new garden. Deer nest and graze there frequently, and they love yucca blooms.
I came in from my morning garden chores sweaty and dirty but very happy.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I just bought my first three soft leaf yuccas yesterday, but they’re only about a foot tall. So excited to see your first bloom. How fast do they grow?
It cools me off and cheers me up just to see the photos of your pond and blue whale–thanks!
The softleaf yucca’s growth rate is pretty fast with regular irrigation, Iris, which is true for many agaves too. But of course, you’ve got to have good drainage if you’re going to give it extra water, and only do so in summer, not in winter. —Pam
Your stock tank pond really turned out nice. Looking at it must make you feel a little cooler, and if I were you I would plant myself in a comfortable chair right next to it, drink in hand.
Thanks, Les. I sit near it (on that little patio with the Adirondacks) nearly every day. —Pam
That whale’s tongue agave is amazing!! Certainly one to consider in a showcased area of a garden.
It’s a real beauty, Janet. There are others I really want to try also when I have more sunny garden space out front. One day! —Pam
It’s a good way to feel Pam…sweaty, dirty and happy from our gardens. That whales tongue is beautiful! The stock pond is marvelous…I am moving ahead with my landscaper friend on plans for mine! Thanks for your inspiration. gail
Gail, I cannot wait to see your container pond when you get it made. You’re going to love it! —Pam
It’s all looking very good Pam. Love that stock tank.
Thanks, Lola. —Pam
Pam – Love that stock pond — it’s a long, cool drink of view on a hot day. I am amazed at how crystal clear it is and how healthy your plants look in it. It’s on my “someday” list — but I wouldn’t do it without your guidance — you’re clearly the expert.
I’ve had a little practice with them, Diana, but honestly, they are very easy to set up (if you have a level spot). I’ll be happy to go with you to the pond nursery when you’re ready to fill one up and add plants. —Pam
I can see how you could forget about a drought when you have those beauties to behold! I love the comical face of the dragonfly, you can include a picture of those any time!
Dragonflies are funny-looking, aren’t they? They’re fun to photograph because they’ll often hold still for a portrait. —Pam
Nice photos, and reminders to be appreciative! I wonder that you are able to grow sweet potato vine so well, Pam… here it seems to always be cranky with me when it gets too dry.
I find the sweet potato vines to be pretty tough, Kim. Of course, I grow them in mostly shade, whereas you perhaps grow them in sun? —Pam
Your stock-tank is looking mighty fine Pam. I am interested if you intend to build one side of it up with
a “ramp-down-and-in” access for our local gulf-toads? Or are you discouraging this? They do take some care so as not to become an issue, (I have had my fair share of these toads’s issues over the years). I also feel for my immediate neighbors when the toads are in their full mating calls, right outside my neighbors bedroom windows…
I bet I am a popular neighbor!
NOT.
ESP.
Philip, I won’t be making a toad ramp, tempting as that thought is. (My former neighbor’s stream and waterfall attracted the toads, and they WERE loud, but I liked hearing them.) Instead the tank will sit at the center of a circular, paved area with four entry points, a water-garden room of sorts—and another work-in-progress. —Pam
Not only are the plants marvelous in your tank but I love seeing the sky reflected. There is just so much good about it. I don’t recall seeing a photo of your fish. Are they new fish or fish you had at your other place?? Do they like their new home now? I just love the WT agave. It appears to not notice the drought. Those ghostly images on the leaves are wonderful.
Most of my fish are new (many are “passalong” baby fish from Bob at Draco Gardens), but one survivor came from my old stock-tank pond. They seem quite happy with their new digs. —Pam
Your pond looks great! The whale’s tongue agave is always a favorite. We ended up with a nice rain over 1 inch last week that filled up my rain barrels so hopefully we can limp along on the water restrictions until it really rains. **crosses fingers** I’m letting most of the grass go but I have many other plants and trees to keep alive.
Congrats on getting some rain last week, Shannon. We got a sprinkle or two that added up to nothing, although it did drop the afternoon temps into the 80s. —Pam
I love your attitude……..and as always the beautiful shots you take!
I appreciate that, CIMS. —Pam
YEA! Congrats on the yucca bloom, what a nice surprise! And that agave, very very sexy! All the cool blues are definitely refreshing.
After a week or so of cool (yesterdays high was only 67!), and rain, we are headed back to the 100’s this coming week. We’ve had a roller-coaster weather summer up here in Portland. I guess I’d prefer that to the monotonous dry heat.
I hate to hear about that level of heat hitting your city, knowing that you’re without A/C and your plants are not acclimated to it. May it be short-lived this time! —Pam
I noticed, in a picture of your pond on another post, that the back side path is on a lower level than the sides and front. That would give a different and nice perspective to it. A pond on the tour was like that a couple of years ago. It put your eyes closer to the water when you walked up to it. I just really liked it, a different view so to speak.
The kids like viewing the pond from the lower back side, Bob, probably because they’re closer to the water that way. That’s the side that the thirsty bees prefer too, though, so you’ve got to be careful about putting your hand on the rim of the tank. BTW, Vicki dropped off your extra fish last week. Thanks again! —Pam
Pam, the pond is indeed refreshing, almost inviting! 😉 And I’m fascinated with agave macros, they’re just so cute and look so different from the plant as a whole.
Hi, Monica. Agaves have such great texture, not to mention those imprinting shadows, that a macro image is very rewarding. —Pam
I would love to incorporate some of these exotic agaves into my own garden, but have never figured out how to plant one without getting mortally wounded. What’s the trick?
Becky, what I’ve learned is to protect your eyes with safety goggles and your hands with thick gloves. Long sleeves are a good idea too. Wrap a towel or newspaper around the plant so that you can handle it to remove the pot. Actually, planting can be the easy part. It’s weeding around them when they get bigger and more vicious that’s tricky. But I find agaves well worth the trouble. Their beauty is unmatched, and they look wonderful with so many fine-textured native perennials. —Pam
Pam,
I admire the fact that you can see the positive with all that searing heat around you. The pond looks great!
Thanks, Randy! —Pam
O.K., you’ve done it! I now want a stock tank pond of my own. Sheesh, on a hill where will I put it? I know, I’ll get rid of the kids’ swing set and put it there. LOL! I also want an Agave, and I can’t believe I’m writing that. I don’t need an Agave. A lot of them aren’t hardy here. See the trouble reading your beautiful blog gets me into? Love ya, Dee
Yea, stock-tank-pond mania is spreading to red dirt country! And agave lust too? I can just picture a hardy agave or two or three mixed in among your toughest roses, Dee. 🙂 —Pam
Goes your Yucca have sharp pointed ends on each leaf? I have one that looks like that, but I thought it was Y. aloifolia. If I get poked by it I normally bleed.
Thanks,
Jake
Jake, I’m not that familiar with Y. aloifolia, but from images online I can see one important difference between it and Y. recurvifolia. The softleaf yucca’s leaves become soft and flexible as they mature. The older, lower leaves flop and point toward the ground, while Y. aloifolia’s leaves remain stiff and straight. Yes, the recurvifolia’s leaves do have sharp spines on the ends. But because the leaves are floppy, one doesn’t tend to get stabbed by them. —Pam
Looking at the cool scene of your water garden, one would never believe the weather you are coping with. You’re so right — just looking at it cools you off. And that close-up of the whale’s tongue agave is a revelation with those dark spines and the shadow image! Thanks for the kind of post that reminds us all why we garden!
And loved reading about your pups!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Linda. 🙂 —Pam
Hi Pam, I had been thirsting for the whale’s tongue, and it is looking more fabulous than ever! Thanks for the link love and you do sound a little more upbeat than before. The yucca bloom is exciting. Because of you, I have added several of the variegated yuccas, Color Guard and Golden Sword. A question? Does the center die out after blooming?
Frances
Hi, Frances. No, the yucca bloom dries up eventually, and the plant lives on to bloom next year. —Pam