Bluebonnets already a-blue-m at the Wildflower Center
Well, this is a surprise! Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) ordinarily bloom in April, but a bonny patch was abloom yesterday in the family garden at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Don’t go running over for your photo op with the kids. Only about 3 plants are blooming this early. But I hope it’s a preview of a good wildflower season to come.
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) was in full flower as well — not that unusual for our mild-winter climate. The one in my back garden is blooming too, although not as prolifically.
Mmmm, that sweet scent.
Possumhaw hollies (Ilex decidua) are at their reddest berry-liciousness right now too.
Throughout the gardens, the berries are a-blazing, and the birds are taking notice.
I enjoyed watching cedar waxwings, tufted titmice, mockingbirds, and more feasting on the berries yesterday and will share pictures soon.
I’d been meaning to get down to the Wildflower Center (all the way across town) all day but didn’t arrive until around 4 pm. Happily, the slanting sunlight of late afternoon made for better picture taking. See, Mom, procrastination does pay!
Yuccas and nolina amid limestone boulders — very Austin.
Back in the sunny family garden, big muhly grasses (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) are looking very fine, with tawny upright seedheads.
The ghostly branches of Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana) seem to shine brightly in late winter, once the semi-evergreen leaves drop.
Texas persimmon and Lindheimer’s muhly, a drought-tolerant, sun-loving combo
The buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) play lawn was getting some use yesterday. Bronze sculptures of native wildlife appear throughout the family garden, making a fun “safari” for children.
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Upcoming Events and News
I’m on Central Texas Gardener on KLRU this Saturday at noon and 4 pm and again on Sunday at 9 am. Consult the schedule below to see if it’s airing in your city, or watch online (my segment starts at the 9-minute mark).
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Hold the Hose! Join me for my kick-off garden talk for my new book, The Water-Saving Garden, on February 27, at 10 am, at The Natural Gardener nursery in southwest Austin. My talk is called “Hold the Hose! How to Make Your Garden Water Thrifty and Beautiful,” and it’s free to the public. Afterward I’ll have books available for purchase and will be glad to autograph one for you! Dress for the weather, as the talk will be held in the big tent outside.
Have you watched my zippy new book trailer?
All material © 2006-2016 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
How fun that you can see spring flowers and winter berries at the same time! That garden looks like a great place to visit.
It’s actually really early for bluebonnets. But it’s true our brief winter fades quickly into spring! —Pam
Wonderful post, Pam. One of the several things I miss about not living in Texas is Ladybird’s Wildflower Center. – Both volunteering there and just visiting. But I try to get there every time I’m back in the area.
And I’m looking forward to going to watch the Central Texas Gardener program. ALL your fans can watch it on line whenever they like. Just go to this link: http://www.klru.org/ctg/episodes/ and then look for it. Heck, I’ll even connect my computer to the big screen and watch it full size.
Oh, a small screen is just fine, Marilyn! 😉 Yes, the Wildflower Center is a treasure for Austin. I have been many times and always see something new and different. —Pam
Love those berries and blue bonnets. Your book trailer is zippy. Good luck.
Thanks, Lisa. Spring seems right around the corner here in Austin, but we’ll see what February holds. —Pam
Springtime! Thanks for the sneak peak. We’re heading into a cold week here in Wisconsin after a mild stretch, but I hope this will be the last of the bitter cold for this winter. One of these days, I must make it down to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 🙂
I hope the bitter cold doesn’t last too long, Beth. Sending warm thoughts your way. —Pam