Zinging through the end of summer
Although I was gone for half of it, which no doubt helped, August was one of the most pleasant Augusts I’ve experienced since moving to Austin 22 years ago. It just hasn’t been all that hot (in the low to mid-90s F, and even some days in the upper 80s), with clouds that keep the Death Star at bay and a good deal of rain to boot.
What gives?? I don’t know, but I like it! Austin is lush and green right now. Take this evergreen wisteria (Millettia reticulata), for example.
It’s a beauty in late summer. I spotted this one outside a restaurant in South Austin, but I was first introduced to the vine at Philip’s East Side Patch. It’s not really a wisteria, nor is it invasive like Chinese wisteria, although, according to Philip, it can be a jungly beast. I wish I had a sunny fence in need of a little color.
At home in my own garden, I’m so glad I didn’t miss the short-lived flowering of the pond crinum while I was away on vacation.
The burgundy-chocolatey leaves are wonderful enough. Add raspberry-colored flowers and you have perfection. Well, almost. I did have to stake them to keep them from face-planting in the pond. Local readers, if you’re curious, I found this plant at Hill Country Water Gardens in Cedar Park. It must be protected from our occasional hard freezes, which I do by dropping it temporarily to the bottom of the pond.
Indoors, I’m loving ‘Moonshine’ snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’), a freebie from the Minneapolis Garden Bloggers Fling. One of the sponsors, Costa Farms, gave away these and other “Plants of Steel.” It’s perfect for my Rick Van Dyke snake pot, which I bought at Austin’s Cactus & Succulent Society Show one year.
Speaking of which, the Cactus & Succulent Show is happening this weekend, and you’ll find Rick Van Dyke selling his pots, among other vendors, plus lots of cool succulents and cacti.
I seem to have a thing for pots that look like they’re alive. Here’s one of my new tentacle pots — I tend to call them squid pots — with a squiddy tillandsia popped in it for summer.
A rusty wall planter holds ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense), another succulent (can’t remember the name), and Coahuila lace cactus (Echinocereus pectinatus var. coahuila). And a tiny chair from Potted.
A mass planting of paleleaf yucca (Y. pallida) is looking mighty fine under the live oaks. I was inspired to plant a grid of these after seeing something similar in designer Tait Moring’s garden. Native groundcover woolly stemodia (Stemodia lanata) fills in around the yuccas.
In the same bed, mullein’s fuzzy leaves are so pettable.
In the streetside bed, autumn-herald garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) is blooming. Its white flower clusters stand out against deep-purple ‘Vertigo’ pennisetum, a trial plant Proven Winners sent me last year. The lavender blossoms of Mexican oregano (Poliomintha longiflora) are a paler echo of the ‘Vertigo’ grass.
Garlic chives and ‘Vertigo’ pennisetum
And a closeup of the garlic chives, which bees adore. I haven’t seen many bees lately, though, and I hope it’s not because neighbors have been spraying for mosquitoes (a known bee killer).
In Moby news, my whale’s tongue agave (A. ovatifolia) that finished flowering months ago has started producing bulbils — baby clones of the mother plant — at the top of the bloom spike. How cool is that! I’ll wait a little longer to make sure they’re viable before cutting down the bloom stalk, which is as big as a sapling tree and has started to lean. No doubt Moby will give up the ghost soon, after this final burst of reproductive energy.
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delighted to hear about the little Mobys!
I’m pleased too, Diana, especially because I didn’t find any viable seeds in the admittedly small sample that I cut open. —Pam
Glad you’ve been able to enjoy a cooler summer this year. After our unusually hot spring, we had a fairly normal summer, a few days in the 90’s interspersed among mostly mid 80’s and a few stretches in the 70’s when the marine layer dominated. The color of that evergreen wisteria is absolutely phenomenal! I love ‘Moonshine’ sansevieria, too. It’s still on my wishlist. I have ‘Grey Lady’, which is similar but with narrower leaves that are more green. Your Yucca and Stemodia planting is wonderful.
I had no idea there were so many sansevieria cultivars until recently. I could see collecting quite a few, especially because I don’t have a lot of natural light in my house. —Pam
Moby is still hanging on, huh? Sounds like it’s giving a last gasp! I keep seeing garlic chives lately, and I think I’m going to have to have some, especially if monarchs like to nectar at them. That wisteria is just plain gorgeous with the contrast between the foliage and flower color. Wow.
I don’t know about monarchs liking garlic chives, but I do see bees on it. Plus they’re just so easy to grow! —Pam
That pond crinum is incredible! And I must say that your snake plant is looking a lot better than mine. It’s not doing badly, but doesn’t seem to be thriving either. I do have to repot it, though, which I’m sure will help – a job for when the kids are back in school next week.
The gardens around here are looking a lot better in the past few weeks as well, after some much needed rain. The heat is still not letting up, though – but I think our “heat” is your comfortable weather as anything in the high 80’s and above is a bit much for me 🙂
Haha, yes, I think so too, Margaret. When it drops into the mid- or low 80s here, we start talking about fall’s arrival. I’m glad to hear you’ve gotten some needed rain. That makes such a difference. —Pam
Sorry to say the Death Star has been really brutal here this summer, Pam, but we have some relief now with cooler temps. and rain. I love your pond crinum and will research if I can overwinter it here. P. x
I’m glad you are getting some relief too, Pam. As for the pond crinum, I’d be surprised if it can overwinter in PA, as it’s marginal here in Austin. But if you can find it locally, I think it’s worth adding to the pond every year for that rich foliage color. —Pam
Pam, there was a story on the news this morning about millions of bees that died in SC when the area was sprayed for zika. The beekeepers are pretty upset that they were given notice to protect their hives. I bet that could be an issue there since you’ve noticed it.
Patty, yes, and I actually linked to that story in my blog post (3rd picture of the garlic chives). I understand that Zika is serious, but I wish people wouldn’t react by nuking their yards with pesticides. I see mosquito-spray ad signs out on lawns in my ‘hood and can’t help wondering how many beneficial insects like bees are being killed. And then what does that do to our songbirds, like wrens, who rely on a diet of bugs? —Pam
I’m sorry, Pam. I’m having issues with my laptop screen and cannot always tell when there is a link shown by a different color font. Because of the way you worded your comment I thought maybe you hadn’t heard that news story. But you’re a very smart lady and I should have realized you might have thought of it anyway. Our poor bees! They’ve been through so much the past few years. I hope yours were only temporarily scared off and will return when the air clears.
Thanks for letting me know the link color can be hard to see, Patty. I’ll look into it to see if there’s something I can do. And yes, I hope to see the bees again soon! —Pam
Your garden did thrive with the rain and cooler temps. I love the crinum in the pond I have never heard of it but making a metal note. I am a sucker for anything with burgundy leaves. I use the Evergreen Wisteria often on wrought iron fences. It is so striking. I enjoyed your travel photos but it is great to see your garden so lush at the end of summer.
It’s such a nice change to have had rain in August, Laurin. And I bet evergreen wisteria looks wonderful on wrought-iron fences! —Pam
Moby looks good, Pam! I was surprised to see him! …and very happy.:)
He’s starting to look a little peaked on the downhill side. But from this angle, he looks surprisingly good. —Pam
I love that Millettia, which is entirely new to me. I was surprised to see that Moby is still looking pretty good, at least in his photo op.
He’s hanging in there, Kris. But I don’t expect for too much longer. —Pam
Your garden didn’t seem to suffer with your absence this year. I am sure the garden fairies love that little chair out front to keep and eye on the garden.
No fairies here, just surly gnomes, Lisa. 😉 —Pam