Springtime in Austin
Texas bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis ) in blue and pink combine with succulents and a writhing variegated agave to make a springtime scene the out-of-town Spring Flingers are not likely to see at home. “Amen!” they may be thinking.
I’ll admit, I didn’t plan for those pinkbonnets to turn out pink. They were supposed to be blue, like a good bluebonnet should be. But what can you do? Only laugh and play along.
Ha, ha.
I cannot think of an easier, prettier plant for a hot, sunny spot in an Austin garden than bulbine (Bulbine frutescens ). The fleshy, stem-like leaves are evergreen, and the glowing, orange-and-yellow flowers are held aloft on spaghetti-thin stems. Bulbine blooms spring through fall and only requires occasional division and deadheading to keep it looking its best. Though this South African native can be killed by a hard freeze, that has yet to happen to this clump in two or three years, and the ice storm a year ago didn’t harm it either.
Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens ) is growing and blooming. No fragrance, but no invasiveness either, and it attracts hummingbirds.
The Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia congesta ) is swarming with honeybees again. The Hartman Prehistoric Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden calls this Texas native a “primitive” species that evolved before the continents had split off from Pangaea. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel young.
Its dainty, white flowers bloom amid the semi-evergreen leaves, which resemble tiny, cloven hooves.
Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana ), a scrubby but tough evergreen native, bursts into school-bus-yellow bloom at this time of year. I have it along the curb, where little else survives without my help but Mexican feathergrass.
I think I’ll go sit a spell on the back patio, where I’ll be entertaining a bunch of other garden bloggers in just 7 days. I can’t believe the Spring Fling is almost here!
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I encourage everyone who asks me about gardening to explore evergreens, so they won’t have a barren garden once the seasons change. It’s just been in the past couple of years that I’ve really tried hard to capture that effect. Your gardens are lovely. Those chairs look like they’ve had plenty of sittin’ and iced tea and friends talking about important stuff! Have fun with all those gardeners coming! Remember to relax and have fun yourself.
Brenda
That’s good advice, Brenda. Many people just think about flowers when they start gardening, but flowers won’t get you through the winter, will they? Thanks for the reminder to relax and have fun. I mean to! —Pam
I am much greener than my garden just thinking about all the fun the bloggers will have
gathered in your lovely garden. I will be there in spirit. I wouldn’t even mind the pink
blue bonnets.
Feeling green is better than feeling blue, Lisa. Maybe it will inspire the Indianans to throw the next Spring Fling? —Pam
I LOVE your Anacacho orchid tree – seeing your beautiful specimen makes me so glad that I planted one in the fall. Our blooms are not nearly as big or intricate as yours, but I can’t wait to watch it grow. And I can’t wait to sit in your garden with so many of our blogging friends in just one short week.
You picked a good one, Diana. I really like this little tree. It’s pretty in every season. —Pam
Yes, it’s really amazing how quickly time flies, isn’t it? Hard to believe that a week from today, you’ll all be having a good time in (probably hot) Austin. Meanwhile, I’ll be listening to a Swedish designer talk about rock gardening at the Ag. College in Truro, but I’ll be with you all in spirit. Your garden looks fabulous, even if your bluebonnets are pink. Sneaky plants, the things they do!
Ooh, I hope it won’t be hot quite yet (but it could be). Thanks for the good wishes. —Pam
When I see that variegated agave, I’ll know I’m not in Indiana anymore. That and it will be warmer… and I’ll be seeing a lot of flowers I’ve never seen in Indiana. I’ll be in a new world “horticulturally speaking”. I’m looking forward to it!
Me too, Carol. I promise it’ll look different than Indiana. See you next week! —Pam
Well I am still waiting for even a hint of HOT here but it’s great to see it there! Hope the Spring Fling is great! Nice adirondack chairs.
Carol
Terra Nova Design
Thanks, Carol. Those weathered chairs get a lot of use at this time of year, while it’s so pleasant to be outdoors. —Pam
I can’t wait! Do you think we’ll see any Hummers? I haven’t seen one since I went to the Desert Museum in Tucson, too many years ago.
Good question, MMD. They aren’t back in large numbers yet, and they tend to be shy of people—at least the ones in my garden are. But maybe!
But I’m curious. Aren’t there hummers in Chicago? The place I’ve seen them in greatest numbers is in Estes Park, Colorado. The sound of them zipping through the air all around you makes you want to duck. —Pam
Like Diana, I love the Anacacho orchid tree–I’m officially adding it to my wish list. I’m look forward to seeing your garden during Spring Fling.
I’m so glad the orchid tree will be in bloom for the Spring Fling. It’s a lovely, airy tree, and it should be more widely planted. —Pam
You’re all set for a great Fling!
Only wish you were coming too, Chuck. I’d love to see your photo tour of the day. —Pam
I love your weathered white chairs also! It looks so pretty in your garden, like summertime already. Such a difference a few hundred miles makes (I’m in Colorado). Send the heat north! and enjoy your spring fling get together.
Thanks, Kathleen. I’ll be glad to send you some heat as soon as it arrives. Right now it’s perfect, but soon it will be hot and muggy. —Pam
Your garden really does say Texas to me. I wish we could grow those agaves and the bulbine, so will really enjoy seeing them well grown in a climate that suits them so perfectly.
Frances
I’m glad it looks regional to you. I think every garden should have a sense of place. —Pam
I like the pink variation of the bluebonnets. I think both together look quite nice. Is this a common occurrence? Do fields of bluebonnets naturally have pink ones interspersed within the blue ones?
No, it’s apparently very uncommon to find a pink bluebonnet in the wild. The pink (maroon) ones were sought out and selectively bred by an Aggie (Texas A&M grad). Julie at Human Flower Project posted last year about the origins of the pink bluebonnet. —Pam
From the first time I saw a Texas Hill country garden in Southern Living Magazine, 100 years ago, I have wanted one. The next best thing is knowing a kind and generous Texas Hill Country gardener who invites us into her garden. Looking forward to being in the garden with your wonderful plantings.
gail
Thanks, Gail. I look forward to sharing it with you. —Pam
What lovely flowers! It looks like you’ll have a lovely spring fling. I love a nice comfy spot to sit in a garden, it looks heavenly. Now, where’s my lemonade?
It’s just so hard to sit and not do, though, isn’t it? That’s the challenge. —Pam
Beautiful photos – I love that orchid tree!
Thanks, Phillip. —Pam
Anticipation is at an all time high here at my desk while the outside temperature hovers around forty degrees and I gaze at your blooms! These pictures are a tease which only serves to heighten the anticipation. I will have to remember to savor the moments as I stand in your garden with the other ‘Flingers’! No worries, Pam, your work has been done! (I know, that is easy for me to say!)
I’m full of anticipation as well, Layanee. See you soon. —Pam
What wonderful blooms you have Pam, I’ve never seen an orchid tree before.
It’s native to central Texas, and a limited area at that, preferring the rocky limestone soils of the Hill Country. —Pam
Hi there! I hope you have a great weekend for your Spring Fling. Your pictures look amazing!
Many thanks, Sherry! —Pam
After seeing your bulbine, I bought a few some months ago. It really is amazingly easy and rather pretty. But my clump is spreading in a rather alarming fashion. The color can only be described as strange. That washed-out orange goes with what? Blue, purple? I can’t decide what to put near it.
Yes, it’s very easy, very pretty, and expansive once it gets established. I wouldn’t call it invasive, however, because it’s so easy to dig up or pull up. I love that soft orange color paired with the blue-green of my ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave. It would also look nice with silver artemesia, don’t you think? —Pam