Leaves I can’t leave behind
Many xeric, or drought-tolerant, plants have tiny, spiny, or prickly foliage. But our native Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii ) is the exception with lush, large leaves, plus red flowers that go all summer and attract hummingbirds.
This Turk’s cap, silhouetted in morning light against the chartreuse foliage of equally xeric bamboo muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa ), is a pink-flowering variety called ‘Pam Puryear’ or ‘Pam’s Pink.’ Turk’s cap can be invasive in the right conditions, but I love it for its leafy beauty, tough nature, and swirling upright flowers.
I just made one final raid on the garden of the Unsold House, before we lease it, to make off with this huge potted Texas nolina, or sacahuiste (Nolina texana ). For many years it anchored the middle of the front-yard courtyard, and it had finally attained a gorgeous waterfall form over the sides of the pot. I couldn’t bear to leave it behind.
I could never have dug it out of the narrow-mouthed pot, so my DH and I rocked and rolled the heavy container onto this wheeled cart (one of the best presents we ever received; thank you, Doris!) and put it in the moving van with the remaining items from the house and shed. Now it sits beside the deck as I muse on where to put it. I think it’ll work great as a focal point at the end of one sight line across the stock-tank pond. But I need to get the fence over there replaced first…and the grass removed…and…
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I can’t believe you haven’t sold that adorable house Pam, but glad you can bring so many of your things to the new house. I know there are many things to do, but such is gardening. It is never “done”–which is one reason I love it so much! 🙂
I have Turk’s Cap but it did not bloom this year. The grass and the pot are a nice combination.
“I just made one final raid on the garden …” that just cracked me up. I bet you you will be back for another raid some time. I certainly would not have left that striking plant behind. Glad you got it leased, I was wondering about that the other day, at least you have some income from it.
Our Turk’s cap just started to flower. It is an amazing plant. Seems to make it through floods and drought without a problem in the world.
I was wondering if you chose to leave your Pam’s Pink behind. 🙂
It never got planted in the old garden, Randy. I brought it to the new garden in its original pot. —Pam
Feeling left out since I don’t have a “Pink Pam’s Behind” in my garden, but will keep my eyes open next time we’re at Au Naturel Gardener ;-]
Leasing may not be what you’d hoped for, but there will be children and life in the house, a good thing. Bet you’ve already got an idea of the right place for your iconic jar and its fountain of Nolina.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Nice play off Randy’s comment, Annie. Too funny! —Pam
What a beautiful specimen that Nolina is, Pam. I can’t imagine you leaving it behind, either. It will love its new home. My turks cap came into its own this year and has been blooming beautifully. I think this is year 3, so that would make sense, wouldn’t it? Time to leap!
I’m so sorry the house is unsold, but very glad you have found good tenants. At least you’ve been able to save some of the plants for your new garden. It’s nice to have those “threads” of continuity that the transplants provide for us.
Yeah, I have often wished for a dolly for the garden to move heavy stuff around with.
Once you get one you’ll wonder how you got along without it, Chuck. —Pam
What a great plant that Turk’s cap is. Up here the Turk’s caps are blooming, too — but they are downward-facing lilies with re-curved petals! Hope you are able to lease the house; perhaps that is a more likely outcome in this economy. I have young friends who own their first house, their second (a farm) and just had to move to the East coast for him to find work. Tough times (but at least there are some tough plants to go with them).
Yes, we have leased the house, Linda. We were happy to find tenants right away, once we gave up on selling at this time. —Pam
Oh, yes! It is a valuable prize.
Donna
One thing always leads to another. I can see why you couldn’t leave this baby behind.