Spring’s lovely light
Balmy weather last week and a few hot days this week (Tuesday’s high reached 85F/29.4C), and my garden is sitting up and taking notice. A warm, golden glow lights the afternoons.
The aloes—the ones that survived the deep freeze this winter—are seizing the moment and sending up tall stalks topped with tubular, coral blossoms.
This is ‘Blue Elf’ aloe, which survives winter freezes in a pot, partially shielded by a stone wall. I assume it would do just as well in the ground.
These two large Aloe saponaria suffered only a little leaf burn last winter, thanks to a protected location. Now they’re sending up candelabra-like bloom stalks.
Our native spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) is beginning its spring show. Bees love the flowers.
I just purchased a few purple oxalis. The deep-purple leaves and dainty lilac flowers are lovely against greener plants. Mine are in a raised bed, which makes it easier to enjoy them.
My appetite for spring is whetted. I’m ready for more.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Pam, I so look forward to the softening days of spring and the lovely light to come. That purple oxalis is a houseplant up here in CT and I use it in containers for the growing season – great foliage plant. Love your spiderwort shot.
Thanks, Cyndy. Spiderwort is very photogenic, I find, with those long flower stalks and the contrast between bright green leaves and purple or violet flowers. —Pam
I always get zonal envy whenever I see Aloes blooming. We can do them, but only in containers here, and even then you have to be careful where you place them, especially if we are having one of our wet periods.
They’re a little tricky here too, Les. Austin has a lot of clay soil, and aloes hate that. Plus the extended hard freezes we’ve had the past two winters have killed off many of them. —Pam
Your garden is awakening with a big smile. Here the spiderwort is only just peeking out of the ground. I can’t wait to see some of those sweet blue blooms in my garden.
It won’t be long, Lisa. I’m sending warm thoughts northward. —Pam
Oh that opening shot of blue and spikes is incredible, Pam! It was hard to move on to see what else spring had brought to your garden. The Aloes are perfect specimens for those pots, that has me thinking after the success of wintering over the bulbine in the greenhouse…. 🙂
Thanks, Frances! I’m glad your bulbine overwintered in the Fairegarden. My bulbine in the ground didn’t make it through our extended cold snap, and I just replaced them with new plants. So it goes… —Pam
I never thought of aloes blooming! How lovely. I love those blue pots.
They do! And they have lovely, tall flower spikes when they do. —Pam
Wow. The aloes are beautiful. My tradescantia is just now forming a bud – yours is fabulous.
It’s a short leap from bud to blossom where spiderwort is concerned. Enjoy! —Pam
Every day there’s something new blooming here on my corner of Katy! I wish my Aloes had come through winter as well as yours did. I’ve lost several and those that remain are rather pitiful in appearance.
Sorry about your aloes, Cindy. I lost several too but was happy that these two came through so well. —Pam
Your aloes look really good…having any rain? It’s headed our way.
We got a little rain last night, but I haven’t checked the gauge to see how much yet. Hope you get some. —Pam
Bamboo in old water troughs….smacks forehead….gotta go!!
That’s a great way to contain running bamboo, Linda, and it helps make a good screen for a patio. Actually, though it’s hard to tell in the top picture, my bamboo (‘Alphonse Karr’, a clumping variety) is planted in the ground near that stock tank, which is filled with yuccas and other xeric plants. —Pam
I look forward to seeing such scenes in a month, or so! Thanks for the preview.
You’re welcome, David. It’ll be spring there before you know it. —Pam
Your recovery is definitely ahead of mine. Way jealous of the Aloes – yours did so much better – and now they are already blooming! Very nice.
I am pretty surprised and pleased about the aloes too, RBell. Others in my garden, less protected, turned to mush. —Pam
Funny…I just thought the exact thing about the light this morning…I swear, it’s the first time since summer that parts of the garden got ANY direct sunlight! Love all those cobalt pots…so dramatic! I have one of those purple oxalis, but it really does not like where it’s planted…yours looks so happy!
Thanks, Scott. It’s nice to have the light, and next week, after Daylight Savings Time starts, we’ll have more of it to enjoy in the evenings. —Pam
Really pretty images, Pam and you are right, nice lighting.
Thanks, Donna. —Pam
Hi, Pam, It’s lovely to see things we might recognize from your old garden now well established in their new environment as if they’ve been there forever. You have such a talent for arranging colors and textures and your readers benefit. Seems we are all poking about now seeing what survived and cherishing each new sign of spring. Enjoy! xoxo
Thank you, Kathryn. Yes, it is definitely poking-around time for us gardeners, as our gardens emerge from their winter naps. —Pam
I opened your blogspot with such an awe! The blue containers, bottles etc with the beautiful backdrop of spring is breathtaking. I hope you agree that imitation is the best form of flattery…..You are truly an inspiration! Pamie G.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Pamie. You made my day! 🙂 —Pam
Love your garden. That blue is my fave!!!
Thanks, Mary Lou! —Pam
Now that we are finally situated in the new home, (I live in a barn), and have the vegetable garden in order I am ready for some permanent plantings for our expansive deck. I think the succulents would be a grand addition. My grandmas used to have hens and chickens….very nostalgic.
Joyce, did you mean to leave this comment on my post about Garden Up! and the succulent-picture giveaway? If so, please pop over there and leave your comment to be entered in the contest. Thanks! —Pam
Beautiful. I just love that agave with the blue pots. They play off each other like a quartet. Enjoy your spring. We’re still cold here.~~Dee
Thanks, Dee. I hope you get some warm spring weather soon. —Pam
I loved the story about the disappearing fountain. This is what my garden needs. Thanks. Daisy
Water is a wonderful addition to any garden. Thanks for your comment, Daisy. —Pam
I look forward to my first vertical garden this growing season!
Angela, did you mean to leave this comment on my post about Garden Up! and the succulent-picture giveaway? If so, please pop over there and leave your comment to be entered in the contest. Thanks! —Pam