Flowering trees and more unfurling
Yesterday the Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana) burst into full bloom, transforming itself from bare twigs to fluffy white flowers seemingly overnight. And early! Last year, according to this blog post, the Mexican plum bloomed 2 weeks later than usual, in late March. This year it bloomed on March 1st!
Much of my garden is still in shades of tan from the Arctic freeze that bullied its way through Austin back in December. So it’s especially sweet to have the plum to enjoy right now.
Weather forecasters are saying a strong thunderstorm could blow in this evening. I hope the blossoms can hold on.
Looking longways across the back garden, another small native tree, Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana), is showing off white bark and tender new leaves. The persimmon narrowly escaped being crushed by falling tree limbs during the recent ice storm, so I’m especially grateful for its graceful shape and the glow of its pale trunks against the dark cedar fence. Those beaked yuccas (Yucca rostrata) aren’t too shabby either!
The ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate (Punica granatum) on the other side of the garden is also putting out new leaves, which glow an autumnal gold and orange. Hey, I thought this was spring!
No sign of spring yet on the weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis ‘Traveller’), but it won’t be long. Meanwhile I’m appreciating its sculptural form.
‘Tangerine Beauty’ crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), a native cultivar, is starting to flower.
So is the native spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis).
Blue wall with blue yuccas and blue pool
Taking the side path uphill, you now have a view to the front garden, thanks to a new metal-mesh gate. A little extra air flow is nice too.
Here’s the gate from the other side, looking into the back garden. Nothing fancy, but it’s sturdy, and I love the inviting view it offers, even as it keeps out rabbits and armadillos. The steel frame and mesh will eventually develop a coating of rust.
A prickly pear heart wreath (metal) is the finishing touch.
Gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) is electrically flowering in sunny spaces along paths. Most of it at this point is self-seeded, and I indulgently sidestep it, happy to have both foliage and flowers.
After the winter we’ve had here in Austin, spring is especially welcome. I know wherever you are, you’re feeling that way too.
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Digging Deeper
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Beautiful! How wonderful to have blooms this time of year. The Redbuds were blooming in San Antonio while we were there. Beautiful trees!
Redbuds are such a beautiful herald of spring here. And I know you saw my favorite, the Texas mountain laurel too. 🙂
Oh, goodness, Pam, your garden looks beautiful.
No spring-like emergence here in Quebec, but next week, when we’re back in Asheville, it’ll be spring unfolding. So glad that your garden is looking magical.
Spring is magical, and I know you must be looking forward to seeing it in Asheville soon.
There are always those days when you look around you and recognize, my gosh, spring is here! I hope any ugly weather passes you by, Pam – I think you’ve already had your fair share this year.
Thanks, Kris. Here’s to mild temps and gentle rains for both of our gardens this spring!
Yay for flowering trees. Your new mesh gate is quite handsome! And the new leaves on the pomegranate are just glowing.
Where did you get that wonderful crow in the second pic?? He’s mighty fine!
Thanks, Ginny. I think I found the crow art at a local nursery. But I’ve seen similar metal bird silhouettes online.
Your new fence and gate look wonderful, and the fence really shows off the form of the redbud! It’s so nice to see the earliest signs of spring. I noticed a wire/mesh opening on the bottom of the fence between the house and the gate. I’m curious if that’s to allow water to flow through, or serves another purpose? We have a drainage swale/”creek” that goes under our fence, and it’s a critter pathway. I have mixed feelings about that, especially when my new plants get uprooted, and this looks like a potential solution.
Yes, it allows water to flow through since my yard slopes steeply front to back. The wire is meant to keep out armadillos and rabbits.
Your garden looks very springlike, Pam. And I love the gate! Here in Dallas, I see redbuds and Mexican plums blooming around town. In my own garden, many things are leafing out, and violets, Tradescantia, cleavers, golden groundsel, Oxalis crassipes, and more are blooming. Spring is here!
Sounds lovely, Peter. It’s a great time of year, with new plants popping up or flowering every day and (hopefully) the heat still at bay.
It is nice to see blooms at this time of year. I like your new gate.
Thanks, Lisa. Soon spring will be popping everywhere.
I had a chuckle when I read how the new (fabulous) gate suppose to “keeps out rabbits and armadillos”. Armadillo is such an exotic creature in my eyes. I’m familiar with rabbit damage to plants, but the Armadillo? Not a welcome visitor?
Yay for spring blooms, and that TALL Yucca rostrata is a beauty.
Old wood fence are charming but there’s nothing that dresses up a garden like a brand new one.
Armadillos and rabbits and deer (oh my) roam at will through my front garden. But I try to make my backyard fence as critter-proof as possible. Armadillos dig like backhoes in their search for worms and grubs. They can be very destructive in uprooting plants, especially in freshly turned garden beds. I admit they’re weirdly cute though!