What a change from a week or two ago. It was a sunny 82 F today in Austin — fully spring-like and more like late March than late February. I wouldn’t say the garden is leaping into spring though. After all, we just experienced a deep freeze that killed back all the new growth plants had been putting on. The garden is rocking shades of tan, with bamboo muhly, Mexican honeysuckle, and even autumn sage zapped into dormancy.

Still, the signs are there. Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is budded up with fragrant golden flowers. Spring will soon be springing in earnest.

I put the porch pots back out, after protecting the succulents in the garage during the latest cold snap. It’s nice to have ‘Coppertone’ sedum and ‘Bloodspot’ mangave harmonizing with the wasabi-colored front door again.

The possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua) remarkably still has all its brilliant red berries. I can’t believe the flocks of cedar waxwings I hear flying overhead at all times haven’t descended on it, nor our local mockingbirds. Maybe there are tastier attractions nearby?

Here’s the possumhaw two weeks ago, on a sullen, chilly day.

And here it is on a bluebird day this week.

Not a berry missing, I’d say.

I spotted a little garter snake sunning itself in the back garden, enjoying the spring-like weather. I’m hopeful it’s hunting up all the snails and slugs and pesky bugs it can find.

On the kitchen windowsill, a Medusa’s head plant (Euphorbia flanaganii) in a Rick Van Dyke monster pot has awoken, putting on new growth…

…and tiny yellow flowers. Cute!

A walk around Lady Bird Lake showed the shoreline trees are still in winter mode. But that won’t last long. SXSW is coming, and we’ll soon see Texas mountain laurels, plums, and redbuds in bloom, seducing another bunch of visitors with early spring delights.

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Digging Deeper

Attend the annual Budding Out Plant Sale & Festival on March 15th at the John Fairey Garden in Hempstead. Shop for rare plants from the garden’s nursery and select plant vendors. Local artists and artisans as well as food, drink, and demonstrations will also be featured. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, children under 12 free. Hours: 10 am to 4 pm; members get early admission at 9 am (memberships available on day of event).

Tour 5 unique Houston gardens on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour for Houston. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the Garden Conservancy.

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!

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