cool gardens in a hot climate™
March 31, 2018 When I spotted this pool-garden view from inside the home of my friend Jenny Stocker, I nearly tripped over my feet to get outside and drink it in. Jenny, who blogs at Rock Rose, is the owner … Read More
March 28, 2018 On the hunt at The Natural Gardener nursery yesterday, my eyes popped wide when I spotted rows of magenta poppies near the herb garden. Shazam! Thunderstorms rolled in overnight, and I wonder if the fragile poppies still … Read More
March 27, 2018 The mountain laurels and redbuds and plums are done. Carolina jessamine is done. But ‘Tangerine Beauty’ crossvine (Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’) is hitting its stride as we move into mid-spring here in Central Texas. It looks especially … Read More
March 22, 2018 Texas mountain laurel, one of our finest native flowering trees Whether you’re hunkered under a blanket of snow or your gardening season is well underway, let’s pause to appreciate the beauty of spring-flowering trees and other gorgeous … Read More
March 15, 2018 It’s Bloom Day, and Austin is abloom right now in Texas mountain laurel grapiness. Grapiness, you ask? Yes! Purple blossoms that draw comparisons to wisteria hang from every glossy-leaved branch and scent the air with the fragrance … Read More
February 25, 2018 Spring is coming along ever so slowly, although of course it’s still only February. But still — I’m so ready! Stepping out of my car in the driveway with a bag of groceries, I spotted this blazing … Read More
April 10, 2017 Live oak leaf and pollen season is finally over, and the patios are clean again, hallelujah! This calls for a spring garden stroll, so let’s go. I’ve been playing with a squid theme on one wall of … Read More
March 27, 2017 As buds began to swell last week, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the flowering of my pond iris. And this morning, three burgundy, yellow-throated flowers unfurled. They look especially picturesque as viewed against the turquoise shed doors. Several … Read More
March 24, 2017 A wildflower photo safari is my springtime ritual, and I especially like to drive out to the Texas Hill Country to photograph wildflowers against the rugged hills, rocks, and prickly pear. This spring, thanks to a mild … Read More
February 27, 2017 After speaking at the Native Plant Society of Texas Spring Symposium, held at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center last Saturday (and a big thank-you to the organizers and wonderful audience members!), I strolled the gardens with … Read More
February 23, 2017 Purple oxalis flowers delicately echo its purple leaves Texas redbuds, Texas mountain laurel, spiderwort, and even some bluebonnets are surprising Austinites this spring with early blooming. I can usually count on sniffing the grape Kool-Aid-scented blossoms of … Read More