Inspiration

Visit the gardens of others and let inspiration take you by the hand.

Seeking Higher Ground

The Texas spiny lizard is usually quite shy, however, today he posed for a portrait atop an old ladder in the garden. I've never been able to approach one with camera in hand; they typically make a hasty retreat.  I guess he was reluctant to leave higher ground.

On top of a wetter than average spring, we've received over 13" of torrential rain this month.  The backyard is a mosh pit and there are many drowning plants.  Among them: native columbine, Texas betony and lamb's ear.  No surprise that oak leaf hydrangea and river fern are content and taking it all in stride.  There are insect infestations and snails galore. Blood thirsty mosquitoes are swarming.

It's brutal out there.

But, you will not hear me complain.  After experiencing so many years of drought, especially the summer of 2011, I promised myself I would never utter a word of complaint about too much rainfall.  Ever.  I just never expected keeping the promise to be so hard.

Between the Storms

The light is a bit other-worldly in the garden recently. The last remains of oak pollen have been washed away by multiple rain showers and the air is pure and clean, scented with jasmine.  Between the storms are opportunities to catch glimpses of magical light and the imagination lingers on what it might be like to live in a place with reliable and abundant rain.  A place lush and green.  This spring the mind doesn't have to wander far; not any farther than the back door.

Sometimes You Need a Swift Kick in the Rear

The next time I decide to paint any room larger than 6' x 6' go ahead and give me a swift kick.  And the next time my sweet husband looks at me with complete sincerity and asks if I'm sure I don't want to hire someone to paint and I say no, just kick me.  Hard. 

And, the next time I take on this project the day after we get home from vacation the week of school starting for my son and my daughter readying herself to leave for college.  Yes, you know.  Just give me a kick.  And, my parents and extended family are coming to town the following week for a birthday celebration...Yes.  Really.  I did this.  Knowingly.  

Three rooms and two hallways painted a gorgeous warm gray.  Thankfully I love the color and the work was worth it!

So this lunacy explains my blogging absence and I've missed you sorely.   There has been so much happening.  We've gotten cooler temperatures, a little rain with more on the way and there are so many signs that fall is coming!

The oxblood lilies gifted to me in March by my neighbor Leroy are blooming!  They are delightfully charming and old fashioned and have lived up to the expectation of JOY I anticipated.  I adore them.

This group of mushrooms appeared in the yard yesterday.  Amazing, really because the lawn in the back is parched.  Wonderful these little miracles out there just waiting for the perfect conditions.

Spider lilies are eagerly pushing up the earth with one in bloom all the sudden.  The others aren't far behind. 

But my favorite fall story is this little fall aster...

This was planted three years ago with the excitement that every gardener has when she plants a flowering perennial.  I could just imagine how it would spill over the slope, loaded down with sweet lilac hued flowers each fall.  But a rabbit ate it down to nearly nothing only for it to come up again the following year to suffer horribly through drought and heat.  This year it was nibbled again but fortunately the bunny found the nearby black-eyed Susan more palatable and the aster finally grew.  It's still tiny but it is a survivor and it is proclaiming the start of fall loud and proud. 

This little aster gives me hope and makes me smile every time I see it.  I want to be like that little aster.

One Day. One Garden. Four Seasons.

Have you noticed some season shifting shenanigans in your summer garden?  Not that I'm complaining.  

This summer has been a dream compared to last.  We're at nine days of 100+ degree temps compared to thirty-nine during the same period last year.  You might recall we had ninety 100+ degree days in 2011.   Shudder.

The typically spring blooming abelia is looking lovely with small clusters of white flowers.  This dwarf variety shrub was a near casualty of last year's exceptional drought.  Taking encouragement from the winter rains, it rallied and is growing into a nicely shaped plant.

In even stranger news, daylily and purple oxalis are also blooming.  Purple oxalis in my garden is usually lush and pretty during the late winter and early spring.  The daylily is planted in the hottest part of my garden and I rarely see a bloom after May.  So many plants in confusion...

Ruby crystals grass is catching the morning light and my attention daily with its soft, feathery inflorescence.  This grass is new to my garden and I honestly expected it to be more of a spring/fall bloomer.  I'm thrilled to see it in bloom now though.  It's gorgeous and if it should decide to reseed throughout this bed, I wouldn't be disappointed!

Even the Japanese maple is holding on to a bit of its rich color.  These leaves usually go completely green by this time of year. The fringe texture of the maple leaves against the silver ponyfoot ground cover is so pretty.  Purple heart, in the top right corner, adds nice contrast to the silvery green of the ponyfoot. 

I've lived in Austin way too long to be fooled.  There is still plenty of summer ahead for sure.

Cicadas sing nightly and almost, but not quite, are able to drown out the summer sound of our Texas white noise (a/c units).   There is a harmonious chorus between the many cicadas and toads.

A sweet black-eyed Susan plays a game of peek a boo...probably with the bunnies that visit daily.

A true harbinger of fall, the American beautyberry is beginning to put on its brightly hued fruit.  And while I'm not one to wish a beautiful, relatively easy (so far) summer away, this latest development tells me that fall will soon be nipping at our heels. 

61 days soon to be exact.

How about you?  Are you seeing any unusual bloom timing in your own garden? 

When You're Goofy and You Know It

What do you do in Austin, Texas when thunderstorms roll in and the thermometer barely reaches into the 80's in mid July?  Not just one day, but two days in a row?  Well, what any Texas girl worth her boots would do...

Stalk radar...

Let's zoom in on that a bit just because it makes me so happy.  See the bright orange there in the middle of the cell?  That indicates the heaviest rain sitting right over the lake and my neighborhood.  Yes!

Stalk the rain gauge...

Three and one-half inches fell on July 9th and another one inch fell last night.  Oh my, a drought weary garden could get used to this!  Just last week the live oak trees dropped a bunch of leaves from drought stress.

All this stormy weather has me in the mood to cook steamy, comfort foods and drink hot tea.  Something I haven't done since, oh, I don't know, February...

While stalking the rain gauge, I found this little hummer taking a break.  Oh good, something else to stalk!

All the excitement from these thunderstorms has left me feeling joyfully giddy.  We just don't see these kinds of temperatures and rain totals in July.  

Could it be that some new growth on the wildflowers beyond the fence will satisfy the bunnies?  Could it be that they might leave the black-eyed Susan alone in the garden? 

Could be...after all, if you'd asked me a week ago if I'd be adding 4.5" to my rain gauge page I would have shaken my head woefully.  Apparently, a girl can dream.

Uber-Summer Begins...88 Days Until Fall

88 days...88 days...88 days...88 days...88 days...88 days...88 days...88 days...

The mercury reached 109 Fahrenheit today.  Let's give that a moment to sink in: 109F today.  As I write at nearly 10:00 pm, it's still 98 degrees.  The prediction for tomorrow is cooler weather: 104F...a slight improvement.

With a few exceptions, not many plants stand up to intense temperatures and prolonged periods with little rain.  There are a few stalwarts in my garden that manage to remain calm and collected no matter the conditions.

Clothed in cool silver/gray foliage and shades of lavender and apricot; globe mallow, prairie verbena and verbena bonariensis don't find themselves slumped over at midday, wilting under the summer sun.  They stand arms wide open, enticing any determined butterflies and hummingbirds that dare to be out and about in the harsh heat of the big, bright sun.

As uber-summer takes a firm grip on our fair city I'm taking notes on which plants are sturdy and confident in the heat and which might need to be relocated.  Uber-summer is always a good time for taking stock and doing some mid-season planning and dreaming of our second growing season.  Lots of dreaming...

Countdown to fall: 88 days.

A Rain Soaked Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Well it's just been too long since participating in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.  While taking in the posts of my fellow gardeners, I became so inspired to join the fun that I grabbed my camera and ran out into the rain soaked garden to see what I had to share.

There are rain lilies...lots of them in the space beyond the fence.  They've been blooming for a week now in response to all the May showers.  You can see they look a little tattered from the .80" we received last night but they'll spring back.  Last night's shower was a slow, gentle, soaking rain with periodic rumbles of distant thunder...perfect to drift off to sleep to.

The dill sends up fireworks of yellow blooms to entice the swallowtail butterflies and hover flies.  As much as I enjoy cooking with the dill and parsley, I seriously look forward to photographing them more!

The dwarf oakleaf hydrangea, planted last spring, is coming into its own.  The foliage is gorgeous and the blooms are just beginning to fill in, brightening up the shade of the Japanese maple bed.

In the sunny bed along the back fence, verbena bonariensis floats above other perennials attracting near by butterflies.  This pass-a-long plant from Amy at Go Away, I'm Gardening, makes me smile and think of her every time I walk by.  Thanks, Amy!

And one last shot before the skies opened again with another soft, soaking rain!  Hallelujah!  Livin' Easy is on it's second round of blooms this season.  I counted 14 buds the other morning!  This spring has been so fabulous especially in contrast to the horrid drought of last summer.

I hope this GBBD finds you all soaking up the joy that spring has to offer!

Thanks, Carol, for hosting this meme on the 15th of every month.  Stop by the other bloggers' posts to see what they have going on in their gardens this May. 

A quick note about comments:  Unfortunately, I've tried unsuccessfully to leave comments on many Wordpress blogs.  There are a few I'm able to but many redirect me to a page requiring that I sign in to Wordpress.  Any information as to why this is happening would be much appreciated.  Also, I've made The Whimsical Gardener a word verification free blog.  It has been no problem with only one spam comment actually making it through Blogger's filter.  I would encourage y'all to give it a try; it sure makes it a lot easier on those wishing to leave a comment ;)

You're Missing Out if You Don't...

You are missing out if you don't plant this tough, drought tolerant, prolific bloomer. 

This globe mallow Sphaeralcea munroana is hands down the wonder plant of my garden.  It scorns severe freezing temperatures and prolonged periods of intense heat and drought without so much as a burned leaf or slight wilt and the pollinators love it. 

Feast your eyes on all those Pantone Color of the Year 2012 Tangerine Tango blooms! 

The evergreen foliage is a plus too.  The gray/green shade visually cools down the dry, full sun location and its ruffled leaves add an interesting texture to a perennial planting.

Look at all those buds on the verge of bursting open!  This plant is suitable for zones 4a-9b and gets about 48" tall.  Mine is on its third season and gets a significant trim twice a year - once in late winter/early spring and again in late summer.  The spring and fall blooming cycles produce the most abundant blooms but it does bloom sporadically through the winter and summer months in my garden.

It's lovely paired with another favorite, Gulf coast penstemon which will be blooming soon.

I've enjoyed this plant so much that I've added a second.  The new one has pink blooms and the foliage is a bit different; the leaves are more slender.  I'll keep you posted as to how it performs in my most difficult flower bed.

Too Happy ~ Had to Share!

Winter Sightings

The spring-like weather has encouraged lots of wildlife to take flight this winter.  I've spotted hummingbirds at the globe mallow and pineapple sage.  Yesterday three skippers simultaneously flitted about the globe mallow looking quite happy in the 70 degree temperatures.  While wandering at Barton Springs Nursery I captured this red admiral with my phone camera.  It was so happy to have the warm sun resting on its wings that it wasn't at all worried about me standing within inches to take the shot.

While these mild winter days have been over-the-top enjoyable, please keep Texas in your prayers.  The exceptional drought continues; in Central Texas we are still over 23" behind in rainfall since October 2010 when this drought began.  Tonight our City Council will deliberate water conservation/restriction measures for the city.   This really could be a dire summer for wildlife, ranchers, farmers and gardeners if we don't get some substantial rainfall soon.

A Different Perspective

It's interesting to see places you're very familiar with in a different way...especially through the eyes of friends and family visiting during the holidays.  Places you sometimes take for granted suddenly have shiny, new appeal.  You're reminded that you live near a sweet jewel, an oasis, in the middle of Texas.

Perched high above Lake Travis, multiple decks allow for expansive views of the lake.  People flock to The Oasis to watch the sun slip quietly behind the hills while sipping frosty margaritas and eating spicy nachos. 

Usually a visitor here in summer, it never occurred to me how much the view would change during the winter months.  In the summertime the sun sets directly in front of the decks but during the winter it sets off to the left directly over Mansfield Dam leaving Sometimes Island and Marshall Ford Marina in beautiful shadow. 

The lake is currently 45% full.  Sometimes Island is typically referred to as Sometimes Island(s) which pop up as the water level recedes.  It's rare to see the islands as an island let alone as a peninsula but right now you can walk from Mansfield Dam park onto the island.  A very unusual perspective seen in the second photo.  

Marshall Ford Marina is usually tucked back into the cove and isn't visible from the main basin of the lake.  The owners have been able to shift some of the docks as the water level has receded.  It is one of the only marinas with access to the water.  Many boat owners have been unable to get to their boats for months. 

Interesting how something you think you know so well can surprise you...Winter solstice perspective: welcome.  Drought perspective: trying to find the beauty in you...but honestly, ready for normal any time now!

A Christmas Garden Keeps Giving

Purple oxalis, Patrick's abutilon and yarrow are in bloom this final week before Christmas.  A few other bloomers not pictured:  Martha Gonzales antique roses, pineapple sage and globe mallow. 

The birds are in abundance and are ravenous...the lack of available food is evident in the way they drain the feeders so quickly.   The drought continues to take its toll.

A recent article states that approximately 500 million of Texas' trees were lost to the extreme drought conditions.  Yes, read that closely, it isn't a typo.  That's about 10% of Texas' trees.  It's a tragic number and more are expected to die as the drought conditions continue and there are so many trees in a weakened state. These statistics are truly heartbreaking.

So, for now we breath in deeply and enjoy the respite of winter.

The garden has taken on a tranquil state of being...no longer visibly stressed by heat and refreshed by a couple inches of recent rain there is a feeling of peace.  Only a few blooms scattered here and there.  Most plants have gone dormant and I must say I'm enjoying its sparse appearance.  I'm even enjoying the many gray days we've had knowing that as the winter solstice approaches it will soon enough give way to the summer solstice and our unyielding heat will return. 

All is Not Lost ~ Maple Color!

There was ample doubt that the Japanese maples would reveal any fall color this year as a result of the exceptional drought conditions.  Overnight it seems they began showing their beautiful red hue.  Soaked by a light drizzle, they were irresistible and I was coaxed from my warm kitchen to take a few shots.  Even the drought stressed leaf tips are beautiful in this moment...looking more like soft feathers than a leaf in decline. 

In an effort to simplify my winter preparations in the garden, I planted hostas in containers this spring to avoid having to haul the pots into the garage for winter storage.  They fared well through the summer, escaping snails and getting ample moisture in the containers.   Again, seemingly overnight this hosta changed from a light green to yellow...

This shot was taken yesterday and the image below was taken today...

Isn't that transformation amazing?  I love the ever changing mood of the garden.  While there aren't many flowers blooming at the moment, my garden is full of sublime fall foliage.

Little pops of yellow and deep crimson are making the views from the windows extra special this week. 

Another reason to steal quick glances out the window!  His red head goes nicely with the maple foliage, don't you think?

Oh, Happy, Rainy, Cold Day!

Rain has quietly and gently fallen for three days...not a typical Texas gully-washer but what I imagine must be more like a slow soaking of the Pacific Northwest.  The ground literally heaves a sigh of relief and all the foliage that has looked so forlorn is responding with a gorgeous autumnal glow. 

Oh, happy, rainy, cold day indeed!

30 Day Challenge ~ Thanksgiving ~ Day 16

Today I'm filled to the brim with THANKFULNESS and JOY

The blue skies finally gave way to gray and this dusty, parched trail
 received some (about 2/10") much needed rain yesterday!

30 Day Challenge ~ Thanksgiving ~ Days 3 & 4

First, I want to express my gratitude for all of you who have accepted this challenge at such a busy time of the year.   I'm going to look into adding Mr. Linky so we can all see the posts of those who have accepted the challenge.  Some have put their own spin on the challenge which is great.  It is open to interpretation...the goal was simply to inspire change.

The decision to accept this challenge was made at 11:45 pm.  Let that be a lesson to me...I shouldn't make any serious commitments at such a late hour!  Seriously though, a challenge isn't worth doing if it doesn't take some effort and change attitudes.  A challenge, by nature, isn't convenient!

Because I started the challenge so late in the evening, I find myself lagging a bit behind because of posting so late on the first night.  Today I'll add days three and four to catch up so I can begin posting in the morning again. 

Thanksgiving ~ Day 3

The scribbles of little sister on the center pumpkin...the stake through the "heart" 

of the foreground pumpkin courtesy of big brother.

Today I'm thankful for the playful signs of curious, creative children.

Thanksgiving ~ Day 4

Today I'm thankful for the colorful, falling leaves of autumn.  There were times during this eventful summer that I thought fall would never show its lovely face.