On Your Mark...Get Set...GO!

I know the calendar doesn't say so but our plants are proclaiming that spring has arrived.  Our Texas native mountain laurels are in full bloom giving their glorious testimony to spring.  Their blooms are large and showy but best of all they smell like grape bubble gum and their scent drives the bees into a delighted frenzy.

The Texas redbud burst into bloom this week too.  

Plant this tree in sun/part shade and well drained soil and it will reward you with beautiful, early spring blooms announcing the new season.

Spring has me busily tidying up the garden and starting the push to get projects done before the heat sets in.  Perennials (black-eyed Susans, shasta daisy and esperanza) are being divided and transplanted.  Don't be afraid to move those plants that aren't thriving or working where you have them.

In a serious case of underestimation on both our parts, it took two attempts to get this esperanza out of the ground.   As I cursed wrestled this plant, I assured it a much happier existence in its sunny, new home.  With roots like these no wonder it's so drought tolerant.  These tough plants sailed through our exceptional drought last summer.

This yucca filamentosa 'Bright Edge' wasn't thriving in part shade so I pulled it up into a pony tail to better manage the transplant.  It now resides in a full sun, dry, hot space next to the incredibly drought tolerant globe mallow.  I'm hoping too that the sturdy appearance of this yucca will keep my dog out of the flower bed thereby protecting some of the more delicate plantings nearby.  These aren't particularly pointy and stiff like some yuccas - the leaves give when touched and are more forgiving.

A Martha Gonzales antique rose was relocated to a sunnier spot in the garden today.  An hour was also dedicated to digging up live oak sprouts.  This is an annual chore.  It's drudgery but the shade and beauty the live oak trees provide more than makes up for the inconvenience. 

Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery  recently received a shipment of gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) that lured me into the spring buying season.  This is a four year old specimen in their garden.  The pairing of gopher plant and Jerusalem sage is really pretty and provides nice shades of gray/silver foliage all season long.  I'm so thankful to the gentleman who helped me during my visit.  He made sure to tell me that the sap from this plant is very toxic.  So much so that it can cause temporary vision loss if rubbed into the eye. Gloves and eye protection are a must. 

A close up taken with my iphone shows the unique foliage and bracts.  I really love the bright pop of yellow and interesting texture this plant brings to the landscape.

While the schedule is jam packed with lots of gardening, there is always time for a bit of Al Fresco dining.  This is a popular spot for capturing images of the big sky sunsets we have here in Austin.  The sunsets this past week have been spectacular. 

How about you? Are you ready for the race?

Tick Tock...

My word for 2012 is STRETCH...

Just because he is so cute.

In an effort to stretch my knowledge about the best timing for taking care of gardening tasks in Central Texas, I've been reading the Garden Guide for Austin and Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association in 2009.

Filled with anticipation at being organized for the new year I went through the list of tasks for January and circled those that needed to be done in my own garden. 

Roses were planted,  larkspur seeds purchased, a few summer and fall blooming perennials were divided and transplanted...things were rolling right along.  I was feeling organized.

The last day of the month stealthy approached.  Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.  I kept going over my mental list of the jobs needing my attention.  A couple of small shrubs needed to be planted and the daylilies, irises, pansies and roses needed to be fertilized.

I made it just under the wire!   I can put a big check mark next to the items on my list!  Now to start thinking about February's list...I'm gonna have to be on it; February is such a short month.  Luckily, it's leap year...we get an extra day!

What about you?  What kind of gardening tasks are you checking off your list and what will you 

do with your extra day in February? 

Really cute.