Vera's Christmas Cactus
Trish and Sandy gave us this cactus last year to remember Vera. It bloomed right on time. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
79 posts in 2014
Cloverleaf Crocus Christmas gifts
This year I decided to put together a little 'grow your own' pressie for our neighbors. They have to endure a batch of my mince pies each year so I think it only fair to balance it out with something a little more palatable! Thanks to pinterest, I found the following idea:
Everlasting roses
As the anticipation for our first freeze grows, I'm less hesitant to take cuttings from my rose bushes as I'm certain the blooms won't be able to last much longer. I've enjoyed a few weeks of cut roses in the house:
December Color
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel interspersed with procrastination against having to clean up a withering garden. It's just not as much fun when you know you are clearing plants away for the winter rather than clearing plants to get ready for spring. So, the dead plants are still standing and my only venture into the garden is to sit in the hot tub or to take a few photos. Despite us hitting December, there are still some bursts of color. I think the mild weather has convinced some plants that it is already spring. Here's a selection:
November begins
I intended to plant some seeds for spring blooming today but after a morning working inside the house, all I could muster was a stroll around the garden taking photos and deadheading the roses. At least I can get outside and enjoy the weather. After talking to Katie, I realized that we still have a couple of months to enjoy the garden--she was already packing plants up for the winter.
Sago Palm and Front Garden additions
Noticed the cool star shape from the new growth on the Sago Palm under our bedroom window:
Pride and Joy....rose update
I'm still marveling at the fact that David Austin roses can make it in the Texas heat. Plus, every time I walk by and smell the blooms or glance at them as I'm leaving from or returning to the house, they make me think of home and smile. Looks like the Golden Celebration are not as healthy as the Molinuex, but we shall see what next season shall bring. Glad that they bloom multiple times per year. I'm training a little rosemary bush which seems to be working better on the south side of the bed than the north or west. Again, something I can work on during the winter and spring:
Random garden photos from October
This month, we saw the rabid morning glory from the next street make an appearance at the top of a tree:
Side views in September
I forget that September is probably the most visually impressive month for the side garden. This year the plants have overflowed into the street but I'm hesitant to cut them back as they look so colorful. I'm trying to get a full photo of the side each month so I can spot 'empty' bits to add shrubs or bulbs or seed too at different times of the year:
Hibiscus...finally a success
I've killed too many hibiscus plants to remember, but this year, I seem to have been able to keep this beauty alive. It's amazing how the color can change from pale pink to hot pink depending on the time of day or the individual bloom:
September Bloomers
A selection from the garden in September:
September in the garden with Delilah
Oh the joys of trying to keep a garden up with a brand new puppy. The neighbors probably heard a few choice curse words when I came out to find the following:
Garden distractions
There have been other interests distracting us from our gardening in August, including wanting to spend more time in the pool (this shot of Tom and Finn makes the landscaping look nice and lush but there is a mass of weeds lurking behind that pool wall), and the addition of a new puppy, Delilah. We'd forgotten how much work puppies are, but she is loads of fun and enjoys running laps around the edge of the garden (and swimming laps in the pool):
Lost Gardens of Cloverleaf
Although I've been enjoying pottering in the garden since we got back, the weather is too hot to do too much before giving in to the urge for a swim or a glass of wine. Therefore, the planter in my back garden has become a little bit overgrown. Rather than lament my laziness, I've decided to embrace the idea of the Lost Garden of Heligan and transfer it to my very own corner of Cloverleaf. So instead of looking at the mass of overgrown plants as an eyesore, I'm regarding it as an experiment in wilderness gardening!
Return to Cloverleaf
In a freak turn of events, the weather in Austin while we were gone stayed relatively mild. So we returned to an abundance of colour and healthy plants:
The Danish Gardener-Mikael
We finally managed a trip to Copenhagen to visit our friend Mikael and baby Alice. It was a fabulous few days and we took loads of photos, including a couple of Mikael's rooftop garden, and of course, the Tivoli Gardens:
David Austin Roses
And in what is becoming a bit of an annual habit, Chris and I managed to sneak in a quick trip to David Austin Roses. We took loads of photos but I'm sharing just a few here--mainly of the roses we are considering for our 2015 additions to Cloverleaf corner. We can't quite decide between A Shropshire Lad, Lady Emma Hamilton, or Lady of Shallot. Decisions, decisions...
The English Gardeners-Ann and Jennifer and Gordon
Trips to England are full of visits to catch up with our friends (and to have a quick nosey in their gardens). Here are some shots from some of our friends' gardens:
The English Gardeners-Sylvia (GW; GGW)
For the first twenty or so years that we lived in America, Bromsgrove was our base whenever we went home. We've spent many an hour sitting in the back garden catching up, and it still looks lovely. I was too late to get any shots of the fabulous camellia tree, but there was still plenty of plants and flowers to admire:
The English Gardeners-Gaynor
We spent a lovely afternoon in Gaynor's garden. A fantastic multi purpose spot that includes a tiki hut (perfect for our fish and chip supper), a footie pitch, and a chicken abode (that Katie loved):
The Lost Gardens of Heligan Part II
Even Tom had a blast here as there was so much to see and explore. I cannot recommend this place enough if you have the chance to visit:
The Lost Gardens of Heligan Part I
Our initial plan was to spend a day at the Eden Project but then we found some information on the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Having already moved to America when the gardens were first rediscovered, we'd missed all the excitement and news shows on the gardens. It was a fantastic place to explore and somewhere that I have become fascinated with to the point of buying books on the history and even having my first go at a Heligan embroidery project (haven't got very far since we got back to Austin though).
Looe views
Some random shots from the plants and flowers we saw during our time in Looe:
Looe Coastal Path
We spent a lovely week in a cottage in the heart of Looe. It was great to have so much time to explore the area and to relax. Chris and I got up early and walked each morning and our favourite trek was from Looe to the neighbouring harbor of Polperro. The coastal path trail was spectacular:
England 2014
I haven't been posting for the past couple of months due to an extended trip to England and then a full month of birthdays and summer plans upon our return to Austin.
The English Gardeners-Katie and Dale Part III
Having a bit of fun watching Dale mow the lawn:
The English Gardeners-Katie and Dale Part 2
Some random shots from Katie and Dale's garden, including some plants that have been shared amongst Sylvia, Katie and Lucy over the years, and the world-famous runner beans.
The English Gardeners-Katie and Dale Part I
Our first day in England meant a post-journey drink in the back garden, a relaxed game of badminton and soccer, and a jet-lag induced nap. Pretty much a perfect beginning to our hols:
Sunflower bug
(From early June)
After the rain
(Post that should have been published in June)
Side views
(From May)
Hollyhocks
(From May)
Yellow Rose of Albrighton
(From May--bit behind on my postings!)
Aaron's Planter
(Posting from May--bit behind on postings!)
Random shots for May
It seems that there is something new to see in the garden every day. And, despite living here for about 14 years, it seems as if I get to meet new neighbors every day. Being on a corner means we get quite a lot of foot traffic and it's nice to have a quick chat and sometimes share any pups or seedlings that I may be digging out. So far this year, I've given away loads of grasses, cosmos, rockrose pups, day flowers, lilies, and lambs ear.
Butterfly Fennel
For Mothers' Day, I asked for a day in the garden. Chris and I toiled in the back garden with occasional appearances from Tom. It was nice to have a bit of a rest and try to get some shots of this butterfly playing in the fennel:
Daisies
The daisies in my garden always bloom a couple of weeks after all my neighbors. Each summer, I worry that mine may have not made it through the frost. Never fear, the daisies are here:
Sunflower Attacker
I've noticed the leaves of the sunflowers in the back garden have been eaten by some weird bug. I looked up online to see if there were any hints on the strange tears that I was seeing in the leaves. Then I walked outside one morning and saw this. Sniff:
Mystery Plants III
Are these weeds? They are adding a bit of greenery and look interesting but I have a feeling that they aren't going to produce anything else of interest:
Last shots for April
A selection of shots to end out April:
Side views
I can see some of the spots where I underestimated the amount of spring growth I would see at this time of year. In October, as I was planting seeds, I tried to recall where all the bigger shrubs were located. I can see from some of these side views that I miscalculated how quickly some of the shrubs (Pride of Barbados, Esperanza, American Beauty Berry, and Rock Rose) would grow. An added bonus to keeping this blog is that I will be able to look back and see where I can throw a few more packets of seeds:
Poppies
In honor of the Georgetown Poppy Festival, here are some shots of the poppies currently blooming in my garden. The california poppies that I posted earlier are still filling the garden with bursts of orange, but this week a couple of more traditional poppies started to appear:
Tom in the garden
Well, Tom seems to love gardening as much as I did at his age. This weekend, however, he was a good sport while Chris was away. He feigned enthusiasm during a trip to the Wildflower Center plant sale (along with his friends, Ellie and Eva), and even helped out a bit by mowing (although he was saved by the battery going dead after a couple of stripes). What a trooper!
David Austin update
Well, buying a trio of Molineux roses seems to have been a good omen for the Wolves. And, it looks as if the bare root David Austin roses are happy in their new home as they are already budding some leaves. As suggested on the DA website, I've planted them in groups of threes hoping that they will look like one large plant when they grow. I'd cleared out the bed just for the roses and a surrounding wall of rosemary, but a few stray sunflowers, feather grasses, and bluebonnets can hang out there for a while:
Before...
Thought I'd share a few photos of some plants that tend to takeover in the summer months. It will be interesting to see how they look in April compared to June. One thing about being new to gardening is I'm still hesitant to pull up anything green even though I know it may be running rampant within weeks. Maybe that will come with time and more confidence.
Gruesome Gardening
This weekend involved a bit of the boring side of gardening. I had to dig up multiple root shoots of the trumpet vine that I am battling to remove. It looks so pretty when it is in bloom, however it is so invasive and is attempting to destroy our fence. Rookie mistake planting that when I first moved into the house, but at the time, it seemed a good fix for the wire fence that we used to have. Now, the roots are so solid that we can't even get it out with a pick ax. I'm left with the only option of stripping all the greenery off any stumps and pulling up shooters at least once a week. It grows so quickly.
Mystery Plant Part II
A selection of plants around the garden that I cannot identify (or have forgotten their name). As hard as I try, I think every time I remember a new plant name, I have to clear a spot in my brain and therefore have to forget an old plant name. And don't get me started on those folks who can rattle off all the latin identifiers without hesitation. I've got a long way to go until I can even read the latin name, let alone remember it!
April Updates
The small spots of color that I was excited about last month have continued to bloom and now have even more of an impact. Here are a few updated shots of the garden in mid-April:
In the pink
It seems as though all "the pinks" have exploded this week. Lots of blooms from pale salmons to hot fuchsias. The knockout rose that survived multiple tramplings and abuse during last year's hardscape project seems to come back better than ever on Cloverleaf Corner:
Morning to evening
The best way to start a day in the garden:
Rainy Sunday Morning
Well, a rainy Sunday morning means I have time to share a few photos that Chris took yesterday (and an excuse to sit on the sofa with a cup of tea and read the book that arrived today--The Layered Garden by David L. Culp).
They're Here......
Look what arrived yesterday:
Spring progress
A collection of items popping up in the garden this week, including the maple that everyone thinks is a goner each year (but it keeps on fighting back), and some bursts of color:
Mothering Sunday
I've enjoyed a lovely Mothering Sunday weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Zilker Garden Show. We ran into our neighbors and I think I had my first Austin garden blogger celebrity sighting. Before I'd had a chance to work out whether it would be off-putting to walk up to a complete stranger and say "hello, are you the Rockrose lady?", I'd lost track of her. Next time!
Daffodil bloom 101
After refusing to bloom for what seems like an age, one of my daffodil bulbs bloomed this week and there are nine other buds waiting to join the front runner. Even better, the initial bloom decided to make an appearance on my grandmother's 101st birthday. Happy Birthday, Grandma!
Animals in the garden
I mentioned in a previous post that it seems strange not to have Vera lazing in the garden this year. However, we do have some other friends keeping us company, Jack, Mickey and their friend and neighbor, Bella:
Yet more plants and blooms
Tom's school had a plant sale last weekend. We selected quite a few plants and herbs. Not to show off or anything, but my selections are in the ground and thriving. Chris' are still in the pots looking a bit sad. Maybe this post will motivate him to find his inner Titchmarsh and get planting.
Purple Pots and Doctor Who invades the garden
Since putting in the drip watering system, I admit to having a harder time remembering to water my pots, however I enjoy browsing through magazines and websites to get inspired to create them. Just wish I could keep the creations alive. I have two purple/grey pots on the steps by the front door. In my mission to keep them in bloom for longer than a couple of weeks, I splurged on an extra watering can and tool holder for the front yard. Tom calls this our 'Dalek' watering can.
Knott finds
Here are a couple of items salvaged from the farm in Knott, Texas, just outside of Big Spring. The old milk pail was sitting on the back porch and looked like it could do with a bit of a spruce up. When I got it back to Cloverleaf, I decided to keep it in its original state and fill it with a kangaroo paw--a plant I had admired but couldn't think of a spot.
Wood Road
A photo from the garden right before we moved to America:
Daylight savings
The biggest benefit to daylight savings time is the extra couple of hours in the evening that can be dedicated to wandering around the garden with a glass of wine pulling weeds and plotting the next adventure. Tonight, the light reminded me of my childhood garden in Wood Road. I've mentioned before how much I enjoy the social aspect of gardening on a corner lot in a friendly neighborhood and Wood Road was very similar. My friends lived next door and it was just a hop over a short fence to get into each other's gardens (careful not to trample on Hayden's shrubs). And being situated just up the road from the ex-servicemens' club and the local bowling green meant the sounds of team encouragement floated up the road into our garden. "Come on, Peter Walker" was a constant refrain that stays with me today....although I didn't know him, it was obvious that Mr. Walker was the star of the bowling green and he would saunter back and forth to the club with a jaunty walk and a constant smile on his face. Thanks for routing around in the attic and sending me some photos of our old garden, Katie and Dale!
Honeysuckle vine
This honeysuckle vine was tiny last year but looks as though it is going to go nuts this season. I hope it manages to fight off the overzealous morning glory that tends to grow wild along the same fence. Next weekend, my friend Aaron is coming over to help design a trellis. I'm hoping for something a bit different that will hold my interest during the winter when all the plants are cut back. I'll keep you posted.
Troll Gnome
Last year, Linda snuck this creepy little fella into one of my pots by the back door to serve as a reminder to water.
Motivation
When the weeding gets boring and everything is looking a bit bland and brown, there's nothing like a quick reminder of what the side garden will look like in a few months time.
Mystery solved
Thanks to Lucy chiming in from NZ, one of the mystery plants has been identified as Cerinthe major. It's looking even prettier this week.
Waiting on the roses
I'm still waiting on my David Austin rose delivery but saw a Graham Thomas rose on clearance this week at the Great Outdoors. I'm sure to find a home for it somewhere in the garden.
At least my Texas pink knockout rose is about to burst open into bloom
Partridge in a Pear Tree
An early bloom on the pear tree that Katie and Dale gave to Chris on Father's Day the year that Tom was born. Which means we will always know how old it is...coming up on it's 7th year.
Bargain Buy
On the way to pick up a sarnie, I pulled up next to a friend at the traffic lights. He rolled down the window and told me to get to Home Depot as they had a deal on five shrubs for $10. I picked up five Fortnight Lily/African Iris shrubs. I may not be able to plant them for a few days, but I've got the perfect spot in the back garden.
Good neighbors and Lady Vera
One of the biggest pleasures of being in the garden (especially a corner garden) is getting to pause and chat with neighbors and friends walking by. And our number one neighbors are Trish and Sandy. Not only are they fab friends, but they also look out for our pets as if they are their own. Most days I come home to find Jack and Mickey peering out at me from under Trish and Sandy's fence.
One morning this week, I noticed something unfamiliar by one of my pots up front. A 'pet rock' to remember our zombie cat, Vera. Thanks, Trish!
It's raining, it's pouring
All plans for another weekend pottering and clearing up the garden vanished when we woke up to it chucking it down. Instead, we took a few photos and determined the damage from this week's frost.
Water free zone
These two pots are by the side of the carport and there are no water access points close by so it seems the perfect spot for some succulents. These were acquired this weekend and transplanted quickly into pots (usually it takes me a good couple of weeks to get around to potting new buys)!
Mystery plants
One section of the extension to Al's garden was set aside for experimentation. I threw a bunch of seeds out in October of last year and now I'm starting to see some results. Unfortunately, I have no idea what they are...hopefully, time will tell.
The bluebonnets are here
Bluebonnets are the state wildflower of Texas. They remind me a bit of bluebells in that they spread like crazy and manage to survive anywhere, even in the middle of highways. I have three different patches throughout the garden. The first was a couple of plants in Al's side garden and I transplanted a couple of plants and scattered some seeds in the extension of the garden. Here is the first bloom of 2014. Tourists travel to central Texas to take photos in the fields of bluebonnets but I don't think I have planted enough to expect any crowds journeying to Cloverleaf Corner.
Magnolia burst
This is currently the 'showstopper' bloom in Al's garden. In the past week it has gone from tight pink buds to multiple full flowers. It looks lovely but unfortunately does not have a scent (although it looks like it should). We've had quite a few folks ask if they could take a photo of this gem. An added bonus is you can see Chris' handy work from the weekend--power-washing the fence!
Hhh-erbs
Rosemary provides year round green in a Texas garden yet in spring there is the additional bonus of delicate mauve flowers. I've gone a bit overboard with rosemary plants this year as I've set aside one section of the extension to Al's garden for a rose garden. While at David Austin Roses during last year's trip to England, I saw that they suggested rosemary as good companion plant to roses and then had that nugget of information verified when we went to Jennifer and Gordon's house and Gordon shared how he used rosemary under a rose to keep away pests. So, I've attempted to start a rosemary hedge around the plot that is reserved for my six yellow roses that should be arriving this month. The rose emporium in Tyler, Texas ships David Austin roses to central Texas around this time of year. I've ordered three Golden Celebration and three Molineux and cannot wait to see if I can make some Wolverhampton roses thrive in Austin.
Bulbs... beautiful bulbs
Last October I took a weekend to focus on planting bulbs ready for spring. In the past week there have been signs of life within these pots of anticipation. Here you can see some daffodils getting ready for some blooming. They are planted in a shallow blue bowl as I remember Grandma saying how much she likes daffodils in blue containers! Behind is a pot with scarlet pansies. Despite a few days of colder weather than normal for an Austin winter, the pansies seem to be able to survive just about anything.
March Photos
February Photos
Last Summer
