February 07, 2022

When Loree of Hazard Backyard got here to Austin final October, we visited the Girl Chook Johnson Wildflower Middle on her final day. I used to be pleased she obtained to see it a second time, notably since her first go to throughout the Austin Fling featured a torrential thunderstorm.

The meadows of native grasses had been glowing.

Darkish wands of liatris gone to seed added to the autumnal scene.

Tiny yellow daisies sprinkled sunny shade all through.

Pinks made a superb exhibiting too with pyramid bush (Melochia tomentosa) and Gulf muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) in bloom.

Within the household backyard, the Gulf muhly was spectacular in pink bloom, with fall aster including a froth of purple. Dwarf Texas palmetto (Sabal minor) confirmed off fan-shaped evergreen leaves below a feathery bald cypress.

As seen from the alternative facet, trying towards the shade pavilion

Gulf muhly, maybe the signature plant of fall in Central Texas. Little doubt my fellow Texans may title others.

Massive agaves that aren’t whale’s tongues (A. ovatifolia) nonetheless shock me after final 12 months’s Texas Freezepocalypse turned most to mush. Which is that this — A. americana? And the way did it survive, I ponder?

Large coneflower foliage within the rain backyard with blue mistflower and dwarf Texas palmetto. The silver silo-looking factor is a rainwater cistern that collects water off the shade pavilion and restroom constructing.

Sunbeams had been streaming over the waterfall and play tunnels within the household backyard.

A monochromatic planting of ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress, wheeler’s sotol, and blue mistflower towards an excellent bluer sky

In late October, monarch butterflies had been passing via and fueling up for his or her lengthy migration to Mexico.

They had been all around the blue mistflower.

It’s good to be reminded of a greener season, isn’t it? After the sleet, ice, and onerous freezes of the previous few days, I’m hopeful that we’ve seen the top of winter this 12 months. Valentine’s Day is nearly right here, which suggests cut-back time for Central Texas gardeners. After that, spring is nigh.

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Digging Deeper

Want design assist together with your yard? Rent me as your private backyard coach! Perhaps you want alternative plant concepts after the large freeze. Or possibly your landscaping has grown drained, and also you need contemporary curb attraction. Or maybe you’re able to eliminate some garden and create a pollinator backyard, chicken habitat, or hangout area for you and your folks. I’m right here to assist! Contact me to let me know what’s happening, and let’s determine it out collectively. My vary is Austin and suburbs inside a 25-min. drive of NW Austin, however I’m versatile and might journey farther with a surcharge, so let me know the place you’re. Weekday morning appts. solely.

Attend the John Fairey Backyard’s annual Budding Out Plant Sale & Competition on Saturday, March 19 in Hempstead. Uncommon and distinctive vegetation from the backyard’s nursery and different distributors might be out there, plus artwork, ceramics, jewellery, meals, music, and leisure for the entire household. Open 10 am to 4 pm. Members get first dibs on the plant sale with 9 am entry (memberships out there on the gate). Examine the webpage for a regularly up to date vendor checklist.

Be a part of the mailing checklist for Backyard Spark! Hungry to find out about backyard design from the specialists? I’m internet hosting a sequence of talks by inspiring backyard designers, panorama architects, and authors a couple of occasions a 12 months in Austin. Take a look at the 2021-22 schedule. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out shortly, so be part of the Backyard Spark electronic mail checklist to be notified prematurely. Merely click on this hyperlink and ask to be added.

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