March 27, 2025

Two weekends in a row I spent a number of hours on the Woman Chook Johnson Wildflower Heart, first to see what was in bloom after which to help the launch of horticulture director Andrea DeLong-Amaya’s new e book, The Texas Native Plant Primer.

Redbuds had been in bloom two weeks in the past — every week forward of my very own.

Carolina jessamine was going sturdy — simply because it was ending up in my backyard.

Right here’s one thing I don’t have at dwelling this yr — the long-lasting Texas bluebonnet! Bluebonnets are scarce to nonexistent this spring alongside Austin roadsides, the place they usually flip verges blue. It’s been unhappy to not see them — drought stored seedlings from sprouting final fall — so this little patch on the Wildflower Heart made me smile.

Lengthy reside the bluebonnets! They’ll be again subsequent yr, climate gods keen.

The second weekend, golden groundsel was aglow within the entry gardens.

Yellows as an alternative of blues — we’ll take it and never cry about it.

Maidenhair fern was comfortable alongside a dripping pool.

Whereas I don’t have pics to share, each weekends my companions and I strolled out to the arboretum to swing beneath the massive reside oaks. For a short while, I used to be a child once more, pumping my legs for the sky.

Earlier than Andrea’s presentation, we popped into the present store, the place I noticed my e book Garden Gone! entrance and heart.

Thanks for carrying and that includes it, Wildflower Heart workers!

Andrea’s new e book is right here too, eye-catching with that cactus-curious rabbit and flowering native vegetation on the duvet. Search for a overview from me quickly right here at Digging!

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Digging Deeper

Come study a visionary xeriscape and pollinator backyard referred to as SummerHome at my subsequent Backyard Spark presentation on April tenth at 7:30 pm! Tickets are on sale now. I’m excited to welcome Lisa Negri to my Backyard Spark speaker collection and introduce her to a Texas viewers of appreciative native plant lovers. Hear how she remodeled an empty lot into an oasis for wildlife and neighbors. The speak will likely be held at Leaf Panorama Provide (north location), and tickets have to be bought prematurely. Be part of us for a night of studying, inspiration, and neighborhood with fellow backyard lovers!

Store the Spring Native Plant Sale on the Woman Chook Johnson Wildflower Heart every weekend from March 28 to April 27, 9 am to 1 pm (final entry at 12:30 pm). The primary weekend (March 28-30) is open solely to Wildflower Heart members, however it’s simple to hitch. Plant sale admission is free. Convey your individual wagon or cart to move your treasures.

Come to the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society Present & Sale at Zilker Botanical Backyard on March 29-30 from 10 am to five pm. Features a plant present with specimen cacti and succulents, handcrafted pottery, each day silent public sale and hourly plant raffles, and knowledgeable recommendation. Admission is included with paid admission to Zilker Backyard.

Tour 5 distinctive Houston gardens on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, in the course of the Backyard Conservancy’s Open Day Tour for Houston. Tickets have to be bought on-line prematurely by the Backyard Conservancy.

Come study gardening and design at Backyard Spark! I arrange in-person talks by inspiring designers, panorama architects, authors, and gardeners a number of occasions a yr in Austin. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out rapidly, so be part of the Backyard Spark e mail listing to be notified prematurely; merely click on this hyperlink and ask to be added. Learn all concerning the Season 8 lineup right here!

All materials © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized replica prohibited.