July update

Well, my prediction about having a June baby is now officially debunked. Here we are, July 1st, and he is still snug in my belly. I'm trying to reinforce my patience by reminding myself that if he were ready, he would be here. There's important growth happening, I just can't see it. Kind of like what happens in the garden.

I came out to water tonight, and to my great surprise, one of the Crinum Lilies (Ellen Bosanquet, perhaps?) has burst forth with a bloom stalk! From what I've read about Crinums, there was no guarantee that they would bloom at all until the second year. I have been watching the dramatic fans of foliage since they came up this Spring, but I really didn't expect to see any flowers at all. Looks like there was more going on under the surface than I realized.

Meanwhile, the Crape Myrtles have reached the peak of their bloom cycle for the year, I think. I thought they looked lovely a couple of weeks ago when they all first started blooming, but they're really spectacular now. If I had it all to do over again, I probably would not plant a whole row of Crape Myrtles, but they sure are pretty when they do their thing.

Hello, Crape Myrtles!

'Candy Cane' Crape Myrtle has pretty white-edged pink blooms. Otherwise, this one has been one of the slowest growers and most reluctant bloomers in my yard. It seems to be having its best year yet.

One of the dwarf (I think) purple-blooming Crapes.

Another view of Crape Myrtle Row, and the fledgling wildflower patch.

Black-Eyed Susans have been the first wave of blooms to grace the new Wildflower Patch.

That floral department Gerbera Daisy sent up three jolly-looking yellow flowers. They're starting to fade since I took this picture, but we've been enjoying them for a couple of weeks.

'Natchez' Crape Myrtles, grabbing up the afternoon sun in front of the neighbor's towering Cedar Elm.

A closer look at the two tall 'Natchez' Crapes in bloom.

It's messy, but there are blooms in the Butterfly Garden: Tropical Butterflyweed, Purple Coneflower and Cardinal Climber.

Tropical Butterflyweed, slow to rebound this year, is finally really blooming.

Twin blossoms adorn the Purple Coneflower I thought I lost over the winter.

Gotcha! I believe this is a Texas Spiny Lizard. They're more skittish than the Anoles, at least in my yard. This one was scampering back and forth behind the Cardinal Climber Vine to avoid my camera.

Blanc Du Bois Grape and Cardinal Climber have twined together to the top of the western fence. I'm not sure how thrilled my neighbor will be, but I'm happy to see the vines thriving.

Cardinal Climber claimed one big gap in the trellis that is otherwise entirely occupied by Blanc Du Bois.

I can't get enough of this view.

The succulents are hanging in there, enjoying this sunny spot and a top-dressing of decomposed granite.

View of the newly-sunny side of the backyard. (Sunny since we had the Chinese Tallow cut down. The firepit planter is standing over the spot where the Tallow once stood.

P.S. The St. Augustine looks lush, but I can't take credit--we've had lots of rain lately.

Indoors, I added a Bromeliad. I had one of these once before, that I think might have been a toddler casualty. Hey, they're cheap and pretty. I hope I'll make this one last a little longer, but even if I can't, the sight of it cheers me, especially during these summer days when I'm stuck inside the house on Baby Watch.

I'll leave you with a few more shots of the Crape Myrtles. All in bloom, they sort of look like exploding fireworks, don't they?

Happy Gardening!

June Bloom Day

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day! The weather continues to be Floridian here in Central Texas, which is making a lot of my plants happy, it seems. At 9 months pregnant, I'm spending a bit more time indoors these days, but the mornings are comfortable enough to spend on the covered back porch with the fan running and a glass of iced tea. The girls are highly enthusiastic about backyard swimming, so we're doing a lot of that, too.

I may not be the biggest fan of hot and humid weather, but I'm amazed in looking through these photos just how many blooms are either making their debut for the year or continuing to bloom. I'm also realizing how much red is in my garden. I knew I liked blue, purple, yellow and white blooms, and consciously tried to incorporate those colors, but I must like red and pink more than I thought... or else there are just a ton of red-blooming plants that are available and well-adapted to this area.

The two hanging baskets of geraniums are clearly in too much shade--they're very leggy--but they're still blooming enthusiastically, even if the blooms look like satellites hovering around the mother plant. (And ugh, my gutter is dirty!)

In addition to the ever-blooming yard art along the fence, the Crape Myrtle we transplanted early this spring is blooming now, ahead of its cousins.

Here's a closer look at one of the hot pink Crape Myrtle bloom stalks.

I had to point the iPhone at the sky and squint to capture the snow-white blooms of the tall 'Natchez' Crape Myrtle. Look at that sky... you can almost see the steam rising.

Oh Happy Day! Purple Coneflower DID come back this year.

Cardinal Climber is one of the many mighty Reds.

Tropical Butterflyweed came back very slowly this year, but here it is, just starting to bloom. A little red here, too, mingled with yellow. I haven't spied any Monarchs yet, but I suspect that would be in late September/early October, if these flowers are still blooming by then. I think I did spot a Ladybug larva, though.

In the rookie Wildflower Patch, Clasping Coneflower (I think) is the first to bloom.

The Rainbow Bed sure is blooming.

I feel like this plant shows up in every one of my posts, but it has been such fun to watch Yellow Shrimp Plant start blooming, bush out, and bloom again. Up to 5 candlesticks on the candelabra now. Yay!

It's not quite blooming again yet, but the Mother's Day Gerbera Daisy I transplanted is about to start blooming again. As with all floral department plants, I'm not holding my breath that this one will live long, but it's always fun to try.

Another Knockout Rose bloom, another spot of red/pink in my garden.

Salvia 'Mystic Spires' looks so pretty right now with its purple-blue bloom spikes, against the reds and pinks that surround it.

Massive Pavonia/Rock Rose. You'd never know it died to the ground this past winter. I might have to shear it back before it smothers its neighbors.

The other Knockout in the sunnier end of the bed.

I caught the Wild Morning Glory at just the right time, when the blooms are wide-open. They close soon after this corner gets shady in the early afternoon.

Over in the veggie box, the Eggplants are blooming. The purple flowers with yellow centers aren't much to look at, but I appreciate them as harbingers of fruits to come.

Strawberries are still blooming, to my surprise....

... and still making strawberries. I'm guessing we've harvested about a pint of strawberries off our three plants so far this year, not counting the ones the ants and rolly pollies got to first.

Torenia 'Kauai Deep Blue' still has a few deep purple blooms left, even though it is getting choked out by the other members of the Purple Pocket Garden.

Close-up of the Wild Morning Glory. This is one of the stars of my summer garden, especially considering I never planted it.

In the front yard, a medium-long shot of Plumbago Row.

And a close-up of the periwinkle-blue blooms. I dug a few of these up and gave them to a friend recently... fingers crossed that they'll fare as well in her yard as in mine.

Red in the front yard--Turk's Cap. This photo makes the bloom look oddly orange, but it really is a true red.

A cluster of yellow Esperanza bells. So pretty, and a familiar sign of the Texas Hot Season.

Blackfoot Daisy and Martha Gonzales Rose could hardly be happier.

Jolly little Blackfoot Daisies, up close. These are in possibly the hottest, driest part of the yard, the parking strip, and they love it.

Caradonna Meadow Sage is putting out a second round of dainty purple spikes. I'm glad I cut off the spent stalks about a  month ago.

Autumn Sage isn't covered with blooms, but it blooms steadily.

Peter's Purple Monarda is starting to... peter out. Sorry, couldn't help it. I wonder if it might re-bloom this year. I don't know much about this plant, truth be told.

More plumbago blooms.

I have had more compliments on this ultra-low maintenance bed of plumbagos than any other area of my garden over the years. Neighbors often ask about them. This strip is nothing to look at in the winter, but 9 months out of the year it is crammed with foliage and pretty blue blooms that stick to your clothes if you brush by them.

Happy Bloom Day!