April 14, 2024
After the Texas mountain laurels and plums have shed their fragrant blossoms, after the bluebells and other early wildflowers have gone to messy seed, but before the lovely salvias, skullcaps, and turk’s cap get going, we enter what I call mid-spring in central texas. It is lush and floral, still fresh and bright green, abundant with roses, irises and yucca flowers. As an example, the climbing rose ‘Peggy Martin’ is awash with hot pink flowers hanging from the coyote fence along the back garden.
The smell may be lacking, but the color and quantity are not. It’s a great rose to enjoy from the other side of the garden — or from below, as I usually do.
Glorious!
Not to mention, this rose needs little from me other than the occasional watering during the heat of summer and the occasional tying of long canes to the fence to keep it tidy and ensure plenty of flowers next spring. Fortunately, ‘Peggy Martin’ is thornless and easy to manage.
The ‘Rooguchi’ clematis, which I bought from Plant Delights years ago, squirms alongside a potted squid agave and pendulous purple flowers like ballerina skirts.
Hardy red amaryllis, a pasalong of Austin gardener Tom Ellison, has opened fiery flowers on tall stems, blooming even in good shade.
Another happy moment in mid-spring is when ‘Frazzle Dazzle’ dyckia lights up with golden blooms. Atop the gray foliage, unusual flower spikes stand upright, lasting about a week.
I like their color echo with the ceramic table.
Below the deck, golden spuria irises are overflowing with flowers. I swear they went back to more and more shade every year. They are almost under an American beauty berry that has just leafed out, growing under a large myrtle.
Golden irises are beautiful with notes of cinnamon. Spurs hate being moved and divided, unlike bearded irises, so I just let them do their thing.
In a sunnier location, yucca ‘Bright Edge’ produces tall blooms. Its striped leaves create a color echo for the irises.
One more look of admiration before these disappear
Tall verbena — volunteers that have popped up here and there from my original plants — attract eager butterflies.
Red admirals fluttered about them a few days ago.
They let me get close for photos.
Gray-haired butterflies also joined in nectaring. I’m happy to see lots of pollinators in my mid-spring garden!
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May 4th: Explore “splendid backyards, perfect pools and pergolas, and outdoor rooms and gardens” at ATX outdoor trip 4. 5. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Landscape architects, designers and builders will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets are $33.85 for adults, $17.85 for children 10-17.
May 11: Tour Austin’s four gardens on 5/11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Inside Austin Gardens Tour. Each garden is “created and cared for by a Travis County Master Gardener and demonstrates realistic gardening practices that inform and inspire.” Tickets are $20 in advance, available through May 5, or $25 on the day of the tour. Children up to 12 years old have free entry.
May 11: Save the date for Austin Home’s Great Outdoors Tour on 5/11.
May 18: Go to Dallas on 2024 DCMGA garden tour 18. 5. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 if purchased online before 6pm on 5/17 or $22 after 6pm on 5/17 or at the event. For a quick overview, click here.
June 1-2: Take a two-day bar and garden tour in and around Austin at the annual Austin Pond and Garden Tour, held on February 1 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $25.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I host in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners several times a year in Austin. These are limited attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and request to be added. Season 8 begins in the fall of 2024. Stay tuned for more information!
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