Summer Garden

The days are long and hot, but some of the plants in my flower beds love it.

One of the benefits of a xeriscape garden.

BLUE DAZE

These Blue Daze have been in pots for 2 years,
and are really root-bound.
But they keep on keeping on!

DURANTA/BRAZILIAN SKY FLOWER

This tall guy has been showing off with beautiful purple flowers
since early spring.

These waxy golden berries set after the flowers drop.

Butterflies and bees love this Brazilian Sky Flower.

TECOMA STANS/YELLOW BELLS/ESPERANZA

The yellow pops.

Yellow Bells

HIBISCUS

This Hibiscus' peachy double flower is dreamy.

 

 

LANTANA

The spicy smell of Lantana always reminds me of
my Grandfather Kenney Voelkel's garden.

My grandfather's Lantana were pink and yellow like these.

My favorite color is "Dallas Red."
This one is training into a tree instead of a ground-hugger.

Dallas Red Lantana

 

 

MOSS ROSE

A plant with soft, succulent foliage
and bright--almost neon--blooms.

TEXAS SAGE

Sort of a badge of Texas citizenship

Sage blooms after it rains.
A floral hooray!

See the bee?
He was happy.

Grey-green foliage with soft lavender colored blooms.

STELLA D'ORO DAY LILLY

Blooms last only a day, but this repeat bloomer
keeps the blooms coming from spring to frost.

SUNFLOWERS

New to my garden this year,
Giant Sunflowers were supposed to reach 10' or more.
These are more like 4' tall,
and they make me smile.

The Birds and A Bee, The Flowers and The Trees

As the song says, "Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees, . . ."

Part of the House Finch family: two juvenile females and a male join me for breakfast just outside my window.

Papa Finch is trying to teach his two demanding children to come and get it. 



The mesh sock is filled with Nyjer seed.

He uses his 'finchy' beak to crack these tasty black seeds.

"What are you looking at?!"

After breakfast and a dip in the birdbath, Mr. Finch is happy.

If only his darling daughter would just quit begging for food . . .



In Flight
How is it possible that those tiny wings can lift and propel that body?



Beneficial Friends--Lady Bug and Black Swallowtail Caterpillar



Soon-to-Be Black Swallowtail Butterflies come to an impasse on their host plant, Dill.

Blanket Flower bud, blooms, and seed heads



Duranta and a bird house that Will gave me a long time ago



This Duranta is really showing off right now.
The purple flowers will be replaced by waxy, translucent golden berries.

Purple Fountain Grass sways and rustles in the breeze.



My neighbor's Crepe Myrtles tower over the cedar fence.

Hello, Spring!

Wanted to share our back yard, now that Spring is springing.

Chocolate Mint

Sweet Lavender

Parsley

Half of the Kitchen Garden
counterclockwise from bottom
Curry Icicles, German Thyme, Sweet Lavendar, Parsley
center: Dwarf French Marigolds
with Fernleaf Dill, Apple Mint in the flues
 

 Walk around the paths, and see things starting to pop.

Butterfly Guara

Hot Lips Salvia
(love that name!)

Duranta

Even the prickliest looks pretty.

Red Yucca
starting to bloom.

Little Aloes bloom too

 There's one show-stopper.

The queen of the yard right now is this breathtaking
Bottlebrush.

Fascinating

Bees are loving it too.

 Won't be long till Hummingbirds arrive, as well as Monarch Butterflies.  Hope they'll find the accommodations pleasing enough to hang around awhile.  Better go now and get my Hummingbird feeders filled and in place.

Thanks for visiting!