tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73276389600166845512024-02-11T01:13:54.757-06:00Sharing Nature's GardenDianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.comBlogger702125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-86351309922550762822016-10-16T09:37:00.000-05:002016-10-16T09:37:31.373-05:00Summer still hanging on in the garden...It's hard to believe that it was 93 degrees here in Austin yesterday. While I am ready for the crisp edges of autumn, I have to admit that the lasting beauty of the summer garden is a daily delight.
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The Lord Baltimore hibsicus, Pride of Barbados and variegated shell ginger are all perfectly happy with the hot weather.</div>
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The <i>Tecoma stans</i>, or Esperanza, are still blooming like crazy.</div>
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The path down the side of the house still has some blooms, though they are beginning to dwindle. Except for the <i>Salvia madrensis</i>, or pineapple sage, which blooms very late in the summer (well, OUR summer, that is). </div>
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These stunning spires are criss crossing with a single <i>Salvia greggii</i> bloom.</div>
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And at the end of the path, Artemis awaits.</div>
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Her hairdo, comprised of squid agave and creeping Jenny, adds a whimsical touch.</div>
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In the back, the fountain shade garden is lush with tropical flair, including Persian shield, Philodrendron, Coleus, sparkler sedge and <i>Duranta</i> 'golden showers.'</div>
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The front bed is full or oranges and yellows at this time of year, with narrow leaf <i>Zinnia</i>, <i>Calylophus</i>, and <i>Asclepia</i>.<br />
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More yellow further up the bed with this <i>Thryallis, </i>the whale's tongue agave and a view of the deep orange <i>Tecoma</i> 'balls of fire.' </div>
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Yes, the brisk breezes of fall sound very appealing, but I love enjoying these long-lasting Indian summer blooms. The forecast calls for a drop this week -- 90 on Wednesday and then 80 for the high on Thursday, and 74 on Friday.</div>
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It's coming, it's just a little slow getting here!</div>
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Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-53133872153384616032016-07-30T08:51:00.000-05:002016-07-30T12:25:38.814-05:00Enchanting Lyndale and Como Park gardens at the 2016 FlingAs is always the case, there is much to see at a Garden Bloggers Fling, and our 2016 adventure kept us going at a fast pace. <br />
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I fell in love with the explosion of color where this beautiful beehive beckoned in the Lyndale Park Garden. I waited quite a while to get a solo shot of this amazing sculpture in the garden, as all the other flingers were as enthralled with it as I was. (You can see I didn't quite let the last person get out of the frame. Tag yourself if that's your elbow!)<br />
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This garden was a creative combination of formal beds with this refreshing fountain, and some unique displays of a wide variety of pollinator plants.<br />
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I was smitten by this display of <i>Verbena bonariensis</i> as the focal point in the midst of this checkerboard of annuals. I know this took a great deal of work to achieve, because my <i>Verbena bonariensis</i> is like a naughty child in the garden -- it never stays put where I've planted it!<br />
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It was interesting to see so many plants thriving here that we can grow back in our gardens in Zone 8b in Austin, Texas, like the catmint and lamb's ears and rudbeckia.<br />
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Blue can be elusive in the garden, so I was drawn to this monochromatic display filled with so many of the plants I love, like salvias.<br />
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This is the perfect example of how repetition in garden design packs a powerful punch.<br />
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And then I found the pink bed! Between the hot sun bearing down on us and the profusion of pink and lime color contrasts in this display, it wasn't easy to get a great photo. But the <i>Zinnias, Hibiscus, Fountain grass, Cannas</i> and <i>Cleomes</i> were begging to have their photos taken. I had to oblige them!<br />
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Oh, and now I see that they were joined by Guara as well.<br />
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I grow cleome in my garden as well, although it gets a little weary of the heat about this time of year.<br />
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We also visited the Como Park Conservatory and gardens, where I have visited many times, as I lived in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area for four years, from 1988 to 1992. Conservatories always capture my fancy.<br />
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I first visited the Conservatory's Sunken Gardens in the Spring of 1989, when snow still blanketed the grounds outside but bulbs brought spring indoors. This picture of my son was taken when he was 5. </div>
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He's 32 now, and that is still one of my favorite photos of him. Visiting the park brought back many wonderful memories of our time there.</div>
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A pond of stunning water lilies greeted us as we approached the entrance.<br />
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The Sunken Gardens look so different at this visit. Purples and lavenders and limes seem to dot every surface of the space.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">To see other posts of fabulous Fling gardens, check out my overview of </span><a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2016/07/design-plant-collections-and.html#links" style="text-align: left;">Wouterina De Raad's mosaic sculpture garden</a><span style="text-align: left;"> and the </span><a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2016/07/gorgeous-gardens-dominate-2016-garden.html#links" style="text-align: left;">Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden and Bird Sanctuary</a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div>
Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-70053750578915574602016-07-25T09:10:00.000-05:002016-07-25T09:10:26.508-05:00Design, plant collections and spectacular, larger-than-life sculptures dominate fabulous Fling gardenIt's always interesting to poll Garden Bloggers Fling attendees about their favorite gardens. Some like gardens that showcase collections, some like gardens that highlight design. Personally, I had several favorite gardens at last week's Fling in Minneapolis. But this one stood out above the rest, filled with beautiful plant selections, gorgeous design and the heart and soul of the artist and gardener who calls this stunning collection home.<br />
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Just across the border into the luscious, rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland, Wouterina De Raad's Concrete Mosaic Sculpture Garden brought it all to the game. Chicken-lover, gardener, artist, and sculptor extraordinaire, De Raad, a self-taught artist, began creating life-size concrete and mosaic sculptures 27 years ago.<br />
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Of Dutch heritage, De Raad grew up on her family's coffee and rubber plantation in Indonesia. She brings life to her sculpture garden by drawing on her upbringing in the Indonesian jungle. Her collection includes statues of jaguars, pythons, and other exotic and mythical creatures. Leading the tour through garden, she regaled us with the folk tales of her childhood, and the stories from her own life that inspired her unique creations.<br />
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Welcome to the garden -- come on in!<br />
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Her love of the garden and all its inhabitants is evident in this oversized Monarch caterpillar bench, complete with the jungle-inspired monkey on its back. And, don't miss the exotic bird on the monkey's head. <br />
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The intriguing sculpture vignettes of the garden are bound together by pretty pathways and endless beds filled with beautiful blooms, stitched together like a life-sized garden quilt.<br />
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The perfect dog breed for the serious gardener. This one won't dig up bulbs, eat tomatoes or chase chickens! You'd better watch out, Fletcher and Dakota, you could be replaced!<br />
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On one end of the charming clothesline, Momma and her young-un try coaxing a chicken off of the pole.<br />
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On the other end, Mr. America holds everything in line.<br />
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The garden also sports a seemingly endless array of little cottages, sheds, workshops and other quaint buildings, each its own palette for yet another display of De Raad's artistic talent.<br />
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She wove a spell-binding tale about the jaguars in Indonesia as we passed by this building, closely guarded by her sculptural tribute to the fierce cats.<br />
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Sadly, my iPhone notes simply read, "jaguar story," and I can't remember the details.<br />
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I marveled at every turn at her innate ability to transform the most meaningful impressions of her life's experiences into beauty and art.<br />
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The charming chicken coop, complete with its own namesake statues, was full of reused and recycled decor and several beautiful chickens.<br />
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I couldn't really get any good pics of the chicks, and after all, the garden was calling...<br />
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But even the quaint bed in front of the chicken run was an art display. I can' resist - De Raad left no stone unturned in bringing character into this part of the garden. Each of the border stones were given unique expressions, most of them smiling up at garden visitors.<br />
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And then, the chicken chair. Who wouldn't feel like the queen of poultry sitting atop this perch?<br />
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With so much to see in this 3-acre garden, visitors can stop and rest at many lovely seating areas. This perennial border dotted with lilies frames the man and dog sculpture in the background. I didn't catch the story of the body-less head the man is holding, but I'm sure it's a doozy!</div>
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This seating vignette transports me to Alice in Wonderland...<br />
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Most of the sculptures in the garden are also lighted. I would have loved to seen this magical place in the evening, with all of De Raad's concrete family members shining beacons across the garden.<br />
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After hours of editing and prepping, this post only skirts the beginning of this amazing garden. So, stay tuned, another post is yet to come!<br />
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<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-5739379697118891892016-07-18T22:23:00.003-05:002016-07-18T22:23:57.826-05:00Gorgeous gardens dominate 2016 Garden Bloggers Fling in MinneapolisI just returned from a wonderful 5 days at the annual Garden Bloggers Fling, held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was a long weekend filled with good friends, good food and gorgeous gardens. It's always so fun to spend time with long-time friends, some of whom came to the very first Fling in Austin, and to meet new Flingers and get to know them.<br />
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Our first stop was the <a href="http://bit.ly/1SHDl7n">Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden and Bird Sanctuary</a>. The garden includes 500 different plant species and more than 130 bird species. <br />
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It was a cool morning -- which felt like heaven to this Texas girl who left behind temps in the 100s in Austin. We began walking through the most amazing wildflower prairie, walking through narrow paths with beautiful blooms up to my waist and higher. We brushed by many plants I knew, and many that I didn't. Peaceful, serene and natural, the garden provided the perfect start our day.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">I didn't many photos in this garden, as I focused on being in the moment, truly able to reach out and touch the garden with every step.</span></div>
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These were some of my favorite blooms in the garden.</div>
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See how high the wildflowers were? <br />
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This is just a short, teaser post. Many more are percolating in my head, so check back soon!Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-38626201056383150442016-07-02T09:43:00.000-05:002016-07-02T09:50:16.097-05:00More Chanticleer magic -- the Tea Cup GardenI really had no sense of the vastness that awaited me in all three of the gardens that my friend, Pam, of <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/">Digging</a>, and I visited on our recent trip to the Brandywine Valley area of Pennsylvania. <br />
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Upon entering the third garden, Chanticleer, on the third morning of our trip, the sun was already high in the sky and the day was heating up. The entrance area is rather small - a covered outdoor area on a patio with a nice selection of planters and a desk where the staff politely welcomed us. We started where most people start, entering through the small Kitchen Courtyard Garden just beyond the entrance.<br />
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The initial courtyard is filled with creative planters as well as fresh flowers.<br />
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Each day, the gardeners scatter fresh-cut flowers in vases and containers like this throughout the garden. These float gently on top of the water in this pot.<br />
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Filled with an array of tempting tropicals, the next garden, beyond the ornate gate, is the Tea Cup Garden. It is said to change significantly from year to year or even season to season, as most of its plants don't overwinter in the this cold-climate garden. Come on in, the weather's fine. <br />
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Taken by this delicate display, Pam captures it with her camera.<br />
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Now, my turn!<br />
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I love the reflection of the light in the sky against the glass table top, adding another dimension to this vignette.<br />
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The namesake of this garden, a tea cup-like planter, provides the focal point of the inner courtyard filled with tropical plants.<br />
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Groupings of pots add interest around the perimeter of the courtyard on the right.</div>
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The left side of the courtyard includes a raised bed garden, filled with alliums, punctuated by two stunning ceramic planters with silver ponyfoot and bromeliads.<br />
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This marks only the beginning of the garden's vast display of bromeliads. To add to the level of detail in both garden design and identification, Chanticleer's website includes a meticulously created plant list for each garden. Which, by the way, changes with the seasons and the years. I assumed it would just be an alphabetical list, which would have made IDing plants complicated. Then I clicked on the link and found <a href="http://chanticleergarden.org/pdffiles/TeacupGarden.pdf">this</a> -- amazing.</div>
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With a small collection of bromeliads, I can't wait to get all my posts done and then take a good look at the plant list to start making my own wish list!<br />
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This delicate peach <i>Brugmansia</i>, 'Charles Grimaldi,' rests in a clever container, contrasting beautifully with the rich, eggplant colors of <i>Begonia</i> 'sparks will fly' and <i>Neoregelia</i> ‘Elwood.’<br />
So, finally I get to the alliums.<br />
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My love affair with alliums began in 2009 at the site of the second Garden Bloggers Fling in Chicago. You can see my post about that tour <a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/fling-has-flung.html#links">here</a>.<br />
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I tried twice to grow them in Austin, but our weather heated up much too quickly for them (at least in the years I tried to grow them) and the foliage was fried to a crisp before they reached 1/2 of their mature height. I even planted varieties specifically known to grow in Zone 9, but it just wasn't meant to be. So, they hold a special interest for me on garden tours to more temperate climates. I'll have to settle for enjoying the onion blooms in my veggie garden.<br />
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Their kaleidoscope structure is even more intriguing up close and personal.<br />
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Naturally, Pam and I had to take a selfie with them, though they sort of look like they're coming out of the back of our heads!</div>
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There were so many more beautiful plants and vignettes in the Tea Cup Garden -- these are just the highlights. Next, we'll venture further into the garden. If you missed my first two posts about our fabulous garden trip, you can find them here -<a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2016/06/chanticleers-ruin-garden-filled-with.html#links"> Chanticleer's Ruin Garden</a>, and here - <a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2016/06/four-acres-of-gorgeous-gardens-under.html#links">Longwood Conservatory Garden post #1</a> (also filled with bromeliads).</div>
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I haven't had time to post all week, but it feels great to "stroll" through my garden photos and share my memories with you. I'll have another one soon!</div>
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<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-25184146620924299312016-06-25T21:37:00.002-05:002016-06-25T21:37:51.661-05:00Chanticleer's Ruin Garden filled with magic and mystery...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">I expected that Chanticleer would be the
highlight of the recent garden trip I took with Pam Penick of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.penick.net/">Digging</a>.
I'd heard of the amazing gardens and had done a little research, but I
was in awe as each and every element of the garden unfolded before me. On
its website, Chanticleer claims to have been called "the most romantic ,
imaginative and exciting public garden in America." They aren't
kidding. It towers above all the other public gardens that I've visited -- not
having missed a fling in 8 years -- I've toured a few! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr-pUfbFzID9H6ACvhZHWY9w4dmI_hH9pqjzVN6IA7ScP0_HhLrpWqbbQKUTEwvxW0Z8o1ze854K64KKqRzGdWLI-1h8QdFQ8mvHZ5NgkGffa_451Jy-ZNZzrO1_-ja3hLrccWq6Qeajh/s1600/IMG_8414.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr-pUfbFzID9H6ACvhZHWY9w4dmI_hH9pqjzVN6IA7ScP0_HhLrpWqbbQKUTEwvxW0Z8o1ze854K64KKqRzGdWLI-1h8QdFQ8mvHZ5NgkGffa_451Jy-ZNZzrO1_-ja3hLrccWq6Qeajh/s640/IMG_8414.jpg" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Chanticleer estate
was originally built in the early 20th Century by Adolph and Christine
Rosengarten as a country retreat. It later became their permanent home
and they bought additional neighboring land to give homes to their two children
as wedding presents. One of those homes now serves as the entrance and offices
and the other is the site of the estate's Ruin Garden. In 1990, Adolph, Jr.
left the entire property as a public garden and museum under the guidance of
The Chanticleer Foundation. Today, the garden employs 20 full-time staff,
among them 14 gardeners and groundskeepers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">That said, I'll bring
you through what I thought was the most innovative part of the garden -- the
Ruin Garden -- for my first Chanticleer post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt3pYTxSsQRbqr7ox5bCOikcIUOzvGvrqGplvQ8oo3-adgnREXqlUKxGLmPIsL1c4ci9owZxx1g8m5DFnaMwRCceclJGHi9PZ6qTxInQLrejy_jlLtFptDtfltkloy2k4x-RNU5xK2MEi/s1600/IMG_8398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt3pYTxSsQRbqr7ox5bCOikcIUOzvGvrqGplvQ8oo3-adgnREXqlUKxGLmPIsL1c4ci9owZxx1g8m5DFnaMwRCceclJGHi9PZ6qTxInQLrejy_jlLtFptDtfltkloy2k4x-RNU5xK2MEi/s640/IMG_8398.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chanticleer's Ruin Garden
was built on the site of the original Minder house, which was given to Adolph
Rosengarten, Jr. as a wedding gift. Composed of three 'rooms' -
the Great Hall, the Library and the Pool Room, it evokes an air of crumbling
history with a macabre undercurrent. The ruin isn't really a ruin at all, but cleverly created hardscape backdrops into which succulents and shade plants are
creatively tucked. Perched on top of a hill, it's barely visible until you come right up on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJUqkgC6N_ME_Ex3j7wBwEnVN9Quz363y31Jg83ZqKCa1rhMOx2RzhNMoquwwAntbviUbnQzN1x10WADpyjzzr0VLqhgmfOc42T7s_7sH3gdYWcOkcQdoGEN-dKQexpJXjGyhq1OfJBT6/s1600/IMG_8380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJUqkgC6N_ME_Ex3j7wBwEnVN9Quz363y31Jg83ZqKCa1rhMOx2RzhNMoquwwAntbviUbnQzN1x10WADpyjzzr0VLqhgmfOc42T7s_7sH3gdYWcOkcQdoGEN-dKQexpJXjGyhq1OfJBT6/s640/IMG_8380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn9hN6v00aJkDArdwFRsoEWXYL0Oh36qHj7DrENA4cctMNi9zMNnyG8Z7m6jpnOxg1ZBDQKJ8z7fLS-Dq1vKih5ibxtiyG3LjMVS577faICEVdgdzsP5Vcy9TIB20QAce-Hv50bBYmxS-/s1600/IMG_8407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn9hN6v00aJkDArdwFRsoEWXYL0Oh36qHj7DrENA4cctMNi9zMNnyG8Z7m6jpnOxg1ZBDQKJ8z7fLS-Dq1vKih5ibxtiyG3LjMVS577faICEVdgdzsP5Vcy9TIB20QAce-Hv50bBYmxS-/s640/IMG_8407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIAqAmT0vV09RimVn2t7k29ScC3avbWoHdGeov70GCidCnnT4rhvN8DnIkuxe1ZPdjkhz_wcHhByQREKzZFKnr59Lb_Cfe72EhsiogbvwQPWWhbm80SGLjx6i8SU8-Ft-sfduZQfdgW_3/s1600/IMG_8412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIAqAmT0vV09RimVn2t7k29ScC3avbWoHdGeov70GCidCnnT4rhvN8DnIkuxe1ZPdjkhz_wcHhByQREKzZFKnr59Lb_Cfe72EhsiogbvwQPWWhbm80SGLjx6i8SU8-Ft-sfduZQfdgW_3/s640/IMG_8412.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Library is scattered with displays of slate books.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChCIAVShWlSOa5Wz4A9MDzeKwQEUlhw1SkR18bLQElhjH9As2_Lr9aoEqIyPajxeEhtuW2Yx6Oyz97aqrakF5X_TNKnCVC42C3tlrWmTArntS8TVzDlxN2lyF9cjeSMVJOy8E65Jt4RyB/s1600/IMG_8410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChCIAVShWlSOa5Wz4A9MDzeKwQEUlhw1SkR18bLQElhjH9As2_Lr9aoEqIyPajxeEhtuW2Yx6Oyz97aqrakF5X_TNKnCVC42C3tlrWmTArntS8TVzDlxN2lyF9cjeSMVJOy8E65Jt4RyB/s640/IMG_8410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">Stone acorns appear to be entombed in the pages of an open stone book.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dominated by a 24-foot reflecting pool shaped like a sarcophagus, the Great Hall is mesmerizing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fK_t4_DfcCL4nWX5oHeC6IPWZvjhcwgBpgxhM9Su14TZebsfBbprSFBaufhOBtCepn-iAnuflfzmzn6maR5gDbI_zfCgSSb4czyT8cFOj7jDbMEqGspyu1_mFdsjw2i-R7-OIPiEE_Fr/s1600/IMG_8424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fK_t4_DfcCL4nWX5oHeC6IPWZvjhcwgBpgxhM9Su14TZebsfBbprSFBaufhOBtCepn-iAnuflfzmzn6maR5gDbI_zfCgSSb4czyT8cFOj7jDbMEqGspyu1_mFdsjw2i-R7-OIPiEE_Fr/s640/IMG_8424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Every element in the room is reflected in the vast, dark pool. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplqo1ZyJBXXHs7s7VS2WoXhJ2zPoeoj0W3P6rV4oBtHJORV1RRv9OWD6Vo3KE8jFyKLLph5wCUg7XsdGenesSFfgHf2NXz0tFzOSTE_SHkYw5WHFDhPZf4kft9FBcZXtEmE9zBoHTEgFy/s1600/IMG_8423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplqo1ZyJBXXHs7s7VS2WoXhJ2zPoeoj0W3P6rV4oBtHJORV1RRv9OWD6Vo3KE8jFyKLLph5wCUg7XsdGenesSFfgHf2NXz0tFzOSTE_SHkYw5WHFDhPZf4kft9FBcZXtEmE9zBoHTEgFy/s640/IMG_8423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Succulents fill the
mantle and provide little pops of color in the water's mirrored image.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSMN1iyD_EfqKRnCF5fdpuNgtiDIjAZVTpEt_r0c7LArPjGicXLBrH3cv9TaeGr-l1wBvrj-CFl1T3uh2W1Tk9fpzp3BFCpbz1R-U6s5fK8eyAlcCT00VWmbLpRMT1tfP0D7Bnr5mlAmg/s1600/IMG_8417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSMN1iyD_EfqKRnCF5fdpuNgtiDIjAZVTpEt_r0c7LArPjGicXLBrH3cv9TaeGr-l1wBvrj-CFl1T3uh2W1Tk9fpzp3BFCpbz1R-U6s5fK8eyAlcCT00VWmbLpRMT1tfP0D7Bnr5mlAmg/s640/IMG_8417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The stillness of the water is enticing. I didn't trail my fingers in the fountain, but enjoyed watching these two little girls prepare to test the waters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQcHx5m6vxns7cB7wUEg5uOlHZ6uk-HSc6dJ0U3Qj9Ql-uk4y2qkSd-HavLKPlJt7PBp9NmAcVG91K8gjZjggwavQjmzPQq1JESDU8PMh8vHXBc8kuEYCU4tKIPMc0Wns0iie6E8X5bd9/s1600/IMG_8435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQcHx5m6vxns7cB7wUEg5uOlHZ6uk-HSc6dJ0U3Qj9Ql-uk4y2qkSd-HavLKPlJt7PBp9NmAcVG91K8gjZjggwavQjmzPQq1JESDU8PMh8vHXBc8kuEYCU4tKIPMc0Wns0iie6E8X5bd9/s640/IMG_8435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The giant black water feature rests on a stone mosaic carpet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGv7CKKmG8U_zdCr-br3hjwHoQgvIrusBMWcZ2p4Gqch1rAoKZoBgQlxqh9sNNgwgXwVNTfgV4bvPDRb949HjyKnhVOoir7dGhgKlw-AGJgUq7xkdMCBCzvYii8DMMnpPkbg4VrlE3J18/s1600/IMG_8425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGv7CKKmG8U_zdCr-br3hjwHoQgvIrusBMWcZ2p4Gqch1rAoKZoBgQlxqh9sNNgwgXwVNTfgV4bvPDRb949HjyKnhVOoir7dGhgKlw-AGJgUq7xkdMCBCzvYii8DMMnpPkbg4VrlE3J18/s640/IMG_8425.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Through the next stone doorway lies the 'Pool Room.' </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1ev5Ffx9nHvokQx9TNdEwXIrYSEXsxSTqwNgHaH6LrguYxVRP96v2FKokydn8qDeZ_nVJ7bBaKrV7idPwSN-Gv4MmVB-VFol8YvVPu4asteieHuZcFZsAWQlfS0dz6Y4Kd8j3vZzMFG7/s1600/IMG_8440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1ev5Ffx9nHvokQx9TNdEwXIrYSEXsxSTqwNgHaH6LrguYxVRP96v2FKokydn8qDeZ_nVJ7bBaKrV7idPwSN-Gv4MmVB-VFol8YvVPu4asteieHuZcFZsAWQlfS0dz6Y4Kd8j3vZzMFG7/s640/IMG_8440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Here, polished marble faces rise up from the black depths to make themselves known to visitors. Their garish, mottled faces are disturbing, to say the least.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X9z3qMUhqiMXk5xOkJUAelULOEkrWQGVN-uXAu3yTUiTAngN9OJYP58OkZwygIK11ZD17wXdpa2LGafGf2vDb1OKADAOdgVWbFCgo6jQRVePxgQB10fd82GVxNEEO5HoRwNnp3YunD77/s1600/IMG_8445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X9z3qMUhqiMXk5xOkJUAelULOEkrWQGVN-uXAu3yTUiTAngN9OJYP58OkZwygIK11ZD17wXdpa2LGafGf2vDb1OKADAOdgVWbFCgo6jQRVePxgQB10fd82GVxNEEO5HoRwNnp3YunD77/s640/IMG_8445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Beaten down by the water sheers, the faces are trapped forever in the pool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I'm not sure if the girls were intrigued or frightened, but they did approach with some caution. The prospect of touching the cool water on a hot day won out over trepidation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Next to the pool, a column lined with succulents seems sweet by comparison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Delicate coral-colored succulents stand out along the post against the green and gray rooms of the Ruin Garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Stone acorns seem to be sprouting in a bed inside the Ruin Garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The plants and vines intricately woven throughout the walls of the Ruin Garden appear to have been there for centuries, however, this garden was created and opened to the public in 2000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As we left the garden, a stone face peeked out from a bed of sedge, appearing to watch us leave.</span></div>
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Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-13979010970605933292016-06-15T18:51:00.002-05:002016-06-15T18:51:19.843-05:00Four acres of gorgeous gardens under glass at the Longwood Gardens Conservatory Last week, my friend Pam, who blogs at <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/">Digging</a>, and I embarked on a garden adventure unrivaled in my garden travels. Nestled in the Brandywine Valley region of Pennsylvania, we toured three public gardens, Winterthur, Longwood and Chanticleer. <br />
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I took thousands of pictures (in part because the hot summer sun kept me adjusting my light settings). I'm sure I collected enough photos to blog about for several months!<br />
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As a lover and collector of tropical and exotic plants, the Longwood Conservatory is high on my list of the gardens within the gardens of our trip. It includes 20 different gardens (yes, all inside this giant conservatory), and more than 5,500 types of plants. It was spectacular. While it included all the typical plants you'd find in most conservatories, there was so much more -- an amazing array of plant combinations, beautiful design, and attention to detail at every step. I can't even fit all of it into one post, but I've decided to just jump in and cover part of it as my first post of the trip.<br />
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The Conservatory was built in 1919 by Pierre S. du Pont, and was designed to be an indoor eden. The collection of conservatory buildings covers 4.5 acres. (The entire garden covers 1,077 acres.) Yes, 4.5 INSIDE acres of stunning gardens, including the Fern Floor and Alcoves, seen here, the Patio of Oranges, Waterlily Display, Silver Garden, Orchid House, Mediterranean Garden, Bonsai Display, Palm Garden, Desert House, Cascade Garden, Banana House, Camellia House, Green Wall, Indoor Children's Garden (so amazing that this will get its own post soon!), Rose House, Tropical Terrace, East Fruit House, Garden Path, Peirce-du Pont House and the Exhibition Hall.<br />
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The grand entrance, pictured above, provides a preview of this massive sest of structures. Beautiful and unusual bromeliads are given a place of honor in this section of the garden.<br />
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Many of the water features were surrounded by bromeliads, as well.</div>
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I have a number of bromeliads in my house and in the cabana in pots, but the volume and diversity of these was astounding. Clearly I have a way to go in the collecting department!</div>
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And then there were the ferns. I was taken by the Mexican Tree Ferns, delicate and ephemeral, yet strong and sculptural, all at the same time.</div>
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And then there were these stunning Staghorn-like ferns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv1Ri3sh4daujdhBKkRnEKRa6DN8YDbzrZfMcyWNVtBYUIHzqRuZT852_kt1zZ4_g3eRjvleMCdmGlbw6N1hBcLBKpQPxvR7kaLhSQ_i8pvzMGDITwgtsugxTgKCfUQ3RZ4Zj_LNXg6Zs/s1600/IMG_6861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv1Ri3sh4daujdhBKkRnEKRa6DN8YDbzrZfMcyWNVtBYUIHzqRuZT852_kt1zZ4_g3eRjvleMCdmGlbw6N1hBcLBKpQPxvR7kaLhSQ_i8pvzMGDITwgtsugxTgKCfUQ3RZ4Zj_LNXg6Zs/s640/IMG_6861.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Of course, no prehistoric journey would be the same without cycads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5sNhPa_ZfW_iYFbvxsRVnw4YyZxg7pHOnjTnHmv0IFBe071quOjtwm_vnT7NqOtacpLA96tlzaKherqkxQ8oy2WxbuqfPVm7z5gawdDcRCr4Gfsormi4BCMZ2UPsKMR6Q2TDuR3n77PW/s1600/IMG_6728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5sNhPa_ZfW_iYFbvxsRVnw4YyZxg7pHOnjTnHmv0IFBe071quOjtwm_vnT7NqOtacpLA96tlzaKherqkxQ8oy2WxbuqfPVm7z5gawdDcRCr4Gfsormi4BCMZ2UPsKMR6Q2TDuR3n77PW/s640/IMG_6728.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
This male cycad was sporting a new cone.<br />
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I love this grey species. It's a shame that the light prevents me from reading the tag that I photographed -- I'd like to find out if I can grow this one in my Zone 8b-sometimes 9 garden.</div>
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This gigantic <i>Sago</i> palm (though not a palm at all) dwarfs the sizeable <i>Sansevieria </i>below it.</div>
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I believe that these elephant ears are <i>Colocasia amazonica</i> - which means they are sure living up to their name here under the black bamboo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQoVGceu8SuQGWHKsAcdoXAtzkt4Q7PuzFEwicONEt8uPdok_wjBzuwzoofVdZNIAFnwGdn1FE93eXOfsjMa8Qz700iIygPxu7HL_66K_yq9b3ZMroy48aysMySRLp6PfHMrXH8YxSagf/s1600/IMG_6784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQoVGceu8SuQGWHKsAcdoXAtzkt4Q7PuzFEwicONEt8uPdok_wjBzuwzoofVdZNIAFnwGdn1FE93eXOfsjMa8Qz700iIygPxu7HL_66K_yq9b3ZMroy48aysMySRLp6PfHMrXH8YxSagf/s640/IMG_6784.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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I can't name this one, but I love the black stems which mirror the black bamboo as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8QmF7k34PljBMWZ1Jam_HEKy0bmq7BA2TWddHG8OC6x1nWc7FJkNFdGAtSJB4jzIg0No5tpGS9uEXR2YByxO3Wb5aPCbFzHvmQJEt2b2zzGYKI9i9MIbRLDK7CzhKgiNJqYe6gifAZZ3/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8QmF7k34PljBMWZ1Jam_HEKy0bmq7BA2TWddHG8OC6x1nWc7FJkNFdGAtSJB4jzIg0No5tpGS9uEXR2YByxO3Wb5aPCbFzHvmQJEt2b2zzGYKI9i9MIbRLDK7CzhKgiNJqYe6gifAZZ3/s640/IMG_6760.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Great color combinations under this bamboo.<br />
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And, who can resist the appeal of this black bamboo? It's so striking and exotic.</div>
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With 4.5 acres of conservatory gardens to cover, this will have to be it for your first peek. Thousands more photos and lots of blog posts to come, about the conservatory and Longwood's other 1,000+ acres of <i>outside</i> gardens!</div>
Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-90183981419485177422016-06-13T10:31:00.000-05:002016-06-13T10:31:02.210-05:00Beautiful exotic blooms welcome me home...Back from a magical 6-day garden trip that covered Winterthur, Longwood, and Chanticleer gardens, visions of blooms danced in my head last night.<br />
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It's always a little hard to come back to your own garden after seeing the grandeur of such vast and amazing gardens. Lucikly, I was greeted with stunning blooms on my Peruvian cereus this morning. <i>Cereus repandus (</i>formerly<i> Cereus peruvianus)</i> is a thorny cactus with a sculptural shape that blooms in spring-summer. <br />
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It's native to the rocky outcroppings and savannas of South America. In the wild, it can grow up to 30 feet tall, but is well contained in pots (thank goodness).</div>
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I had two blooms last year, and only one the year before that after I bought it. Its showy blooms are normally followed by red fruit much like dragon fruit, though more round. We ate dragon fruit every day when we were in Thailand 3 years ago. <br />
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Sadly, I haven't had any fruit develop after the flowers yet. Last year, we had heavy rains during the bloom and they simply fell off when they were done. There is no rain in the forecast for this week, if we do get some soon, you can be sure I will be bringing it under cover. I'm eager to try the fruit.<br />
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It goes into the greenhouse for the winter, because it's only hardy in zones 9-11. This year, it would have been fine outside, since I never had a freeze, but I'm not taking any chances! <br />
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I shot these photos early this morning, just as the sun was beginning to shine and the blooms were still at their peak.<br />
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I'll have to enjoy my photos for the rest of the day, however, as the blooms have already closed up and are starting to shrivel. They are one-night bloomers. I'm so glad I was home to see them - if we'd come back one day later, I would have missed these 3 beautiful blooms. Now I have two more to look forward to.<br />
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It's great to be back home in my garden.Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-68568410722733999712016-05-31T17:06:00.000-05:002016-05-31T17:06:37.588-05:00Succulent planter filled with fun foliage...When we put gutters on the cabana, I took down my rain chain and moved the large, smooth stone-filled terra cotta basin sitting at the bottom of it.<br />
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I rehung the rain chain (for decor only) from a tree, since we had no other place for it to channel rain. The basin sat in the woods, forgotten, for quite some time.<br />
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This weekend I decided to put it to good use, turning it into a lovely succulent planter. I collected several different kinds of succulents to provide interesting texture, form and color. I filled the basin with lots of large rocks at the bottom, then used decomposed granite mixed with soil for the fill and placed another layer of DG for the top.<br />
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Then came the dilemma - where to place it? I couldn't really put it out front in an existing bed - the deer would eat it there. I didn't have an appropriate sunny space in the back where I would get to see it. <br />
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So I decided I wouldn't put it on the ground inside of a bed, I'd raise it up on a stand so it wouldn't get lost.<br />
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After a trip to At Home (what used to be Garden Ridge - I think I'm doomed to call it Garden Ridge forever! Or at least "what used to be Garden Ridge!"), I found a stable enough plant table of a suitable height.<br />
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I've placed it by the front door. The deer <i>DO</i> come up to the door on rare occasions - I know I am taking a risk, but I like it here. And I can see it, especially now that we have created a kitchen and breakfast room in the entryway while our kitchen and family room are being remodeled.<br />
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<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-79096400547372294872016-05-30T10:20:00.000-05:002016-05-30T10:20:16.005-05:00Tuscan transformation...It's really quite an honor when a former landscaping client calls us back to design again at a new home. Several clients have entrusted us with repeat projects, including our current installation. <br />
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Located on a large ranch in the Hill Country, this Tuscan farmhouse begged for a fresh landscape to match the grandeur of this beautiful home.<br />
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I was first struck by the way the existing split rail fence seemed to detract from the view of the home. The entrance to the front door came in from a tight, side angle, the existing path gray and worn limestone. As I walked the front of the property, inside and outside the fence, the existing beds appeared tiny and out of scale. I realized that the front of the home, with it's fairytale front door, roofline and window detail was lost to visitors coming up the walk from the side so close to the house.<br />
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As I explored further back, two large oaks caught my eye and I envisioned a new entrance, winding through the oaks and arriving at the front door straight on, giving guests an opportunity to experience the stateliness of the home. <br />
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With the cornerstone of the design determined, the rest of the plan fell into place.<br />
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We moved the new fence back a full 40 feet from the house, tore up the existing path and front stoop and build a mortared Oklahoma flagstone path that meandered from the driveway to the entrance. New, deeper beds enveloped the front of the home on both sides, anchored by a series of 'tiny tower' cypress trees and traditional xeric, Mediterranean-style native and adapted plants.<br />
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You can see where the old stone path came out and the new, albeit muddy, flagstone path meandering through the trees.<br />
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Having redesigned a landscape with these clients before, I knew their taste well, so choosing plants they would love was easy. We did leave the existing mature Crape Myrtle in the new landscape. The beds include a mix of rich red Salvia Greggii and Texas Betonies along with Zexmenia, Jerusalem sage, dwarf Greek Myrtles, 'sandankwa' Viburnum, Foxtail ferns, Dianella, Catmint, 'new gold' and variegated gold Lantana, 'soft caress' Mahonia, yellow shrimp plant and an existing Sago palm. The blend of texture and form gives the design a lush feel with many traditional Texas plants.<br />
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The project is ongoing - we've moved onto the back of the property now, building stone beds around the pool and creating a rose garden. More photos to come as we progress, though it may take a while with rain forecast for the next 7 days.Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-44019435952101497992016-05-20T07:55:00.000-05:002016-05-20T07:55:17.938-05:00The scent of a garden...I was walking up to our front door this morning when I was literally stopped in my tracks by a lovely, perfume-like scent. I looked all around me, examining the plants on both sides of the path. Hmmmm...Mexican oregano, nope - that has a sharp, herbal scent, and usually only when touched. Not the iris, not the 'purple pastel' salvia, the purple skullcap, the Zexmenia, or the black scallop ajuga. What was it?<br />
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So, then I expanded my search and saw the <i>Magnolia</i> 'little gem' magnolia far out in the middle of the yard. Sure enough, a large white bloom stared back at me.</div>
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And then I spied another, and another. I stood there for a while and absorbed the luscious scent.</div>
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Unlike many of the blooms in my garden, which are small and delicate, the magnolia bloom is bold and beautiful, it's creamy white petals like intricate porcelain saucers.</div>
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Since there are many of them on the tree, I plan to bring one bloom inside to float in a glass bowl and infuse the house with its heady perfume. Nature's potourri, there's nothing better.</div>
<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-34239398733600648912016-05-19T10:10:00.000-05:002016-05-19T10:10:47.674-05:00Rain, rain...well, just take a break, please...Living with frequent drought makes dealing with torrential rains tricky. We want rain. We need rain. But, in the Hill Country, it's tough for the ground to absorb. Which leads to floods. Dangerous floods.<br />
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Beyond the frightening potential human toll, gardeners also have to deal with plant-killing floods. I just turned in my article for next week's Austin American Statesman, where I write about plants that "don't like to have wet feet." Today, that's gonna be all of the plants in my garden. That's from 3.34" this morning alone and 8.29" for the month. <br />
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Having lived through the sizzling, scorching drought, I am hesitant to wish for an end to the rain. But, geez, it can take a break for a little while -- enough already!<br />
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Our home sits downhill from several other homes and so we get run-off. Serious run-off! We have French drains and dry creeks in 3 separate places, designed to deal with days just like today.<br />
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And our drainage abatement IS working. Water is moving to where it's been directed.<br />
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The dry creek is no where near dry.<br />
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No sign of any let up right now, but it's ok, cuz the rain is "Rollin' down the river..." We also have a 10,000 gallon rainwater tank, which is totally full. I'd take a picture of the gauge and the tank for you, but I'd have to get wet. No thanks!Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-21517694882657983942016-05-17T11:17:00.001-05:002016-05-17T11:25:24.200-05:00Fresh foliage follow-up ...Having blogged <a href="http://sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/2016/05/greening-up-garden-on-garden-bloggers.html#links">HERE</a> about everything that was blooming in my garden this weekend, today I'll join Pam Penick of <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/">Digging</a>, and highlight some of the lush foliage in my garden.<br />
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Refusing to be dismissed by a lack of blooms, many of my favorite plants in the garden earn their status with colorful, textured foliage that delights season after season.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xu3w5KSxWAgpbs8-sqxfhRr6gkWfjBKK39VqhuJoGR_pfhEXi8AyD9ot_CNFt4B6AofC-zuK5g-gqax8iBWxWC16mTH8YHegNl81noMOx8Rtg3J1eNzD9WGvBeXxY-KoIKBvvOZ5BGd3/s1600/IMG_5748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xu3w5KSxWAgpbs8-sqxfhRr6gkWfjBKK39VqhuJoGR_pfhEXi8AyD9ot_CNFt4B6AofC-zuK5g-gqax8iBWxWC16mTH8YHegNl81noMOx8Rtg3J1eNzD9WGvBeXxY-KoIKBvvOZ5BGd3/s640/IMG_5748.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Last fall I planted a few more heuchera -- actually <span style="color: #34271e; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21.255px;">gold zebra heucherella --</span><span style="color: #34271e; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.17px; line-height: 21.255px;"> </span>the lime and burgundy plants in the foreground. I was delighted when they reached out with these wispy white blooms, almost like exclamation points emerging from their core.<br />
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I try to limit the annuals in my garden because I have enough work caring for the perennials as it is, but I reliably plant coleus in many places each spring. Their hot, popping colors brighten any shady spot and bring an energy to the garden that I just love in our Texas summers.<br />
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My <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Cephalotaxus, </i>or<i> </i></span></span>Japanese plum yews, continue to thrive in the mostly shade areas of the front and side gardens. I love seeing the new growth arrive, heralded by the luscious lime foliage. I began using these in the garden about 3 years ago and they are tough as nails and satisfy my wish to have other conifers in the landscape.<br />
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This cardoon qualifies as a foliage favorite for sure. Fuzzy, spiny, and dusty, these leaves are always showing off in the garden.<br />
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This <i>Yucca aloifolia</i>, commonly known as Spanish Dagger or Bayonet, means serious business. Unlike the variegated 'bright edge' and 'color guard' yuccas that live in other parts of my garden, this guy's leaves are sword-like and quite dangerous to work around. This pup popped up when I had to move its momma several years ago because she was getting too tall for the front of the bed. Her little one is following in her footsteps, so this one may soon move to another bed behind the back fence.<br />
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My Persian shields never fully died back this winter, so they are already getting to be a nice size in the shade garden. Score!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Plectranthus amboinicus</i>, also known as Cuban Oregano, Mexican Mint, Spanish Thyme and Indian Mint, is a staple in my ornamental gardens. It is an herb and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. But I grow it for it's cool, textured and succulent leaves. Mature, it's about 18 inches tall and wide and makes a nice front of bed plant. It's an annual here, but can easily be propagated from cuttings, which is what I do. It's not a true mint - it's botanically closer to Swedish ivy, which I also grow for similar places in the garden.</span><br />
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Another fabulous variegated abelia. I'm kicking myself for not keeping the tag. I love that this one is creamy and mild, while the 'Twist of Lime' and 'Kaleidoscopes' I love are spicier -- with lime, bronze and reddish foliage.<br />
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Sparkler sedges are scattered throughout my garden. This winter I thought I'd lost one in the back, but it's coming back from the roots. Sadly, it has reverted and is coming up solid green.<br />
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I'm about to plant several more of these variegated dwarf firebushes for their hot, tropical color.<br />
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That's the foliage tour for today. What's your favorite foliage in the garden?Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-67143563606190600102016-05-15T17:36:00.002-05:002016-05-15T17:36:28.223-05:00Greening up the garden on Garden Bloggers Bloom DayAfter several gifts of much-needed rain this spring, the garden is beaming with delight. (As are the weeds, but that's another story.)<br />
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We barely saw winter this year, it made a few stops nearby, but never stayed long enough to qualify for a freeze at my house.<br />
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Having happily forgone dormancy, many plants in the garden are big and bursting with blooms well ahead of their traditional schedules. So here is a peek into my garden as I celebrate Garden Bloggers Bloom day, created by Carol of <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>.<br />
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This tropical hibiscus was never expected to make it through the winter - I planted two them knowing I'd probably have to replace them this spring, but low and behold, they are happily blooming again.<br />
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<i>Euphorbia</i> 'Ascot rainbow' against the backdrop of native prairie verbena.<br />
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Jerusalem sage, <i>Phlomis</i>, getting cozy with some <i>Salvia Greggii </i>in the front bed.<br />
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New additions to my shade garden last year, I added both solid yellow and fruit cocktail shrimp plant to the palette.<br />
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Purple and fuchsia dominate the end of the front bed. The irises in the foreground are done already, but they were a lovely lavender.<br />
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<i>Scuttelaria wrightii</i>, purple skullcap, enjoyed our warm spring and is trailing out into the walkway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6XJGxmSuadSRzttJNXzkyZxsndPmoz3w0bYhlQGuOEWpbrUMOb3Z5595xRENJ9-DErjNmMwED5p7z8j5SqWI09jvAid43xLtZ36KBZd8NS5TQCMGjAbk2COtiE727VWAoeG-DeKV2Vc/s1600/IMG_5788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6XJGxmSuadSRzttJNXzkyZxsndPmoz3w0bYhlQGuOEWpbrUMOb3Z5595xRENJ9-DErjNmMwED5p7z8j5SqWI09jvAid43xLtZ36KBZd8NS5TQCMGjAbk2COtiE727VWAoeG-DeKV2Vc/s640/IMG_5788.jpg" width="640" /></a>I replanted <i>Cleome</i> 'Senorita Rosalita' again this year where I had some holes in the front bed. It makes a nice contrast agains the sculptural foxtail ferns.</div>
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A tidy, low, mounding shrub, <i>Catmint '</i>Walker's Low,' is one of my favorites.<br />
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The <i>Salvia</i> 'Mexican limelight' on the right and back of this photo is only sporting a few blooms right now, but soon it will create a nice contrast against the yellow <i>Calylophus </i>in the front.<br />
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The butterflies homed right in on this native butterfly weed -- they knew I'd planted it just for them. (Along with dill, parsley, fennel and many other host/food plants.)<br />
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This explosion of four-nerve daisies came flying over from the bed on the other side of the driveway and clearly like where they landed!<br />
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More prairie verbena in driveway bed, set against the <i>Lantana</i> 'horrida,' -- purple and orange is one of my go-to color combos.<br />
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Early spring and much-needed rains also mean an early pruning season in the garden. I'm not quite as excited about that result.<br />
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Here, the <i>Jerusalem sage, Salvia greggii, Zexmenia, Mexican feather grass </i>and<i> Mexican honesuckle </i>are getting just a little too neighborly for my taste. I'm gonna have to go break up the fight out there this week!<br />
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I've twice tried to plant <i>Cardoon</i> in this bed with no success. This year, voila! This plant, put in last summer, overwintered well and is rewarding me with blooms.<br />
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I love its color and its beautiful, exotic form.<br />
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The cardoon, related to the artichoke, is enjoyed frequently in Mediterranean cuisine. It is grown primarily for its thick stalks, which can be braised, stewed or deep-fried. <br />
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I've also grown artichokes many times in the past, but usually let the chokes bloom instead of eating them. They are just too pretty to eat, in my opinion.<br />
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I think I'll try to cook a few of the stalks of this cardoon - just to see what it tastes like.<br />
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Most of my lantana is blooming throughout the garden. Purple trailing lantana is backed by <i>Loropetalum</i> 'ever red' in the front walkway bed.<br />
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I think this is <i>Lantana</i> 'cherry sunrise' on the side of the house. Unlike the native 'horrida' which can take over your garden - growing up to 6 feet wide and almost as tall - this cultivar is a very compact and orderly size of 2-3 feet wide.<br />
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The first of several rock roses began blooming this week. <i>Pavonia lasiopetala </i>is a tough native plant, but the deer find it tasty, so it has to live inside of the fence.<br />
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This daylily, 'grape magic' was ordered from Olallie Daylily Gardens when I created the daylily bed in 2008. It was advertised as an August bloomer. Just a tad early this year~!<br />
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This is Mexican flame vine, hard at work brightening up this section of fence.<br />
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These daylilies are not in the daylily bed, but out by the pool. I don't know the cultivar, and they look a little washed out in this photo - they are a very deep, velvety maroon color.<br />
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Just down the way in the pool bed, this Pride of Barbados has also begun to bloom, well in advance of its traditional August arrival.<br />
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Last year's addition to the pool bed was this <i>Iochroma</i> 'royal queen.' <br />
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I didn't realize how well it would do in this spot, so I'll have to keep pruning it. I might have to get a few more to put in other spots in the bed now that I've seen how much they like it.<br />
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<i>Clematis pitcheri </i>is crawling with delicate little blooms.<br />
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Although I like the bright blue larkspur the best, the white and pale blue are the most prominent in the cutting garden this spring.<br />
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<i>Leonotis leonurus</i>, lion's tail, 'carefree beauty' rose and <i>Salvia</i> 'indigo spires' are all blooming at once in the cutting garden.<br />
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Our recent rains have been good for these salvias. In times of drought, they really fade back.<br />
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Plenty of chow for pollinators in this garden!<br />
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I planted a few 4" pots of<i> Limonium sinuatum</i>, (statice) in the garden last month. After all, a cutting garden needs some of this bouquet staple, doesn't it?<br />
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The <i>Echinacea</i> reseed in this small spot and come back in droves, year after year.<br />
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Behind the pool, the transplanted <i>Salvia</i> 'Amistad' adapted very well and is bordered by yellow bulbine.<br />
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Behind our fence, the oleander I planted last year as a screen is doing its job. I will probably add a few more this year so we can start taking out some cedars.<br />
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The <i>Loropetalum</i> 'ever red' in the front bed makes a dramatic statement.<br />
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The Texas Yellow Star, or <i>Lindheimera texana</i> daisy, reseeded into my decomposed granite path and now towers above all of the other low-growers. It doesn't really matter, though, because the bluebonnets and wine cups have already taken over the entire path, so the yellow star can be right at home.<br />
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We may be in for an early, hot summer, but I'm ok with that since I've enjoyed so many beautiful early blooms in the garden. What's blooming in your garden today?Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-29821840694484743932016-04-03T11:41:00.000-05:002016-04-03T11:41:08.938-05:00Zilker Garden Festival is a must-see event...If you didn't get to the Zilker Garden Festival yesterday, you will have all day today to check out this fabulous annual Austin event.<br />
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We were there when the doors opened at 10 yesterday, wagons trailing and cash in our pockets, ready to enjoy the beautiful Zilker Botanical Garden setting of this festival. My parents and I have been going for the last 24 years - I only missed one of those for the flu. When Dustin was little, he would go with us and he and Dad would go off on their own and shop for a Mother's Day gift for me. We too Kallie with us when she was a toddler, too, but she's outgrown it now and the Mom and Dad and I love having this special time together.<br />
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It combines two of my favorite things -- gardening and shopping! <br />
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I bought plants, of course, and several other little garden goodies. I came home with some herbs - more Cuban oregano, lemongrass and lemon balm. I also added some beautiful hand-made pottery mushrooms to my collection, a teensy glass chicken and dog for the fairy garden, and some very cool and unusual succulents from East Austin Succulents. <br />
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After eating lunch down in the beer garden while listening to a live band, we wandered down to the lower part of the gardens, checking out the veggie demonstration gardens...<br />
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...the rose garden...<br />
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...and the shady garden path that winds back up the hill. We were wowed by this gorgeous brugmansia and the aloe bloom just in front of it.<br />
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Those are some beautiful, big blooms. Almost as big as Dad's head!<br />
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A little posing for the camera-toting daughter.<br />
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Ahhh, we finally made it back up the hill ... now it's time for a little rest by this peaceful pond.<br />
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We didn't check out the Hartman Prehistoric garden this year, since I was just there last month, but we did venture to the edge of the Japanese garden, which is where Jeff and I were married almost 14 years ago.<br />
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I also bought some beautiful cloth dinner napkins with bluebonnets and strawberries on them, a medium-sized Staghorn fern from the stunning It's About Thyme booth, and a begonia and an epiphyte and a lovely stretchy headband for keeping my hair out of my eyes during the serious gardening chores!<br />
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It's a gorgeous day today, if you're anywhere near the Austin area, you really should drop everything and head over there. One of my good blogging buddies even came from Louisiana to go to the Festival yesterday. It's the only fund raiser for the park, so drive, bike or walk, but get there. You have until 5:00 today!Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-40097969404072067452016-03-24T11:36:00.000-05:002016-03-24T11:36:10.744-05:00Garden Design Workshop full of DIY tips and techniques to create a beautiful landscape yourself...<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Don't miss my garden design class this Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30 for creative garden tips & techniques to help you transform your own garden. Comment now to register & I'll honor the pre-registration price of $199 at the door!</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>It's at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 4892 Highway 290 West, on the westbound 290 access road between Capitol of Texas Highway and Brodie Lane.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Come learn all about the basics -- plant combinations, color coordinating, xeric gardening and garden style. </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>We'll have drinks, snacks and prizes...and, most importantly, lots of inspiration!</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Hope to see you on Saturday.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-24994011277503345022016-03-23T21:43:00.001-05:002016-03-23T21:43:38.601-05:00Spring wildflowers make for a beautiful garden...Happy Wildflower Wednesday. Spring is in full force here in Central Texas. In fact, we've even had summer-like days already, getting up to 94 once or twice. We love our wildflowers, especially our Texas Bluebonnets. <br />
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I wanted to bring some of my pretty flowers - wildflowers, perennials and others, into the house to enjoy today, so I made a little bouquet for my small bluebonnet creamer pitcher.<br />
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Now, they aren't all wildflowers -- can you name everything in the vase? Give it your best shot!<br />
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Thanks to <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.clayandlimestone.com/2016/03/wildflower-wednesday-chrysogonum.html">Gail, of <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22.4px;">Clay and L</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22.4px;"><a href="http://www.clayandlimestone.com/2016/03/wildflower-wednesday-chrysogonum.html">imestone</a> ,who brings us our </span><a href="http://www.clayandlimestone.com/2010/02/wildflower-wednesdayback-to-beginning.html" style="background-color: white; color: blue; line-height: 22.4px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Wildflower Wednesday</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22.4px;"> celebration. WW is about sharing and celebrating wildflowers from all over this great big, beautiful world. Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22.4px;">Happy spring!</span></span>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-91082463186595826232016-03-20T15:28:00.000-05:002016-03-20T19:59:08.278-05:00Garden's blooms bursting thanks to mild winterWe didn't really have much of a winter this year. In spite of dire forecasts of a wetter and colder than average El Nino winter, it was a milder and drier than normal winter.<br />
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As a result, spring is spectacular in the garden this year. Some fall-blooming plants never even stopped blooming. <br />
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My ground orchids were zapped by the late freeze last year when their leaves were only 1/2 up out of the ground. <i>Bletilla striata </i>are deciduous orchids that come back reliably year after year. They are bulbous rhyzomes, and can have up to 10 flowers per stalk. I first saw them in my friend, Eleanor's, garden and fell in love with them. I started with 3 several years ago, and they are slowly starting the spread and fill in their space. They're special to me since I can't seem to grow orchids indoors.<br />
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But the mild winter hasn't been as fun for the hellebores. There are only a few of them blooming -- they really prefer to have cooler temperatures in the winter.<br />
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I've searched through all my receipts and records and can't match the names of the daffodils I've bought with this variety. Any ID suggestions? She's so pretty.<br />
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The Mexican bush sage is STILL blooming from last fall. Crazy.<br />
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These osteospermum are blooming again -- they are considered half-hardy perennials or sub shrubs, so this was the perfect year for them to show off.</div>
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The hideous bed (it's a long story!) is full of color. The homestead verbena create a bed of purple for this sculptural yucca. </div>
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The hot heads of Mexican honeysuckle are beginning to appear in the background of this cardoon -- a striking cousin of the artichoke.</div>
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Looks almost like a bursting firecracker, doesn't it? </div>
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I moved the Mexican pottery birdbath here and can't wait for the blue salvia 'limelight' to grow in and bloom behind it. In front are a few yellow Calylophus and to the left of the 'limelight' is an orange Tecoma stans 'bells of fire.' I think those hot colors will echo the pattern in the Talavera nicely. Here is what the <a href="http://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com/plant-this-esperanza-is-a-garden-showstopper/">'bells of fire' </a>looked like last summer.</div>
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This whale's tongue agave, 'ovatifolia,' has grown quite a bit since last year and it's growing on me. And, I don't have to cut out pups from around it every month!</div>
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One last little photo -- this gold zebra heucherella that I planted last fall has tiny, delicate blooms on it this morning. I didn't realize that they would bloom - I have a few others that have never bloomed in about 6 years. A sweet little garden surprise.</div>
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Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-71162648939101532702016-03-18T23:25:00.000-05:002016-03-18T23:25:45.735-05:00Finally, an owl in the owl box in the garden!I've watched the owlettes in their nest at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for many years. I've seen photos of owls and their owlettes on the blogs of several of my garden blogging friends and wished for a resident in our owl box. I put it up about two years ago, but I think it was too far into the wooded area and it was difficult for us to see it. So last year, we moved the box to what we hoped was a better spot.<br />
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Lo and behold, the other night at dusk, I thought I saw something in the entrance to the box. I corralled my family & my neighbors and we all quietly watched this beautiful animal. She (I'm assuming) just sat and watched us through her little eye slits, undisturbed by the activity below her.<br />
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Isn't she adorable?<br />
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Now we'll have to keep an eye out to see if there are some little ones in there with her.Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-24597509964704696562016-03-14T21:37:00.000-05:002016-04-08T11:51:59.266-05:00Wildflower Center bursting with beautiful spring blooms...For spring break this year we've decided to have a 'staycation' and do a little sightseeing right here in and around Austin. Today's tour took us to the <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center</a>, one of my favorite Austin garden destinations. Kallie couldn't remember any of our many visits there -- she was quite a bit younger the last time we were there. And Jeff said he'd never been.<br />
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Our timing was good -- owlettes are nesting at the entrance right now. The owls nest there every year, and sometimes you're lucky enough to get a glimpse of them. <br />
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I didn't capture it with my camera, but I did see one owl up there in the corner. <br />
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Some sight lines in the garden are wide open, and some are peek-a-boo cute.<br />
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The plants at the Center are drought tolerant natives, but several water features help add depth and a cooling element to the gardens.<br />
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I love how they designed an oversized arc with these yuccas in the granite.<br />
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The family garden offers a plethora of areas just waiting for hands-on adventures like this mosaic wall -- a maze and seating/balancing bean all in one!<br />
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The mosaic tile artwork intermingled with the natural limestone rock reminds me of the work of Antoni Gaudi, whose amazing structures we saw in Spain several years ago. <br />
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It's not really hilly at the Wildflower Center, but these beautiful rocks simulate a cliffside, teaming with more yuccas.<br />
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And what would a children's garden be without ample hide and seek nooks and crannies?</div>
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I wonder what's through that arch?<br />
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This scorching-hot swath of orange is brought to you by globe mallows. Their hot orange color lights up this bed, tempered only by the soft grey-green of their foliage.<br />
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Mexican feather grasses and cacti join the party.<br />
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Notice how the peach and terra cotta colors in the stones echo the plant blooms?<br />
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Another view of the top of the rock ridge with yuccas.<br />
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This is the event pavilion in the children's garden.<br />
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Who wouldn't be enticed to follow these mysterious dinosaur tracks?<br />
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The tunnel leads under the waterfall where a window lets you peer out through the streaming water.<br />
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Are the cranes about to step gingerly onto the rock path?<br />
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The family garden is also filled with wonderful places to climb and hide.<br />
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More of Mother Nature's sculptures.<br />
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Another water feature provides the bubbling background music for the chirping birds.<br />
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There's something to learn in each segment of the demonstration garden.<br />
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The tangerine crossvine creates a stunning pop of color on this limestone wall.<br />
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More demonstration garden displays.<br />
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I always enjoy seeing the turtles sunning themselves at the entrance pond. It's the perfect spot to get a tan!<br />
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Terra cotta pots line the entry walkway, and seem to say, "y'all come back now, ya hear" as you walk out. We sure will!</div>
Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-70993891433041590652016-03-08T14:46:00.003-06:002016-03-08T14:46:48.290-06:00Daffodils make the spring garden delightful ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When pressed, I'd say daffodils are my favorite flowers. and now they peek out at me from amongst their close neighbors, the quince flowers.</div>
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But then I'd say, though I'm truly in love with Japanese Quince, too. Harbingers of spring, they are both the first blooms to grace my garden each year when the sun starts to warm things up. My quince has grown quite a bit since I first planted these 'double Campernelle' daffodils several years ago, and now they peek out at me from amongst their very close neighbors, the quince flowers.<br />
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This is the first of the 'jet fire' to bloom this year.<br />
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I believe this one is called 'ice follies,' according to my sales receipt.<br />
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I planted several of these last year, and lovingly labeled them. Sadly, the copper labels didn't hold the Sharpie permanent marker and so now I have to guess which ones went where. I can't seem to figure out which one this is. Any ideas?<br />
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I just had to have these glass flowers when I saw them at the store. Now I have daffs in my garden year-round!</div>
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These are the 'double campernelle' that are so frilly. They are heirlooms and date back to the 1600s.<br />
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Finally, the sweet, short daffodils, Tete-a-tetes, that make perky little clusters all through my garden.<br />
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I should have blown away the piles of oak leaves surrounding them, but you're seeing them as they are in the garden naturally, warts and all!Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-6586040100749522962016-02-21T20:36:00.001-06:002016-02-21T20:36:18.040-06:00Mountain laurels about to release their great grape scent ...Last year's Mountain Laurel buds at my house were slow to develop and then succumbed to an ice storm on February 28th. In 2010, we didn't see the blooms until March 15th. In 2009, they began opening their buds on February 18th. So, it wasn't a total surprise to find a few single buds open this weekend on February 20th. <br />
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The branches are all heavy with buds -- most of them will wait a little before unfurling their precious purple leaves, but the parade is about to begin.<br />
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Grow, my little grape delights, grow!</div>
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We're waiting for you!<br />
<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-48889867840566933202016-02-05T08:38:00.000-06:002016-02-05T08:38:05.346-06:00Winter is planning season in the gardenWe've had such a mild winter here in Central Texas - we haven't even had an official freeze yet at our house. A few plants have been affected by close-to-freezing temps. (Though some other gardnerers in cooler spots around the city have had one or two brief dips to or just below 32.)<br />
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It even hit 88 degrees last weekend, and I welcomed it complete with shorts, sunscreen, big hat and a few much-needed breaks inside to avoid what truly felt like heat stroke. It was January, for goodness sake!<br />
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I'd been sketching out a few ideas for changing beds -- vowing to treat my own garden with the same care that I give to design clients. Than means I need to tame some overgrown plants, move some others to better locations and add in some more evergreen color to create a cohesive design.<br />
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The bed in front of the garage did well last year, but I'd neglected to prune back the pale pavonia right in front of the window. Last fall I moved the purple-blooming salvia 'Amistad' in front of the pavonia - they were small and leggy in their previous spot. Well, they REALLY liked this bed - so much that they grew even bigger than the pavonias behind them. Gorgeous, but unruly and completely out of scale. Pavonias: chop. Salvia 'Amistad:' move. Dianella: add.<br />
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They looked beautiful against the Senorita Rosalita cleome I planted in front of them, but they soon grew OVER the cleomes and the yarrow and tried to accost guest walking down the sidewalk! They will now look beautiful in the bed at the corner of the house now -- I hope! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIvVn8tPYcf_-1XbUvDEmFj90iFc8qPb83jTmIiGb2J62SSO3sTX8dESwyr3PxO-u4_2oovzi1-VdhyphenhyphenILOywgSSqSlmCcWK8coysiIgpsyinNyAizCH9lVZTCsn_oF7TRhGQoc4D0JUY/s1600/IMG_7346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIvVn8tPYcf_-1XbUvDEmFj90iFc8qPb83jTmIiGb2J62SSO3sTX8dESwyr3PxO-u4_2oovzi1-VdhyphenhyphenILOywgSSqSlmCcWK8coysiIgpsyinNyAizCH9lVZTCsn_oF7TRhGQoc4D0JUY/s640/IMG_7346.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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After a trip to the candy store -- well, really, <a href="https://www.viverogrowers.com/">Vivero</a> Growers -- I found some beautiful new plants to complete my design. I added in a third variegated dianella and put in several Loropetalum 'cabernet' to provide more evergreen color in the bed. I left one 'Amistad' in between the pavonias and I promise I will keep it pruned down just a bit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlADdRWvJGN8NWpoImLsjydzWFC0mQ9cGc5QL9LM1y7FjhXB6_Gle9ovH6GO6n_vPi1tHygAb-DYEJjCRzW9V_3qTkUfQJJBstFzsISHas_t1quBtm918Epd4ixTPUMejfo-dPHRhqgRQ/s1600/IMG_7343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlADdRWvJGN8NWpoImLsjydzWFC0mQ9cGc5QL9LM1y7FjhXB6_Gle9ovH6GO6n_vPi1tHygAb-DYEJjCRzW9V_3qTkUfQJJBstFzsISHas_t1quBtm918Epd4ixTPUMejfo-dPHRhqgRQ/s640/IMG_7343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
A stunning Japanese maple, Acer palatum var. dissectum 'Tamukeyama,' went in toward the house, where an 'Edward Goucher' abelia came out. To echo the burgundy colors, I added a few more Ajuga 'black scallop' around the dianella. The maple has deep red bark and delicate weeping branches. The leaves are very fine. I can't wait to see it bud out. It will only get early morning sun in this spot and will be protected by the house. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlXU05XAtm2ZlybNFxyXij5N0bPcEgYedw65nRIN6w8VBVWyoANKJ3m79F4q_TbdmGeeZPW11sKaFlFck2odYIhIbEwvIn7NhdONmxGpUXwRRNXMUxiwiwma_ip2BW6QHxNLEsPEq-3U/s1600/IMG_7347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlXU05XAtm2ZlybNFxyXij5N0bPcEgYedw65nRIN6w8VBVWyoANKJ3m79F4q_TbdmGeeZPW11sKaFlFck2odYIhIbEwvIn7NhdONmxGpUXwRRNXMUxiwiwma_ip2BW6QHxNLEsPEq-3U/s640/IMG_7347.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4UnTn3g_imocLdeopBG-Zq4CpH924KJfXzLZoQ7lYw8XYI_wAPUIkYBUsfoAq4kCk1d7cSTSJGjplaqB1nLFN4PaRxz6MaI2XepMxn__LS1sZQv2CsNiObBZEFphQGV_E2H7xNWpb0s/s1600/IMG_7348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4UnTn3g_imocLdeopBG-Zq4CpH924KJfXzLZoQ7lYw8XYI_wAPUIkYBUsfoAq4kCk1d7cSTSJGjplaqB1nLFN4PaRxz6MaI2XepMxn__LS1sZQv2CsNiObBZEFphQGV_E2H7xNWpb0s/s640/IMG_7348.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
The deciduous tree in front of the new maple came out - it's a Caesalpinia gillesii, or often called by one of its common names, Yellow Bird of Paradise. It needed a drier bed - so I relocated it across the driveway to a sunnier spot with tougher conditions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0c31WUvrs_8Ty0NkcneuESyZw195rr2p-sUmH63mrAFU5AyTWDF1cqh_-xuHlAS7xYBLkMYDiJW-ocksr29n64bfxq_piFWFUKYYoDV4U5US_YXsZLm9nAHQM01XEiJhI1LPdHtpsWw/s1600/IMG_7349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0c31WUvrs_8Ty0NkcneuESyZw195rr2p-sUmH63mrAFU5AyTWDF1cqh_-xuHlAS7xYBLkMYDiJW-ocksr29n64bfxq_piFWFUKYYoDV4U5US_YXsZLm9nAHQM01XEiJhI1LPdHtpsWw/s640/IMG_7349.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And here you see my favorite shovel -- I bought it at Red Barn and it has a nice foothold for pushing down on and the handle makes it easier to get some oomph into your motion!<br />
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I haven't re-mulched after adding in some Geo Growers thunder dirt to the bed -- I'm still debating whether or not I want to plant some seeds in here in a few carefully selected spots. <br />
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Because I'm a plant collector, I don't always follow my own design rules (or even loose guidelines) if I've found some wonderful new plant that HAS to get squeezed in somewhere. I also suffer from the guilt of getting rid of plants that aren't working. Thank goodness I know so many other gardeners and garden bloggers who might have the perfect spot for things. BTW - Austin garden bloggers, I still have that nice 5 gallon-sized rock rose that came out of this been and needs a home - it's about 2-1/2 - feet tall, but the deer keep eating it outside of the fence and I don't have a place for it inside of the fence...first comment, first come and get it!<br />
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What are you sketching for your spring garden?<br />
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<br />Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-33966195030034413312016-01-27T21:30:00.000-06:002016-01-27T21:30:29.246-06:00Join me for my Spring Landscape Design Workshop in Austin...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JBtK1eH7hIXEx1jhuun2E0RqVZ4JnwpkfMTbymMybhgv7L-YfcfHWpLx2_hoacB64Yqzsx2B1DcasK9Ffl31J00XlDzvJ1eX5RQdFeZXy4pGtGzpEspIcjyq4f8nIIT7d-fe3YHrcFw/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JBtK1eH7hIXEx1jhuun2E0RqVZ4JnwpkfMTbymMybhgv7L-YfcfHWpLx2_hoacB64Yqzsx2B1DcasK9Ffl31J00XlDzvJ1eX5RQdFeZXy4pGtGzpEspIcjyq4f8nIIT7d-fe3YHrcFw/s640/IMG_1562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>SPRING GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP </b>-- Thinking about making changes to your landscape this year? Well, NOW is the time to start planning. Whether you’re just making adjustments to your landscape or you’re ready for some serious refreshing or expansion, understanding the basics of garden design will give you a roadmap to ensure beautiful results.</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will be hosting a 4-hour Garden Design Workshop in Austin in March and would love for you to join me. In this exciting 4-hour clas<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">s, you’ll learn:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">• the principles and elements of landscape design,</span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">• how to assess your current landscape’s strengths and shortcomings,</span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">• which native and adapted plants to use to create 8 specific garden styles:</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /> Southwest Desert</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Texas Native</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Cottage</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Formal</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Asian</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Contemporary</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Mediterranean</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> Tropical</span><br /><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span>• and how to design a landscape – including drawing a sample plan with my personal review of your design ideas.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
If you're interested in taking the class, please leave me a comment with your contact info and I will contact you with the registration information and the workshop cost. </div>
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Details are still being finalized -- date and location will be announced next week based on number of participants, so let me know if you'd like to attend.</div>
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If you know someone else who might be interested, please feel free to pass along the information.</div>
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Hope to see you soon!</div>
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Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327638960016684551.post-82722094069511972016-01-22T22:05:00.001-06:002016-01-23T14:37:50.464-06:00Winter is time to plan spring hardscape projects...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYmNFtAZB-AmP13Qi3X0_oU8aIwRc1eEwHq30QaSEgb03UwYYbA6zatrA6V_VeyVlf4JYsm2dopM4WVCgLxpZMaNmXo9bAQkiY8Xx2vjuwsMwErAyfJ_0N-7KkYSlXV3whPWLCn36T7Y/s1600/IMG_4640.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYmNFtAZB-AmP13Qi3X0_oU8aIwRc1eEwHq30QaSEgb03UwYYbA6zatrA6V_VeyVlf4JYsm2dopM4WVCgLxpZMaNmXo9bAQkiY8Xx2vjuwsMwErAyfJ_0N-7KkYSlXV3whPWLCn36T7Y/s640/IMG_4640.jpg" width="492" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Now that winter is keeping us out of the garden, what's a gardener to do? That's easy -- plan. Plan for all the big ideas you'd like to turn into reality once spring planting fever hits. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It's the perfect time to start planning structural hardscape changes in your
landscape.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today, our landscapes are becoming extensions of our homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bring us outdoors, in rooms and areas
that provide entertaining space, room for kids and pets to play, or maybe a quiet
reading nook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvGwxotFCrSjHhvLwU4_RLwx7rsWRCewonWWt_5ZmMhjTTtyVfsD1tiEKYO64zGEEoY2m3KxZyiQMEcw5JmM1DBMZ-7wIqsSCSd2fqgRFatcOe9fHI5mA1Ert2ikautED7d_qtXJjtts/s1600/IMG_7603.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvGwxotFCrSjHhvLwU4_RLwx7rsWRCewonWWt_5ZmMhjTTtyVfsD1tiEKYO64zGEEoY2m3KxZyiQMEcw5JmM1DBMZ-7wIqsSCSd2fqgRFatcOe9fHI5mA1Ert2ikautED7d_qtXJjtts/s640/IMG_7603.JPG" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Where to start? Ask yourself -- was your
patio too small for entertaining last year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you, or your dogs, wear a dirty path in the grass to get from area
to area?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do you just want to remove
some grass, water a little less or solve a drainage problem with a dry creek?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbg-bBduFLsImXfQNYZRkS3jRyeBEHFTbQ06v3VR7wz_wxR-sIrJnfD69-OzBYnOhD3R0-Kbmbn-7Bu49BlFxyCHEK4L4TV_mJs_SFhnCIYbLtx4bTuXeERAL58ge6UtkScYMHtzmIuY/s1600/IMG_2423+-+Version+3.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbg-bBduFLsImXfQNYZRkS3jRyeBEHFTbQ06v3VR7wz_wxR-sIrJnfD69-OzBYnOhD3R0-Kbmbn-7Bu49BlFxyCHEK4L4TV_mJs_SFhnCIYbLtx4bTuXeERAL58ge6UtkScYMHtzmIuY/s640/IMG_2423+-+Version+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ask
yourself some preliminary questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First,
consider your personal style – are you traditional, natural or contemporary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about the existing area – do you want
to use the same material as your house or other structures, or do you want
something different? Identify whether you’d prefer creating a color contrast
color or seamless hues of a single color.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9An6CsXQ9LmZf-ksa4fvW1O86MHlQULdcAKWBcMMm8GkRa9tWqxhWslujftNakmz6EwiX7xRGkIXJ5FgIV6LLkTFyAZQszC2ggzgygeLmmxIAvxZSTCi4Vd_7cxuaKI1S4N70R20c6k8/s1600/IMG_8425.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9An6CsXQ9LmZf-ksa4fvW1O86MHlQULdcAKWBcMMm8GkRa9tWqxhWslujftNakmz6EwiX7xRGkIXJ5FgIV6LLkTFyAZQszC2ggzgygeLmmxIAvxZSTCi4Vd_7cxuaKI1S4N70R20c6k8/s640/IMG_8425.JPG" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Consider
the type of material best suited to your project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stone is sold by the ton -- decomposed
granite by the yard -- your local landscape supply yards can help you determine
how much you’ll need based on your measurements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some of the choices that are
commonly used for hardscape projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Flagstone</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Can be used for a variety of
landscaping projects, from paths to patios and walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be mortared into place or simply set
in decomposed granite or gravel so it remains permeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wondering what to do with the sidewalk strip
in front of your house where the grass is perpetually dying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider some attractive flagstone set in
decomposed granite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want a softer
look, add a few Mexican feather grasses or a few small agaves or a boulder or
two for interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V0JwVyrPShvnwX5_-_ekYip-eoxhyphenhypheneo-ZSzGXXnhkaWj9LHLlFceEWpuDYol3XrbAx94Sl_bK3PgYcHREjik2dNgCETQmX_b86bSmrjspNv_EzxGRdABB3krhOqq42tgoVmh6FUomv0/s1600/IMG_8492.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V0JwVyrPShvnwX5_-_ekYip-eoxhyphenhypheneo-ZSzGXXnhkaWj9LHLlFceEWpuDYol3XrbAx94Sl_bK3PgYcHREjik2dNgCETQmX_b86bSmrjspNv_EzxGRdABB3krhOqq42tgoVmh6FUomv0/s640/IMG_8492.jpg" width="408" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">River Rock</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Available in a variety of size
ranges, river rock is smooth and comes in a blend of colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be used to create a meandering dry
stream through your landscape or to solve drainage issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also simply replace grass with an
attractive contrast of natural material in your yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be used to puddle below a water
feature or a birdbath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always be sure to
vary the size of the rock in a dry creek, scattering in the larger rocks
before you put down the smaller size for a more natural look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbZSlGOZvTBrKmqrkWgrA3eKlNdsplKiHHo2yQdQeTN9BCpjLWIcpBNOGQNmHsRkBMFqtG0aVRsINvuUZ8eCK_vZBQRnkHe-wXmKWL89PRfkdzmtjvPg3ZD8mX9ytDLCu7CNwdTEU8wE/s1600/IMG_5646.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbZSlGOZvTBrKmqrkWgrA3eKlNdsplKiHHo2yQdQeTN9BCpjLWIcpBNOGQNmHsRkBMFqtG0aVRsINvuUZ8eCK_vZBQRnkHe-wXmKWL89PRfkdzmtjvPg3ZD8mX9ytDLCu7CNwdTEU8wE/s640/IMG_5646.jpg" width="480" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pavers</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Man-made pavers come in very
imaginable color and size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
commonly used are made of concrete and can be used for patios and porches,
paths and even walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be laid
on a bed of sand, placed close together for a more manicured look, or can be
laid with spacing to allow for either grass or pretty little ground covers to
grow between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pavers create a more
manicured, formal style in outdoor rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUchWsILLSsPIxX-HY5DlHDh-sKkBPnw80T4No2eP-XhKvziAtklldQaiVQFhK5CbUOY90ydBbalS273SB80hbqbaJpHI9bBShZ0kOe6ZoivCTdiVGPSe3XAEZAVsfoaTJNYAuaXzctM/s1600/IMG_8439.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUchWsILLSsPIxX-HY5DlHDh-sKkBPnw80T4No2eP-XhKvziAtklldQaiVQFhK5CbUOY90ydBbalS273SB80hbqbaJpHI9bBShZ0kOe6ZoivCTdiVGPSe3XAEZAVsfoaTJNYAuaXzctM/s640/IMG_8439.JPG" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Decomposed or crushed granite</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Weathered granite that has broken
down into small pieces and particles of silt, DG is commonly used in patios,
paths and even beds with arid plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s versatile as a filler for many different projects – just be careful
not to use it on a steep hill – our periodic gully washers can wreak havoc with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll want to make sure to use some
sort of edging – metal or stone – to keep the granite in place and separated
from grass or beds adjacent to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gravel – </span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Available in many different colors
and sizes, gravel is a great material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can work wonders to help with small drainage issues and it adds
texture and contrast to the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because it is larger, when used in a path, it is less likely to wash
away than decomposed granite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1wJT_rTnf_GZvrRekYh665PYT54SWuEb1VsmubZvag9sL5uc1OhO0BpxpgskYR4lLr98cbE_T6tgGk86eXmP04oZ74dZrPsp7RgAnIV7D_1gqwlWqPN2IrnQwShPCgDAYGH-R1t0mvo/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1wJT_rTnf_GZvrRekYh665PYT54SWuEb1VsmubZvag9sL5uc1OhO0BpxpgskYR4lLr98cbE_T6tgGk86eXmP04oZ74dZrPsp7RgAnIV7D_1gqwlWqPN2IrnQwShPCgDAYGH-R1t0mvo/s640/IMG_2810.JPG" width="640" /></a></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chopped block</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> – Most stone can be purchased as a
rough-hewn brick-like shape that is more natural in form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are used to build retaining walls,
benches, planting beds or pathway borders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">River rock,
flagstone, chopped block and other stones come in specific palettes of color –
Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico – are some of the choices you can
find around Austin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From golds to browns
and reds or grays and pinks, the right hues in your garden can be like a fresh
coat of paint in your house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you are
creating paths or dry streams, remember to use long, sweeping curves to provide
flow and make your garden more natural and inviting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Adding
different types of material to you landscape can make it interesting and
inviting – creating contrast and texture that enhance your garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7KiDwdsgc2-K7XkmYE_pH30WC0tTzmcnjPJqWIvyZ5y1AtBO3Km8yiwUlDzLu0oafC8TUS6bMymBimzn4-5bjICRMBg75iQADvfWsz5WqkaKb27IoVQ8SXWvXTkMoT5TN73xPv12Hk4/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7KiDwdsgc2-K7XkmYE_pH30WC0tTzmcnjPJqWIvyZ5y1AtBO3Km8yiwUlDzLu0oafC8TUS6bMymBimzn4-5bjICRMBg75iQADvfWsz5WqkaKb27IoVQ8SXWvXTkMoT5TN73xPv12Hk4/s640/IMG_8279.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are all landscape design projects I created. For more ideas and information, go to <a href="http://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com/">Diana's Designs </a>and see other projects.</div>
Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com6