flowers
Spring Flowers Abound
This spring in Central Texas is the most colorful that we have had in years. Not only are there greater numbers and a larger variety of wildflowers this year, they are also much larger and more deep in color than I have ever seen. Every day brings new discoveries and more brilliant displays. We have lots of the usual suspects blooming now, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, four-nerve daisies, huisache-daisies, celestials, and blue-eyed grass, but we also have a couple of types that I have not seen before on our land.
It took me a bit to identify this plant as a blue pimpernel (Anagallis monellii), because I had never heard of a blue pimpernel before. We have scarlet pimpernel in many places, but never a blue one, so we dug this one up and transplanted it into the raised bed gardens. Hopefully I will be able to collect seeds from it so I can cultivate more of it. It is really a lovely little plant.
Blue Pimpernel (Anagallis monellii)
This Texas yellow star (Lindheimera texana) was also a new discovery. It looks great alongside the bluebonnets and paintbrushes.
Texas Yellow Star (Lindheimera texana)
I also spotted a skullcap yesterday. I used to see these all the time here, but not lately, so it was good to see one again.
Skullcap
Flowers are also plentiful in our courtyard this year. These gardens were installed over the past two years and are starting to fill in and mature nicely now. All the rain we have had has really sped the growth of these plants. The cross vine is brilliant on the trellis, and the red knock out rose hedge is actually starting to look like a hedge. The perennial bed that runs the length of the front of the house is even prettier than I imagined it would be. I love the combination of the winecups, four-nerve daisies, Spanish lavender, and scarlet penstemmon, and when the pink Fairy roses and the pink gaura start to bloom this bed will be a real eye-catcher.
View of Crossvine on the Trellis
View of the Knock Out Rose Bed
View of the Knock Out Rose Bed
View of the Full Courtyard
View of Perennial Bed
There are volunteer Laura Bush pentunias all over the place, as well as South African pearl daisies and all manner of violas, all adding to the riot of color in the courtyard now. The purple clematis at the front porch entrance is simply amazing this year, and it looks so nice with the garden sage blooming at its feet.
Entrance to the Courtyard
Clematis Bed
Clematis Close Up
The down side of all of this blooming is the pollen. Boy is it a killer this year.
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Everything looks beautiful! I love the crossvine, it makes such a big statement.
Hi Tina – thanks for the compliment & for stopping by my site. The crossvine is amazing isn’t it? I just planted them last spring, and already they are one of the most impressive features in the courtyard. This crossvine is Tangerine Beauty, and it managed the heat and drought (with some irrigation) last summer without a hitch. It blooms sporadically all summer & is evergreen, so provides winter interest in the courtyard. I absolutely love it!
I stopped by your blog – so creative! You are very talented.
Cheers – Carol
Wow! Loved the post! I loved everything! Your use of rock and a natural planting scheme that looks amazing! My mom lives in Del Rio and I live in Alpine and it is fun to see ideas that we can implement in our gardens! Have a great day and please post more!
Kelsey – so glad you like our garden. As I’m sure you and your mother know, gardening in the arid parts of Texas can be a real challenge. I even have trouble growing cactus here…. Thanks for taking the time to share your comments with me. ~ Carol