by February 27, 2023
Freeze-damaged aloe vera (Spotted Aloe) may have lost most of their fleshy arms, but check this out: they’re sending up flower spikes for spring anyway. Go, Alos, go!
Here’s another one with just a few “limbs” but look at the shape of that flower spike. These plants are so overgrown that I should replace them with pups stored in the garage. But I have no heart. They are trying hard.
We put up a new fence along the east-side property line last week. The old fence lasted about 14 years, but it was leaning and rotting. We followed the trend and went with a horizontal-board fence this time.
The stock tank is fully planted with Ursula’s variegated whale’s tongue agave (recovered from December’s deep freeze and then rerooted from its pot), plus lots of oxblood lily bulbs and a few rain lilies, due soon. A unified field of silver ponyfoot…
…and a dash of color from native four-nerved daisies (Tetraneuris scaposa) and winecup (Callirho involucrata)
The stock tank gets significantly more sunlight since the ice storm took away a bunch of large limbs on the live oaks. It’s easier to be okay with it, when the temperature is mild(ish). More sun, more flowers after all. I hope I feel the same way this summer.
I love this time of year in the garden. All the promise of spring is in the air, even if reminders of last season still linger a bit. Here’s to new beginnings, which is what gardening is always about.
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dig deep
Plan to join Budding Plant Sale and Festival March 18 at John Fairy Gardens in Hempstead, TX. There will be rare and unique plants, as well as art, ceramics, jewelry, food, drink, music and other entertainment for the whole family. Members have early access and get free. Non-member admission is $5. Children under 12 are free.
Experience a surreal garden at the Zilkar Botanical Garden, with an enchanting neon-art display throughout the park, food and drink, music and dance, surreal performers and interactive art sculptures. Surreal costumes are encouraged! 25% of event proceeds benefit the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy. April 6 (VIP Night), April 7-8 and April 13-15 runs from 6:30pm to 11pm.
Learn about garden design from the experts here Garden Spark! I host private talks with inspiring designers, landscape architects, and writers several times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance. Just click on this link and ask to be added. You can find this year’s speaker lineup here.
All material © 2023 by Pam Penick for Excavation. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
