April 22 , 2010
Integrating native plants; Wildflower garden tour preview; overgrown shrubs, fixing heavy soil
Although I get some of my first gardening lesson at theLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’soriginal location , my garden is not all native . or else , it ’s a coaction of cultural background , where columbine bring together my sentimental “ Joan ’s pink poppy . ”
I ’m grateful we rescued a few aboriginal spiderworts ( Tradescantia gigantea ) from the creek when it was being ravage .
We ’re captivated that seeds we ’ve thrown back have choose hold . We ’ll serve their brook bank self - sow with ones we collect from the garden . Now that they ’re prolific , I move their progeny to attend blank spots leave alone by winter - dormant turks cap and other sleepy-eyed wintertime perennials .
My Mutabilis uprise is n’t aboriginal , but it ’s as enduring as “ wild flower ” pink evening primrose , and provide the problem - free screen I need on a chain - liaison fencing in semi - sunshine .
Beneath them , nativeGeum canadense(white avens ) encompass the solid ground .
I allow I have n’t studied enough , but I get laid that many of the aboriginal plant life I bring to my garden are n’t aboriginal to east Austin clay . And some of them are hybrid , where nature and nursery met . But every plant I bring family must be suited to my web site .
One is Byzantine gladiola , an heirloom that ’s happily multiplied from a few tiny passalong corms .
Long ago , I establish up on natives that are most content in bouldery ground . Last yr , I did ramp up up decay granite mounds in the cat cove to strain blackfoot daisy once again . One made it . It ’s join by South AfricanPelargonium sidoides , long - established aboriginal winecups , blue - eyed grass , and oregano so vigorous that it ’s easy to divest for dinner party . Bunnies Harvey & Gaby love it , too , to add to their indoor dinner party bill of fare ( since the dandelion are gone for now ) .
At the front of the computed tomography cove , here ’s white winecup .
In many spots among wintertime dormant perennials , I ’ve tucked inFreesia laxa , a South African lightbulb that naturalizes for us . Here , aster now flank its spidery foliation . Non - native artemesia peeks over for a look .
In the front porch bed , Salvia greggii joins silver germander , aquilegia , and Gulf coast penstemon ( Penstemon tenuis ) .
Beyond isYucca recurvifolia . There ’s also nativeBerlandiera lyrata , chocolate flower .
Since many of us of us are in the same boat : wanting natives but also other unfearing plant , see how others have created a collaboration on this year’sLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Gardens on Tour . This weekon CTG , Tom play with horticulturist Andrea DeLong - Amaya to give you a prevue of these diverse and fascinating gardens .
Mark your calendar forMay 8 to amass ideas and take on the gardenersin soul to see how they did it .
On our garden visit , you ’ll mention a few rainwater splotch on the television camera lens . for feature Roxanne and Ira Yates ’ Garden on Tour in time for CTG , we lead out in March . And would n’t you get laid it . That was the sidereal day we had cold pouring rainwater for hours . Roxanne kindly loan us a garbage bag and a heavy towel to reenforce Ed ’s camera protection .
This land restitution , designed by Jennifer Schaffer , beautifully unites gardens and the wildlife habitat that the Yates are renewing . I ’m actually happy we taped early , so you’re able to see the social organisation that guard away in winter with the hope of flourish to come . I trust this is an significant concept for us to comprehend : to follow the season , respecting each one in its own single beauty .
draw bush out of control?We thank Rebecca , who sent in this picture of overgrown elaeagnus that came with her “ new ” house . Daphne excuse how to look at with this unwashed situation , just asking for burglars , you just have it off it .
And I ’m square up to get hold a post for Daphne ’s plant life of the week , Mexican olive ( Cordia boissieri ) . I first fell for it when visitingJill Nokes ’ garden . This one is just up the street from me , so it handles heavy dirt .
Since many spectator have also askedhow to better intemperate soil , this weekJohn Dromgooleexplains how to do it .
Watch online anytime , since I know you ’re as crazy interfering in the garden mighty now as I am !
Until next week , Linda
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