Texas Dawn

In the heat and drought of this summer in Texas, Cindy and I traveled to San Angelo for my eldest sons wedding. As you can see from the image below it was so hot and dry the prickly pear cacti were even shriveling from the lack of aqua.

Some of you have seen the images I photographed in the serene setting of Cristoval Vineyards and Winery.  But, when I was there I also visited the International Waterlily Collection on my way home, almost as an afterthought. Cindy asked me where I was going after we left the hotel, probably wondering what wild gardening goose chase are we on now! "Do you know we have 500 miles to drive?" In other words I got the look. "Well, honey I want to visit the world famous International Water Lily Collection" I replied matter of factually.

  I got the look again 

Well after we finally got there, we both enjoyed it immensely. (At least I think I/we did? Didn't you honey?)  Seriously it was a pleasant surprise.

I'm sure many of the Texas bloggers have given previous posts about this little gem of a public park so I won't go into a full blown description. Below is a link to a pdf file describing the exhibition.

History of the International Water Lily Collection, San Angelo, Texas. 

 This blog post title was derived from a video about the 'Texas Dawn' water lilly created at the San Angelo park which in April 2011 was selected as the official waterlily plant of Texas. Interesting video.

Since this visit was in early October the lily's were in  full bloom. I won't show all the photos but a few of the high points.

Tropical lily pads.

immutabulus

 Rhonda Kay

St.Louis Marmorata

Texas shell pink? I think

Blue Cloud

Awesome flowers! Some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Well, I'm getting the look, time to wander back home.

Chillin' GBBD

As I wander through the gardens (or is it wonder) to find a bloom for this January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post my mind starts wondering (or is it wandering?).  Earth to Greg. It must me wandering. Winter has returned to more normalcy this past couple of weeks here in the Flint Hills of Kansas. I think the only difference this year is the lack of the wet stuff, mainly snow. I have enjoyed a few days to work on my new garden room project this winter. However, with my advancing age my stamina suddenly deteriorates at a rapid rate when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. So I haven't progressed as much as needed. Maybe some of you can understand that. And as always this "time" of the month involves sharing with gardeners from around the world your garden blooms (or your spent blooms as I have). Go and visit Carol at May Dream Gardens to link up and view other peoples gardens. Thanks Carol.

Johnny' Jumpin. My only true bloom in the garden. These plants actually made the cover of the local paper, the front page no less. Why you say. The news was that many people were commenting throughout the community that plants were "budding" and growing because of all the warmer temperatures.

Where would winter interest be without a little yarrow for tomorrow. Weak huh? I told you I was wondering or wandering?

Or is your little blue's riddle due?

Or is golden more holding to your needs?

 Or is silver more your style?

Somethings eating those Echinacea seeds.

Foreground lightning on Viburnum 'Blue Muffin'

Background lighting on same plant.

Echinancea seed head with Artemesia foliage.

And Spring is closer than you think......

 

My Favorite Images from 2011

While reading my favorite gardening blogs these last few days I came upon Les's Tidewater Garden post on his favorite photos of the last year. At the time I thought what a great idea that would be. Today I read Pam at Diggings post on the same subject matter as well. Pam also added a commentary on why she blogs and how magical this fellowship of gardening bloggers has become. I definitely agree with her!
So Les, you challenged us to present our favorites so here goes:

Mellow Yellow. The bright colors of Rudbeckia 'Endless Summer' with Achillea 'Terra Cotta' and the wonderful texture of Stipa tenuissima really make the summer garden 'pop'.

Another summer garden photo from the corner hell strip. Stipa, Achillea 'Coronation Gold', Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster', Penstemon 'Red Rocks' and Agastache.

North Platte River near Pathfinder Reservoir in Wyoming.

Apache Plume blooms and inflorescence in the Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens in Colorado Springs.

Penstemon 'Red Rocks' in the corner hell strip. Unfortunately all my plans of this species succumbed to the drought conditions this summer.

Lonely Susan.

Neglected grave site with old fashioned lilac. Taken during memorial day weekend in Aline, Oklahoma.

Tropical Milkweed with Queen butterfly at the San Antonio Botanical gardens.

By a large margin my favorite butterfly photo.

Late summer migration in the garden. 

Taken at the Chaplin Nature Center in Cowley County Kansas this summer.

Taken at the San Antonio Zoo my granddaughter is on the right along with her friend in 108 degree temperatures.

My beautiful granddaughter at my eldest sons wedding this summer in San Angelo Texas.

Taken during the same weekend of the wedding at the International Water Lily garden in San Angelo.

Love the blues in the front hell strip near the street. 

Hopefull I didn't bore you or slow your computer down with the download.

Have a great 2012 with all your gardening and blogging adventures!

Greggo.

Cool and Crisp - Winter Version

As I was leaving to visit relatives on Christmas Eve morning, I couldn't resist snapping a few cool temperature photos.

Miscanthus and Rudebeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum'

Panicum Dewey Blue background, Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem and Achillea 'Coronation Gold'.

Same combination as previous photo with morning light

Achillea Terra Cotta.

Panicum 'Dewey Blue' switchgrass

Solidago and Achillea

Sedum 'dragons blood'

Happy Holidays to all!- Greggo

Wordless Wednesday

Photo capture at the Chaplin Nature Center(Cowley County, Kansas) during summer of 2011.

Doctor My Eyes

Photo taken with My Smart Phone-A Kansas Sunrise

It's been two weeks since we visited my son, granddaughter, and newly wed bride for Thanksgiving weekend. He had made an monumental move soon after his wedding, along with starting a new job position in an alien city. From San Antonio to Oklahoma City. wheh. My significant other is a great caring mother and carries many of the concerns and worries which would accompany such a large change. And sadly our beloved granddaughter who lives in Corpus Christi with her mother will now be 528 miles from daddy. Realistically I suppose this is a common occurrence in today's society, but making that point does not make it less difficult. Needless to say, whats my point, and what's that have to with gardening? No point, and nothing to do with gardening. I started writing about my camera and it derived into this paragraph.
Well to the point. I took my camera along to take photos of course. Since I was extremely tired from working the Thanksgiving and Black Friday rush I was completely oblivious to everything. I can't even remember if any photos were even taken, and the worst part is the camera is still there and I've lost my eyes.............................

 

 Doctor, my eyes have seen the years

And the slow parade of fears without crying

Now I want to understand

I have done all that I could

To see the evil and the good without hiding

You must help me if you can

Doctor, my eyes

Tell me what is wrong

Was I unwise to leave them open for so long

'Cause I have wandered through this world

And as each moment has unfurled

I've been waiting to awaken from these dreams

People go just where they will

I never noticed them until I got this feeling

That it's later than it seems

Doctor, my eyes

Tell me what you see

I hear their cries

Just say if it's too late for me

Doctor, my eyes

Cannot see the sky

Is this the PRICE for having learned how not to cry

-Jackson Browne

So who's your doctor? And is it later than it seems? Tell your loved ones they are loved and they are a special part of your life, before it's too late.

Bougainvillea goes to Town

 Over the past three summers in Kansas I've planted these Texas purchased bougainvilleas in the garden. Two are five years old, one is red and the other orange flowered. Another was given to me by my mother last fall. When I lived in San Antonio they were some of my favorite container plants but were somewhat persnickety when it comes to producing blooms. I researched many different methods to produce blooms and discovered a few rules of thumbs for my particular growing zone in Kansas. They bloom more often when they are pot bound. Many landscape contractors will transplant the growing pot into the new pot and slit the growing pot down the sides to allow some root escape. They are heavy feeders , but  heavy nitrogen amounts will create more foliage than blooms (kinda like tomatoes). They seem to do very well in my compost enriched soil with no additional feeding. When moved from one growing condition to another they often take 3-4 weeks to recover and resume healthy growth. They must have full sun to bloom. They will do fine in partial shade but will not bloom as well if at all. And of course good drainage is important.

 The above photo is the orange flowering variety purchased at a Home Depot in Corpus Christi, Texas over five years ago in a #1 pot. Planted in the hell strip, it gets full sun surrounded by asphalt and concrete on two sides. These photos were taken November 13th before the big freeze. The tallest vines are 5-6' tall.

Here I am pruning the vines before transplanting and moving indoors. What a shame I suppose to cut those blooms.

Are you nuts, thinks my wife?

Many branch vines.

Time to root prune. Not much left there.

Pulled from soil in original pot from the spring planting, a 10-12" plastic one.

Surprised to see such small roots?

 Pruning roots before taking inside.

Looks like a bonsai doesn't it? This was three weeks ago and today the plant which is set in a west facing window is producing  a flush of new growth. I'll create a new post during planting time in the spring.  Which I wish was closer than it is. 

-Greg