ENOUGH! I SAY

We had a taste of fall last week. Gardens and gardeners alike breathed a sigh of relief. We opened the windows and delighted in turning the air conditioners off. It was short lived. Summer came back with 90 degree temperatures. The windows were closed and the AC turned back on. Will it ever end?

Two fall plants in the English garden, Gregg's blue mist flower, Conoclinium greggii,  and a Japanese anemone, Anemone x hybrida  purchased so long ago I have lost the name. I would love to have a white one but have not seen the anemone for sale since the time I bought this one.

They spread quickly by underground runners so are easy to propagate. This area of the English garden is fairly shaded from the hot summer sun by the cedars outside the wall although there is less shade now that we have removed the yaupon holly tree. It was leaning forward because of the cedars outside the garden and was just generally in the way. The bed will now be herbaceous plants only.

The Mandevilla vine has reached the top of the trellis but it is not as thick and healthy as it should be.  Possibly due to it being on this south facing wall. Maybe a change of location next year I can keep it alive over the winter.

I'm getting ready to change out the plants in the window box in front of the potting shed window but with the profusion of narrow leaf zinnias, Zinnia liniaris and the 90º temperatures I think I will wait. This is a very hot wall.

The Philippine violet, Barleria cristata is just beginning to flower. I can think of no other plant that is as fuss-free as this one. It has never been visited by insect or disease. Famous last words! I now have nearly a dozen of theses plants that have seeded around the garden. Of course they are all along the edge of pathways where the seeds were blown.

Philippine violet

This is one that grew along the edge of the path and was never removed!

We are now waiting for the emergence of the copper canyon daisy and the Mexican mint marigold. They should flower well into November. Roll on those perfect Texas fall days. I think we may be getting one this weekend which will be perfect for the Wildflower Center Happy Hour event, in our garden, this Friday.

GARDEN BLOGGERS BLOOM DAY,SEPTEMBER 2011

This may be the most difficult bloom day posting I have done. Not because I have nothing blooming in my garden. I do. I am thinking of those people who have lost their gardens and their homes this last month in the Texas fires.

So, I begin with the natives because they will be the survivors through all this. I know from experience about controlled burns at the Wildflower Center that new plants will pop up. It is all part of what nature does, although at terrible cost to some.

And so my first plant is a new one. David asked me last night where it had come from and I told him I didn't know. I noticed it growing by the faucet in the front courtyard. I knew from the leaf and flower that it must be from the mallow family, but I can't get a sure id even after consulting my wildflower book. I'm leaning towards Velvet Leaf, Allowissadula holosericea. ( That's one latin name I am not likely to remember). But six petals instead of the five is confusing.

Blue gilia, Gilia rigidula, is another one of my favorite bloomers. If you get the impression that I like the delicate small bloomers you would be right. Gilia is a member of the phlox family, reseeds easily and is perfect for the chalky soils of my garden.

I undraped the Whale's tongue agave, A. ovata, in order to take a photo for bloom day. She has attendant Blackfoot daisies, Melampodium leucanthum, surrounding her. They have a delicious early morning scent of honey and almonds.

Rock rose, Pavonia lasiopetala, after which I named my blog, is a constant bloomer in my garden. it is also a member of the Mallow family.

Another non-stop bloomer is the Chocolate daisy, Berlandiera lyrata. I usually cut it back in early July but never did this year so it has sprawled across the pavers in the Sunken garden.

The very weedy but attractive zexmania, Wedelai texana, but I wouldn't be without it. A cut-and- come back again plant and very tough.

Gregg's Blue Mist flower, Eupatorium greggii, has spread into a large clump and is in full flower. It is a favorite of the butterflies.

How the goldfinch love the Texas sunflower, Helianthus annuus. They are worth having just to watch their antics.

Lindheimer's senna, Senna lindheimeriana, pops up all over the sunken garden.

By September the zinnias are usually flowering in profusion. I have a few and am grateful from their sunny yellow and orange faces.

I would love my garden to look as it did in previous September Bloom Days, but it is not to be in this year of record heat with drought. Thanks Carol, at Maydreams for hosting this monthly Bloom day.