SPRING FLOWERS
The beauty of spring starts early in Texas, when the heady grape fragrance of purple Mountain Laurel wafts through the air in March. (see header photo)
I’m glad I planted this one by the kitchen window where I can easily enjoy it through the day.
SUMMER FLOWERS
Because summer comes quickly in San Antonio, I buy my new summer flowers as early as April and May at my favorite nursery Rainbow Gardens on Bandera Road.
I prefer perennials since they endure the winters well, reappearing more vibrant the next year.
However due to expense, I buy a few a year to fill my gardens, which keep growing in size and number.
I love being surrounded by flowers… and the butterflies and hummingbirds that often hang out with me while I garden.
HERB GARDEN
I planted the herbs under my kitchen window Mountain Laurel near the dry creek bed I made to catch drips from the eaves and stop erosion of the hill.
VEGETABLE GARDEN AND WEATHER STATION
I’m also starting a vegetable garden at the foot of the hill, below my rustic weather van and my modern rain gauge.
Meanwhile the bushes in the back of the photo, which I transplanted from the front, are growing amazingly.
FLOWERS EVERYWHERE
I planted the bouganvilleas in hanging baskets. Look at how huge the crepe myrtles have grown! Hard to believe I planted them from 1-quart containers.
I love my antique rose, mutabilis, which even looks old-fashioned. The blossoms bud bright pink, but as they open they are various shades of pink, eventually fading to a peach.
The caladium and hostas were planted in my shadiest spot, under the live oak trees out front.
I planted this fun combination of purple and yellow in a hanging baskets for a shady area under my huge crepe myrtle.
I planted my beautiful pink impatience with blue undertones under shady spots.
Blues, yellows, and pinks…
Fancy bougainvillea…
…with pops of deep purple!
