Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Behind the Garden Gate



May 1st

Favorites on the First

~ Flowers ~




Our garden was recently featured

 on a neighborhood garden tour.




Come along, and I'll show you 

what's blooming here in Texas.




It's still a bit early, so not everything 

has flushed out like the roses have.




The firecracker ferns are blazing, 

but the golden thryallis that you see 

here hasn't shown its color yet.




Larkspur seed that I scattered last fall 

have happily grown into this lovely bouquet of 

pink, lavender, purple, and white.




Gaillardia Arizona Sun, a perennial, 

is also known as Blanket Flower.





Orange Daylily are 

just beginning to bloom.




The Iceberg Rose patio tree was 

happy and in bloom for the tour.




Blackfoot Daisy looks sweet and delicate, 

but it is a rugged little plant that 

tolerates heat and drought conditions.



Gerber Daisy and Petunia 

 add seasonal color.




More seasonal color fills 

containers on the front porch.




Geraniums are one of my 

favorite flowers from my childhood.




The scented geranium that is growing in 

the large urn offers a delicate lilac bloom.




I like to grow geraniums in containers 

that I can mix in among plants in my beds.




This one is tucked in among fern, 

oakleaf hydrangea, and caladiums.




Here I've mixed in some other 

bloomers among the scented geranium.




Impatients are perfect for the 

shade in this area of the garden.





They need to be  

 protected from the Texas sun.


The tall green plant to the left is Shell Ginger.

Though it isn't in bloom yet, 

 it has the most amazing flowers.



Dozens of blooms 

 grow on long stalks.


Each one opens to show 

 this gorgeous red and yellow mouth.



Fresh cut flowers often fill 

 a vase for alfresco dining.


Thanks for joining me in my spring garden.

 Click here to see more of my garden from last spring.

 Joining

 Favorites on the 1st @ The Polohouse
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Fresh Cut Friday @ Rose Vignettes
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Be Inspired @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl
Oh The Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicted House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight
Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Your Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Happy List @ Art At Home



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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Spring in the Texas Hill Country






Little Blanco River

Welcome to the

The Texas Hill Country 




I was fortunate to be a guest 

recently at this lovely hill country home.





A beautiful garden of agava, cactus, sage, 

 bluebonnets, and other Texas 

 wildflowers greeted us on arrival.





Two stone barns circa1930 anchor 

a lovely courtyard garden where we enjoyed lunch.




The courtyard features a central fountain 

and raised beds of blooming plants.




Rustic furniture made from cedar trees 

 on the property offers comfortable seating and dining.


The tables were set with colorful textiles 

 and pitchers filled with bouquets of spring flowers.




The serving table featured a vibrant cloth 

from Mexico, appliquéd in big bright sunflowers.




The bouquets looked as if they had 

just been picked from the cutting garden.





Bright multicolored glasses, 

 reminiscent of a box of Crayons,

 were the perfect compliment to yet another 

of the hostess' hand embroidered Mexican textiles.




Stacks of assorted pottery plates .  .   .




Offered both color 

and a touch of whimsy.




Lunch was a selection of salads.

 ~ Black Bean and Corn Salad ~ 

Served with Pita Chips

Recipe here




~ Mandarin Orange and Chicken Salad ~ 

Recipe here




~ Plump Seedless Grapes ~




~ Chewy Chocolate Brownies ~




After lunch our hostess took us 

 on a tour of her prismatic gardens.




Peggy Martin Climbing Rose 

 and Yellow Columbine




The juxtaposition of the various plants 

with the shapes and textures of the stone 

provides a tranquil setting within the courtyard garden.




A group of wheelbarrows 

 serve as planters.




More Peggy Martin Climbing Roses 

cover the entrance to the second barn.





Peggy Martin Rose

 Click here to read the 

 story of this amazing climber.





A pair of large iron cockerels guard 

 the gates at either end of the Arbor Garden.




Raised beds made from stone quarried 

 on the farm are home to various deer resistant plants.




The garden design is perfect 

 for its hill country setting.



Mexican Sage

Plants in this garden 

 are native to the area.



Red Poppies

They can withstand the 

 Texas heat with minimal water.



Damianita Daisy

All the while providing 

 vibrant color and beauty.





Hope you enjoyed spring in 

the Texas hill country.

Joining

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