A Tour of the Botanical Gardens in Mexico City, Mexico

I recently toured the Botanical Gardens of Chapultepec, Mexico City, Mexico.  It was not only beautiful but was amazing.  I had been before but in the last two years, they have really made a lot of improvements and changes and I loved them!!  They have collaborated with various artists that have designed certain areas and/or installations in the garden throughout.

I have seen this over the years in Mexico City and the trend finally made it to Austin a few years ago.    I always thought they did and do a nice job of this planting with the succulents.  I feel the key is to really pack them in there to have it nice and full.

 Photos of the various cactus, agave and Yucca beds.

 Another concrete stacking succulent pile.  I love how this filled out!!

 Two views of the same bed- love the combos here and how the Creeping Jenny adds that perfect bright pop of color!!

 A few of the artist inspired beds. 

 I love plants planted in mass.  The Agaves do not disappoint.

 They really do a good job I feel on their displays.

 These straw ant sculptures are all over the place- some stand alone like this one and some peeking out behind an agave or yucca.  They are creatively placed throughout.

 There were hummingbirds all over the Agastache but I was not able to get them clearly.

 I loved this- they had tubes filled with different dried peppers throughout the gardens. 

 A few shots of the perennial gardens.  Everything was simply beautiful.

 Another artist installation/creation.  I like how they used simply barrels and loaded them with plants.

 I liked this little trio!

 An example of the bees placed throughout.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!!

I Still Can't Believe it's February

I still can't believe it is February.  Where does the time go?

The weather here in Austin, Texas has just been crazy.  No other way to explain it.  Just nuts.  Cold one day, hot the next.  This weather is making my allergies go insane (as well as most everyone else) and people are getting sick left and right. 

The bees don't seem to be phased though- I have seen quite a few out and about which is refreshing as well as a few butterflies.  Above on the Lion's Tail I sat and watched them for what seemed forever.  It was mesmerizing.  They are such hard workers!!

 I have taken a few photos lately and thought I'd share of things I have found interesting as of late.  I have always loved looking down on the Agaves- above is a photo of the Squid Agave from above in one container I made paired with a yellow sedum.   

I have had so much fun lately playing with the succulents I must admit.  They are so colorful and easy to combine and mix and match.  And the blooms- I mean look at that!!!!   When I was creating my pots this little guy was just watching me.  It was so sweet.  Hard to tell in this photo but he is so little!!!  

I have been making up new containers cause I for one and ready for spring!!!  I did a little post on our website if you want to read for more information Plant Succulents and Sedum .

For fun the other day I got a photo of the Meyer Lemon and the Sweet Kumquat and did a poll on Instagram to see who preferred one over the other and Meyer Lemon won hands down.  Not shocked but it was fun to do the poll nonetheless.

Hope everyone is staying warm, happy and WELL.  This flu that is going around is just plain scary!!!!

Blooms Around the Nursery

Hurricane Harvey has just left Houston and is on his way leaving yet another path of destruction.  It is so horrible and so sad what he leaves behind but to see all the people of Houston come together as they have along with people from all over has been overwhelming.  I am from Houston and have family and friends there whom have been affected in one way or another.  It is a helpless feeling to be here unable to do anything to help.  Restless energy has led me to post some pretty blooms that have been blooming lately.  Hope you enjoy.

 Succulent blooms always make me happy.

 The Coral Bean blooms are divine!

 Good ol' Yellow Bells.

 My all time favorite the Vitex.

 The Pride of Barbados are blooming like crazy.

 I love how delicate and subtle the Mexican Olive are.

And last but not least the Althea, Rose of Sharon.  

Be safe everyone and sending any and all affected by Harvey prayers and good wishes.

February GBBD 2017

Happy February GBBD 2017!  I say it all the time but where does the time go?

The weather here has been just plain crazy.  Hot, cold, freezing, meeting all kinds of records for coldest then hottest days of the year on record- just typical Texas weather.... 

The Aloe marlothii is blooming which to me is always a magnificent bloom spike. 

 The echeveria are enjoying the cooler temperatures and showing off all their colors.

 The Agave 'Blue Glow' is using the sunshine to show off it's beautiful edges.

   The succulents have been blooming away which is always fun to watch.  

  Things are blooming which is nice cause it gives the bees and butterflies things to visit. 

Hope you have a wonderful Garden Blogger Bloom Day- make sure and visit May Dreams Gardens which has links to gardens all over!

January Garden Blogger Bloom Day Post

I can not believe it is time for the January Garden Blogger Bloom Day Post!  Where does the time go? 

I will post a few photos of things I have taken pictures of lately.  Hope you enjoy. 

The Aloes are blooming away like crazy.

 The Kalanchoes, though not a bloom, I thought looked neat so I took a photo.

 Another Aloe bloom- this is the 'Grassy Lassie'- one of my favorites of the Aloes.

 Who doesn't love an Echeveria bloom?

 The Pines are looking beautiful in the sunlight.

The Arbutus have the most beautiful blooms- so intricate.  Little pink showers of blooms.   

It is January 2017.  I can almost not believe it.  Short but sweet post- hope you enjoyed! Be sure to visit May Dreams Gardens to see all the gardens all over!!