Visit to Parque La Mexicana

 I just returned from a visit to Parque La Mexicana in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Amazing.  Simply amazing.  In the middle of January, this park was one of the prettiest, most maintained, clean, beautiful, incredible parks I have seen in a long time.  I can only imagine what it must be like in the spring, though honestly, it was so pretty it would be hard to beat.  

 The first photo is of a beautiful mass planting of the blue Agapanthus (all time favorite plant of mine) near a fountain and the second photo has the white Agapanthus paired with Magnolia Trees.  Swoon!!!

 Mass grass plantings- can't go wrong with that ever. 

 Parque La Mexicana sits right dab in the middle of Mexico City in an area called Santa Fe.  This area has some of the most architecturally unique buildings I have seen in a long time all in one place.  The buildings are both residential and office buildings and all are impressive.  The park itself used to be the city dump.  Yes, you read that right, the city dump.  Can you even imagine?!?!  And look at it now.  What an incredible transformation.  

 There are bike paths and walking and jogging paths that run throughout the park;  the path is made of recycled tires so it is nice and soft.  

 The pathways are simply breathtaking.

 More examples of the plantings- here with Santolina and blooming Sedum.

 Rosemary and grasses.

 There is an area for children to play with jungle gyms, swings, baby zip line and structures to play on.  There is a Starbucks, several restaurants as well as a PetCo.  Almost everyone walking has a dog (or two) and you can see people working on the gardens and beds all over the park helping to keep it pristine. 

 There is also a skate-park.

 And as if it wasn't already one of the most amazing things you have seen in a long time, there is also a concert amphitheater in the middle of the park.  Stunning.  Can you imagine???

 I think this was one of my favorite spots and view. 

 One of the ponds.

 A classic combo and one of my all time favorites- Agaves and grasses.  Love.

 And if that wasn't beautiful enough, it has Weeping Willows along the side of the Agave and grass patches.  It was like they knew my favorite plants and put them all together.

 This is a little stream that runs a long length of the park- it is so relaxing to sit and hear the trickling stream of water flowing as you sit in the incredibly comfortable benches.  

 I am constantly impressed with Mexico City and their beautification of their public spaces- they do mass plantings, sprinkle in art as well as change up seasonally all over the city.  This was my first time visiting this park and it will not be my last.  It was an amazing day, blue skies, perfect day to walk the path, grab a coffee and admire the beautiful park.

Fall is Coming!

Fall is coming!  I promise, it is.  I don't know about other parts of the country but here in Texas, namely Austin, it is hot, hot and did I mention it is hot?  I for one am ready for fall and the cooler temps.  I thought I would share a few photos of things that have been blooming in the nursery lately - hope you enjoy!

 The bees don't seem to mind the heat.  They are all over the place which is wonderful.  In this shot they are on the Russian Sage, which is a personal favorite of mine.  I love the colors.

 Aaahhh, the Panicum 'Northwind'.  I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but.... this is one of my favorite grasses.

 The Passion Vine are always a hit- the showy blooms are so intricate and delicate.  I have so many photos of these blooms- just can't get enough of them.

 We do a few specialty Hibiscus, this is one of them.  The blooms are huge and the flowers bright- definite showstoppers.  

 This is my favorite Portulaca.  I mean look at it!  What's not to love???

This one is a hard one to photograph as it isn't the showiest of plants and blooms but the fragrance- if only there were a way to capture the fragrance.  The Almond Verbena- intoxicating.  

 This is turning into a post of my favorite things I am noticing....  this is my all time favorite annual- such a bright pop of color and fun texture and bloom.  We have a few different Celosia, but I am partial to this one.

 The Neobuxbaumia and their crown of blooms- what's not to love?!?

And I will end with some 'Topsy Turvy' Echeveria blooms and a photo of a hummingbird.  

Funny story about this little guy.... I was chasing him for what seemed like hours to get a good shot of him as he zipped around the nursery, and then he stopped and sat on this line right next to me and just hung out for about 5 minutes.  Just sitting there.  He was so close- it was so neat.  I could have reached out and touched him.   It was truly one of the most exciting things to experience.  

 I have been really bad about blogging lately and for that I apologize.  I promise to make an effort to be better and post more often.  I have been posting a lot on Instagram - it is just so easy to just take the photo and pop it up there it has me spoiled.  Anyway, hope you enjoy!   

Spring is Near

Spring is near here in Austin, Tx.  We just finished a little run of freezing weather which was preceded by 78 degree days.  Texas weather.  Nothing like it.  I for one am happy it is over- we might have a little snap in the mid 30's but nothing like we just had.  It registered 21 at the nursery- that's cold for us.  I know our customers and friends from up north laugh at that, but for us, that is really cold.  Especially when we were enjoying such amazing weather days before.  

Posting a few photos I have taken the last few weeks- I admittedly have been bad about posting here and for that I apologize.  I am going to try to be better.  I have been posting on Instagram almost daily - it is just so easy.  @viverogrowers if you do Instagram.

Peach blossoms

 Tecoma, aka Yellow Bells, also Esperanza

 Kalanchoe bloom

 Wisteria bloom- wish this were scratch and sniff!!!!

 Kalanchoe

 Gopher Plant blooming

 Dwarf Bottlebrush

 Butterfly on Carolina Jessamine

 Succulent planter- took this right before I moved it inside last weekend.

Love this color combo of the sedum and the senecio.  

  Hope you enjoyed the pics!!

Fall at the Nursery

 It is fall at the nursery and I for one couldn't be happier.  The weather has been amazing lately and the butterflies are everywhere which makes me ecstatic!!  

 The Dwarf Japanese Black Pines look like huggable teddy bears to me- I just love these!!

 The Japanese Maples have been showing off and doing their fall color display.

The Red Admiral Butterflies seemed to enjoy the white Lantana...

and the Gulf Fritillary seemed to enjoy the white Leucantha.

 Probably my most favorite sighting though has been the Monarchs- they are all over the place.  It is magical.  I counted 8 varieties of butterflies yesterday when out taking photos.  EIGHT!

 The Coral Bean never disappoints- such a show stopping display of red blooms!!

Hard to say which plant was most popular.... Lantana, Salvia, Butterfly Bush, Milkweed.... just to name a few- they were all over the place.  

  I am not sure what was going on with this guy- someone told me he had freshly gotten out of his cocoon and so his wings hadn't dried out?  Never heard of that- anyone heard of that?

Plants are blooming, leaves are changing colors, succulents are turning their new shades with the cooler temps.  All of it has been wonderful!!  It's a wonderful time to be outside and enjoy nature.  The birds are chirping, bees are buzzing and the butterflies are fluttering about.
Hope you enjoyed the pics!!