What's New and Blooming Today!

 I say it all the time- you just never know here what the weather is going to do.  A few weeks ago we had a few days of freezing weather and yesterday it was upper 70's and incredible.  I love the cold weather though because that is when I get to plant Cyclamen!

 I love this plant- have forever.  It comes in a variety of colors and I like them all but if I had to pick a color I prefer the most it would be the red.  It looks pretty as a single plant in a little pot, mixed with other plants in a pot for that pop of color or planted in mass.

 It is bright and cheery and loves the cold weather.  Sadly, here in Texas once we heat up it goes away…. But you have plenty of time to enjoy it then you get to plant something else!  I still can't believe Christmas is next week.  Time goes entirely too fast.  I have posted a few photos of things that look good here around the nursery and that are blooming.

 The Iceberg Rose never disappoints.  Such a crisp white and beautiful big fat full blooms.

 The 'Hot Lips' Salvia is loving these sunny days.  Such a funny name for a plant I think.

 It has been amazing weather these past few days.  The nursery looks amazing I think.  Supposedly we are going to get some rain starting tomorrow for a few days - why do I say supposedly… cause just cause they say it on the news, doesn't make it rain……  Hopefully we will get some though.  

I am loving this weather though- did I mention that?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and sorry I haven't posted much- where does the time go?????

Happy GBBD!!!!!!

Happy GBBD to everyone!!!  Thanks to May Dreams Gardens for hosting!  There is so much going on and blooming right now- it is such a fun time of year and the weather these past few days!!!!  Oh my gosh- LOVE IT.  The Peruvian Cereus never cease to amaze and wow me - this particular day I guess cause it was cloudy this weekend, it stayed open a lot longer than normal which was fine by me!

 The Black Eyed Susan has such a pretty happy bloom.

 The American Beautyberries are turning color and attracting all the birds- so fun to watch them pick at the berries. 

 The Crinum bloom has always been a favorite.  So unique

 Another sure sign fall is here in Austin, the Stick of Fire are starting to turn.

 I like how it resembles a little heart on the top of this cactus.

 The Antigonon have long been a favorite but I do have a preference for the white, though the pink is really pretty….. white…pink…white…pink… how to decide?

 These little guys are all over the Milkweed as well as are their new temporary "homes".

 I captured this shot and basically right after he jumped and I thought it was on my head- took a minute to figure out he was on a different leaf of the Agave…. little spooky….

 The Fall Aster are rockin' and rollin'.

 The Mexican Flame Vine never disappoint.

 The Pineapple Guava are LOADED with fruit.  Love it!!!!

Hope you have enjoyed shots of what is going on lately.   Hope everyone is having a great fall.

Birmingham Alabama Cont...

Better late than never….

I am continuing my post of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens but thought I would start out with a couple of photos of the city as well.  

The airport has a living wall which I thought was really nicely done.  

Throughout the city there are beautiful plantings, water features and settings.  The city as a whole is very lush and green. 

 Now, for the continuation of my Botanical Garden tour….  Here are the photos of the conservatory. 

 More of the sculptures that are prominent throughout.  These are of Aesop's Fables.

  I thought they did a great job- it was neat to see the desert area, we have basically every single plant they had displayed, so that was fun to see.  I love it when I can ID the plants almost as much as I like seeing and learning about new ones!!

 Hope you enjoyed the tour. If you get a chance, it is a wonderful place to visit.

My Tour of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Last week we visited the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama.  It was beautiful and seamless and flowing; one garden spilling into another.  They had large pathways and it was a very easy pleasant walk.  I love visiting different parts of the country and seeing plants that we use and grow and see how they perform in other climates.  Hope you enjoy the tour!!

 Here is the entrance which is also a wonderful little garden shop with all kinds of neat gifts!  

 Upon entering, there are several displays stuffed with beautiful complimentary plants.

I love seeing what other people put together- very inspiring!!!

 Throughout the gardens there were several sculptures which I was intrigued with.

 Do you see the red bananas?  Love em' and love the pairing with the Persian Shield- which adds a great pop of color to just about anything in my opinion.

 Here is the Southern Living Garden.  Lush and full!!

 A photo of the walkways- very inviting.

 More shots of the Southern Living Garden.

 I love the color contrast here.

 The entrance to the rose garden- they were all basically recently cut back so I didn't get any photos of them but the entrance was pretty I thought- again, more sculpture in the back.

 Another shot of the entrance sculpture- there was a wedding there which was really neat to see.  They have a little area off to the right where they hold the receptions.

 A closer shot inside the rose garden.  A few blooms as you see but the beds behind this were basically bare.

And a parting shot.  I have photos of the Conservatory that I will post next.  They have a great Crape Myrtle garden in front of it that was filled with people having lunch on the lawn.  The gardens were inviting and welcoming and obviously cared for.  There is no entrance fee and is funded by the city and "friends" of the Botanical Garden.  Definitely worth a visit and we will be back.  It was so peaceful- a must see for anyone.