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!!

I'm So Excited!!!

The hummingbirds are here!  The hummingbirds are here!

This is the best shot I got today of them but they are here- working the Aloes and the 'Wendy's Wish' Salvia.  I have not gotten a clear shot of them there but I did manage to get this one of one perched on the Sycamore tree.  I am so excited!!!

This would be one of the Aloe blooms they are hovering over yet do you see the hummingbird in the photo- I know… I couldn't get him.

But I am not giving up.

 Here are a few other things that I think look pretty right now but all I seem to be focused on is, well, that the hummingbirds are here!!!!!!  The little Salvia is starting to bloom. 

 The Acanthus Mollis are starting to bloom. 

And last but not least the Maples are vibrant! 

 That's all for now as see, I have a hummingbird to "catch"!

Mixed Bag

Here is kind of a mixed bag of things I have been taking pictures of lately- hope you enjoy!

The above is a bloom spike from one of the agaves I have in a display pot- though I love the bloom it makes me sad cause I know it is the end of the road for the little guy.  I might pull him out and redo the pot and just pop him in the ground.  Who knows.  I can't decide.

 The Japanese Maples are so dainty- I just love them.  Such a pretty color and nice contrast I think.

 These little guys have not disappointed.  The Flowering Quince are full of flowers and the bees are very excited I might add.

 I never ever tire of the Spanish Lavender.  Of all the Lavender, it is and probably always will be my favorite.  I love the rich purple and the lavender together. 

And last but not least the Gopher Plant.  They are covered in blooms and covered in bees.  I am just happy the bees are hard at work and that we have plenty of blooms for them.

Just a little bit of this and that.  Hope you enjoy!  

November Blooms

Here are a few things that have been blooming these last two weeks.

We are having more crazy weather, which for those of us that live here in Texas is pretty normal.  Yesterday it was 80, today 36.  We take it all in stride, just the way it is, nothing new.

The Kalanchoe 'Donkey Ears' by the door is getting ready to bloom.  Love this plant.

 The yellow Shrimp Plant in the front bed is full of blooms.  

The Calandrinia is getting ready to open up.  Another all time favorite of mine.

 A little fall color- we don't have much of it but we have some, the Japanese Maples are stunning. 

The Chinese Pistache is boasting it's fall color as well.  This one is fruitless which is nice.

 The Citrus- I could do an entire post on the citrus - the oranges, lemons, tangerines, everything - all the trees are loaded with fruit.  People always assume oranges turn in the summer, nope.  Oranges take a full year and start being ready at least here in Texas about now.

And to end up the post I saved which I believe is the best for last.  The Ligularia is one of my very favorite plants.  Look how pretty the blooms are!!!!

Happy March GBBD 2013!!

Happy GBBD!!

It is warming up here in Austin.  It has been in the high 70's and low to mid 80's this week.  Everything is really responding to the warmer days too- things are budded up and blooming, butterflies and bees are flying around and birds are chirping- it is wonderful!!

The Gopher Plants have been a big hit with both the bees and butterflies all week.

 The Dyckia are blooming- I love how such a spiky plant throws off such a nice dainty bloom.

The Wisteria are budded up and getting ready to bloom- I LOVE the smell of Wisteria- reminds me of when I was little; we had it growing all along the fence line by the pool.

 The Mountain Laurels are still blooming, some say grape soda, I think it smells like Purple Kool-Aid, same smell I guess, I just haven't had grape soda.

 The Japanese Maples are all leafed out and stunning.

The Mexican Sycamores are budded up and ready to leaf out.

 The Bulbine have been loaded with bees all week.

And last but not least, the Mystic Spires are starting to bloom in the front bed.  A sure sign spring is here.  Please visit May Dreams Gardens and see what is blooming all over!!

Hope you have a great GBBD!!!

Monday Monday

Happy Monday to all and hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

It was chilly here this morning but is absolutely beautiful right now.

I walked around and got a few shots of some little show-off's I thought I'd share.

The Kalanchoes continue to be my favorite- the first photo and the one above being two of them.  I like how this one has the little "fangs" on the underside of it's leaves- hence what I would imagine is why it got it's name.

 The 'Midnight' Salvia is bursting with color- such a radiant purple.  I like both, hard to choose between this and the traditional one with the purple and white.

 The Mandarin Oranges are just about ready to eat.  Can't wait!!!

 The Mexican Flame Vine has finally burst with color on our side of the fence- forever it seemed it was solid orange on the other side but now we are getting it's showy self- the one at the entrance is loaded with blooms- can't wait for that either!

 The Cigar Plant is blooming below the flame vine and I love how it picks up on the orange- it makes it showier.

 The Possumhaw are doing their thing.

 The Valencia Oranges are turning and will be ready soon!

 The Chrysanthemum pacificum are beginning to bloom.  I will admit, I was not so impressed with this plant at first, but it is growing on me- I like the silver on the backs of the leaves the most.

 The 'Black Scallop' Ajuga are blooming away and looking pretty as ever.

And last but not least, I just can't pass up a Maple leaf.  These little guys are a deep maroon and just scream fall to me.

A Few Favorites From Today

Mexican Bird of Paradise ready to bloom!!! Can't wait- one of my favorites!!!

The Oak Leaf Hydrangeas are starting to bloom.

The Japanese Maple I think looks beautiful in front of the Big Tooth Maple. Love the contrast!!!!

And last but not least, the Acanthus Mollis. Another of my favorites.

A few favorites of the day. Thought I'd share!!