Look Who Came Out to Play!

I love this time of year when the butterflies and the bees come around. We have so many different plants that attract a variety of different bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds. I have been successful in capturing the bees and several different types of butterflies, though the hummingbirds have proven a bigger challenge for me. Today I had so much fun following this Swallowtail. He was obviously very happy going between the different Milkweed plants. I had so much fun capturing him. While I was watching him and letting him pose for the camera I saw a Monarch. I wasn't able to capture him but I thought it was too early for those but I know it was one. Hopefully he will come back today and I can capture his photo as well. Hope you enjoy the photos half as much as I did taking them.

Have a blooming good day!

Jerusalem Sage

Spider Aloe

Mexican Thornless Lime

Mountain Laurel, love these blooms, they look like bunches of grapes

Aloe petricola bloom

I have been having fun running around taking photos of all the new blooms so I thought I'd share. Have to admit loving this weather and crossing everything I have we don't have another freeze. I am not a winter person, hence I live in Texas. It is fun to visit for a weekend or maybe just maybe a week but other than that, I am a not a fan of the cold. Things have been really busy making new buds, flowers, growing, it is so exciting.

I am anxiously awaiting all the budding plants and trees - everything seems ready to pop. I have already posted my favorite, the Lion's Tail, (the Leonotis) but am starting to wonder as things start to open it might have some competition...

I love my new camera I have to say yet again, the difference in the photos is amazing. Thank you again to my sweet husband not only for the camera, but the new lens as well.

Pink Crystals!!!

How pretty are these? I love them! They are called Ruby Crystal Grass or 'Pink Crystals'- I never stop learning new things. My favorite part about them is they stay rather small. They look so pretty blowing in the wind, faint little blades and a subtle yet pretty little bloom of pink (which happens to be my favorite color). Just thought I'd share.

Meet Peat

Meet Peat. Peat as in Peat Moss. He walked up to Michael one day at the nursery about a month ago and I don't know who adopted who but he's ours and we are his now. He is the sweetest most lovable kitten I have ever had. This is a photo of Peat up in one of the Monterrey Oak trees, he flies up there in about 3 seconds flat. When he is not up in the tree, he is helping us water and weed, or greeting a customer (all of which have fallen in love with him). The photo below is a pretty good summation of how he spends his day when not helping us or greeting the customers.

He has a bed that I have brought for him and he goes between the bed and the chair. Normally half of his body is hanging off the chair as he sleeps.

Here is Peat helping me in the greenhouse. Don't know what I would do without him.

Just had to share.

Hey Bud!

Pomegranate 'Wonderful'

Big Tooth Maple

Things are getting ready to pop! I can't wait! It is incredible to watch things change so rapidly. I can't wait to see them take off. We have a few new things that I haven't seen in full swing yet that I am anxious to see how they look when they are full of leaves and/or flowers. It is so fun to watch the what for weeks has just looked like sticks change and grow. I snapped a few shots of the buds getting ready to show their true selves. There are a few that are really changing but I haven't quite gotten the right angle on the camera, maybe tomorrow. I attached the Big Tooth Maple and the Pomegranate 'Wonderful'. Still trying to capture the Wisteria, Philadelphus and fruit trees- all are full of buds but for whatever reason the shots are not coming out very good- operator error I am certain. I will try again tomorrow. Enjoy for now.

How Pretty Are These?

One thing that I love about having the nursery is all the pretty plants and flowers. I have learned so much in the short time I have been doing this. My husband I feel knows everything, but I am still a work in progress and am loving every second of it. Today we got in these really unusual pretty flowers, they are called Helleborus. I love them!!!! I put some under the Fatsias and the color combination looks pretty I think. I am sure I will keep moving them but that is where they are for now.

Things are starting to bud and starting to wake up and get ready for spring. They say there will be another freeze- just please not one like the three days of sitting in the teens I hope. That was painful. I am ready for spring, make no mistake. I do not think I am alone in this.... I think everyone is ready for spring.

Big Tooth Maples!!

Well, the Big Tooth Maples are in and they are spectacular!!!! I love all the color!!! The leaves are just brilliant. I love the yellows, the reds, the turning of the colors. I am trying to figure out where to plant one now. Just thought I'd share a few shots of them.