Look at my Monarch Pictures!

 What's that you say?  A bee?  Not a Monarch?  

Well, I know.  That's how I felt.  I saw a pair of Monarchs flying around and I was so excited that I ran in and got the camera to catch a good shot and could not get a single one.  Not one- not even a blur of them.  I did take a few shots of things as I was TRYING to get them.  I think I should have had my other lens but I was afraid if I ran in to change lenses, I would lose them the shot for sure- oh well, there is always tomorrow. 

 I did get a good shot I thought of the the Jerusalem Sage.  I have always really liked this plant.  It is tough and always seems happy.  Easy one to plant and forget, maybe that's why I am secretly so fond of it.... HA

 I am very excited to see the little balls of the Golden Ball Lead Tree starting to emerge.  This is one of the neatest trees around in my opinion.

 The Anacacho Orchids are starting to bloom.  I am not sure if it is safe to declare or not, but it sure does seem like spring has sprung....

 Good ol' Blackfoot Daisy.  Easy and continuously happy little plants.

And I started with a bee so I will end with a bee.  This one digging his way into a Bush Germander.  I thought he was going to disappear in there!

Maybe tomorrow I will get some Monarch photos.  Sorry I have been so bad about blogging as of late- I have not had five minutes to take a photo.  But today, with the pair of Monarchs I just had to take a break and get a shot.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow, but I am happy I got some other shots.  It was a nice little break!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day Feb 2012

Happy GBBD February 2012!

 The Gazania are full of blooms- I have always found these to be such intriguing flowers.  They are so exotic.  Love em'!

 The Giant Ligularia are hard to beat- the one in the front bed is still going strong and so hard to find things that bloom in the shade.  Always been a favorite.

 The Spring Bouquet Viburnum are in bloom- I don't normally post them but felt they deserved to be featured.

 The Rosemary are busting with color and the bees couldn't be happier!

 The Euphorbia are loving the front bed I put them in.  They have doubled in size in no time!

 The Mountain Laurels are beginning to open up- oh the sweet fragrance!!!!

 The 'Midnight' Salvia are always a show stopper.

 The limes are setting and blooming away.  Love the fragrance of the citrus blooms. 

 The Verbena are blooming away- always been a fan of the purple.

 The Carolina Jessamine are blooming away- trying to figure out where I want to plant this vine.....

And last but not least, the Euryops are blooming away as always.  Not necessarily my favorite plant, but it is great for color.

Hope everyone has a great GBBD!!!  Visit May Dreams Gardens and see what's blooming all over the place!!

Happy Valentine's!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

The weather here has been beautiful yesterday and today.  It is supposed to reach 75 today.  Sunday we had sleet and a few snow flakes.  You just never know. 

We are crazy busy- I am saving my "spare time" for tomorrow for GBBD to run

and take photos and post but wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's!

An Agave in the Sun

We have been so busy these last few weeks I have hardly had time to take many photos but when walking by these yesterday, I had to grab my camera and take a shot.  I thought this was just too pretty not to post.  The Blue Glow Agave's are so interesting to me- I love them the most when they are backlit by the sun.  It was 77 degrees today, 75 yesterday with a little rain.  Texas weather.  What else can I say?  Gotta love it.  If you don't, as they say, stick around, it will change. 

Short but sweet post.  Hope you enjoy.

And for those of you that ask what do we do as growers do in the winter?

Lots and lots of this.....

Babies.  Lots and lots of babies.  My job, which I love, is taking care of all of them.

Potting, cutting, cutting back, moving things in and out, never a dull moment.

Happy February!

What a Beautiful Day!!

What a beautiful day!!!  I had a great time just walking around today looking at all the butterflies and bees enjoying the sun.

 Here they are enjoying the Spring Bouquet Viburnum.

The bees were all over the Grape Holly just buzzing around. 

 While I was sitting there snapping photos, the bees and the butterfly on the Grape Holly were not wanting to share....

 Alas, in the end they decided to take separate sides.  It's so nice when everyone can get along!

Hope you are having as beautiful of a day as we are.  Last check, it was 71. 

It's A Tree Kind of Thing

Can you believe it?  2012 is here.  Where does time go?

I myself spent New Years sick as a result of the infamous Cedar Fever which has many suffering around town.  Upon returning to the nursery we had a bunch of new trees- it was so exciting!  I love to see and learn about new things.
Here is a photo the Cedar Elm.

I must admit I am fascinated but the bark.  It is so neat and has so much character.

 The branches are interesting as well.  I mean look!

I love the different textures on them and they are a really pretty tree.

Another one I found intriguing today was the Poncirus trifoliata.  They are basically covered in curlycues.  I hadn't seen this before but there was one in Chicago outside of the Aquarium.  It gets covered with orange balls- can't wait to see that!  

Here's a close up of one branch.  Love it!

Here's a close up of the Lacey Oak - another one with interesting bark. These trees are also quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  The textured bark is stunning I think. Again, just has a lot of character.

The Palo Verdes never cease to amaze and draw a lot of attention.  The bark is green, hence the name- green sticks translated.   We have one planted in the corner and it has gotten so big this year!  It blooms beautiful yellow flowers which makes a beautiful contrast.

And last but not least is the Monterrey Oak.  An old classic.  The bark is simple yet subtle.  Hope everyone had a great New Year and looking forward to 2012!

Chicago

What's not to love about Chicago?  

I can think of nothing.  We got engaged there for starters and visit at least once a year.  We both just love it.  I am always torn between which is my favorite city- Chicago or NYC - it is just too hard to decide.  I love them both for such different reasons.  Right now I would say Chicago, only because we just got home after a wonderful visit complete with snow!  I have also decided that my new favorite restaurant there is RL hands down.  The service, atmosphere and the food- nothing to complain about, nothing I would change and would have dined there again before we left if we had the time.  We got a shot in front of the fireplace before we left that I am using on our Christmas cards- yes, I have yet to send them out but the photos have been uploaded and sent in and should be to me soon so I can address them and get them out.   We visited the aquarium on this visit, which I have to say, I was very impressed.  (not with the line to get in... but once in, was an experience not to be missed.)  If you go, make sure and see the jellyfish exhibit- very interesting.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.  I am taking off from blogging until after the new year- too much going on and been out of town a lot.

Till next year!