Bits of Blooms

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Celebrating a bit of bloomin’ for April and I’m loving my back garden’s bloomin’ bits.

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The fuchsia bloom spike of Hill Country penstemon (Penstemon triflorus) is almost drowned out by the loud red of the Martha Gonzales roses.

I was attempting shots of busy native and honey bees–no joy there– but the shrubs and flowers posed beautifully and smiled winningly for the camera. The yellow Engelmann’s or Cutleaf Daisy, Engelmannia peristenia began blooming in full force during the past couple of weeks.

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It’s a good perennial  to accompany the pond path with its sparkly daisies that flower from April to July and its year-round, attractive evergreen foliage.

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Nearby, Gulf Coast Penstemon,  Penstemon tenuis are also at full-bloom speed.

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Honeybees are particularly fond of this native penstemon and I’ve also seen a variety of native bees working the blooms as well.

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This small area of the large back garden receives decent sunshine for much of the growing season.  The potted American century plant, American agave oversees  blooming perennials and shrubs during spring, summer and fall.

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Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), grey foliaged, not-yet-in-bloom Heartleaf skullcap (Scutellaria ovata), and Gulf Coast penstemon front the potted agave, while a stand of autumn blooming Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) serve as its backdrop.

 

These unknown variety of Amaryllis came from my mother’s garden.

My mother’s Amaryllis grows with Gulf Coast penstemon, Knock-out roses, and poppies.

The Amaryllis don’t attract pollinators (that I’ve noticed) but they evoke fond memories of my mother, who was an avid gardener and who loved flowers of all kinds.

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In her last garden, she mixed her amaryllis with blue-bloomed Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata  and it was a stunning combination.

In searching for a small tree to add some height to a narrow part of my garden, I chose Goldenball leadtree,  Leucaena retusa.  I think it was a good decision!

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The yellow-puff balls charm the gardener while feeding bees and butterflies throughout April.  Goldenball leadtree is an airy, open little tree and thrives in part-shade.

I’m pleased with my April garden and thank Carol at May Dreams Garden for hosting this monthly bloom frenzy known as Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day.  Join in and share your garden pretties, then click over to her lovely blog to see and learn about blooms from many places.

28 thoughts on “Bits of Blooms”

    • Thanks!! The goldenball is a lovely thing, isn’t it? Even after bloom time, the seed balls are attractive and the tree is so graceful and airy–really a nice tree in a small spot. Happy spring to you, too!!

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  2. Your April Garden looks lovely Tina, Leucaena retusa isn’t a tree I am familiar with, so looked that up – drought tolerant and a native to Texas, we have too much rain here, so shall will just enjoy it in your garden. 🙂

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    • Oh, thanks so much, Julie. Yes, the goldenball wouldn’t like your wet climate too much–but think of the gorgeous things you can grow that I can only drool over. We’ll enjoy one another’s gardens!

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  3. Such pretty flowers in your garden!

    I’m fascinated with the Goldenball leadtree. So unusual—at least I’ve never seen it before.

    It sounds like you inherited your love of gardening from your mother. What a wonderful thing to pass along and share together.

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    • Thank you, Tracy. I saw a goldenball leadtree at the Lady Bird Johnson center (it’s still there–the tree and the center 🙂 ) years ago and vowed I would have one in my garden; it just took a few years. Both of my parents were gardeners–my mom loved the flowers, my dad the fruit trees. I was very fortunate in my choice of parents. 🙂

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    • Thanks–it’s been a lovely spring so far. The amaryllis are funny-they don’t bloom every year, though they have for the last few. I think they require rain and just the right time, otherwise, it’s wait until next year.

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  6. Tina your garden looks like a pollinators dream, I love the yellow daisies, my favorite flowers, your new goldenball tree is beautiful,

    it is wonderful to have plants in our garden that remind us of people we love, your Mum’s amaryllis is beautiful, I have a special daylily from my father’s garden when I was a child, when I see it, it’s as if he has stopped by to say hello, Frances

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    • I think the pollinators have lots to choose from, I hope they’re happy, Frances. It is really special to have plants from loved ones’ gardens. I always think as bout my mother when I look at the Amaryllis and some other plants of hers that I’ve planted in my garden–very special.

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  9. Beautiful. This is just such a pleasant time of year for flowers. I am inspired to add some penstemon this fall. I see them growing nearby in dappled shade and they are just so pretty. The leadball is a great tree for urban spaces: offering a nice shape and size even when it stops blooming. And your mom’s Amaryllis! What a nice way to remember her. It looks pretty where you have it. Is it scented?

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    • I love all of the penstemon that I grow, so easy and pretty. You’re right that the leadtree is ideal for a small, urban garden. I’m perplexed as to why it’s not more widespread here in Austin. The Amaryllis do not have a scent-just bred for their good looks.

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  10. Nice! I had to chuckle about chasing pollinators around the garden–I was doing the same thing earlier today. I saw my first queen bumble of the season, and I got very excited. Of course my camera didn’t work and she flew away, so I had to hunt around for more bumbles to no avail. Plenty of honeybees, though, loving the flowers wherever they can find them. Your garden is a pollinator haven. 🙂

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    • Haha, I guess you would appreciate the great pollinator camera hunt! Last week, this huge, probably carpenter bee, but one I’m not used to seeing, buzzed through the garden. I just couldn’t get it together quickly enough to get a shot. Gah!

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