The Future is Fall

Fall is thought of as a time of endings: the shortening of days, the slowing of seasonal growth, the turning inward for protection from the elements.

This ready-for-dispersal Red yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora, seed head impresses me with its open-faced determination for life and its reach into the future. The seeds will scatter–by wind, or water, or gravity–most likely swept away by rain, or maybe the gardener’s broom, and will carry life–renewing yucca DNA for living in another place and another time.

The native-to-Texas Red yucca is accompanied on this mission by also native-to-Texas Rock rose, Pavonia lasiopetala, their pink, happy faces full of life.

Celebrating Texas Native Plant Week, and native plants everywhere! As well, linking to Anna’s fab Wednesday Vignette.

11 thoughts on “The Future is Fall”

Beth @ PlantPostings on October 17, 2018 at 8:14 pm said:

That’s a very pretty combination, Tina! Autumn is in full swing here. It’s a cold one–we went from summer 80s to 40s & 50s overnight. I prefer the 60s and 70s in the fall, so I’m feeling cheated. Oh well… Enjoy the beauty, no matter the season. 🙂

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- Tina on October 17, 2018 at 9:19 pm said:
  
  Ha! We’ve done exactly the same thing: 80s last weekend, flooding rain and upper 40s-low 50s this week! We’re usually sunnier, but right now, we’re having Oregon weather! Yes, enjoy the beauty and every season has its own.
  
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tonytomeo on October 18, 2018 at 9:33 am said:

That red yucca was one that just appeared here a few years ago, and is now becoming popular. It should have been popular a long time ago. I just do not grow it because it is not of the Yucca genus. (I used to grow all but one of the 50 or so known specie of yucca.)

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- Tina on October 18, 2018 at 10:56 am said:
  
  It’s a popular plant here and is native, so many like its hardiness. There are a couple of cultivars, but I’m most fond of the original.
  
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  - tonytomeo on October 18, 2018 at 9:51 pm said:
    
    Yes, those who really like yuccas brag about acquiring a yellow red yucca. It does not look like anything to brag about.
    
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gardeninacity on October 19, 2018 at 12:52 pm said:

The seedhead does seem to be reaching for something, the future I suppose.

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- Tina on October 19, 2018 at 6:16 pm said:
  
  I sure hope so!
  
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shoreacres on October 20, 2018 at 9:28 am said:

Apparently I’ve never seen a yucca seed pod, because I had to visit the Wildflower Center site to get a better of sense of how they develop. I think I finally have sorted out my mystery plant that I thought might be red yucca. I’m certain it’s velvet-leaf (or small-flowered) gaura (Oenothera curtiflora). This yucca seed pod reminds me of the rain lily seed pod — mostly because of the black seeds and the tripartite division.

I’m still trying to develop a fondness for rock rose. I know it’s a great addition to a garden, but I just can’t get excited about it. Weirdly, I think it’s that particular shade of pink that puts me off — but I wouldn’t uproot it.

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- Tina on October 21, 2018 at 9:00 am said:
  
  You’re right, the seed pods are similar looking. As for the queasiness about rock rose, I think that’s a common feeling. They are…very pink, and that particlar pink (Barbie doll pink??) is a turn–off for many. I just love them in the garden though and they’re reliable pollinator magnets, and super-easy to grow!
  
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  - shoreacres on October 21, 2018 at 9:02 am said:
    
    I just figured it out. They’re Pepto-Bismol pink!
    
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  - Tina on October 21, 2018 at 9:20 am said:
    
    Yes–and ugh! You’re right, it’s a much better description of the color! Mine vary, as all hybrid plants do, in color. Some of mine are light pinks, others a really deep pink (those are my favorites). I don’t see much variation in foliage though.
    
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