It’s easy to love the spring garden. From traditional garden standards,
Unknown passalong Iris.
…to self-seeding weeds, also known as wildflowers,
Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum) and Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) pair well in a sunny bed.
Giant Spiderwort (Tradescantia gigantea)
…the spring garden awakens the gardener’s heart and gladdens the soul.
Blooming and climbing vines wind their way along fences,
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) opens its tubular blooms
…or sometimes, a beloved daughter’s bicycle.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) entwines and embraces Shoshana’s bicycle.
Bold foliage/bloom pairings abound in the spring garden. The vibrant purple clusters of the Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora, contrast beautifully with its solid and simple foliage,
…while the orange-crush, cup-like blooms of Globe Mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua, differentiate themselves from their companionable ruffly, silvery leaves.
Sunshine yellow is plentiful at the terminal ends of stalks of Golden Groundsel, Packera obovata, .
The cheery blooms give rest to a weary Crane fly.
It’s easy to appreciate the many stunning blooms flourishing in the garden.
Not to be outdone by mere perennials however, the two back garden Shumard Oaks, Quercus shumardii,
…rush to compete with other plants, producing their own inflorescence show which has ramifications for all other parts of the garden.
Fallen oak catkins cover a newly planted area.
Oak catkins atop a potted Texas Beargrass (Nolina texana)
Oak catkins in between Mexican Feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima) and Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata).
Catkins adorn a Maneki-neko garden art.
Catkins embellish a White Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii).
Catkins float in the recently cleaned pond!
Catkins drape over a Martha Gonzales Rose bush.
Catkins decorate Asher!
Those darned catkins! They are not so easy to enjoy, nor are they so easy to clean up!
Ah well, it’s all part of the spring garden experience.
The early spring garden–easy to savor, easy to treasure.
It is a place to listen to the love songs of the Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, sung between his treats of Burford Holly berries,
….or to be charmed with the nighttime (and occasionally daytime) trills of the resident Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio, couple.
Mama Screech Owl waiting for a snack from her mate.
Daddy Screech Owl resting and watching in the Texas Mountain Laurel Tree.
The spring garden is lush, colorful, vibrant–and ready for new life.
My Gardener Says... 