It’s a dandy day when one is privileged to observe an eager pollinator on an early spring flower. On a warm February day in bright sunshine, this Green Sweat Bee (Halictidae) visited a non-native Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, situated along a pathway in my front garden. It’s not an official flower in my garden, but I welcome it just the same.
I’m a big fan of native plants and avoid using invasive plants in my garden, but I admit to a soft-spot for this weedy thing that so many love to hate. I’m tolerant of dandelions because they offer themselves to pollinators in times when others are not prepared to provide. The common dandelion endures curses, noxious sprays, and physical destruction–but not in my garden. Once the cheery yellow is done, I’ll maybe snip off the seed head–if I notice it. But destroy a flower that’s available to feed a bee or moth or butterfly? That’s a un-dandy thing to do!
I only ever see a sweet Inca Dove, Columbina inca, in my gardens during winter months. They usually appear as bonded pairs, waddling along the ground while nibbling, or resting together quietly. Sometimes the couples perch side-by-side on low branches of trees, at other times, they relax in partnership on the ground. These two are companionable and comfortable among pebbles and dropped seed in morning sunshine.
In my last post, Texas Mountain Laurel, A Seasonal Look, I wrote that these lovely small trees are year-round, stalwart evergreens, even when under ice.
My Texas Mountain Laurels have successfully withstood Texas’ capricious weather patterns, from extreme drought and heat, to mild winters suddenly punctuated by bitter cold, icy conditions. Two years ago, during the historic nine day deep freeze, not-so-affectionately called Snowpocalypse or Snowmageddon, both of my laurels endured damage. Several limbs, big and small, died back. Some I pruned, others I left for the birds’ perching pleasure. No blooms happened that March, but both trees survived, albeit thinner in foliage and form.
Last week, another cold snap settled in for several days. It wasn’t as cold, only 29-32F, but rain, turning to ice, covered everything.
The half-inch of ice played havoc on tree limbs (and utility lines) all over Central Texas. The only damage in my garden was to my older Texas Mountain Laurel. This specimen, already weakened by age and 2021’s Snowpocalypse, suffered several breaks due to the heavy ice, impacting its canopy.
The tree survived, but a significant bit of top foliage is now gone. It wasn’t a lot of foliage, but enough of these extra bits now gone add arboreal insult to broken-branch injury.
This pile of foliage and limbs now sits out by the street, awaiting the City of Austin yard waste trucks to haul it away, to continue existence as compost, mulch, or Dillo Dirt.
What remains has shaken off the ice and is ready to move on to spring–and beyond.
This is the older Texas Mountain Laurel a few days before the ice storm. The upper left quadrant of foliage is where I have recently observed the Eastern Screech Owl couple perching together, as they meet one another each evening at sundown.
In the photo below, you can see that the foliage in that area is missing. However the tree remains viable, though weathered and aged.
The canopy is not as dense as it once was, the green not as robust and full. This tree is entering its last years, any ice damage adds to its struggles.
This second laurel has always grown shade. It’s never been as large or full as the other and sustained some damage from 2021’s storm.
This year’s ice storm had no real impact on this little tree. It’s ready for its spring flowering, limited though it is by shade.
Severe cold events and summer droughts have challenged both laurels, but they are tough plants and they stand their ground. The possibility of extreme weather events should always be considered when choosing plants for a garden. I wouldn’t hesitate to plant more Texas Mountain Laurels–and I have!
My Gardener Says... 