Neglected Mexican Plum…
…Blooming its head off!!!
I planted this last fall in a berm and gave it no supplemental water all last summer…thought maybe it would suffer, but it has proven to be tough as nails, and is therefore perfect for my garden!
My garden through Pam Penick’s, eyes…
I feel so lucky to be blessed with mentors in my life. One of my mentors, Pam Penick, came to my garden last week with a group of amazing garden bloggers from Austin (Diana, Lori, Cat, and Jenny), and locals Melody and her lovely GVST crew. IT – WAS – SUR – REAL. BUT…back to Pam…THE Pam Penick… in MY garden. The woman I have learned so much from, and owe so much to, here. Whoa.
It was an amazing visit where so many things came full circle for me. I am still processing it, actually. oh, and I got to ask her advice on specific questions too! BONUS!
Here is Pam’s post
Life is Good.
Wide Shot – October 2014
You will see from the photos we got some rain the last two weeks…not a ton…but enough.
This living fence got ZERO water from me this year. ZERO. I treat my little ollie bushes just like my Texas sage.
PURPLE’LICIOUS!
Please excuse my smaller pictures – WordPress updated on my machine, and I need to figure out how to post larger pictures. In the meantime, if you click a picture, you can view it full-size.
Please join me in posting a wide shot of your garden the first of every month, or anytime you get to it in the month. It is my hope, that this exercise will assist us all both in the appreciation of our gardens as they grow and change, and in growing and learning ourselves to recognize changes we may want to make.
Wide shot – September 2014
It has been very dry this summer in San Antonio, and my garden certainly reflects that. Especially my gulf muhly grasses (Muhlenbergia capillaris) that need more water then I ever give anything…I see a change coming…
Although, everything is hanging in there (mostly), waiting on the fall rains to start.
I “keep it real” with my garden – I don’t dump water on stuff. I just don’t. My garden is mostly native, and it is rough and raw and sometimes not pretty. Just like in life, our garden’s have their ups and downs, and it is all part of the process.
Need privacy?
I love this ultra private front yard garden! Car lights at night on this dead end street don’t bother these folks.
And talk about color!
Who says a xeric garden can’t look full and lush?!?! Judging by their plant selection of primarily natives, I bet these home owners never water.
I hope you are inspired:). Around my neighbourhood front yard gardens are finally catching on. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) can take the credit for that with all of their amazing financial incentives. I am part of one of their programs, and I have helped clients do the same. I would love to work for SAWS conservation department!
See SAWS incentives here.
Thank you SAWS!
My Texas mountain laurel is broken :(
I just came home to 1/4 of my beloved Texas mountain laurel snapped off! So sad….
Has this ever happened to anyone? I have no idea what happened :(
Wide Shot – July 2014
Sorry I am late on my post – we were away on a lovely Canadian vacation for my beautiful sister, and new brother-in-law’s wedding. I got to come home to a lot of blooms; I always miss my garden when I am away…
The Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) are in full bloom, indicating we had some rain. 
Bees are buzzin’ !
Butterflies are loving the blooms on the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) as well!
This picture illustrates my plan for the foundation beds finally coming to pass! When I designed the beds close to the house, I wanted it to look like the silver galvalume roof was molten metal dripping onto the ground in layers… melting off the roof. Above you see the artemisia ‘powis castle’ and then Dalea greggi oozing as the lowest layer.
On the other side of the house I have a tapestry of silver oozy goodness – Dalea greggi, silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea), and creeping germander (Teucrium cossonii).
Thank you all for your participation in this meme, I love all your posts VERY MUCH!
See you in August!
Please join me in posting a wide shot of your garden the first of every month, or anytime you get to it in the month. It is my hope, that this exercise will assist us all both in the appreciation of our gardens as they grow and change, and in growing and learning ourselves to recognize changes we may want to make.
Xericstyle 