My garden is very slow to wake up in the Spring. I used to think it was because it was a mostly shady garden. But even now that I have lots more sun, my garden still doesn't really start blooming until May. And since I am not a patient gardener, I end up buying pretty... Continue Reading →

My gardening style is to use fun textures and colors with year-round interest. I began to design with a list of my very favorite plants that give a high bang for the buck. Many of the plants must endure very hot summers and winters usually down to 15 degrees. Most of the plants are perennials however I usually... Continue Reading →

The orange hued Bougainvillea were blooming on campus to support the women's longhorn volleyball team's journey to a repeat national championship. Hook'em!

As the saying goes "a garden is never finished."  Therefore the work of a gardener is never ending. This has never been more true for me than in 2023. As I look back over the year, it seemed there were only rare occasions that I was finding joy in my garden. And this is NOT acceptable... Continue Reading →

It is still uncertain what the fate is of many of the plants, shrubs and tree in my gardens. I am tying to keep a hopeful outlook knowing how resilient plants can be. I got to see that first hand after Hurricane Harvey took its toll on my Rockport garden. So for now, I will... Continue Reading →

The Texas August heat wave is no problem for the ruellias scattered throughout my garden. And for the shady gardener, the many varieties of ruellia provide blooms you can count on. Blooms will continue until the first frost to the delight of butterflies and hummingbirds. Ruellia humilis, only gets 1-2 feet high with slightly fuzzy... Continue Reading →

Before the sweltering heat sets in, I vowed to spend a little more time enjoying the garden. This morning, my Hypericum still had a few blooms left. Salvia Amistad adds splashes of purple. Whenever I trim this plant back I make new cuttings to continue repeating this plant throughout the garden. Aspidistra milky way is a spotted... Continue Reading →

Gentle breezes carry the delightful aroma of a winter honeysuckle bush throughout my garden this month. The one by my front door was destroyed by contractors last remodel project and I had forgotten that I had planted another one tucked into a corner hidden from view and completely ignored. I had to search a bit... Continue Reading →

While the Austin garden is struggling to survive after 55 days of 100+ degree heat and one of the driest July's in our history, Rockport's sun loving plants are thriving. The star performer is the candlestick plant which have begun to put out their unique yellow blooms. Hiding behind the house keeps them protected from... Continue Reading →

Hopping on the 16th Street Free MallRide was a fun little adventure just blocks from the hotel. The electric buses stop on every block between Civic Center Station and Union Station so it was easy to get off at my first destination site, The Tattered Corner Book Store. Such a charming place to browse around... Continue Reading →