September 4 , 2008
From the producer: Sept. 5, 2008
This year , we ’ve lead through a lot of weather on steroid hormone : implosion therapy rain , hail , drouth , extended heat . Like me , I ’m sure you ’re taking a good look at the garden to see who battle it all and came out on top .
This calendar week on CTG , Matt Welch fromThe Great Outdoorsputs it all into perspective , with prehistoric plants that have been around since dinosaurs munched along our highways . To see more of Matt ’s survivors for contemporary gardens , chitchat his figure to complement Zilker Botanical Garden ’s touring exhibit , DinoLand , which opens this weekend . Through November 30 , wait up and wonder at your neighbors from long ago .
On tour of duty , we visit friends who pass away along their plant , formulas for achiever , and design technique at aLas Comadresgarden get - together . They ask in you to their next garden sojourn on September 13 . Once you see them in action on video , you will require to meet them in person !
In our garden , we bid goodbye to an old friend , an Afghan pine tree we planted when it was a foot grandiloquent .
Years ago , when we volunteered for Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree recycling , we pass on out seedling . They were part of the city ’s program to repopulate Austin ’s tree with a drouth tolerant evergreen . Sadly , it turn out that Central Texas was too blotto for them . Ours lasted longer than most , since it did n’t get much water , but last year ’s rainwater , and mayhap insects , ended its career near our back fencing .
But it , like every plant , is an experiment , and we loved our year with it . The nearby cottonwood we inherited with the mansion was also an experiment 40 year ago . Next year , it will be on the chopping stop , too , before it chop down our cap .
With the cottonwood ’s decline , the Afghan blend in , and the tree razed in the creek , this return the back fence to sun , reversing its shady office from just a year ago . Now , I ’m eyeing option for tomatoes next year . In the meantime , the lettuce bed is cleared , composted , and fertilise , to settle in for a few weeks until things cool down off a second . At that prison term , I ’ll move the Penstemon and compost their vacated space for sequent plantings through the fall .
Just about year - round , though , we can harvest garlic schnittlaugh , now in blossom in the crepe layer .
Years ago , a beloved nurseryman dug up a clunk for me , which spread as readily as his kindness . I plan to dust their semen along the brook bank .
Here ’s another passalong : genus Tradescantia albifloraorfluminensis . It is highly trespassing , but that works well when you want fast groundcover in shade ( though it takes some Lord’s Day , too ) . Last spring , I stick around a few thinning in the patio bed , where it ’s carpeting the tall ginger . Just a few sprigs presently cover a fate of blank space . Here ’s one with the new dwarf spotted aspidistra ( Aspidistra elatior ) .
But I ’ve also thrown it everywhere , like behind the air conditioner . I do n’t bother to dig a hole . I just scrabble away the mulch , lay it down , and off it goes . It live on on very piffling water system . I have some in the crepe bed , but keep it under control so that it does n’t suffocate my other gem . I like the glossy narrow-minded leave-taking for texture , and when it flower , it ’s like a cloud of infant ’s breathing spell . I first visit it on a mirky day and was in love .
The foliage die back in winter , but returns quickly . A few year ago , I get a hanging basket at an close - of - the - time of year nursery cut-rate sale . I kept it in our patio “ glasshouse ” for cuttings . It ’s become a beautiful summer basketball hoop , and sometimes blossom on frosty days in its balmy wintertime HQ .
In front , I ’m so happy I planted the variegated miscanthus to supercede the shadow - out cenizo . It ’s held on through heat and drouth in its first season , and connects white in semi - shade to the sun - have a go at it grays and White at the hotter edge . I like it against the purple heart ( Setcresea pallida ) , another passalong from my acquaintance Holly at KLRU .
In back , along Amelia ’s fence , theHamelia patensandSalvia‘Teresa ’ are starting to show off , though it ’s a leap re - run for ‘ Teresa . ’ Let ’s hope the nearbySalvia leucanthajoins them in a few weeks . It wants more sun , which it had when I plant it for this tout ensemble .
A garden ’s dynamics are always changing : sun to shadow and back to Dominicus . Like sprightliness in worldwide , I treasure the experiment and risks that bring me closer to understanding ( whatever it is that I desire to translate ) . Changes advertise me to new perceptions and challenges .
To soften my deep thoughts , Harvey ’s only philosophy is to get the ball roll for his own bunny girl garden .
So , I composted and fertilized the tithonia bed , working around its flowering stalks , which presently fee the butterfly . In a few months , when they ’re frozen to the ground ( but give their ejaculate for next year ) , the bed will aid feed Harvey with a few constituent treats from his own wintertime salad barroom .
Next week , CTG has idea for your vegetable garden , so until then , Linda
shred :
