Green Hailstones

Well...obviously not.  But that's the first thought to pop into my head when I looked out and saw several of these galls laying scattered about on my deck.

I was able to locate a dozen more Texas Gold Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana) and get them into the ground.  I also planted another 'Cherry Coke' Dyckia into my Three Tiers Garden - still on the prowl for three more of these.

Still Planting

I'm still putting plants in the ground.

I recently planted over a dozen small Texas Gold Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana) under the Buford Hollies that are behind my twin waterfalls.  I actually plan on placing at least another dozen, but have not been able to locate any more in two-inch pots (can't afford that many one gallon containers!).

And after considerable bed preparation (i.e. dug out heavy soil down to limestone layer, mixed two parts compost to one part original soil, then returned to hole and also mounded it up at least twelve inches), I was finally able to plant three Turk's Cap 'Big Momma' (Malvaviscus drummondii x arboreus 'Big Momma') that were originally planned for the area that has developed into my quarry.  Hopefully they'll make a colorful backdrop to this portion of the garden.

 

Flower Power: GBBD March 2013

 Sponsored by May Dream Gardens

 

Established Plants

   

 Purple Oxalis (Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionaceae 'Atropurpurea')

Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera)

Pink Shamrock (Oxalis crassipes 'Rosea')

Variegated Abutilons (Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii')

 Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa)

 Texas Gold Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana)

Gopher Plant (Euphorbia rigida)

 Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

Annuals

Pansies (Viola tricolor)

Potted Plants

Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)

Formosa Red Azalea (Azalea indica 'Formosa Red')

Indoor Plants

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.)

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

Dendrobium 'Burana Jade'

Flower Wannabes

Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) 

Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium)

Chile Petin's (Capsicum annuum var. aviculare)  

Dwarf Buford Holly (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana') 

 Flowering Kale 'Chidori Red' (Brassica oleracea 'Chidori Red') 

 Tardies

Star Begonia (Begonia heracleifolia)

Planting Plants

I was able to get a few of my recently purchased plants into the ground.

I have always envisioned having one or two Maidenhair Ferns near my pond's waterfall.  After doing some minor rock work, I was able to enlarge a small pocket so that it could hold a plant.  A single Mairis's Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum x mairisii) fit nicely and will hopefully fill in the spot.

My single Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa) has done so well that I decided to add two more nearby.

I have always enjoyed variegated plants, so I recently grabbed two variegated Abutilons (sp. unknown) and added them to a narrow, shady bed.

Nearby, I decided to try a Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeeana).  Once it's grown a bit, maybe it will add some color to this shady area.

Lastly, in a small area near a path, I decided to add three additional Chocolate Chip Ajugas (Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda') to the small existing patch that has been doing well.

I continue to prepare beds either by mixing copious amounts of compost in already planted beds or by digging out areas, removing rocks, mixing the heavy soil with twice as much compost and then returning it to it's original bed.  It takes a lot of time and effort, but hopefully it will make subsequent planting easier.

Another Plant

Been mainly working on bed preparation: digging out the old & the rocks, mixing the removed soil with compost and returning it to the excavated area.  All to make room for the Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) that has been waiting for four months for it's garden spot.  Finally got it planted.  Hope summer isn't too rough on it's developing roots.