spring Archives | Page 5 of 5 | Diana's Designs Austin

They’re Baaaaaaaaack!

Oh my. Oh my my. This is the first bluebonnet of Spring. I’m sure it must be one of the first in Central Texas because it is MUCH too early! I can’t say that it’s mine, though. I noticed it yesterday while walking the stupiddogs in our neighborhood. (That’s my new name for my mutts who are causing me unbelieveable grief!

My neighbors have this small clump of blue bonnet leaves — probably a foot square — that’s been as green and happy as it can be for a month now. Their whole front area by the street is usually a field of bluebonnets in March or April, but this is the first little clump to appear.
And I can’t for the life of me get the name of these daisies off my tongue — are they nerve daisies? Anyone know? I think that’s what they are, but we have so many daisy wildflowers that I can’t always keep up with them. Wildflowers. On February 10. wow. Not much else to say but that. Enjoy.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:47:54-05:00February 10th, 2008|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring, Wildflowers|10 Comments

Shine a little light on me …

Leatherleaf Mahonia

The light was so beautiful this moring, I thought I’d capture some interest in the garden in spite of our seasonal purgatory here in Central Texas. We get a few nice days and then it freezes again…we can’t quite plan or plant just yet. But, Mother Nature teases us every once in a while with a lovely warm day like today.

Viburnum flowering in the back yard.

I bought this at a neighbor’s plant sale and now, 7 months later, I can’t remember what it is. It’s on the ip of my tongue. It has soft, fuzzy leaves and grows talk stalks with tiny, buttery-yellow blooms throughout the summer…aarrgghhh! Maybe I’ll think of it, and maybe someone out there can “pop” me on the side of the head like I shoulda had a V-8 and tell me what it is!!! It’s starting to sprout up from the ground.

I have lots of these blooming right now! Hmmmm….

Can you guess what this is? I’ll give you a hint: It’s a vine. That’s all you get. The first person to correctly name this plant will get some seeds from me. Give it a shot!

Wish we could send some of this nice weather today (72f today) to our friends in the north, but I guess you’ll have ot settle for pictures for now.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:58-06:00February 2nd, 2008|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring|13 Comments

The jasmines are back, the jasmines are back!

This is so exciting to me. The bright yellow bloom of the primrose jasmine is the first harbinger of Spring here in Austin, Texas, and I’ve found a handful popping out throughout our neighborhood.

They just make me smile from ear to ear. It’s the promise of a brighter day and a new season of growth and beauty. I look forward to them, and then shortly thereafter, my daffodils and various other bulbs.

Speaking of which, I didn’t get my leftover bulbs in the ground last weekend, choosing instead to focus on tearing out tomatoes and planting seeds. We’re supposed to get up to 68 or 70 degrees Saturday and Sunday, so I’ll push that up to the top of the list again!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:47:55-05:00January 30th, 2008|Blog, bulbs, jasmine, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring|0 Comments

Helloooooooo down there!

Ah. Spring. Well, not really Spring. But, the promise of Spring.

We’ve had cold (for us – 40 degrees) weather and rain and gray skies for several weeks. But when the sun came out today, you would have thought we hadn’t seen it in months! It was delightful. From the steam rising off the plants as it warmed so quickly this morning, to the beautiful morning light, the promise of this day was full.

So, I grabbed the camera and headed out to search for other signs of Spring. And I found them. Just a few little bulbs peeking out- sending up their delicate shoots to check on the weather up here and decide whether or not they really want to show up for the dance!

I’m so sad to report that in the holiday rush, I only got about 1/2 of the bulbs I bought into the ground. But, we should still have about 50 new bulbs joining the existing burst of color that always makes me smile every time I walk outside in the late winter here. (Because it really isn‘t Spring, yet, and won’t be for quite some time!)

I wonder if I can keep the other bulbs somewhere and plant them next season? I don’t really think so, but I hate to waste them.

So, with 72 degrees on the horizon for tomorrow, I can’t even decide where to start. But I know that tomorrow will be spent outdoors, soaking up the vitamin D I’ve been missing and getting my hands dirty somehow. I can’t wait!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:47:55-05:00January 26th, 2008|Blog, bulbs, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring|0 Comments

spring

They’re Baaaaaaaaack!

Shine a little light on me …

The jasmines are back, the jasmines are back!

Helloooooooo down there!

Escape in the garden