It's a Spring Fling Thing

Copyright © 2007-2008. Suburban Wildlife Garden. All Rights Reserved.

I had a pleasant time meeting Garden Bloggers from around the country at the 2008 Spring Fling here in Austin. I didn't get a chance to talk with everyone, but the Bloggers I did speak with were very kind. Thank you to Pam, Diana, MSS and Bonnie for doing all the heaving lifting (and a special thanks again to Pam & MSS for inviting us into your homes and gardens)... and thanks to the out-of-towners for coming all the way to Austin to make this happen.

The Fling started for me on Saturday when I joined with the group's tour -- already in progress -- at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. Here are some photos I took of the plants and hardscapes we looked at...

I was very happy to meet Susan Wittig Albert and purchase two of her autographed books. [Mysteriously, I saw a beautiful garden nymph climb out of a cage just as we were leaving the center, but perhaps it was my imagination...?]

The Flingers had a delicious lunch at Nuevo León and enjoyed an eloquent talk by KLRU's Tom Spencer.

After lunch we drove to my favorite nursery, The Natural Gardener, where several people found botanical goodies. It was all I could do to not purchase something, but I will likely go back and buy one of these beaded animals soon. They are too cool!

Next stop was a tour of James David & Gary Peese's magnificent gardens. To see a map of the property click here. My photos do not do them justice, but here is a brief tour...

My son would love this collection of fossils.

When we stepped into the garden I said "Now I know how the kids felt when they were let loose in Wonkaland." I half-expected Gene Wilder to start singing "Pure Imagination".

Visions of my therapy pool are dancing in my head...



Looking back up towards the house you can see the Flingers are enjoying the garden.

In my next life I'd like to come back as a bird in this garden.





This table is ready for a Feast.

They do have a pitch of lawn with a vista.


There are beautiful pots throughout the property.

I love this grouping of succulents...

No idea what these cool 'tongue-looking' succulents were among the poppies...

More poppies...


Bill & I went to visit the chickens.


Yes, I loved the chickens.

You may also want to watch this cool KLRU video with James David...

Check out some of the other blogs to see more of the social photos. Unfortunately my camera's battery lost power after the David/Peese Garden, but there was a lovely tour of MSS's garden, a Happy Hour at Pam's house and then a dinner at the County Line.

Thanks again to everyone for all your hard work and kindness. Happy Gardening!

"You don't have to garden just for yourself. You have to share it."...Augusta Carter

Copyright © 2007-2008. Suburban Wildlife Garden. All Rights Reserved.

Another Walk with the Wildflowers

We took our visiting relatives to see the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center last weekend. It was not my first visit, nor will it be my last now that I have a membership. At the Wildflower Center visitors can see first-hand how Lady Bird Johnson spent her life working to "protect and preserve North America's native plants and natural landscapes". This interactive map of the grounds shows there is a lot to see at the Center.



When we first arrived we noticed the butterflies were drawn to drifts of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).





The horsetails (Equisteum hyemale) below are lush and abundant in the Wetland Pond.






The red-eared sliders seemed unconcerned with the algae that covered their shells and the tiny fish that found it so tasty.

The central irrigation rooftop system that collects rainwater off the Center's buildings has been very busy during our exceptionally rainy summer this year. Dry-loving plants top the 5,000 gallon capacity Tower Cistern where visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view.

A Coral Honeysuckle greeted us as we walked down the outer staircase of the Tower Cistern.






This stone wall gives old world ambiance to the Member's Garden.

My son was intrigued by the fossilized ammonite in the Homeowner's Inspiration Garden.

A handsome bench invites the wanderer to cross this field of rock rose (pavonia lasiopetala) for a rest in the sun.

I was particularly taken with this woolly ironweed, (Vernonia lindheimeri).

We were lucky to visit on a sunny day. The bumble bees and butterflies were happily sampling these tall sunflowers.

This little fellow was getting a sip of water from the paving stones.

I prefered the pool in the Court Yard which looks tempting enough to dive into.

The Halberdleaf hibiscus or rose mallow (Hibiscus laevis) was blooming happily next to the courtyard pool. We were told by a docent that the flowers look lovely floating on the surface of the water as well.

After a pleasant stroll through the grounds we ended our stay at the Wildflower Center Store where I bought a copy of "Hummingbirds of Texas", by Clifford E. Shackelford, Madge M. Lindsay and C. Mark Klym.

The book is full of colorful photographs and helpful information about making a hummingbird garden in your backyard. I highly recommend it as well as a visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

"My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth." Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson Remembered

Copyright © 2007-2009. Suburban Wildlife Garden. All Rights Reserved.

I was so sorry to hear that former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson passed away this week. She really was a remarkable lady who did so much for environmental conservation and the beautification of our countryside.

Photo from University of Texas, Austin.

In 1982 Mrs. Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The center is not only lovely, but an excellent research institution that advocates the use of native plants and the protection of rare plant species. You can learn more about Lady Bird Johnson's Wildflower Center by watching this YouTube video.

Through her efforts, Lady Bird Johnson helped to promote the planting of vast areas of Texas roadways and fields with beautiful native wildflowers.

In 1989 I had the good fortune to attend a luncheon in which Lady Bird Johnson was the guest of honor. She was so inspirational I wanted to run out and plant wildflowers that very afternoon. She graciously gave each of us there an autographed copy of Texas Wildflowers, which I've cherished to this day.

Here is a beautiful quote by Lady Bird Johnson that describes her commitment to her work:

“Some may wonder why I chose wildflowers when there are hunger and unemployment and the big bomb in the world. Well, I, for one, think we will survive, and I hope that along the way we can keep alive our experience with the flowering earth. For the bounty of nature is also one of the deep needs of man.”

Rest in peace, Dear Lady.

Copyright © 2007-2009. Suburban Wildlife Garden. All Rights Reserved.