Suburban Wildlife Garden: water garden

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Fantasy Islette or Guppies Gone Wild

My front garden is filling out nicely, but only one out of three of my red yuccas are blooming in the same bed. It's sort of odd since they all bloomed at once in the past couple of years. If anyone has an idea what might be going on, please let me know.

Inside, I finally had my kitchen project finished this week. Whoever built my house put in this tiny, 12"x 24" island in the middle of the not-so-large kitchen. Since the island was so small I dubbed it my 'islette'. And as something that was always in the way, it became one of the most infamous objects in my house as well as the source of great amusement to my friends and neighbors. I often threatened to give it away as a gag gift at parties, but I don't think anyone took me seriously. Believe me, if there hadn't been electricity running through it, I would have popped it out myself long ago...

Today the contractor who did Robin's (GetGrounded) beautiful kitchen brought in a couple guys to disconnect the electricity & remove the islette and then re-tile the floor once it was gone. I'm thrilled with the results! My next project will be granite counters, stainless appliances, cabinet handles/knobs and perhaps a farmer's sink with French faucet. As you can see, I'm rather giddy with my success.

Back outside, the one dozen guppies I'd put in my container water garden last fall have experienced a population explosion. I fear my goldfish are having an identity crisis at the very least; being overrun with these frenetic live-bearers. I am now planning to separate the guppies from the goldfish. I've never had live-bearers take over in a water garden so completely before, but this group is certainly robust. I only added them last year to keep mosquito larva down that the goldfish couldn't reach, unfortunately the guppies seem to be staging a coup at this point. So, anyone want to give a few guppies a good home? :-)

I hope all the mother's out there have a very Happy Mother's Day. My Mom and sister will be down during Mother's Day, which will be a treat. May all of us learn to be as relaxed as my cat Mariah...

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." Robert Heinlein

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

A Visit to Umlauf Sculpture Garden

Part of the fun of having out-of-town guests is introducing them to my new discoveries here in Austin. Last week I took my visiting parents to several of my favorite haunts including the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.

The Gardens combine the best of both worlds; art and beautiful landscaping. They even have some bronze plants like this lily.

The colors of this yellow columbine, (Ranunculaceae Aquilegia hinckleyana) popped under the shade of the tall oaks.

Some of the sculptures touched my heart, such as Mother and Child in bronze; 1972.

As you can see, much of the landscape is greenscape with few flowers. I found it a little like listening to instrumental music without the lyrics. The greens are soothing and frame the sculptures well.

And when the flowers finally make an appearance they are appreciated that much more. I think this might be a red osier dogwood, (cornus sericea).

My favorite sculpture was a bronze called Ballerina I.

As beautiful as the sculptures are I must admit the water gardens, plants and animals were what I kept finding myself drawn to. The manmade stream and ponds are especially peaceful.