tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post5642069023547555848..comments2023-09-01T02:42:35.855-05:00Comments on The Transplantable Rose: Wandering through FebruaryAnnie in Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-8189023826435203362009-03-09T10:12:00.000-05:002009-03-09T10:12:00.000-05:00It's two weeks later - definitely spring here. I'm...It's two weeks later - definitely spring here. I'm glad we have a chance for some cooler weather with a chance of rain due on Wednesday, as long as we don't freeze. <BR/><BR/>Hello, <B>MMD in IL</B> - it's fun for me to have a TX Laurel blooming this year, too, since last year's flowers froze. Have fun in the garden centers! <BR/><BR/>If you are real and not just an ad, thank you for visiting <B>John Harris</B>. <BR/><BR/>It was wonderful to have you visit my garden last April, <B>Kathy</B>. I hope we see snowdrops popping up on your blog pretty soon! <BR/><BR/>The squirrels and birds are watching that loquat tree, too, <B>Katina</B>! <BR/><BR/>Thanks, <B>VBDB</B> - I've been lucky both in TX and in IL to be able to compare weather and bloom time notes with other gardeners in the same region...big differences in temperatures between Chicago suburbs, too! <BR/><BR/>Wow, <B>Ed Rowe</B> - don't quite know what to say but thank you. The garden writer <A HREF="http://annieinaustin.blogspot.com/2006/11/essential-earthman.html" REL="nofollow">Henry Mitchell</A> has had a strong influence on me. I hope you like this quote:<BR/><I>... it is the Spectrum not the color, that makes color worth having, and it is the cycle, not the instant, that makes the day worth living...</I><BR/><BR/><B>Jenn</B>, the Hardenbergia was pretty, but I read it's really zone 9. That means it would probably survive in South and Central Austin but croak here. I hope it works for you and helps you make that green wall! <BR/><BR/>Hello <B>Flowergardengirl</B>! North Carolina may start up a little later, but the variety of plants you can grow seems much broader than what we can grow - no wonder famous nurseries and garden writers originated in NC. <BR/><BR/>Isn't the micro-climate effect fascinating, <B>Jon</B>? I made bad guesses when we first moved here, but a few years in, hope to figure them out! <BR/><BR/>Having our town on your weather page is an honor, <B>Kerri in NY</B>, although the sight of me working is more suitable for a comedy page. There's a reason the front yard is less tended than the privacy-fenced back yard! <BR/>You'll have to picture Philo sitting in that yellow chair - I just take pictures of it. <BR/><BR/>Your Texas trip looks great, <B>Lisa at Greenbow</B>- even though like all of Texas, the valley needs rain. The color pairing of chair & jasmine was serendipity. <BR/><BR/>With temperatures in the high 80's over the weekend, bet your garden is awake now, <B>Dawn</B> - it felt like summer for a couple of days, didn't it? <BR/><BR/>Have to work on that mental image, <B>Layanee in Maryland</B>...the new hat is for visiting! And the chair is Philo's! It's amusing that you imagine lemonade and Carol always says iced tea. What's more likely is Annie in a beat-up old hat on the green chair with a cup of coffee ;-]<BR/><BR/>Austin is spread out over a diverse area, <B>KateSmudges</B>, with lakes formed by dams along the Colorado River and the geologically important rift called the Balcones Fault. The altitude of my NW edge of the city garden is probably about 500 feet higher than the Central garden of MSS of Zanthan. <BR/>Hope you get some green, soon. <BR/><BR/>Spring came suddenly, <B>Garden Girl in IL</B> - the redbuds are blooming now! You'll be seeing new leaves soon. <BR/><BR/>You are so right, <B>Dee of Red Dirt</B> - those late frosts are sneaky. I've had to cover tomato plants in other years but if we don't plant before the "for sure" date, the heat will stop the plants. Last April was really special. <BR/><BR/>It was great meeting you and Dee last year at the Austin Fling, <B>MA</B> - but it's doubtful I can go to the Chicago Fling. You will have to help all us non-attenders with your posts about it in May!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment - hope that even if you can't be in the garden yet, at least the ground is showing where you live.<BR/><BR/>AnnieAnnie in Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-81506156741436045732009-03-07T20:53:00.000-06:002009-03-07T20:53:00.000-06:00Oh, I'd love to come sit in that yellow chair for ...Oh, I'd love to come sit in that yellow chair for a bit. Visit. Get caught up. Are you coming to Fling? Say yes!MAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698595362707489593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-60181000938723810982009-03-04T07:26:00.000-06:002009-03-04T07:26:00.000-06:00Annie, I like living vicariously through you Austi...Annie, I like living vicariously through you Austinites until spring truly gets here. We have until April 20th before no more freezes. That's our "for sure" date, but I start planting earlier. I miss talking to you and wish I could visit my friends in Austin. Didn't we have a splendid April last year.~~DeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-85679866327118255882009-03-03T21:36:00.000-06:002009-03-03T21:36:00.000-06:00Hi Annie, all your spring green looks inviting an...Hi Annie, all your spring green looks inviting and yes, very tranquil. The freshness of spring is everywhere in your garden, and the ash tree looks beautiful. I just love those first weeks when the trees start leafing out!<BR/><BR/>Sounds like you and MSS had a wonderful time hanging out - that pastry case is making me hungry, and I LOVE your new hat! Spring in Austin is looking wonderful.garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-1897194774717892352009-03-03T20:28:00.000-06:002009-03-03T20:28:00.000-06:00It's amazing what a difference in temperature ther...It's amazing what a difference in temperature there is between gardeners in Austin. I love the look of the fuzzy fruits of the loquat tree. To me, your garden looks delightful and lovely ~ there's green everywhere (besides evergreen trees and shrubs, it is something I haven't seen outdoors since November). <BR/><BR/>The colour of the Arizona Ash is gorgeous. Life looks great in Austin in February!kate smudgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10564410520744285676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-63936100784182814582009-03-02T09:11:00.000-06:002009-03-02T09:11:00.000-06:00It so looks like spring there and the yellow chair...It so looks like spring there and the yellow chair is a beauty. I can see you sitting there in your new hat with a glass of lemonade!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-91154532723555806162009-02-28T11:35:00.000-06:002009-02-28T11:35:00.000-06:00My plants look more dormant than yours, Annie. Tho...My plants look more dormant than yours, Annie. Though my lavender is still blooming a bit. We've just had too many extreme dips in temperature at my house. I went out and bought some annuals a couple days ago. A leap of faith perhaps, but I'll probably wait until after this weekend to try to plant them.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01818111801666078642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-43565873066684810252009-02-28T07:18:00.000-06:002009-02-28T07:18:00.000-06:00I think your garden looks wonderful Annie. We jus...I think your garden looks wonderful Annie. We just got back from the LRGV where it is so dry and crispy looking. We had to wear our coats for the first time ever while visiting there. There were still a few blooms to be seen. I love the Carolina Jasmine. It was blooming everywhere. Your chair matches it perfectly. Such a cheerful color to have in the garden. <BR/><BR/>I bought one of those hats before. I found that it indeed kept the sun off but it made my head too hot. I hope yours is vented better than the one I had. <BR/><BR/>Just seeing your garden about to rev up for the spring/summer is exciting to me.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-4171338193097502462009-02-27T22:16:00.000-06:002009-02-27T22:16:00.000-06:00Annie, Austin is one of the saved locations on my ...Annie, Austin is one of the saved locations on my weather page that I look at daily, so that I can see what your weather is up to, and picture you pottering in your lovely garden. Your weather been looking pretty darn good to me!<BR/>The Carolina Jessamine echos that lovely yellow chair so nicely. I could sit there very happily in your tranquil garden, sipping iced tea and chatting with you about the various plants :)<BR/>Your day with MSS sounds like lots of fun, especially that wonderful bakery. <BR/>I'll keep my fingers crossed for your loquats.Kerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362584475435433892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-33860324294993313032009-02-27T16:00:00.000-06:002009-02-27T16:00:00.000-06:00Annie,It is indeed amazing how diverse the growing...Annie,<BR/>It is indeed amazing how diverse the growing situations and temperatures can be in just one area, isn't it? So many variables factor in. I often am stunned at the differences in my front and back yards micro-climates and the results I get.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for this interesting post.<BR/>Jon at Mississippi GardenJonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07973206464731483011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-70239457030077567432009-02-27T15:53:00.000-06:002009-02-27T15:53:00.000-06:00I enjoyed your article and pictures. I could taste...I enjoyed your article and pictures. I could taste the goodies and imagine the sweet conversation. Your garden does look lively compared to ours here in NC. <BR/><BR/>I was just studying the NC weather patterns through the end of March and it's suppose to be cold. So no early planting for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-42113952121773527852009-02-26T18:42:00.000-06:002009-02-26T18:42:00.000-06:00Annie, if you are not a conscientious bigbox objec...Annie, if you are not a conscientious bigbox objector, you might try your local Home Depot for Hardenbergia. I picked up a 30+" tall plant (gal pot?) for $10 a few weeks ago. <BR/><BR/>It promptly dropped all its blooms, but there are a few more coming. <BR/><BR/>I'm dreaming of a green screen wall of plants that can tough it out in Phoenix's summers. This plant is one of those I'm collecting for that wall.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15597630887713954960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-53062096978425261762009-02-25T07:04:00.000-06:002009-02-25T07:04:00.000-06:00Thanks for a wonderful website. I understand wha...Thanks for a wonderful website. I understand what you mean when you say "Although I hate to see perennial plants totally die...it's just fine if they die back or go dormant". Here in the UK, though my new garden is in its infancy, I have always loved to watch the seasons change as the plants die back and come again. Winter re-emphasises the garden's skeleton, it's structure. <BR/><BR/>I don't do a garden blog but if/when I do I shall be inspired bymThe transplantable roseEd Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944838511258303518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-13113389223589905142009-02-24T22:29:00.000-06:002009-02-24T22:29:00.000-06:00Thanks for all the details you share in your posts...Thanks for all the details you share in your posts - I love being able to see the differences in temperature, varied times our plants come back from their winter dormancy, and what grows in other Austin gardens. It's amazing how different they are just miles apart.vbdbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540606885226214022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-6458289442597505112009-02-24T22:20:00.000-06:002009-02-24T22:20:00.000-06:00keeping my fingers crossed for your loquats!And th...keeping my fingers crossed for your loquats!<BR/><BR/>And that Arizona Ash has really budded out--ours has started budding (as is the Rose of Sharon), but nothing major like the one in your neighbor's yard.katinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658859113915782535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-77820925366126347812009-02-24T17:33:00.000-06:002009-02-24T17:33:00.000-06:00That photo of your backyard brought back memories ...That photo of your backyard brought back memories of my time there last April. It is wonderful to look at that sunshine and green and to think that spring has started and will eventually make its way north. Carol is chafing at the bit, but I usually don't see any flowers until mid-March.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11106962533729909868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-49732314162596174132009-02-24T13:58:00.000-06:002009-02-24T13:58:00.000-06:00These beautiful images of a nostalgic air to have ...These beautiful images of a nostalgic air to have you share with us thank you very much for your size.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.totnews.com/" REL="nofollow">See myblog</A>Enver Gökmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14745533938804532872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-86850681101858706972009-02-24T11:47:00.000-06:002009-02-24T11:47:00.000-06:00I'd go for all green right now. Thanks for the pho...I'd go for all green right now. Thanks for the photo of the Texas Mountain Laurel, I just love seeing photos of them. I'm so looking forward to visiting garden centers again.Mr. McGregor's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911409327006498766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-20343784892167262352009-02-24T11:30:00.000-06:002009-02-24T11:30:00.000-06:00Hi Randy & Jamie - my yard had only bare branc...Hi <B>Randy & Jamie</B> - my yard had only bare branches and brownish grass the first winter and spring here...it was depressing because we have so many choices in zone 8, with no need to be brown & bare. Each year we add more. <BR/>Texas Mountain Laurels are really slow growers - never tried seed. We added two good-sized Laurels to previous TX house - the photo was taken there. So far we've put in 3 smaller Texas Laurels in this garden and there might be more! <BR/><BR/>Guess I should just buy some crocus blooming in a pot, <B>Entangled</B> - I miss them! The Jessamine is supposed to be zone 7 - hope yours blooms and that you like the scent! <BR/><BR/><B>Walk2write</B>, thanks for liking the post - it was rewritten twice in an attempt to be coherent. <BR/>Sometimes I don't think Austin <I>has</I> any climate, just weather ;-]<BR/><BR/>We also peek under mulch and hope for new growth, <B>PrairieRose</B> - there were leaves at the base of the fernleaf lavender so maybe it will live again. <BR/>Maybe it's time to go to a bakery with Beckie even if the nurseries aren't ready?<BR/><BR/>Hi <B>Robin at Getgrounded</B> - you can't be faulted for thinking green is normal when you spend your life in Texas! We had conifers in IL but few broadleaved evergreens. To me the Mountain laurel leaves are as wonderful as the flowers. <BR/>I like your observations on Austin weather and how hard it is for professionals to predict it. My lot is small, so running out to cover things is possible - couldn't do that with more land!<BR/>Not too long ago the Twitter community posted updates on a large storm as it passed through the area, and the updates were retweeted by <A HREF="http://twitter.com/AustinWeather" REL="nofollow">Statesman Weather</A>. It was fascinating to see what areas got rain and in what order. Maybe the accumulated data from individuals added to Twitter and <A HREF="http://www.wunderground.com/" REL="nofollow">Weather Underground</A> will give us clues to what really happens here? <BR/><BR/>Moonlight Bakery even had Almond twists, bear claws and eclairs, <B>Phillip</B>! It felt like spring in the garden and a party on the palate ;-]<BR/><BR/>Thank you for all the comments! <BR/><BR/>AnnieAnnie in Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-29988649801075736852009-02-24T10:50:00.000-06:002009-02-24T10:50:00.000-06:00Lori - second comment- I planted cilantro a couple...<B>Lori</B> - second comment- I planted cilantro a couple of times, using saved seed. But also let other plants go to seed in the beds and NONE of that appeared. I wonder if birds and insects like the seed - after all it's really Coriander seed and people eat it so why not animals? <BR/><BR/>Hi <B>Gail</B>, thank you for being here in my garden! After a year with the fountain I can't imagine not having it. <BR/>We keep removing lawn and you add it - somewhere we'll strike a balance! <BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right about the differences, <B>EAL</B>, nearby friends in Illinois sometimes got rain when I didn't and house orientation always counts big...but maybe it takes gardeners to notice and document those differences? Other people don't pay the same kind of attention ;-]<BR/>That's too bad about the patio - remember having a roof done a few years ago and even with careful workers, please watch out for those nails! <BR/><BR/>Hello <B>Ann</B> -glad to hear from you! We've only had a few loquats since the tree started bearing in 2004. The tree itself grows well but usually a freeze knocks off most of the fruit before it ripens. We just ate what we got as fresh out-of-hand fruit. <BR/>I don't know pennyroyal- isn't it an herb? Since your seasons and ours are reversed should we wish you happy autumn?<BR/><BR/>No freeze here, <B>MSS at Zanthan Gardens</B>, but basil gets cranky under 40°F, one reason mine is grown in portable containers. No matter what I do there is never enough basil! <BR/>I also hope Moonlight Bakery becomes an essential stop for Austinites - like their pastries and wish I'd taken a photo with the list of ingredients. <BR/>The fresh cilantro in the spring rolls was wonderful - thank you! Just putting the roots in water seemed to keep them alive enough to transplant, but if you're still thinning them I'd love more. <BR/><BR/>That makes sense, <B>Robin at Nesting Place</B>. Maybe it takes living in a climate where you don't even see bare ground for weeks on end to appreciate a brown lawn & evergreens! <BR/>We grew cilantro in Illinois because Philo made salsa. We still use cilantro for salsa here, but Vietnamese restaurants have taught us to like it with Asian-inspired food, too!<BR/><BR/>Hello <B>Tabor</B> - it's too small a space for much scope but something is working visually. I'm not sure if having gray & cold is normal for you at the end of February but bet you're ready for spring!<BR/><BR/>Thank you, <BR/><BR/>AnnieAnnie in Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-87421448565081364612009-02-24T10:46:00.000-06:002009-02-24T10:46:00.000-06:00Your garden doesn't look winter-ish to me. Those p...Your garden doesn't look winter-ish to me. Those pastries look great too!Phillip Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-49214557261735308652009-02-24T10:26:00.000-06:002009-02-24T10:26:00.000-06:00Annie, great post. You reminded me of how I take t...Annie, great post. You reminded me of how I take the green-ness of my yard for granted, and am always wanting more color. I stop seeing all the green or appreciating the native evergreens during winter because I miss that lushness of spring and summer. <BR/><BR/>When the perennials die back or I cut them back are the times I wish we were blanketed in snow so I wouldn't just see an ocean of dirt and mulch, looking so empty. When someone visits, it is embarrassing to show empty-looking beds, not knowing if they can see the vision or not. In this drought, I kind of wish the plants could take a break and go completely dormant and rest. <BR/><BR/>Austin weather has always seemed strange to me. I grew up in N. Texas, where thunderstorms were a wild adventure that would last for hours(and I miss them terribly). Here, most of the storms end up in the Hill Country and break up once they reach the edges of town. I do believe the hills, the fault line and the rivers change our climate to be ridiculously unpredictable. I've noticed that the weather people here, even though professionals, often can't even predict the next 24 hours accurately. It's really odd. Like MSS, I've covered my plants much more than necessary because of dire predictions that never materialized. Exhausting sometimes, isn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-84093946429104637452009-02-24T10:10:00.000-06:002009-02-24T10:10:00.000-06:00Thanks for the tour through your garden, Annie; I ...Thanks for the tour through your garden, Annie; I needed that plant "fix." I keep raking through leaves and mulch looking for any sign of new growth, but it's pretty much wishful thinking.<BR/><BR/>It's interesting that you can have such variance in climate in the Austin area, but I'm just learning about microclimates, so I'm not surprised. Sounds like a fun time with MSS; I can't wait till the nurseries around here start stocking up so my friend Beckie and I can go shopping.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384059342847120951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-62315366060770514592009-02-24T09:56:00.000-06:002009-02-24T09:56:00.000-06:00Sometimes I wonder if we more Southern gardeners a...Sometimes I wonder if we more Southern gardeners are doing you a disservice, <B>Carol</B>, teasing you with glimpses of spring in February. For people in the North it's <I>normal</I> to have winter in February and most of March. <BR/>I'd make green iced tea for you, but it's coffee, coffee, coffee for me!<BR/><BR/>Some of the weathercasters give a range of predicted low temperatures for the whole Hill Country area, <B>Chuck</B>. I end up cover things unnecessarily, but that's better than losing them! <BR/>The cilantro is particularly annoying because it reseeded like mad last year!<BR/><BR/>Hello <B>Leslie</B> - cilantro reseeded every year in Illinois! Why can't it cooperate here? <BR/>It's doubtful that I'll be at Spring Fling unless <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina" REL="nofollow">a deus ex machina</A> is written into the next chapter of my life. <BR/><BR/>You have slightly sloping ground and an in-ground pool, <B>Pam/Digging</B> - two pluses for microclimates! <BR/>I plan on getting to that bakery again - think you'll like it. Unbleached flour! <BR/><BR/>Welcome <B>Mandi from Lakeway</B> - maybe being close to the water has a moderating effect? The warmest parts of my garden are where the house blocks the Northeast wind - bet that's happening for you, too. <BR/>Doesn't the Carolina Jessamine smell wonderful? <BR/><BR/>Thank you <B>Faire Frances</B> - as time goes on the look of <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Whaley-Her-Charleston-Garden/dp/0684843870" REL="nofollow">Mrs Whaley's garden</A> appeals to me more and more! <BR/>The cilantro & larkspur are still everywhere at Zanthan gardens - but all is promise, not in bloom. <BR/><BR/>Maybe a combination of factors, <B>Lori</B>? Just a few miles make a difference everywhere, but the Balcones Fault means we have hills & canyons. Rivers and winds change things, too. <BR/>Please do take the Mexican plum photo! <BR/>The chair was originally made to go in another part of the yard, nowhere near that jessamine, so it wasn't on purpose...pooping birds changed the location! <BR/><BR/>Thank you -<BR/><BR/>AnnieAnnie in Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414556.post-81451118961029816022009-02-24T08:00:00.000-06:002009-02-24T08:00:00.000-06:00This post was scrumptious, Annie, and there was a ...This post was scrumptious, Annie, and there was a lot to consume. Thank you! Your comments about microclimates were right on. I've noticed a similar phenomenon right here where we live, and I'm sure other areas experience it. If you think about it, those pockets of resistance to the norm present a subtle yet persistent challenge to widely accepted theories about climate in general.walk2writehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13501812375142037251noreply@blogger.com