Peach blossoms!

There's a long-jawed orbweaver in the middle of the flowers. Can you see it?

Let's do the butterfly mash

This glass feeder has become the 'local pub' for red admirals in Charlotte's gardens.

Charlotte, a WTW blog reader, sent this photo and recipe to me. Because red admirals are my FAVORITE butterfly species, I asked if I could share, and she said yes!

 

BUTTERFLY MASH

2 black bananas, peeled and smashed

1 tablespoon molasses

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/3 cup dark beer (more or less to make the   mixture “soupy”)

 

Mash ingredients together and allow to sit UNCOVERED overnight to ferment. Spoon small amount into a shallow plastic lid. If you make it, they will come.

Malta-star thistle...THE WAR CONTINUES

Time once again to go on Malta-star thistle patrol. Since 2012, we've managed to get this awful invasive species under control in our Wildscape. But I still have to monitor certain areas, mostly along the street easements in our front yard and adjoining Meadow. Allegedly, the seeds can remain viable for up to 10 years. You can search "Malta-star thistle" on this blog and read more about this AWFUL plant. 

Don't EVEN get me started on BASTARD CABBAGE!

Simpson's rosinweed

Take a look at my Simpson's rosinweed, which I planted from seed in 2014 (and didn't know what it was until much later on). It has GROWN. Plus, it's reseeded itself many times over. I've already dug up a few and potted them for an unsuspecting native plant lover. This species grows TALL, like Maximilian sunflower. In the background is Lindheimer's beebalm.

My rosinweed photographed August 31, 2014

Pruning has begun

Oh, yes, whenever the weather's been good, I've started pruning in our Wildscape. A little here. A little there. I've cut back some of the mealy cup sages, lantanas, inland seaoats and 'Eyelash' salvias. I've got a LONG way to go.

February blooms

Anemones

We're well into February, and just look at what's blooming! Plus, we spotted bluebonnets in Austin Saturday!

Texas redbud

Rosemary

"Weedy" but pretty henbit

Daffodils

Quince

A garden mystery

About a month or so ago, I was in the back yard, tending beds, when I happened to notice these pebbles strewn across a rock stepping stone. Hmm, that's odd, I thought. I decided I'd ask James if he'd put them there because I sure hadn't. Time went by, and I forgot to ask James. 

Yesterday, I noticed them again and made yet another mental note to myself to ask James. Finally, before we turned out the lights last night, I remembered! He had no clue what I was talking about. We went outside this morning, and I showed him. He noticed, that of all the stepping stones, the one with the pebbles was the whitest. What does it all mean? Pebbles on a white rock? I have no idea! Except that it's weird weird weird! I can't think of an animal that would have left them there. Can you?