O wise cenizo

I can't help it. Last Sunday, I peeked at the cenizo across the street. Sure enough, I spied a few flowers (and took photos). Which meant..... YES, that night around midnight, IT RAINED an inch!

Just now, I walked across the street to get some updated photos (three below). We've got a ton in the forecast for the next day or so. O wise cenizo, you always know!

Notes to myself

I packaged up this selection of seeds for a biology teacher at our local middle school. I'm hoping she can this establish these locally-native species in the school's gardens.

Yesterday, James and I threw these lemon beebalm seedheads (Monarda citriodora) in the Meadow, a wildflower area on the other side of our property and a wildflower area in the back yard. Thank you, Rhonda C.!

"From Trash to Treasure"

In case anyone's interested, here's a link to a presentation that I gave in person September 28 to the Fredericksburg chapter of the Native Plants Society of Texas. You can't see me, but that's me talking. It's about half an hour long. And here's photos of me that James took before everyone arrived... My first in-person presentation since pre-Covid!

Was it windy, Sheryl?

I'm speaking "at" NPSOT Fall Symposium

Yes, I'm so honored. I've been asked to speak at the 2021 Fall Symposium of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Actually, my presentation will be given via Zoom on Friday, October 8, at 9 a.m. My program is a brand new one, and a bit on the different side (as usual). I've titled it, "What's Up in the 'Hood? Or: How Native Plants Have Made My Life Way More Exciting!" I'm going to share samples of what I've observed and learned through the years in our native plant gardens, which is always fun and exciting. For me, at least!

 

Mandarin tree update

So my tough Texas satsuma mandarin tree (Citrus unshiu 'Miho') put on mandarins this year. It usually sets fruit every other year, but this time it rested for three. I don't know how it keeps going. My son gave it to me for Mother's Day back in 2004. Every winter, James (with a heavy sigh) moves it into the garage, then moves it back outside come spring. It's getting close to garage time again!

Meadow mowed

Sooooo James mowed The Meadow yesterday. According to my blog, he hadn't mowed it since July 2020. This summer, he didn't mow like he usually does because we had rain, and everything stayed green out there. The grasses were REALLY THICK this time. But he got it done.

September Surprises

Here they are! Our oxblood lilies, also called September surprise. At first, I wasn't going to post any photos. See, James and I got that Covid thing. We're rounding the bend to recovery, but it's been a rodeo. I've been fortunate because I've felt good enough to go outside every day. I even got an article done on deadline. Anyway, we're getting there. In the meantime, I decided our lilies deserved their annual tribute on my blog after all. One lily came up way early by itself a few weeks ago. I guess it decided it wanted to get the show on the road! LOL! Aren't they beautiful? God is Good!