2012 - the year of the tree!

2012 is the year of the tree for my backyard (whoopsie, don't tell my HOA). I've purchased 2 trees from a local nursery and had 2 others shipped to me. All of them are about 3 to 4 feet tall.

The locally purchased trees are an ornamental Retama (I know, these guys are like weeds) and a Mimosa tree. The other two are Japanese Maples - ordered from a nursery in Oklahoma... and yes..... japanese maples are not native and adapted... but I'll work hard to keep them happy in my backyard.

The two japanese maples were delivered to me in these cool burlap bags. I purchased a 'Acer disectum (laceleaf) weeping Crimson Queen and 'Acer palmatum Emperor I.'

For now, I've potted all of the trees in large pots and will place them in their planned final spots just to make sure they're getting what they need - and not too much sun - before I put them in the ground.

I can't wait to post more pics as time goes on as each tree gets leaves and grows!

Sometimes, things just come together....

This past Sunday was a busy one for me......

Sometimes - things just have a way of coming together. Last year I needed my roof replaced, and the roofers killed the grass right near the house - in the corner of my front yard. Before the roofers came, the grass was up to the edge of the small patio in front of my front door. But ladders and guys walking on the grass, killed it. What's a gardener to do but dig it up and plant something!

I had some landscaping rock I bought from craigslist last year - so used it as the border. I knew that the varigated lirope did well during last summer's heat and this winter's freezes - so I bought a plat of it from Home depot. I also bought a plat of begonia's - even though they are really annuals, they take shade and bloom well in this area.

This is basically 'the cake'. I plan on getting lots more to plant as the 'icing on the cake'. I'm thinking of more color - maybe heucheras and coleus. It's fully shaded, so will have to consider that when picking out plants. Also, I need some sort of a focal point - that will come over time.

My other endeavour on that beautiful Sunday was to 'finish' my greenhouse. I had purchased a used 6'x8' greenhouse - glass with aluminum frame - from craigslist last fall. I worked on getting the glass installed as time allowed - and Viola! There it is. My Greenhouse!

Sunday I spent the day collecting and hauling pea gravel available for free to my subdivision from the hoa play ground that is being redone. I also put in more of the glass panes. I was putting in the LAST piece of glass in the roof and must have given the glass a bit of 'torque' - it broke right in my hands.... so I still need to get one more piece of glass and install it - then I will truly be in business!

I'm hoping that this weekend I can be as productive!

February 23, 2010 - Snowday in Austin!

Pic says it all! It snowed here in Austin - very large flakes - it was beautiful to watch.

I love surprises!

I'm not sure the name of this little gem, but I bought it recently from Great Outdoors when I was putting together plants for the japanese style garden. It's colors and leaf shapes went well with the other plants I had picked. It surprised me with blooms and growth during the winter.





























I've not figured out where to put this flowering shrub.... but it surprised me with a bloom! This gardener's bad habit - buy something, don't know where to put it, keep it sitting in the garden in the pot....... finally figure out it's perfect place and plant it. This little shrub has been in a pot for too long to admit to....































Ok, so not such a good pic - but this varigated bamboo has new growth coming up. Very deep colors - love it.

As a fairly new blogger, I'm experimenting with pictures and text placement.... not sure about my choices for today's post!

Oh, what's a gardener to do....

Oh, what's a gardener to do..... after the freezes in Austin. Post pics of rocks !!!!

I added rocks, ornamental grasses and tree stumps around my water feature last fall.

These Rocks I harvested from the cemetery on Hancock near Mopac - free for the taking.

A pic of my greenhouse - purchased off of Craigslist... still have 5 panes of glass to replace, cover the foundation with bricks that match my house, build benches - and let the planting begin!

The buddha lady in my japanese-garden-in-progress - still looking good! :)

Promises to a bougainvillea!

As I went on my stroll through my backyard this morning, I grabbed the camera, but thought to myself that I really didn't have anything to talk about or take a picture of...... wow was I wrong!

This past holiday weekend was very busy for me in the garden. Saturday I made it out to the Zilker Gardens for the Succulent show and sale. Saw lots of very interesting and colorful succulents and bought me a few to neatly arrange in a container. I've been reading the book that Pam at Digging reviewed on Succulents - it's given me lots of ideas.

Sunday morning garden time was time spent maintaining, planting some miscellaneous this and thats, moving a few things that just weren't in the right place. I planted the bamboo that I bought at the bamboo festival a couple weeks ago. It's very small now - but it will grow fast. I've got 4 Golden Goddess Bamboo plants planted along my fence - hoping that real soon it will soften the fence line and add interest.

And finally, on my trek through Home Depot, I bought a beautiful bougainvillea. I admit that I've NEVER been able to keep a bougainvillea alive..... I'm very very committed to really making this one a go! I'll keep my blog updated with my promise to the bougainvillea!

Signs of recovery

Every morning this week, I've noticed all of the plants looking much healthier, happier, not stressed so much. It's been wonderful. I can't wait for those days when I can spend a couple of hours in the garden, some time working - some time sitting on the patio, under the pergola, with a tasty drink - paper umbrella included!
One happy little Morning Glory.

Morning blooms: Abutilon and Pink Skullcap.