Fall Flowers

Walking with Cake: Geranium in bloom

(My prettiest hanging geranium.)

Our summer was hot, but not the hottest we’ve experienced, and my outdoor plants did pretty well.  I have a heavy hand when it comes to watering, and I probably spoil my plants too much.  I did notice that most of my hardiest plants, those that are perfect for the Texas heat, didn’t bloom during the summer months.  But now that we’ve had a substantial amount of rain and the weather is cooling down, I’m seeing new blooms almost daily.

Walking with Cake: Lantana in bloom

(Lantana finally blooming.)

Lantana is great for xeriscaping, and I should really find a place to plant mine in the ground.  It would probably take off and not look so scraggly, but these pots sit outside my back door, and I love seeing them as I walk by.  They also help to disguise that plain old fence, and I’ve asked Ryan if he might build a little above-ground garden there on the concrete porch.  I’m dreaming of filling it with rich soil and plenty of drought-resistant plants, since that spot gets full sun in the afternoons.

Walking with Cake: Lantana Closeup

(I love these pretty buds.)

Here’s a closeup of a lantana bud, and though these plants are quite common in Central Texas, I never get tired of their beautiful blooms.

Walking with Cake: Potted petunias

(Potted petunias?)

I bought two of these large pots last spring, and though they sit next to each other, only one has thrived.  I think they are petunias, but please correct me if I’m wrong.  I really want to fill my backyard with plants, like my mom has done, but it’s a slow process and I have two little boys who need more tending than I can give my pots these days.  I’m attempting to grow avocados from pits, because even if they never produce fruit, they are pretty plants to have around.  And how cool would it be to raise them from seeds?

Walking with Cake: Crown of Thorns

(Crown of Thorns from Wildseed Farms.)

This is my newest addition, a Crown of Thorns plant from Wildseed Farms.  I knew nothing about it except that it was pretty and hardy, but when I brought it home and did some research, I discovered that it is full of thorns (I guess that was obvious!) and also poisonous.  I’ll have to watch the boys around it, because they like to pick my flowers and bring them to me.  A sweet, but heartbreaking, gesture.

I think we’re in for a wet, mild winter, and I’m hoping my little garden will hold up.

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