Happy GBBD

I'm a day late, however I still wanted to join Carol at May Dreams Gardens for GBBD.  Here is a look at what is blooming in my garden in May.

 Lavender Lady Passionflower Vine

Spanish Lavender and Cora Vincas

Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lily

Agastache Acapulco

Jewels of Opar

 Thank you Carol for hosting GBBD. I appreciate you stopping by and visiting my garden.

May Flowers

We are having a wonderful Spring in South Texas with some rainfall and cooler temperatures.  Usually by now we are sweating in our flip flops.

The Sages and Salvias are blooming, which have attracted the attention of migrating hummingbirds. 

Eyelash-Leaved Sage / Salvia Blepharophylla

The fuzzy, velvet blooms on the Eyelash Leaved Sage really draws in the hummingbirds.

Eyelash-Leaved Sage / Salvia Blepharophylla

Another plant that the hummingbirds adore is this Black and Blue Sage. I've seen  Black-chinned and Ruby-Throated hummingbirds enjoying these blooms.

Black and Blue Sage

Smooth Leaf Sage is a great performer in partial shade. It is currently standing at three feet tall in my garden and is covered in red, velvety blooms. 

Smooth Leaf Sage

The Bear's Breeches that was planted in the Fall has put out this beautiful bloom stalk. The foliage on this plant is outstanding, however it is my understanding that it might go dormant in the hot Texas heat.

Bear's Breeches  / Acanthus mollis

I thought this plant was so spectacular that I purchased another one. It is perfect for a shady spot.

Bear's Breeches  / Acanthus mollis

This week was a fantastic birding week. I can add Painted Bunting (male) to my list of birds I've seen around the yard. If you have never seen a Painted Bunting they are gorgeous and don't even look real. 

{ Image via http://www.hillcountryconservancy.org }

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Plant Envy

 I was first introduced to the Lavender Lady Passionflower vine on Pam Penick's blog Digging. Since I'm obsessed with Passionflowers, I knew I had to add this variety to my garden. It is one of my favorite plants. It is an evergreen, a host plant for gulf fritillary butterflies and has gorgeous pink and purple showy flowers. That is a winning combination in my book.

Another plant I have been searching for is the Chocolate Daisy.  Jenny at Rock Rose

has featured this native plant several times on her blog. It really does smell like chocolate!

I've been coveting the Twinkle Pink Cuphea in Pam Penick's garden for years. I first saw it in 2009 on Pam's blog Digging.  Locating it has been no easy task. I planted the Pink Cuphea  next to the White Mistflower. Looking forward to seeing this flowering combination in the Fall.

Thank you Pam and Jenny for your wonderful garden blogs. I have learned so much about gardening by reading your posts.

April showers bring May flowers

We finally got some much needed rain last night. Thank goodness we were spared the hail storm.  I'm grateful because don't think the small tomato plants could take it. I'm hoping April will bring more showers.

Blackfoot Daisy and Spanish Lavender

The Lavender bed is in full bloom. The blooms remind me of bunny ears.

Texas Gold Columbine

Mexican Buckeye

GBBD March 2013

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day March 2013

I'm joining Carol at May Dreams Garden for this GBBD. Here is a look at what is blooming this Spring in my garden. 

Chinese Ground Orchids

Pincushion Flower

Redbud Tree

Four Nerve Daisy

Nasturiums

Fernleaf Lavender

Marigolds planted in the Veggie garden

Happy Sprinter

Sprinter -  the tail end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Just when you think Spring has officially arrived Mother nature has other plans. The past couple of days have been cool and cloudy, however Spring is in the air. For me, Spring is all about anticipation. I'm eagerly waiting for my purple Irises to bloom. Checking the buds on the Redbud and Mountain Laurel trees as they prepare to bloom. Discovering buds on the Chinese Ground Orchid and waiting patiently for their beautiful pink blooms to appear. Maybe it is the combination of anticipation and trying to have patience that makes Spring so fun.

Swiss Chard

Nasturtiums filling in by the back of the garden

Giant Coneflower happy in its new home

Cora Vincas that have bloomed all winter

Chinese Ground Orchids getting ready to bloom

Spring Teaser

With temperatures being in the 80's today, I'm having a difficult time believing we still have a chance for a freeze. I know in Texas the weather can change within 24 hours, except in the summer where temps are hot and hotter. Judging by the plants in the garden, Spring is right around the corner. Here is a look at what is blooming or budding in the garden today.

Lavender Lady Passionflower Vine

Bulbine

Knockout Rose

There were lots of bees and butterflies flying around. The broccoli blooms are buzzing with bees. This my first attempt at growing broccoli. It bolted way before I was really able to enjoy it. I was glad to learn the bees like the flowers from Ally at Garden Ally.

There are SO many bees that I decided to get them a house. The purchase was inspired from Jenny's  at Rock Rose adorable Bee House.

Purchased this bee house from Shades of Green in San Antonio, TX

Lovely Swallowtail butterfly enjoying the Vincas.

I chased this one around the garden to take its picture.