The Makeover Has Begun ...

11 years ago

As most of you know I'm redesigning the garden to make it more drought tolerant and easier to care for. The appearance of chili thrips pushed me into doing what I'd been contemplanting doing anyway. It will be an ongoing process for the next couple of years at least.

Most of the roses have been removed and have gone to their new home. In their place will be agaves, yuccas, and other drought tolerant plants that will need watering once a week, or less in most cases. I've started placing a few things here and there just to see how it looks ...

Red shrimp plant was cleared away and the St. Francis statue moved. I like how the twisted trunk of the Youpan holly tree shows up. I'll probably move the wrought iron plaque down a bit and also do an arrangement of small pots of succulents around the statue ...

I'm considering ornamental grasses in the bed by the deck. This time of year it's easy to forget how much water the cannas on the left require, but I'm trying to think of something else to plant there; maybe a short bushy palm or bamboo ...

I'm doing some experiments with color. Three colors are on the plant stand and two on the iron bench and trellis triangles. Also there are two shades of bright blue on the formerly blah blue shutters. Which do you like best? ...

There will still be some roses in the yard, just not as many ...

Can anyone ID the cactus received from a swap? I'd like to know how cold tolerant it is. I love the form. And look how much plant is growing from the little black nursery pot ...

Any design and plant selection ideas that come to mind as you view the photos will be appreciated.

By the way in my consideration colors, the garden linked below has been an inspiration. It's been featured on the Austin blog 'Digging' three times.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lucinda Hutson's colorful Austin garden ...

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Comments (10)

ExoticRGVNativesTy
11 years ago
I'm pretty sure your mystery cactus is Opuntia cochenillifera, which should be hardy to 20 F.

If you really want drought-tolerance and the twisted form of a small tree, its hard to beat Texas Lignum-Vitae.

Ty
rcnaylor
11 years ago
I'm sure you will make a makeover a big success Roselee!
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roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
11 years ago
Ty, thanks for the cactus ID. It's a little tender so I'll be careful to cover it if we get a hard freeze, and will keep some cuttings in the greenhouse. It's reported to be a good bloomer with bright pink flowers. Whoever gave it to me -- thank you!

I'd love to have three Texas Lignum-Vitae. It's beautiful, but alas it's not easy to find one for sale and it's slow growing to boot. When I researched it on line I found that you posted about it on the Texas forum. How is your plant doing now that over a year has gone by?

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo of small Texas Lignum-Vitae tree on this Texas Gallery link ...
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Richard. I'll have fun trying anyway :-)
ExoticRGVNativesTy
11 years ago
This is what my Texas Lignum-vitae looks like

Its growth rate doesn't seem too slow, and it will increase with occasional irrigation. In this picture you can see some of the lower twigs on the ground that I cut off to promote more of a tree form.

Ty
rock_oak_deer
11 years ago
Love your ideas! I like the brighter blue which is more in keeping with your new direction.

I still haven't seen bamboo for sale around here although I do see some growing in older neighborhoods.

Native ornamental grasses would look good there. Hesperaloe too.
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
11 years ago
Shirley, I love the suggestion of Hesperaloe, especially Hesperaloe parviflora Brakelights ['Perpa'] which is quite a bit smaller in size and has brighter flowers with a longer flowering period. If you or anyone sees that variety for sale let me know.

Ty, you're right -- I wouldn't call that much growth in a little over a year 'slow growing'. Thanks for the photo. Again, if anybody sees it for sale in San Antonio tell me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hesperaloe parviflora Brakelights ['Perpa']
rock_oak_deer
11 years ago
I think I saw Brakelights at Rainbow Gardens early in the year. Expensive, around $25 for a 3 gal. At least I think that's expensive since I can get the coral ones for free by dividing mine!

I saw the yellow ones at ARE but they sold out by the time they had the big closing sale.
honeybunny2 Fox
11 years ago
Roselee if any of your roses need a good home. I have room for them at the coast. Barbra
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
11 years ago
Shirley yes, that price is on the high end of what I'm willing to pay for a plant, but 'Brakelight' appeals to me because of it's small size and extended bloom period. We'll see how rich I feel next spring :-)

Barbra, I'd would dearly love to pass some roses along to you, but they are all showing signs of chilli thrips infestation. The person who is taking them is willing to try controlling them with insecticides, while I am not.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chilli thrips in San Antonio thread ....