Bee Balm

Another stunning beauty in my yard this spring is Bee Balm (Monarda). 


I believe I inherited this pass along plant from Linda who blogs at Patchwork Garden http://patchworkgarden.blogspot.com/  When she gave me the plant in October, it had no bloom and was just a spindly little thing.  I had no idea it would grow to almost five feet tall and have the most beautiful pinkish purplish color.  I don't even know what color this is.  Fuchsia?


If I were to name this plant, I might call it Bee, Butterfly, and Hummingbird Balm because it has so many other visitors besides just bees.  And, the deer don't bother it.  I definitely need more of this gem!

Basket Flower

Finally, I have figured out what this tall, beautiful, and intriguing flower is!  It's Basket Flower (Centaurea Americana). 


I'm sure I planted it from seed along with hundreds of other wildflower seeds that I threw out this past fall.  I have all sorts of things popping up, not knowing if they are going to turn into flowers or a weed that will become invasive.  So, I decided to let ride...leaving it to grow larger, and larger to almost five feet tall.  Thank goodness it turned out to be this stunning beauty!


I hope the rest of the unknown plants I am letting grow turn out this well.

Hello Daffodil

It's been a very mild winter in the Austin, Texas area and I suppose that is why my daffodils have made an appearance in February.  I didn't expect to see my newly planted daffodils until March, but here they are!  I planted these bulbs in mid December and they are already showing their bright, sunny faces in the backyard. 

I received these bulbs from Colorblends as they were a sponsor of the Minnesota Garden Bloggers Fling I attended last summer.  The bulbs I received are a blend of up to 10 different varieties of daffodils called the Gritty Southern Blend.  This beautiful girl is an early riser, so I am anxious to see the other nine varieties that will be joining them. 

Here's a link to the Colorblends web site and this specific blend: http://www.colorblends.com/Wholesale-Flowerbulbs/Daffodil-Bulbs/Daffodil-Blends/Gritty-Southern-Daff-Blend#.WJ4ERWuQypo

Thanks, Colorblends!