Trying Again!

A pair of cute little house wrens think our mailbox is the perfect place to make a nest. They have repeatedly tried, year after year, to build their nest in this box. They eventually give up because there is too much activity in the area of the box for their comfort. Last year or perhaps it was the year before, I bought a real wren house, just perfect for them, hung it out for them, following all the prescribed dos and don'ts... to no avail. Where they eventually build their nest is still a mystery but after all their efforts yesterday, they are looking for a more suitable place. I hope they find it and are safe there.

Survivor - Snapdragon

Snapdragons have somehow survived the unusually cold Houston winter. Hooray for them! It seems the worst of the winter is finally over, although we had heavy rain yesterday. The garden snapdragons are rather spindly, having continued to grow at every opportunity. Isn't this a gorgeous one, with buds just bursting to bloom? If you look closely, you'll see a little insect on the center petal. Many gardeners have put out colorful pansies. Pansies... sweet little faces. More on pansies, later...

African Sun Daisy

This Euryops chrysanthemoides is nicknamed, The African Sun Daisy. The leaves are very characteristic of daisy leaves, and the flowers also resemble daisies... thus the name African Sun Daisy (sun, because it thrives in the full sun.)

Because this plant can grow to 4'x4', it is really a shrub, but takes well to pruning. To encourage repeat blooms, it is a good idea to remove dead flowers. This plant must be tended or it will die. Proper TLC is required for the best showing.

A Lily-like Plant - Name Unknown

This little plant resembles of lily of some kind but I do not know the name of it. The blue-purple flowers are very dainty and add a spot of color to a garden. I wonder how they will survive the Houston heat in the summer? If anyone knows the name of this plant, please make a comment on the blog.

Red Bud Trees

Red Bud trees are just beginning to blossom in Houston. We had a few days of warmish weather, meaning in the high 60s, and the trees and other plants loved it. This isn't a great photograph, but I think the composition is very appealing, with the pink buds framed by other trees, set against a blue sky background. The weather has turned very cool again, which means that Spring has yet to really arrive.

Hot Chocolate Calla Lily

This is a new variety of calla lily, called a Hot Chocolate Calla Lily, and I am going to try my hand at growing some.

I also have a Blackjack Calla Lily.

They require moist soil and morning sunlight only. According to the care and maintenance card that came with them, they should grow fast to 3'x 2'. The leaves are lovely to behold, too.

Tulip Tree - Correction to Jane Magnolia

I posted the name of this tree as The Tulip Tree and have found out that it is really called "Jane Magnolia." I have always known them by the name of "tulip tree"; however, that name refers to a yellow poplar tree. So, let me correct myself and say the Jane Magnolia trees are in bloom in Houston gardens right now. They are showy and pretty. It's true, they are a cousin of the magnolia. One could be walking down a street and stop dead in his/her tracks when seeing a Jane Magnolia tree. Que bonita!