Get Outside!

Beautiful start to Monday morning - in the high 60's! We had not been out much enjoying nature this summer -- why not check out FW Botanic Gardens since the weather has taken a nice turn.

Looks like we are not the only ones with the same idea.

The main lawn areas look beautiful. FW has placed signs out stating irrigation is with done "raw" water (straight out of the Trinity River).

Grove of Mexican Sycamore trees.

The variegated leaves belong to Tapioca (Manihot esculenta) which is big and beautiful here in the hot Texas sun.

Finally, a parking space. Not a good start. The bamboo is awfully brown.

Angelonia

Zinnias, Blue Daze (Evolvulus), knock out roses, Lord Baltimore Hibiscus (large red flowers).

I love this silver bed with the weeping Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus libani ssp atlantica "Glauca pendula). Silver Peso mountain laurel on left in the distance.

This water feature winds around

to a part where the koi tease some boys.

Feature ends here but can overflow into this gravel bed

which winds around to the creek (which is dry).

Hosta is a bit crispy.

Japanese Maple is not a happy specimen.

Ginormeous urn in the Arbor Day Grove.
My sweetie provides this and the following photos.

Zoom to the esperanza at top of the urn.

We cut back through the grass and are pelted with pecans.

The rejects.

This bee finally stays still enough for my sweetie to snap.

(Back to my photos.) This couple is discussing which features they will incorporate into their home landscape.

Into the rose garden. Where apparently, no raw water is allowed. I am making this up actually but this area has seen no irrigation lately. Such a shame to let these plants go.

The antique (old garden) roses are handling this situation a bit better.

2010 AARS "Easy Does It"
The new AARS selections are receiving a bit more water.
At least they are green.

2012 All-American Rose Selection "Sunshine Daydream"

Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) frames the view of the New Gold Lantana in the distance.

"Chocolate Mimosa" -- Must find this plant for the loft garden.

My favorite summer flower. Mexican Torch Flower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Each plant can get quite tall.
(Ouch, see the dead magnolia in the back of the bed?)

Leaving about 1 o'clock, it looks like some will have a tough hunt for a parking space.

the end