First snow

Snow on the Turk's Cap.

First Snow

Frosty friend.

First Snow

Magnolia

First snow

After weeks of spring-like temps, December finally kicked in this morning with a dusting of snow. The dog loves the cold weather.

First Snow

Snowy Shasta daisies.

Flora and Fauna 2

Flora and Fuana

Easter Bunny

Hoppy Easter! Here's a quick pic of one of the seven bunnies in strawberries.

Bunny, bunny, bunny

They've grown quickly. Now I need to clean out the plants and soil of this raised bed this weekend. My hubby jokes it's now a superfund site. Ick. My friend reminded me these are just cute rats and not to be so accommodating.

Gardening in the Hill Country

My hubby and I leant a hand in my parents' garden this weekend. I got the easy job of planting a few small containers in some raised beds. Only a little bit of gravel/rock hunting needed.

My hubby helped my dad attempt to remove a dwarf Pampas grass. Two bent and broken shovels later, the majority of the grass is still intact. This shovel did not live up to its Rigid name.

FYI: I do not recommend Pampas Grass. The center, as with many grasses, dies out, and becomes a fire hazard. Not good in a drought-stricken area, plagued by wildfires last year. Getting these grasses out isn't simple. Although, I have witnessed successful removal using tow chains and a truck.

Bunny bizness, part 2

This is what the dog found when sniffing around in the kitchen garden, right under the parsley. Damn it, rabbit!

There are at least six kits by my count. Hoping mamma is not one of the three recent casualties (think the hawks got 'em). No wonder we have so many rabbits around here.

Guess I won't be replanting this veggie bed anytime soon. Could be worse - so glad it's not a rat nest!!!

Bunny bizness

My parsley is starting to bolt. It really loved the cool rainy weather of our non-winter. But maybe it is extra happy thanks to some recent fertilizer.

Spring has flown in

Fall color from my Asiatic beds

Some nice foliage on the north side of the house.

Fall Color from my Japanese Maple

We are thoroughly enjoying the autumnal show our Coral Bark Japanese maple is putting on. The red bark is most evident in the new growth and intensifies as the weather gets cold.

Cats in the garden

The kitties enjoy the garden view and fresh air on a cool morning.

Peeking into the kitchen garden

Enjoying the greenery of my three new Needlepoint Hollies along the shared fence, as seen from my bedroom window on a cloudy morning.

Filling the Frame

One of my favorite regular reads is Gardening Gone Wild. About each month they have a photo contest in which other bloggers are invited to share their best submissions. I tend to be contest-adverse (too much pressure!), but Saxon Holt, one of my favorite photographers/contributors, was judging and had a great theme: Fill The Frame. Here's my entry. Since I had such a difficult time selecting my entry, I though I would share the other images I was debating between:

Loved this use of these decorative pots and the play of texture in this south Dallas garden - from this year's Garden Conservancy Open Days tour.

Since I was constructing my kitchen garden just before this tour, I was paying close attention to everyone's paving materials.

Isn't this reclaimed brick great?

A very colorful play on a Dallas icon, especially when painted on an unusual garden material. This was a very Industrial Chic garden.

Lovely lotus leaves.

The plant combo of the dark purple coleus paired with ornamental millet and colocasia was captivating me. So I kept trying to find the best way to showcase these plants. Found this great planting in the gardens at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Ill.

Might have to plant some ornamental millet next year. Reminds me of crazy cattails. This was a purple variety. I imagine it had much more color earlier in the season.

Strongly considered this one for the contest. There were lots of great entries, per usual on GGW. The results should be interesting and enlightening.

Strong and simple purple coneflower. Another contender.

Similar to the entry, but this one has harsher lighting.

I almost entered this one, but worried it was a bit too static and formal.

Gardening Gone Wild's Picture This Photo Contest: Fill The Frame

I'm so indecisive. I need to pick a photo for one of my fav garden blogs' photo contest and it's now down to the wire. Which image says "Fill The Frame" best? Argh!

Flight of the Monarchs

The butterfly bush is playing its role well, feeding the Monarchs as they migrate.

More butterfly pics to come later.