Garden Photo of the Day

Making Gardens in Texas

Some favorite scenes from a garden maker’s work

Liz Odom, aka the Garden Doctor, builds and maintains gardens around Lake Conroe in Texas and is sharing photos of some favorite moments from those gardens.

sweet alyssumLake Conroe sits on the edge of Zones 8 and 9, meaning that winter annuals aren’t limited to the pansies that those of us in colder climates have to rely on. Petunias, sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), and florist cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) can bloom through the mild Texas winter and then be replaced before the heat of the summer arrives. If you live in an area with cool summer temperatures, these plants can be grown as summer annuals.

SnapdragonsSnapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is another plant that’s great for winter color in Zones 7 and warmer, or for summer color in areas with cooler summers.

delphiniumsMore snapdragons, and behind them, delphiniums (Delphinium elatum). Delphiniums are hardy to Zone 3 and are the queens of the summer garden in the North. In hot climates, grow and enjoy them fall through spring.

variegated shell gingerBlue pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) may be the plants that can be grown the most places. In Zones 6 and warmer, plant them in the fall for winter and spring color. North of that, they’ll often bloom right through the summer. Mixed with them is asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus), which I have long grown as a houseplant but is perennial in Zone 9 and warmer, and the dramatic yellow-striped leaves of variegated shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ Zones 8–10).

rustic garden fenceA rustic fence makes a dramatic feature in the garden.

Lavandula multifidaVariously called fernleaf, California, or Egyptian lavender, Lavandula multifida (Zones 8–10) has finely cut fragrant leaves and classic spikes of lavender flowers and is a better choice for hot climates than traditional English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, Zones 5–10).

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 03/18/2020

    Love the look of the pansies with the asparagus fern.

  2. User avater
    simplesue 03/18/2020

    Those are some pretty flower beds, and that rustic fence with the river rocks is a great garden feature. Thanks for sharing!

  3. User avater
    bdowen 03/18/2020

    Beautiful color combinations! Thank you for sharing.

  4. btucker9675 03/18/2020

    SimpleSue - agree! That fence and river rock area is really wonderful.

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