March 25, 2024
A pair weeks in the past, I went on wildflower safari south of Austin, east of San Antonio, and noticed some good flower fields. However this above-average wildflower yr referred to as for a second safari. On Friday, my husband and I hit the again roads east of Austin, close to tiny Independence, Texas. And wowza, what a bonanza of bluebonnets and different wildflowers we noticed!
I like to move out in mid-afternoon and keep by way of sundown to get decrease, extra golden gentle for photographs. Considered one of our first good sightings was a yellow subject of golden groundsel, glowing in late afternoon.
A loopy quilt of wildflowers was laid out alongside the freeway’s edge.
The countryside is gorgeous between Giddings and Independence/Brenham. Rolling fields, broad-canopied timber, and wildflowers galore greeted us round each bend within the highway.
Indian paintbush and Texas bluebonnets — a favourite spring combo
Bluebonnets making a denim-blue haze on a inexperienced subject
Extra paintbrush and bluebonnets, with a smattering of pink night primrose within the foreground.
Farther alongside, bluebonnets dominated.
The candy scent of bluebonnets by the 1000’s provides extra delight to a scene like this.
Blues on the inexperienced, nation model
Alongside one non-public drive, we noticed a swath of Indian paintbrush and bluebonnets. What a welcome house for the house owners!
A closeup view
And a facet view
Throughout the highway, coreopsis (I believe) added a splash of yellow.
Sadly, bastard cabbage is getting a toehold right here, as elsewhere all through our state. If you happen to’re not acquainted, bastard cabbage is a tall, ethereal, yellow, nonnative wildflower — fairly however terribly invasive — that’s taking up and crowding out our native Texas wildflowers. If it reveals up in your property, dig it up straight away, earlier than it goes to seed. I worry that we are going to someday lose our iconic wildflower vistas if bastard cabbage is allowed to proceed to unfold.
I imply, views like this are value saving, proper?
As we wound our means alongside again roads towards Independence, the sky grew darkish with clouds, however the rain held off.
Blue on blue
A couple of miles outdoors of Brenham, I noticed a picturesque outdated church.
A rusting signal with a miniature of the church is barely legible: Previous Homosexual Hill Baptist Church, it says.
Persevering with alongside, we noticed a verge of bluebonnets — and a trio of miniature donkeys on the opposite facet of the sector. As quickly as we stepped out of the automotive, these good boys or ladies got here trotting over to say hello.
The three amigos
So cute
Oh whats up! Sorry we have now no carrots for you, buddy.
Happy with a head scratch as an alternative, they poked their heads by way of the fence and browsed the wildflowers.
Take a look at that little donkey smile.
Tasty bluebonnets? Who knew?
If solely they preferred bastard cabbage!
What a beautiful scene
Particularly with pleasant donkeys having fun with the wildflowers too.
However wait, there’s extra! Search for Half 2 of my wildflower safari developing subsequent, with horses, cows, and an uncommon crested caracara as well.
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Digging Deeper
March 30-31: Come see the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society Present at Zilker Botanical Backyard on 3/30 and three/31, from 10 am to five pm. Features a plant present with specimen cacti and succulents, handcrafted pottery, day by day silent public sale and hourly plant raffles, and professional recommendation. Admission is included with paid admission to Zilker Backyard, $5 to $8 for adults, $3 to $4 for kids (underneath 2 free).
April 6: Come out to Austin’s Mayfield Park on 4/6 for the Mayfield Park Gardening Symposium & Fundraiser, 8:30 to 11 am. This annual profit for the park features a raffle, plant sale, and backyard audio system.
Might 4: Discover “good backyards, good swimming pools and pergolas, and out of doors rooms and gardens” on the ATX Out of doors Residing Tour on 5/4, 10 am to three pm. Panorama architects, designers, and builders might be readily available to reply questions. Tickets are $33.85 for adults, $17.85 for teenagers age 10-17.
Might 11: Save the date for Austin House’s Nice Outside Tour on 5/11.
Might 18: Pop as much as Dallas for the 2024 DCMGA Backyard Tour on 5/18 from 10 am to five pm. Tickets are $18 if bought on-line prior to six pm on 5/17, or $22 after 6 pm on 5/17 or on the occasion. For a sneak peek, click on right here.
June 1-2: Take a self-guided, 2-day tour of ponds and gardens in and round Austin on the annual Austin Pond and Backyard Tour, held 6/1 and 6/2, 9 am to five pm. Tickets are $20 to $25.
Come study gardening and design at Backyard Spark! I set up in-person talks by inspiring designers, panorama architects, authors, and gardeners a couple of occasions a yr in Austin. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out shortly, so be part of the Backyard Spark e mail record to be notified upfront; merely click on this hyperlink and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Keep tuned for more information!
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