spring
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New Oak Growth
There are two builder-installed Live Oak trees in front of the house, possibly Quercus fusiformis. These trees are semi-evergreen or “tardily deciduous” in that they don’t shed their old leaves until the new ones have begun to emerge. The whole process of conversion from old to new leaves takes just a few weeks in spring.… Continue reading
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Passionflower Cutback
The passionflower that I have (Scarletfruit Passionflower, Passiflora lanuginosa) is not a true native. However, it functions well as a host plant for Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae) butterflies, and attracts other nectar-feeding insects. Providing human interest, the flowers are amazingly intricate and the fruits brightly colored. I’ve eaten the fruits, although they are not the same… Continue reading
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More Perennials With Spring Growth
Now in mid-March, several more perennial plants are waking up for the new year. Here are some highlights: The Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) tree hasn’t grown much in height in its three seasons here, but its branches are a little thicker and this is now its second year to bloom. This is an early blooming… Continue reading
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Spring Trim Of The Back Yard
Trimming away dead parts of plants in front of the house was a fairly small job. The meadow area had already been cleaned up last October, and tidying up the pollinator garden plants a week ago didn’t take very long. The back yard is a different story. Because it’s out of view, I let it… Continue reading
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Starting The Spring Trim
On the last day of February 2026, future temperature forecasts for the next 7-10 days are at least 63 degrees F for the lows and 72 degrees F for the highs. So I am going to proceed as if we will have no more freezes this winter and jump into spring preparation. As usual, I… Continue reading
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Eagerly Waiting For The Texas Mountain Laurel To Bloom
My Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) was planted almost three years ago. It looks as if this spring it will bloom for the first time, judging by the many buds that are swelling and showing hints of purple. This tree is near the rain gauge that I read at 7am each morning, so of course… Continue reading
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Rapid Freeze Recovery
In mid February in central Texas, it’s still too early to say whether we’ll get another freeze this winter. In January we had a single night in the 20s F, and a few days later a more extended period of freezing with overnight temperatures in the teens F. For several of the deciduous perennials here,… Continue reading
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The First Bluebonnet Blooms Of 2026
I seeded Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) in front of the house in fall 2023 and now there are hundreds of plants in that “meadow” area. There are also many behind the house as well. This is how tightly packed they are near the street. Bluebonnets are among the earliest of the wildflowers to bloom, and… Continue reading
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A Breakfast View Of The Back Garden
I like to eat breakfasts outside — there’s always something interesting to notice in the garden. In the wintertime I’m probably in the front porch where I can get some morning sun, but as the year progresses I’m more likely to be behind the house. On this recent morning, the light was good under cloudy… Continue reading
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Trees With New Leaves
This post describes two more trees that have put out new leaves for spring. (I am still waiting for Mexican Olive and Barbados Cherry to wake up.) Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana). This was the first year for this young tree to bloom but the second year for it to grow leaves in spring. As the… Continue reading
About Me
Nature Lover.
Inquisitive Observer.
Student Gardener.
I invite you to join me on my journey to convert my sterile (from a nature point of view) new house lot to a healthy and diverse ecosystem, as I make discoveries, mistakes, and hopefully progress. I am not an expert or professional. The project started in February 2023 and the location is Seguin, Texas, USA.
Rewilding My Lot 