some surprises

Here's a shot framed between two out of focused brazilian verbena of my just beginning to flower tobacco plant. I had a few of these in my first garden in Austin many years ago -- they reseeded each year. This plant will get up to four feet or so. I planted three this year and the other two are a little slow. Unlike most plants, they like it hot and sultry, but they also like a little shade. I push how much sun time these perennials get, so its nice to have a plant that can tolerate some shade.

You can see some of the red bee balm on the left. The brazilian verbena is all over the garden -- bees like it. It re-seeds.





(Above) A few years ago I started putting out lots of larkspur seed (another plant I usually have in my garden, one that self-seeds when well established). The first year was ok, but I really thought it was all gone by this year. Then I noticed one and then another coming up this spring -- I think I have 3 or 4 of them now. You can see it on the upper left corner. In the middle are the Starr Asters.

And (below) here's the morality tale -- the lenten experience in gardening. We live in a sinful world and are subject to evil and death. Those alien little bugs are j. beetles, chomping away on the hollyhock. I sacrifice my hollyhocks in July. Alas. (If you are brave, click on the picture for an up-close look.)