Coming attractions


Butterfly sitting on a blooming flower? No, you won't be seeing that for some months in the GWI property. But if you're in Austin right now, as I just was, you can see all kinds of butterflies on blooming plants that are perennials in this part of Texas, but exotics to me (I THINK this is Pride of Barbados). [EDIT: it is a type of milkweed. Really, I ought to have recognized it. Another embarrassing moment!] I spotted it in the butterfly garden of the Natural Gardener in Austin.

Do I have zone or weather envy? Not really. I'm looking forward to the first days of gardening in Buffalo, which will commence as soon as I get home. My initial act will be to get all the disgusting matted leaves off the front and side beds and see what bulbs are struggling to come up. My species tulips are just emerging; in Austin their day is already past.

I enjoyed strolling through the butterfly garden seen above, but it was almost oppressive on April 5; I can only imagine what it might be in July or August. For me, this might be too hot, too soon. It takes all kinds, as they say, and,in spite of the expected and tiresome ribbing I got about Buffalo's much-vaunted winter horrors (and why is it that complete strangers feel they can launch right into this before they even know my name?) I'm fine with it. I do look forward with longing to MY flowers and MY butterflies, but I guess I can wait a month or so.

Comments

Rachel said…
Actually, that's a butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) - a favorite of the monarch butterflies who migrate through this area. They're among my favorite flowers!

It was great to meet you at the Spring Fling, and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to Austin.

Rachel @ in bloom
I am home removing those disgusting leaves as you typed. Wishing I was in Austin for the big Spring Fling. Just seeing those gardens all primped for company are bound to give you great inspiration to get home and get busy in the garden. We had some of our first butterflies this weekend. Mourning CLoak, Sulfer sp. Spring has sprung and it is on its way to Buffalo.
EAL said…
Rachel, Oh, duh on me! That's perennial here; I am ordering it from the Botanical gardens this spring! Great plant and a native here as well.

I loved meeting you and the other Austin bloggers; you guys are the best.
Anonymous said…
I think spring break was specifically designed for causing zone envy. A few weeks back we descended from our Appalachian mountain down to the flatlands of Florida. Was good to get back home, and realize I still had a full spring of blooms ahead, though.
Frances, said…
Nice to meet you, I was wondering how the northern gardeners felt as the day warmed up, even though it was a cold start, to some of us anyway. I was so happy also to see my own garden, because as you say, it's mine. Everything was wonderful in Austin, especially meeting all the wonderful bloggers.
Frances at Faire Garden
Anonymous said…
Eliz: I can't wait to hear more of your 'Tales from the Road'! I LOL at your previous comment on Rant that people are not like their blogs! I had thought about that prior to trying to attend Spring Fling as people show a different part of themselves or,sometimes, only the parts they want you to see, when they write. I am so guilty of that also but usually the surprises are good ones! Thanks so much for your kind words. It is nice to be missed! I am sure I will meet the bloggers someday. Maybe Buffalo Garden Walk is in my future!
EAL said…
By all means consider Garden Walk this year Layanee!
Gail said…
What fun to meet you and have a lively discussion about all things possibly not really green!

I like to imagine myself living in the places I visit and while the gardens in Austin were indeed fabulous, getting home to one's garden (Frances you said it better) is a joy, it is mine. In fact I headed out there when I got home!

I am looking at the calendar not sure if I can make the Garden Walk this year but if possible I will. Maybe I can rope my Greene County buddy to meet me!

Gail
clay and limestone
kate smudges said…
It's hard to imagine heat being oppressive in early April. I'd certainly have loved to be at Spring Fling to meet other bloggers and see their gardens.
I spotted a Giant Swallowtail here in N. Tx yesterday. Spring is here.
Lori said…
Well, it was 88 degrees this afternoon in Austin, so I sympathize. I love the winters here, but June through September is nothing short of living life in an oven. I'm rushing to get my garden in shape so that I can slowly roast in a hammock instead of worrying about garden chores. First up is burying some soaker hoses under mulch in the flower beds...

It was good to see you at the Spring Fling, even if we didn't get to talk!
Liza said…
Elizabeth:

Sorry to post this as a comment, but I couldn't find a way on your site to contact you privately. I've been getting some odd emails lately--nothing with personal information, but not spam either. Your name appears to be associated with my address in one or two of the emails. Is is possible that someone is using your address, too, or that you're accidentally mistyping your regular email address in a way that's sending the mails to me? I don't want you to miss something important. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me in untangling this--please reply to lizajean@gmail.com, to take this discussion off your site.
I agree with you about not having Zone envy for Austin. Saturday was fine, but I'm glad I missed that 88 degrees! When I got home, I was almost sad that I missed a day in my Spring garden. I think I'd rather be in Northern Illinois in April than in Texas. I enjoyed meeting you. Do I get a gold star for not mentioning Buffalo's winters? (As if Chicagoans could talk this year!)
EAL said…
Yes, you get a gold star both for that AND for being my willing photographic victim!

I am trying to sneak out of work early every day this week to get my gardening done. It's nice now but it won't hold!
@JeanAnnVK said…
I love your blog title...will definitely keep an eye on it!

Popular Posts