GREENHOUSE

I've been busy setting up and dreaming in my greenhouse lately. YES I GOT A GREENHOUSE!  A 6x8 ft Palram Harmony, polycarbonate greenhouse. Even though its 100 degrees outside in Austin, I'm still out there in the late evenings and early mornings fighting mosquitoes figuring out how to best deal with this heat and planning for the upcoming year. I have some research to do and this year is definitely going to be a learning curve for me, but I have to come to the conclusion that I can't have crazy expectations and I have to keep my goals simple. Also I will fail at some point and I'm okay with that, because thats how we learn right? 

I eventually had to take out my Hoyas because it was WAY too hot and some got scorched. :(

Thelocactus tri color loving the heat. 

FAVORITES

These are just a handful of my favorite blooms of this warm season in TX. 

Peony Poppy 

Only one of these seed made it and I savored her everyday. 

Cactus Zinnia

I love the textured petals on these.

Nigella 

Love in a Mist! So soft and detailed. I love saving the seed pods for drying. 

Panache

Sunflower of my dreams! So much texture in the center and they last forever in a vase. 

Red Sunflower

This one was more bronze, but that glow around the center is stunning. 

ELDERFLOWER

The elderflowers are blooming all around Austin! These plants are incredibly useful. They are easy to take care of and will grow fast. The blooms are very fragrant and will fruit into tiny berries. Certain elderberry fruit are medicinal and have lots of benefits like immune boosting and sinus relief.  I also just learned the berries can be used as a natural dye! I've been into natural dying lately, so I will be experimenting this summer. 

W I L D

Ever since I moved into this house almost two years ago, I've always wanted to throw down wildflower seeds on our side yard. Last Autumn, I finally got around to it and they are all blooming like crazy! I hope they bring joy and happiness to everyone who walks by. 

seasonal arrangements

All of my flowers are seasonal to Texas. Oh how I wish I could grow beautiful lilacs, but those would never grow and thrive here. So what you see in my arrangements are what grows best for that time of year. Sadly, my anemones are pretty much done for the season, but the great thing about Texas summers is that it gets hot enough for SUNFLOWERS and MARIGOLDS and ZINNIAS to thrive all summer long.