Archive for May, 2007

Garlic Blossom

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Garlic Blossom, originally uploaded by trekr.

 

“Three nickels will get you on the subway – but garlic will get you a seat” – an old saying from New York

Tri-Color Sage

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Tri-Color Sage, originally uploaded by trekr.

Beautiful color and texture, great as seasoning in a turkey stuffing or with game.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Butterfly, originally uploaded by trekr.

A Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on purple verbena.

Swiss Chard

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

Swiss Chard, originally uploaded by trekr.

 

Fuyu Persimmon

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

Fuyu Persimmon, originally uploaded by trekr.

The Fuyu Persimmon is hanging on to a few fruits. Last year they all dropped before ripening. Perhaps we’ll have a few this year …

Tradescantia pallida

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Tradescantia pallida, originally uploaded by trekr.

Also known as the cultivar Purple Heart.

Cardoon

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Cardoon, originally uploaded by trekr.

Overnight, the Cardoon has blossomed. The contrast of the spiked leaves of the bud with the soft purple flower is striking.

Fig

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Fig, originally uploaded by trekr.

The fig tree has already set fruit and I’m looking forward to another bumper crop this year.

Yellow Squash

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Yellow Squash, originally uploaded by trekr.

After all those green posts, I need a little color. The squash have really taken off this Spring. We love to slice yellow squash into thick slabs, lightly coat them in olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill ’em quickly on a hot fire.

Apples

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Apples, originally uploaded by trekr.

 

Peach

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Peach, originally uploaded by trekr.

After many years we may finally get some peaches.

Sunflower Volunteer

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Sunflower, originally uploaded by trekr.

A volunteer sunflower from a seed that fell from the bird feeder.

Green Tomatoes

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Green Tomatoes, originally uploaded by trekr.

Its going to be a good year for tomatoes!

Salvia “Black & Blue”

Sunday, May 27th, 2007

Blue Cobalt, originally uploaded by trekr.

Another striking salvia that grows well in Texas. Later this summer the hummingbirds will find it.

Cardoon

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

Cardoon, originally uploaded by trekr.

The first Cardoon bloom arrives just as the Clematis go to seed. Apparently, the plant is edible and reportedly has the look of celery and the taste of artichoke (they are in the same family of plants). Here is a recipe if you are inclined. I may try this next Spring!. Before you handle the plant, be aware it has nearly invisible stalks on the spines that can cause substantial pain.  This is my third post featuring a weed.  Weeds are everywhere. I never have to plant them.  They require little care.  They can surprise you.  I’ve learned to enjoy weeds.

Lantana

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

Flower, originally uploaded by trekr.

Lantana is a very common plant in Texas landscapes. Here is another view showing the foliage. Lantana is considered a weed in New Zealand and in regions of the Pacific. The leaves are poisonous to livestock and humans but the plant attracts butterflies and birds. A new development to the north has congested traffic on our Farm and Market Road. Fittingly, the development is named after this weed.

Yellow Woodsorrel

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

Yellow Woodsorrel, originally uploaded by trekr.

Small and humble; with a leaf in the shape of a heart, like a clover the yellow woodsorrel is familiar and dear.

Daylily

Friday, May 25th, 2007

Daylily, originally uploaded by trekr.

 

“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”Matt. 6:28-29

Clematis

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Clematis, originally uploaded by trekr.

Today I couldn’t find a single Clematis bloom. So I pulled this photo up from a special day in April and it’ll be the last Clematis post until next Spring.

Black Swallowtail

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Black Swallowtail, originally uploaded by trekr.

One more of the Black Swallowtail caterpillar. Click on the picture and check out the original size image on Flickr to see the hair on its “toenails”.

Final Clematis Blooms …

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

Clematis, originally uploaded by trekr.

A great year for Clematis! The blooms are failing now as the days grow hotter. This photo was taken at dusk as the afternoon rain subsided.

Mexican Mint Marigold

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

Mexican Mint Marigold, originally uploaded by trekr.

A surprise early blooming of Mexican Mint Marigold. This is a great substitute for French tarragon which cannot survive the Texas heat.

Feverfew

Monday, May 21st, 2007

Feverfew, originally uploaded by trekr.

Feverfew, for your fever, migraine, arthritis, digestive health, or just for ornamentation.

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

Monday, May 21st, 2007

DSCN0648, originally uploaded by trekr.

The caterpillars are abundant this Spring. The red veins of the chard contrast the dark green fennel and complement the vibrant colors of the caterpillar.

Bees

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Bees, originally uploaded by trekr.

After the rain the bees were a little calmer and I was able to get closer.

Rain Drops

Monday, May 14th, 2007

Ginko, originally uploaded by trekr.

It rained again this afternoon. The Ginko leaf cradles a few drops that will fall as the breeze lifts the limb.

Half Dozen

Monday, May 14th, 2007

Clematis, originally uploaded by trekr.

As the temperatures start to climb, the days of Clematis blooms are numbered. I couldn’t resist posting another view of a happy half dozen.

Clematis and Japanese Maple

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

Clematis against Japanese Maple, originally uploaded by trekr.

A view along the fence gives a nice contrast of colors between flowers and leaves.

Dutchman’s Pipe

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

Dutchman’s Pipe, originally uploaded by trekr.

Kinda sorta looks like a pipe. I never met a Dutchman, so I can’t be sure.

Herb Garden

Monday, May 7th, 2007

Herb Garden, originally uploaded by trekr.

A view of the herb garden we planted last July. In the forefront is thyme, bronze fennel, swiss chard, sage, and in the back, chili tepin.