~photo by Suzanne * Fort Worth, Texas *
Autumn is well on it's way, I can almost smell the scent of fireplaces and fir trees! As we enjoy the drum rolls and brass of the high school band during half time at our favorite football game, a strange, slow, breeze passes through the stadium on a whim! It's a breeze that sends flirtatious leaves floating downward, showing off their hues of red and gold.
♫"Since you went away, the days grow long.
And, soon I'll hear, old winter's song." ♫
Autumn Leaves
~written by Joseph Kosma in 1945
Isn't Autumn Leaves just the greatest song? We sang this song in my high school Glee Club, and, I remember how lovely it sounded.
Well, now-down to the business of the day! The summer has been so hot and muggy...actually, it's not over yet, even tho it is September. Needless to say, I didn't have much going on in my Summer gardens. With my son's help, we kept some of the herbs alive, and the fern and canna lilies continued to thrive.
One plant that returns faithfully every summer is my Umbrella plant, aka, Umbrella Palm. See how it billows and waves around my flag? Well, actually, this one needs to be thinned out. Although this plant is not deep rooted, it can be stubborn and hard to dig up. And, when you plant them, you need only scoop out a ditch just wide enough and deep enough to lay the root in. At first, I thought this was a shade lover, but alas, I found that the Umbrella prefers the sun. Umbrellas die back in the winter, and I cut the palms down to the ground. They start to peek out in early Spring, but, sometimes are too frail for the coolness that still lingers from the Winter. Just give them a chance, tho, and, they'll continue to ease up as the sun becomes warmer. I love to watch the Umbrellas sway in the breeze, and glisten at night under the stars and moon.
In my Texas garden, roses come early in the Spring. Even with the cool mornings they can bask and breathe in the warm sun. I now only have two producing rose bushes...I don't know why!!! I planted two new rose bushes, in the same area as the other two this past Spring, but they died early on. Do any of you have ideas as to why I may have lost them? One of them looked sick from the beginning to me. I'll just have to try again this coming Spring, but, be more selective and keep health issues in mind.
~Chicago Peace Rose * photo by Suzanne
April 26, 2016
~photo by Suzanne * April 2016
~ Don't they make the prettiest cut flowers?
The white roses are called 'Garden Party'. It is a hybrid tea rose with delicate white flowers, edged in pink, and puts off a heavenly fragrance. I've only had this rose for a few years, and it produces more with each season. They are so delicate, that I cut them as the buds are just thinking about opening and bring them inside to open up. I have to confess that, originally, I only bought this rose because the name makes me think of Rick Nelson! And, I'm glad I did!
Soon, it will be time for me to prune back these rose bushes, but, sometimes I get a few blooms in the fall, as the weather cools down. So, I'll wait just a bit to see if that happens before I start pruning.
Well, I'll be moving along for now. We still have planting tips and issues to discuss for fall, so I will return soon with some more Texas garden fun!
***
I haven't been around for a while, and I am currently trying to update and dust off this blog. Oh...I won't change the design, but, I believe a few current items will give it a fresher appearance.
* Thank you so much for coming by, I hope you've had a pleasant summer, with, not too hot temperatures. It's been pretty hot here in the Lone Star State, and I'm ready for a cool break. If you have the time, please stop in and say hello! Don't be shy-that's my job! ♥
"Do what you can to show you care about other people,
and, you will make our world a better place."
~Rosalynn Carter
Hi, Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the first new post here on My Texas Gardens in nearly two years! (In case you didn't know it, the other Suzanne recently returned to Kard Korner Krib after a similar two year hiatus. :)
Yessum, I do love the evocative song "Autumn Leaves" and fondly remember it from my youth. That is a very handsome Umbrella palm, Suzanne! Mrs. Shady and I have one in our backyard. A few months ago we needed to have some large trees cleared on our property and a huge tree toppled onto our Umbrella, crushing it. However, as you know, most plants are resilient and ours quickly recovered and today stands some 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Your Umbrella also reminds me of the Bird of Paradise that we own. If a severe winter frost damages it, you can bet that it will bounce back the next spring. A few months ago we cut it back all the way to the stump because its huge leaves were extending across our sidewalk and because we were having the house repainted, but since then it has grown back vigorously.
Your roses are gorgeous and the cuttings in water make attractive and aromatic accents around your house. I can understand why you would think of Rick Nelson when you look at your white Garden Party roses.
We've had a good summer here in Central Florida. We got plenty of rain and the temperatures didn't get out of hand. We didn't take a direct hit from a hurricane or tropical storm and there weren't as many violent t-storms as some years. However, back in the winter months, a strong tornado ripped through our area killing two people who lived in a mobile home in a rural area.
It's great to see you here again, dear friend Suzanne. I appreciated the quote from Rosalynn Carter. Now more than ever before... Americans need to follow her advice.
God bless!
Hi Shady. I'm glad to hear you have Umbrella plants too! They can get very large as you said. I gave my neighbor some a few years ago, and she keeps them in a pot in her fish pond! I don't know how they stay alive like that, but they do look good.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the hurricanes that have hit Florida, and always wonder about you, with hopes that it passes you by. There seem to be more storms these past few years that do extensive damage.
I got so much pleasure from my roses this past spring, especially the 'Garden Party Rose'.
Thank you so much for stopping by Shady! It's so good to be back! By the way, I liked your blog title this morning and hope the guy doesn't lose his Arrow shirt, lol! Have a great day, see you soon!
I just left a comment, but it doesn't seem to have published. Funny that a couple of us are getting back into blogging again. Loved your photos and especially the quote by Rosalynn Carter.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane. I for one am glad to be blogging again. Thank you for coming by and leaving your comment. The Rosalind Carter quote was perfect for today's turmoils! Hugs to you dear friend!
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