The Rose Gardens at Farmers Branch part one

Banks upon banks of roses await you at this trial garden sharing a space with Gussie Field Watterworth Park. The roses here are grown without any special treatment so you can observe how they are traditionally cultivated (with a minimum of mulching and driplines), as close to your backyard setting as possible. What’s remarkable is that the garden borders a relatively busy street (Valley View Lane) and sits exposed to the elements 24/7. Therefore all of the cultivars you find here are guaranteed to endure the worst Texas weather. From miniatures to landscaping shrubs to climbers, you’ll find all manner of roses. The blooms in spring are guaranteed to be spectacular, but these roses bloom nearly year round–so you’ll always be met with beautiful swathes of colors and wonderful fragrances.

Because the garden sits adjacent to Gussie Field, there are plenty of benches and tables around, in case you want to bring a picnic lunch. Great for families too, since the park is kid-friendly (lots of slides and gyms) and shaded by a canopy of trees. Remember that the Rawhide Drive entrance is one way, and you can easily exit the park via William Dodson Pkwy on the other end of the park.

This is the northernmost of 4 rose gardens in Farmers Branch, all within walking distance of each other. The best part is that the garden is free and open to the public during normal park hours.

 

Salvia surprise

5/5/2011 Sierra San Antonio Salvia found at Frisco LowesI went plant hunting at the Frisco Lowes and made an exciting find from my salvia wishlist: Sierra San Antonio! This was the salvia I hunted at NHG for…what amazing colors. The first bloom showed off a dark purple throat behind a pale gold tongue. The habit is strangely-tropical looking: the lanceate leaves are glossy and have veining similar to a microphylla. It’s actually a cross between greggii and microphylla, and the taxonomical name given is Salvia x jamensis. This specimen has a short woody trunk, but all the new stem growth is shiny like the leaves. I hope that it will endure the summer heat.

Surprise blooms!

4/29/2011 First Lollipop Lily of 2011The first lily of the year just made its appearance. My sweet cheeks spotted this Lollipop lily making a grand entrance in the lily bed–luckily he had his new camera phone to capture the moment.

Other blooms seen in profusion include the Oertel’s rose yarrow and the late blooming dianthus. The pansies are still growing strong, and the Hot Lips salvia is just now beginning to put out blooms, after a slow start.

The variegated society garlic have dropped their flowers, though the catnip is daring to bloom immediately, after having been relocated between the rosemary and lavender. There are yet plenty of peppers to put into the ground, but with this last taste of cool weather (May 1st lows of 48 degrees), I am hoping that warmer weather will permit the basils and peppers to flourish.

I also moved most of the Flame Callas to the salvia bed, in hopes that they will take to their new home soon. I know there is still a calla positioned under one of the oxalis plants in the lily bed, but I’m unsure what color it is or where to put it (except in a pot). Hopefully this next weekend I will have time to replant it.