December 20, 2024
Mild, blue-sky December days are a Texan’s reward for enduring summer. Right now I’m happy to see giant leopard plant, aka tractor seat plant (Farfugium japonicum ‘Gigantea’), blooming its head off every time I step outside.
Its big glossy leaves look like terrestrial lily pads and set off the sunny yellow flowers to perfection.
Although the Japanese maple struggled this summer, it finally rallied this fall (aka December) with red color on the remaining leaves. Offering up contrasting purple spires, the ‘Amistad’ salvia in the foreground got huge this year and is still going strong.
On my neighborhood walk, I spotted this lovely pink lantana against a dark-stained fence. So pretty!
I’m not without flowers indoors either. An amaryllis bulb I bought last month is about to pop, just in time for Christmas. And a Jamaican Brassavola subulifolia orchid that Michael McDowell of Plano Prairie Garden shared with me from his collection has opened its night-scented flowers.
Every evening they suffuse the kitchen with their vanilla-ish sweetness. Thanks, Michael!
In the living room/entry, our Christmas tree is blooming with lights and presents. Happy holidays, y’all!
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Digging Deeper
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