April 10, 2026
My garden has always been on the spiky side thanks to agaves, yuccas, and sotols. But right now there are more spikes — bloom spikes, that is.
My favorite hesperaloe (Hesperaloe parviflora ‘Yellow’) is blooming in the lower garden, sending up 5-foot spikes sheathed in moonshine-yellow flowers.
Three horn-like bloom spikes are sprouting from the tallest Yucca rostrata. I enjoy this eye-to-eye view from the elevated deck.
I’m rewatching Game of Thrones, and this yucca reminds me of the Night King’s spiky crown.
Within those high strappy leaves, a pair of house finches are raising a brood of chicks.
As seen from ground level, reaching for the sky
‘Brakelights’ hesperaloe, a smaller cultivar of the common red yucca, is blooming in a galvanized pot along the side path.
The only bloom spikes in the Circle Garden right now are blue-bottle ones. But the geometry of the space is fun even when it’s mostly shades of green.
Here’s the Circle Garden from another angle, with variegated whale’s tongue agave, woolly stemodia, and four-nerve daisy in the stock-tank planter. Mexican hat and winecup wildflowers are coming along and will be flowering soon.
Let’s pause the bloom-spike theme for a moment and admire the dusty lavender foliage and fleshy texture of ghost plant on the blue wall.
And cascading canes of ‘Peggy Martin’ rose and ‘Tangerine Beauty’ crossvine
More ghost plant — in two different colors, probably from differing light exposure — enlivens the deck table.
The symmetry of a spiny whale’s tongue agave evokes a big blue rose. This one lives in the gravelly entry garden.
A ‘Vanzie’ whale’s tongue agave by the street is sending up the biggest bloom spike in my garden. Here’s how it looked on April 1.
A week later on April 8, the flowers had started to open. This agave has a very sensible spike — it stopped growing just before it reached the live oak limb above it, almost like it knew when to stop. Did it…?
Close up view. The bees will be here soon.
Book Tour Events
Heads up, Central Texas gardeners: I have ONE more speaking event for the launch of Gardens of Texas. And huzzah — it’s free! Come see me, get gardening inspiration, and if you like, purchase a signed copy of the book. Here are the details:
April 18, 10:00-11:30 am – Cedar Park
Presentation: Cedar Park Parks & Rec event
Register for this free talk (limited seating); select Gardening 101: Gardens of Texas
Updated address: Cedar Park City Hall Building #3, 450 Cypress Creek Rd., Cedar Park, TX 78613
Drawing from the visionary landscapes in Gardens of Texas, I’ll share how resilient gardeners are embracing change, shifting their plant palette, nurturing wildlife, and finding deeper joy in the process. I’ll have books for sale and signing at the talk. Free and open to the public.
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Digging Deeper
My new book, Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State, is here! Find it on Amazon, other online book sellers, and in stores everywhere. It’s for anyone who loves gardens or the natural beauty of Texas. More info here.
All material © 2026 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
