DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE: DRIPPING GARDENS WITH BLOOM: A PLEA FOR LATE BLOOMING PLANTS (THE LORAX SPEAKS!)

DRIPPING GARDENS WITH BLOOM: A PLEA FOR LATE BLOOMING PLANTS (THE LORAX SPEAKS!)

Bloom is the colorful and charming nursery, owned by Elizabeth McIntosh and her landscaper husband John, located on the grounds of Rolling in Thyme & Dough. Thanks to Bloom, our own gardens did indeed do so, and now Elizabeth has graciously agreed to share her gardening thoughts with us. This Thursday continues what we hope will be an ongoing series of gardening tips relevant to Dripping Springs gardens (but no pressure, Elizabeth!).

By Elizabeth McIntosh
After hearing tale after gruesome tale of perfectly live plants getting sent to their doom in compost piles across the county—simply because they have failed to come out of hiding—I have decided I must speak out. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” The Lorax, I am not, although I suppose I am shortish, quickly getting oldish, maybe a little brownish towards the end of summer, definitely not mossy, but occasionally sharpish and bossy…anyway, someone must stand up for the voiceless heat-loving plants that just need a little more warmth before they decide it’s safe to emerge from their long winter’s nap.

The Salvia may be blooming and the Lantana may be leafing-out, but let’s not forget it is just now the beginning of spring. Plenty of plants like it a little warmer, especially those native to a slightly more tropical climate. Relocated a little farther north than their ideal comfort zone and easily discouraged by a sudden drop in temperature, they need reassurance that the cold really is past before they go whole hog and shift gears into active growth mode.

Pride of Barbados is the perfect example. Quite often, it is well into May before any new growth is visible on this show-stopper. Firebush seems to take forever as well, and just when all hope seems lost the new growth springs forth. Just this week I noticed sprouts on my Texas Star Hibiscus. My Mandevilla even made it through the winter and is slowly but surely peeking its way above ground. And by now most of the Yellow Bells should be leafing out, but don’t be discouraged if yours aren’t just yet.

Be patient. Abandoning hope pre-maturely is not only a waste of money, but you’re also wasting a year’s worth of roots. With these more tender perennials, a well-established root system is what makes the difference between life or death, both in the cold of winter and the brutal heat of summer. And don’t be fooled by all the nursery plants growing and blooming their hearts out; they have been living the sweet life in a greenhouse all winter. Not a bad plan if you ask me, the shortish, brownish, almost oldish, and occasionally sharpish and bossy gardener who speaks for the plants.
Those plants, like me,
Who a little farther south
Would really rather be!

PAST DRIPPING GARDENS WTH BLOOM:
March 30, 2009: DRIPPING GARDENS WITH BLOOM: OF TOMATO DETERMINATION AND THE TRUTH ABOUT GREEN PEPPERSMarch 12, 2009: DRIPPING GARDENS WITH BLOOM: YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG! (OF "MR. MOM" MOMENTS AND THE COMMANDMENTS OF COMPOST AND MULCH)
February 26, 2009: OF ONE HIT WONDERS AND THE SINGING GARDEN
February 18, 2009: OF SLOWING DOWN AND THE CALL OF THE TOMATO
February 11, 2009: OF VEGETABLES AND OPTIMISM
February 4, 2009: OF WEEDS, WATER, AND WARM WINTER DAYS
January 29, 2009: OF CUTTING BACK PERENNIALS AND CRAPE MURDER