Wake Up, You Dreamer

Some illusions had to die

After the basic hardscape elements were completed, and water and electric were in, I began planting in earnest, but I had a lot to learn. I have hundreds of plant tags and can't even estimate how many of those plants were unsuccessful. At the beginning, I had an unrealistic picture of what I wanted my garden to look like, and some illusions had to die: that it would happen fast, that plants would stay where I put them, that they would thrive if I provided the right conditions, that my rock areas would stay clean, that weeds wouldn't grow in granite, that my garden would look beautiful year-round. I underestimated the amount and frequency of leaf litter and the amount of time required to keep things looking tidy (I finally realized the job is never done.)

The Challenge of Texas

Pinterest and YouTube offer gorgeous gardens that inspire, but many of the ones I love

aren't in Texas. Texas climate is very challenging: the temperature extremes and unpredictable seasons require careful plant selection. I have watched videos of Texas gardens: plants that thrive in the heat and garden tours in July and August of lush, dense beds full of flowers. Some claim they are low maintenance, which is hard to believe. I spend about three hours a day in Summer, often more in Fall and Spring. There is always something to do.

The beautiful lush garden I imagined would not come easy. The garden-to-be needed everything, but I decided shade and privacy were the priorities. I started with plants that would provide structure and function as screen or shade, adding perennials I was able. It took a long time for them to fill in because I most always buy small containers--it costs less and the holes are easier to dig. Plants also die for various reasons and you have to plant again.