Let's start off with the fact that I am passionate about gardening. I look for rare/hard to find plants. It is my version of golf... you know that feeling: play all day out in the heat, sweat like a mule, and still love it? Yeah, that feeling. It's a beautiful thing.
Why would a rare flower blooming in Terrell Hills matter? It all depends upon your perspective and knowledge about the conditions that a particular plant requires.
Although the common agapanthus plant is plentiful, the Agapanthus africanus x Elaine plant is not easily found. Elaine is dark violet/blue in color and is a bit difficult to grow in this part of Central Texas. It needs a bit of afternoon shade so that the sun won't scorch it. It also likes to be dry. These two things should be easily achieved in any garden.
We have suffered through years of drought and struggling to keep our plants alive. The water bills have been dreadful.
NOT THIS YEAR. I had my doubts about the plants making it through the wet spring and early summer. You have probably read about all of the flooding we have experienced. Many of the friends and neighbors in Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights and San Antonio have been ecstatic with the amount of rain we have received so far this year. In fact, our yards have turned into jungles. It is taking us hours to cut through the swathe of bush growth.
Ivy which I have yet to trim in my garden!
So, it was with trepidation that I watched my coveted Agapanthus Elaine plants with concern. Were they going to bloom this year?????? Would they rot like they did in 2008? Where would I ever find some more of these bulbs? And, how many years before they would become established enough to bloom? This year was supposed to be their best year ever.....
I am happy to report that my plants made it. And, voilà, today we have MAGIC! A flower bud is opening.
Agapanthus x ‘Elaine’ as grown in Terrell Hills, Tx.
So, as we recover from abundance of rain, our summer begins in splendor and the drought season begins. And, I am one happy camper!
If you are a gardener, so am I.
If you are looking for a home with a wonderful garden for sale in Terrell Hills or Alamo Heights, I can help you.
Call me.
I'll be out in the garden. Wink, wink.
August update: The Agapanthus is in it's final days. To cheer me up and as a bonus to you, I drove down Ivy Lane. It is one of the prettiest streets in Terrell Hills. This section of Ivy Lane has some of the best gardens in the city. I am looking for inspiration.
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