Winter Rains in TX Bring Spring Flowers

By late April, our yard is showing off to nice effect a welcome result of the El Nino rains of this past winter. The bluebonnets look the best ever, and the bright yellow of the Engelmann's daisies provides a fine backdrop. The circle of blue color from the Blue curls and Mealy blue sage around our native persimmon tree in the back yard is at its showiest this time of year. The Prairie primrose natives have settled on a hilly spot in our back yard to showcase their delicate, pink beauty.

The twisted-leaf yuccas in our front terrace have bud stalks as tall as Raleigh. Their creamy white blooms will appear in May. Our red yuccas' stalks of coral buds are stretching up nearly as tall. The spineless prickly pears have oodles of baby pads forming, but I haven't noticed any flower buds yet.

The majority of the terrace blooms are being provided now by the purples of the Deosperma ice plant and the Prairie verbenas, the small daisy-like whites of the Blackfoot daisies, the bright yellow of the Four Nerve daisies, the spikes of blue claimed by the Mealy blue sage, and the occasional show of coral gracing the Salvia greggii.

The roses are looking the best we've seen them in a long time! Their scents fill the rooms of the house when the southern-facing windows are open.

Now, when more rain is forecast, we pray that strong storms don't follow. I suppose we should be grateful for what we have - when we have it. For now, our yard is filled with colors, including freshly bright greens, that refresh our spirits. Life is good!

For a peak at our spring blooms, click on the title above.