Citrus

“Distracting Vampires”

ESPatch Sep 7, 2012 14 comments

If you don’t grow any vampire killing giant timber bamboo culms do not fear, all is not lost. If you suspect that a vampire is unfortunately stalking you silently in your own garden in the twilight hours you may need a diversionary strategy.

It is a well documented historical fact that the average vampire-Jo cannot resist the intoxicating damp-blooded visual appeal and aroma (they have an enhanced sense of smell you know, vampires that is) of a blooming Moy Grande Hibiscus,

Texas Giant Hibiscus

The largest flowering perennial rose mallow hibiscus in existence!

Plant it directly into water features at strategic corners of your pathways to distract your particular “Nosferatoe” http://www.eastsidepatch.com/2012/04/sweet-fairchild-of-mine/ from your pasty neck as you run, arms flailing and screaming,

into the safety of your house, just be sure at this point not to invite him or her in,

not that you would.

I treat my true-blooded jugular-safeguard as a marginal plant, semi-submersed in my pond in a large pot, it likes to have its feet wet.

“Oh come on ESP this was 35 years ago!”

Ridiculous.

The aquatic looking purple passion vine,

Passiflora incarnata!

a host and and nectar source for our

Western Gulf Fritillary butterflies, among others.

Ironically for this post, Native American tribes used to soak the crushed roots of this plant in drinking water to make a “blood tonic”. The plant was also used as a sedative to treat nervous conditions and hysteria.

I find this out now, now that school is back in session!

Thunder Cloud ™

Leucophyllum candidum

Reflective heat, Texas temperatures, this slow growing little plant can take just about anything except over watering. Make sure it is planted in sharp, fast draining soil and it will do the rest. Perfect for driveways, parking lots and those little sun-baked areas that nothing else will grow in and remain small.

A few more of these will be going into the Patch this fall.

Moving “sharply” along:

Pampas have started to bloom this week. I used to have a lot more pampas grasses in the Patch but for arm and leg lacerating reasons (of which there were many) I am now left with this pink one tucked way up high on a mound.

This grass is not suitable for foot traffic areas (unless you are on a golf course where it is mandatory) but for secluded arching drama it does take some beating.

I think it is worth a bit of pain and suffering, well, at least with just the one plant.

“Ach, she canna take any mere satsumas ESP, look at the poor wee thing all buckled over with too many satsu….”

Okay Scotty.

They are starting to ripen, they are getting eaten, but they are starting to ripen.

Finally:

Here are a few images that I have drawn up for a client who wants to remove a good chunk of their thirsty St Augustine lawn.

Inspirational Image of the Week:

Joanna Stoga, 1st Place, Portfolios. International Garden Photographer of the Year 2012 competition.

I will leave you to ponder…

…Dynamic Architecture (Dubai)

Stay Tuned for:

“House Elf”

All material © 2012 for eastsidepatch. Unauthorized
intergalactic reproduction strictly prohibited, and
punishable by late (and extremely unpleasant)
14th century planet Earth techniques.

“Orion’s Belt”

ESPatch Aug 24, 2012 7 comments

The light quality has changed this week, a sure sign that fall / Autumn is looming around the corner.

Yuccas are giving birth at an alarming rate and the native Patch Naboo tribe

are flying fritillary kites high to celebrate the seasonal change.

This pampas grass is ruffling its sharp feathers in readiness to bloom some plumes.

As is this…

…Mexican Firebush

Hamelia patens

This one is planted in semi shade and is a great plant for attracting butterflies.

Polygonia interrogationis

Interrogationis?

These butterflies are better known as question mark and anglewing butterflies.

Resembling a leaf, the underside of this butterfly is a nondescript light brown with the exception of a distinctive silver-white question mark in the center of its hindwing. Polygonia, is derived from the Greek word for “many angles” and refers to the outlines of the wings.

The “dot” of the “question mark” is occasionally reduced or absent, this one was a fine specimen, though I think there may be a little more to that icon than meets the eye“?”

And while I have all the conspiracy theorists attention…just what is going on in the Baltic Sea?

Calm down Alex!

The flamboyantly colored topside of this butterfly is quite the smoldering contrast to the underside.

Moving back down to earth:

Good news on the satsuma front, the recent rains have dramatically decreased fruit drop and the tree has greened up once again. It should pull through with a great fall harvest.

I get the sense that the poor dragonflies are beginning to feel the aches and pains of age. They appear much less concerned with the camera lens as the year pushes into the fall. Many people believe these insects live only for a day but an adult dragon will survive as long as six months if the weather remains warm and dry.

Inspirational Images of the week:

Interesting idea for a pathway or patio.

Mexican beach pebbles that you can jump on!

Having had the unfortunate experience of shoveling these pebbles on numerous occasions I could not live with these pebble-pillows in my house, fun idea though.

How about this:

Texas architect Jim Poteet http://www.poteetarchitects.com from San Antonio has transformed a 40′ shipping container into a gorgeous backyard retreat, complete with a living green roof, composting toilet, rainwater collection and eco friendly finishes. The studio retreat also features floor-to-ceiling windows cut out of the container, blown-in insulation, and bamboo floors and walls.

Very creative.

Finally:

Happy 5th birthday, birthday boy.

Stay Tuned for:

“Mind your Dual Language!”

All material © 2012 for eastsidepatch. Unauthorized
intergalactic reproduction strictly prohibited, and
punishable by late (and extremely unpleasant)
14th century planet Earth techniques.