Wednesday, March 25, 2009

When is a redbud not a redbud?

Answer: When it doesn't get any red buds! I watched it for weeks and nothing. Meanwhile my neighbor's redbud, a volunteer squeezed between her garage and my fence, is merrily blooming away. As shown below, mine just started pushing out a few measly leaves, mostly on the tips of the branches. This tree, which I call Quasimodo due to its shape, was here when I bought the house and has grown maybe 6 inches in 6 years. I think it's dying. Any thoughts?


When is a harlequin bug not a bad bug?
Answer: when it's a dead bug! Getting ready to pull the various lettuces and mesclun mix plants to get ready for tomatoes, I discovered brown stink bugs and harlequin bugs were on the tall, blooming arugula. When I saw an HB crawling on the edge of the bed, instead of catching it for my collection, my (gloved) hand shot out involuntarily and--- smash. Lesson: arugula is pretty when it blooms, but it attracts the wrong crowd. Sorry the picture is so gory.


When is a rose not a rose?
Answer: never. "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." And the Souvenir de la Malmaison "...by any other name would smell as sweet." Yesterday morning's gentle rain dressed up one opening bud and one full-blown bloom with what looks like pink pearls.

Finally, when does life imitate art?
Answer: When it reminds me strongly of one of Georgia O'Keefe's erotic flower paintings. The old-fashioned red-violet shade of this bearded iris also reminds me of my grandmother's garden in Kentucky, very long ago.














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6 comments:

  1. vertieMarch 27, 2009 at 8:43 AM

    The irises you gave me just started blooming. I love the color.

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  2. Rock rose March 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    Welcome to blogging. I have always thought I was the only person in Austin to have harlequin bugs. Watch out, where there is one there are at least 10 more! This year I have really worked hard on eradicating them but l bet they'll be back. Also I have more brown stink bugs this year. On a brighter note your roses are beautiful.

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  3. JackieApril 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    Mrs. Elionor,
    hello I want to ask would you sell me one of your iris plant???
    just like the one you gave to your friend the purple...I had some of those when I live in san antonio, save some but I believe MY HUSBAND throw way by mistake(I hope), I love Iris ...ask my daughter she would tell you...I have about 10 now except the one I lost(have a special meaning)

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  4. JackieApril 7, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    do you sell Iris???

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  5. HibiscusApril 12, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Lancashire Rose, you're right about the harlequins--I forgot to pull out the collards until a couple of days ago, and found many there.

    Jackie, the iris were just dug up and replanted in November. Alas, I gave away all the extras. Maybe in a couple of years? They originally came from my daughter's garden here in Austin, having been planted years ago by the elderly couple they bought the house from. She and I dug them up before they then sold the house and moved to the country. Typical passalong story.

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  6. JudeMay 27, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Wondering if your redbud ever revived? I have one that is in a similar condition to what you describe, and I'm scouring the web for solutions...

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