Memories of the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden

In recent weeks, several Texan friends have mentioned, on their blogs and social media, that the Texas Mountain Laurels (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum; syn. Sophora secundiflora) were blooming. This reminded me of our time in the state last year. It also reminded me that I hadn't shared highlights from our visit to the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, which was a truly unique place!



Several Texas Mountain Laurels were blooming outside the entrance, and we spent some quality time before and after our visit viewing, smelling, and enjoying them. The scent has been described as grape bubblegum, which I recall as being about right.



The pollinators enjoyed them, too. I believe this is a horse-fly carpenter bee.



The tea garden, which is more than 100 years old, exceeded my expectations and was totally different than I expected. It's described as "magical" on the San Antonio Parks web site, and that seems about right. My photos and words don't do it justice: It's one of those places you have to visit to get the full effect. There's so much beautiful rock and stone work everywhere you look, and the layout is so unique.

Built in the pit of a former limestone quarry and cement factory, it was shaped into a pavilion, walkways, arch bridges, pond surrounds, an island, and more.



When we were there, beautiful annuals, along with resident perennials, were on display. These colorful Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) brightened the late February landscape.



Various grasses, Prickly Pear cacti (Opuntia alta), and other native perennials framed the scene around the property.



The rock work, mixed with beautiful plants and blooms was truly special.



Along with the giant, 60-foot waterfall, which made a dramatic statement.



If/when you visit San Antonio, don't miss this special place. I'm sure it's beautiful and incredible any time of year.

To learn more about the history of the Japanese Tea Garden, and plans for its future, visit the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the San Antonio Parks & Recreation descriptions.

A Garden Full of Joy and Whimsy

You know your favorite aunt whose face lights up when you come to visit...her entire demeanor exudes joy and welcoming? That's what it was like to visit the garden of Jean Morgan, near Denver, Colo., during this year's Garden Bloggers Fling, earlier this month. (If you guessed Colorado, based on my last post: 3 points; Denver area: 5 points; Garden Bloggers Fling: 10 points!)



Jean was so genuinely happy to see us and share her garden--and warm and welcoming--that this particular visit was a highlight, for me, of the entire Fling! The house and property is a historic landmark in what previously was known as "Little Bulgaria" in the town of Louisville, Colo.



Jean has lovingly cared for this garden for several decades--designing and placing all the plants herself. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.), herbs, and other drought-tolerant plants cover the entire small property, creating a lovely xeric, low-maintenance garden.



Patches of Love in a Mist (Nigella damascena) create a dreamy frame for the succulents.



Part of the joy of Jean's garden is that it's real. By this, I mean that Jean authentically created the displays herself. The garden is full of whimsical touches, like this bathtub/metal objects creation, Barney Bazooka DeChomp III.



A pump faucet washtub full of herbs and its neighbor pot with a face.



This lady statuette who is "happily dying of chocolate," surrounded by real candy bar wrappers and Chocolate Daisies (Berlandiera lyrata). (I think most of us can relate.)



Jean has a delightful  pond with a waterfall, decorated with metal friends: a heron, a turtle, a cat, a crab, lobsters, and others.



Her fabulous crevice/rock garden is chock full of xeric plants, and is home to a family of quail figurines.

Other Fling attendees had similar impressions while visiting Jean's garden; and most of us had a grand time at the entire Fling this year. Watch for more coverage in the months ahead, by visiting this link. Next year, the Fling will be in Madison, Wis., and I'm on the planning committee!

It's Only a Rock Wall ... Or Is It?

Nothing exciting is happening in my garden these days ...

Wait!



Let's check out the rock wall!



Wow, this moss looks lush and vibrant, even in the middle of winter.



Up close, it resembles a thick forest landscape.



The lichens are alive and multiplying, too.



As the snow and ice retreat, their pathways and wanderings become colorful and dimensional.



Huh ... moss in a tiny "cave"; I wonder if insects or critters find refuge here?



Each rock has a unique shape, structure, and colony of life forms.



The snow wraps around like the hug of a warm blanket.



I'm curious about all the creatures, plants, and life forms that live between the rock and the snow.



Nature offers fascinating collages, draping across the rocks.



The warmth of the rock encourages Sedums to sprout early.



And Lamiums caught between a rock and a hard place can thrive even during the bitterest season.



Shaggy, dormant grasses add winter interest.



Did these tiny collections of sticks, nuts, and fruits occur only through gravity and happenstance, or did a small mammal bring them here?



Some of these spots actually look warm and comfortable. I guess the rock wall is more than simply a pile of cold, hard rock: It's a vibrant, active ecosystem!

**********

Update: The quality of this video is poor, but perhaps worth including with this post. It shows a Mourning Cloak butterfly checking out the rock wall (for a possible hibernation spot?) a couple of years ago:

Mourning Cloaks are among the few butterflies that overwinter as adults in cold climates. Visit Butterflies and Moths of North America to learn more about them.

Plant of the Month: Lesser Calamint

Need a low-growing, prolific bloomer for a sunny garden spot or border? Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta might be the plant for you. Nicknamed Lesser Calamint, this mound-forming perennial blooms from June to first frost, and sometimes afterward. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, according to Midwest Groundcovers, which shares some excellent photos of the plant in full bloom at maturity.

The first photo in this post is deceptive: I'm estimating each flower is about one-quarter the width of my pinky finger. I enlarged and cropped the photo so you could see the detail of the tiny, lavender/white blooms.



You get an idea of the scale of the individual flowers from the photo above: The Lesser Calamint plants shown here are the smaller ones with plant stakes along the front border of a pollinator garden. The flowers grow along a spiking stem in profusion during the summer. The plants in this photo are first-year plants. When mature, they reach heights and spreads of about one to two feet.



I discovered this plant during a late autumn 2013 trip to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, in Madison, which has sold Lesser Calamint during its plant sale for the past few years. Even in late fall, the plants there were covered with a diverse range of pollinators. This plant is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. (Information about Lesser Calamint in this post comes from these two sources and my own experience.)

The subspecies nepeta is sterile, so it won't re-seed. It forms a shrub-like mound of foliage, out of which the flower stems emerge in late spring.



This slightly closer view of the foliage and the flower stems shows how airy and light they are.

Other facts about Lesser Calamint:

• The leaves of this Mint-family plant are edible as a tea or as an herb, with scent and flavor reminiscent of Oregano and Mint;
• It prefers full sun, but tolerates afternoon shade, and prefers dry to medium moisture levels;
• No serious insect or disease problems; and
• The minty scent deters deer and rabbits.

It's an attractive and wildlife-friendly plant that has the added benefit of being edible.