Thursday, July 11, 2013

It's finally blooming!

I planted a new crape myrtle tree in my front yard two years ago. We have had three years a drought, so this is the first year it has bloomed. We have had so much rain everything in my garden is happy.
In a few short years the tree will grow to be as tall (or taller) then my house. The foliage will get thicker and it will have more blooms. This type of crape myrtle (Sarah's Favorite) flowers several times during the summer but it is also very pretty in the fall when the leaves turn a bright red.
This older one in my back garden is very happy too.
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I have always planted impatiens in the west court yard but because I sit out there so much at night I thought I would plant a lot of white garden this year.

Even the 'Knock Out' roses are happy on the back of the wall.



Not much survives our summer heat so this is pretty good for this part of the world. 

It is 97 degrees F today (36 Celsius) and the humidity is killer!!! Those brick walls make the court yard feel like an oven.

The only way in to the west court yard is through this gate.









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33 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 11, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    Que jardim lindo! Quantas flores, árvores, tudo tão bem cuidado, parabéns!
    Um abraço de Fernanda

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  2. Isabel RuizJuly 11, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    Tiene un maravilloso jardín y además lleno de flores y color.

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  3. MargaretJuly 11, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    They are beautiful trees Catherine and your garden is gorgeous, love those 'lollypop' trees in the front, looks like someone does a fine job at clipping them. In our townhouse garden back in Sydney I clipped all the shrubs that had been recently planted around the fence and it grew into a huge hedge on 'stilts', it looked great, no flowers to speak of though. Love crepe myrtle, we see mostly pink ones here.

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 6:58 PM

      Thank you Margaret.

      I would like to see that hedge on 'stilts'. I am having a bit of trouble getting a mental image of that. :-)

      The ones you call lollypop trees are Weeping Yaupon Holly Trees. I always called them the mushroom trees. It took me years to get them trained into that shape.

      have given up trimming them now and passed the job on to the gardener. I have to stand on a tall ladder to do it. when it is over 100 degrees F it is too hard on me. I didn't use electric trimmers. I clipped them by hand. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Last time I did it they made me feel waaaaay too OLD! haha

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  4. elizabeth sJuly 11, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Hi Catherine! Three years of drought is a very long time! Have you had to experience any water restrictions during that stretch? Here in Vancouver, Canada we have had Ample rainfall all through the winter and then into the spring and then into the summer...... I got the surprize of my life, when driving past a city electronic sign I read "Water restrictions now enforced" My question is Why? What have they done with it all? Meanwhile, I have to say that your lawn looks picture perfect and the tree is Spectacular and well worth waiting for. The back garden may be hotter than a firecracker for you but it looks like a cool oasis in the photos! Very beautiful and very well maintained!

    elizabeth

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 6:47 PM

      Elizabeth,

      No, we have never had water restrictions here. This city sits on top of huge artesian wells. The water has the best rating in the USA too. Though I hate the fact they put enough chlorine in it I can smell it. My water bill has never been more that a few dollars a month.

      Thank you for the kind words about my garden. XXX

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  5. Susan@minicrochetmadJuly 11, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    Oh, the white crepe myrtle is gorgeous! You've convinced me I need one. I've the hot pink version and also a lilac but white flowers are my all time favourites. Your courtyard is absolutely beautiful and not showing signs of heat stress.

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 7:27 PM

      Susan,

      I love those colors of crepe myrtles. The lilac and pink are gorgeous! I had to buy white because that was all they had that week.

      During the heat of the day everything sort of wilts here. Then when the sun goes down it perks back up with some water. Thank you for your sweet comment. ;-)

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  6. LucilleJuly 11, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    Hi Catherine! What a lovely tree is this crape myrtle! Not knowing anything about gardening, I had never heard of it. You have an amazingly beautiful property. If I had such a huge place, I would surely need a gardener. It must keep you very busy. It certainly seems an enchanting place in which to relax. I love the entrance to the west courtyard. It has such character! It brought to mind the movie The Secret Garden. Enjoy your summer evenings! It must be delightful in the moonlight!

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 11:31 PM

      Thank you Lucille. It really does have that Secret Garden feel when you step through the gate. ;-)

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  7. GiacJuly 11, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    Hello Catherine,
    It must be so much work, but that is such an incredible yard. The pictures are spectacular...they make me think of the Secret Garden. I hope the weather remains good and that the yard just gets more beautiful!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 11:33 PM

      Thanks Giac. This is the first summer in three years the garden has looked decent. I am enjoying it. :-)

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  8. Linda CarswellJuly 11, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    Your garden looks beautiful.....I adore your private court yard.

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    1. CatherineJuly 11, 2013 at 11:34 PM

      I call it the west court yard because I have two. The other one is on the east side. It is a kitchen garden.
      Thanks Linda. Hug Hudson for me.

      Delete
  9. miraclechickenJuly 11, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    Wow Catherine your property is a very inspiring place! The tree and the flowers are beautiful, and the courtyard looks magical. What a cool place to live ummm no pun intended :)

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  10. Catherine / MooghiscathJuly 12, 2013 at 5:04 AM

    Il est magnifique cet arbre , je ne sais pas s'il se plairait en France près de Paris ?? le massif d'impatiences est magnifique .

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    1. CatherineJuly 12, 2013 at 10:32 AM

      Merci Catherine. Je pense que ces arbres serait beau à Paris.

      Delete
  11. Fi.PJuly 12, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    Hi Catherine,

    I can relate very well with lack of water after years of drought, it is amazing to see it all spring back to life after a soaking. Your garden looks like it has never missed a drop off water, it is so green and vibrant, it is a credit to you to have such a lush appearance after a rain shortage.

    ML Fiona

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    1. CatherineJuly 12, 2013 at 10:37 AM

      Drought is not as serious here as it maybe in other places because of our wells. I was able to keep everything watered but plants know the difference!
      Thank you Fiona. XXX

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  12. JohnJuly 12, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Thanks for the inspiring garden tour, Catherine. It's just beautiful. Earlier this year I read there was a blight going around the country killing off impatiens but yours seem to be thriving brilliantly. I hope you get a few cooler days in which to enjoy all the lush splendor.

    XOXO,
    John

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    1. CatherineJuly 12, 2013 at 10:39 AM

      I had not heard there was a inpatients blight. I thought they were indestructible.
      Anything that can survive here has to be.
      Thank you John! XXX

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  13. Karin CorbinJuly 12, 2013 at 3:15 PM

    Lovely garden space. It makes me want to join you in the cooler evening air for a glass of something refreshing.

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  14. CatherineJuly 12, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    Thanks Karin. You would be more than welcome!
    XXX

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  15. Indy_PoppyJuly 12, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    The crape myrtle is beautiful. Your garden looks great.

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    1. CatherineJuly 12, 2013 at 9:05 PM

      Thank you Indy. I am so happy everything looks so healthy after years of drought.

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  16. FloraJuly 14, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Hi Catherine,
    Today I learned the word "drought" (the only one for which I had to use the translator) and I'm happy to know that this year you have been spared from this.
    I can see that your garden is lush and luxuriant: it would be a perfect place to organize a romantic tea party (I know, I'm obsessed!)
    Ok, I bring all my equipment (embroidered tablecloths, cups, silverware, and the great Edwardian hats) and you put the garden :-)
    It would be great ...
    Thank you for sharing these beautiful images and another small part of your life with us.
    Have a nice weekend, my dear :-)
    Flora

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    1. CatherineJuly 14, 2013 at 3:07 PM

      Thank you Flora. It would be such fun to have a tea party in my court yard. We could dress up like Victorian ladies. haha

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  17. SimonJuly 14, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Simply beautiful, Catherine!
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful garden with us.
    Sorry I haven't left comments in an age - for some reason my mac would

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  18. SimonJuly 14, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    Oh Lord! I'm still getting used to my iPad!
    Anyway, I'm back up and running and finally able to comment - I just have to work out how to complete the comment first!
    Best wishes
    Simon x

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    1. CatherineJuly 14, 2013 at 3:10 PM

      Thank you Simon for coming in to leave such a kind comment. Oooh a new IPad ehh. I am sure you will get used to it very quicky if you are used to using a Mac. I LOVE my IPad. I confess I used it mostly for watching movies though. I have never really bothered to learn much about it. If it died tomorrow I would run and get another one. I love it.

      Delete

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