Winter Is Almost Here

We got a good rain last week and have had temps in the 20s for the past week in the mornings. I'm thankful for the rain. Before the freeze, I received as early Christmas gifts - 2  Pink Knockouts, 2 Variegated Privets and a Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly. I think it's great to receive plants as Christmas gifts. My daughter and son-in-law, also as a Christmas gift, have ordered 3 Cherry trees for me. I think one is a Bing and the other Stella. I'm not sure what the 3rd one is. I took some early morning photos of the garden since the freeze.

Kanjiro Camellia bud

Double Red Knockout rose

Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly

This is the "entryway" that will in the future have a gate.  Originally
 this is were I had Elaeagnus shrubs planted, which died from the
 extreme heat wave and drought.  I have replaced
 them with 2 Pink Knockouts.

To the left and right of the Knockouts and 
I have planted
Variegated Privet which are alongside
 the remaining Elaeagnus.

Variegated Privet in foreground.
The two photos below-
are from my old house and
show how they look
when they have several
years growth. Privet
is on the right and left of Knockouts.

This And That

Red rose that came with the house. It smells wonderful!!
It's about 6 ft high. I think it might be a Mr Lincoln.

Bell peppers are loving this cooler weather.

Blue Bedder Salvia that I started in spring from
seed.

Mystic Spires Salvia. Bumblebees won't let me
get near to take a cutting. 

Queen Elizabeth

Hosta is looking good. I've moved it three
times and found it likes being under
this tree and I discovered - don't plant them
too deeply.

I cut down all the old and dying zinnias in
late August. This is the second wave from seed left
on the ground.

Believe it or not - there is a rose growing under this jar
from a cutting.

Encore Azalea - Autumn Moonlight

Encore Azalea - Autumn Sangria. I'm really
happy with these azaleas. I was
skeptical about them blooming 3
times during the year here in Texas -
they lived up to the claim. 

Double Red Knockout

Another shot of the unknown rose (it might be
a Mr Lincoln)

Old German Heirloom Tomato and what is blooming today

Shade garden. This will look better once everything is established and blends together.

I planted more seeds today - nasturtiums (Dwarf Jewel, Cherry Rose Jewel)
 which the more you pick the more you get, zinnia (Cactus-Flowered Mix),
 sweet alyssum, purple salvia, red hot poker in full sun. Mixed colors
 Columbine and Lupine in the shade garden. We are getting an
 area ready where we will plant the okra. I also forgot to say I
 also have "Old German" Heirloom tomatoes - a Mennonite
 heirloom from Virginia that turns a golden yellow with
 reddish streaks and are great for slicing.

I moved the junipers again. I planted them in pots and the
 wind has
 been so strong it kept knocking them 
to the ground, so I tied them 
to a fence and a crepe myrtle tree. (the one I cut 
down - it is coming back)

Row of Double Red knockout roses with wild yellow iris. 

Another shot of juniper with wild yellow iris. 
These will be moved in the fall and replaced with the ones
 I brought from my old house.  A couple of them
 are in photos below.

Row of Double Pink Knockout roses.

Blue and white iris. 

Footloose iris