MAD MEN's most recent episode concluded with a classic '60s ballad, "Love is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)* and it's been coming back to me all week. I do love my bluebonnets, even thought it's not been a good year for them. The lack of winter rain made for poor germination and stunted growth. I'm celebrating those that I do have and hoping for a better show next year. *[note: at 1:42 the haunting melody ends and a jazzy version begins, which is somewhat disconcerting.]
I told the Head Gardener that the south bed between Wit's End and my neighbor's cried out for bluebonnets. That bed is home to Cher, the younger of the two Bauhinia galpinii, whose extravagant red-orange blooms are so showy. I had a mental picture of how striking those blooms and the blue Lupinus texensis would look together. Just one problem: the Bauhinia blooms several months later than the bluebonnets. Oh, well. (The Head Gardener can kindly stuff a sock in it.)
And this is the ugly part of growing bluebonnets. The plants can look absolutely horrendous while they set seed and they violate the Head Gardener's amenities dreadfully. She concedes, however, that a gardener is often required to overlook such things if s/he wishes to enjoy future beauty.
I told the Head Gardener that the south bed between Wit's End and my neighbor's cried out for bluebonnets. That bed is home to Cher, the younger of the two Bauhinia galpinii, whose extravagant red-orange blooms are so showy. I had a mental picture of how striking those blooms and the blue Lupinus texensis would look together. Just one problem: the Bauhinia blooms several months later than the bluebonnets. Oh, well. (The Head Gardener can kindly stuff a sock in it.)
You'll notice different colors in the middles of the flowers: some are pure white and some are reddish-purple. Somewhere I'd heard that the color change occurred with pollination. This Texas Beewatchers site says it's more likely a result of age but gives a good explanation of why the bees choose the white spots.
And this is the ugly part of growing bluebonnets. The plants can look absolutely horrendous while they set seed and they violate the Head Gardener's amenities dreadfully. She concedes, however, that a gardener is often required to overlook such things if s/he wishes to enjoy future beauty.
Comments
My plans for plants don't always work out either. The ones that do look good together are usually happy accidents.
Now I'lI have "Love is Blue" running through my mind all night:)