Every Thursday we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm. Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and someday, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!
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| Flowerbed, image via Sunset.com |
Even though we are breaking all sorts of records around here for low temps and everything is leafless, brown and dormant, we're thinking about color. This year is going to be, Mother Nature willing, the year of creating some flower islands around the yard. I have the infrastructure for the flowerbeds in place, of course we will most likely have to replace all that died in the freeze we just had (TEENS!). But still, we can create some more beds out in the yard.
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| Flowerbed, image via Southernliving.com |
We're going to go to our research for drought tolerant, deer tolerant and FREEZE tolerant plants. We might not have much choice after that but it's the only thing we can do at the farm. We don't mind seasonal flowers like in the above photos around the base of something else more permanent (perennial), but it's definitely time for color, or at least to start planning for it.
And this time of year, it's nice to think about Spring.
Be inspired!
Looks like there are roses in the above photo and deer love roses. I would probably start with deer resistant in your research and go from there. Good luck. I planted hydrangeas last year and of course they love those too, along with tulips. I can only plant tulips where the deer cannot get to them.
ReplyDeleteDon't pull anything up! Give it a few days of warm weather and see what comes back
ReplyDeleteI was just going through my seeds and I have several "mixed annual" packets that have been hanging around for a while which I think I'll finally get around to sowing this year. The great thing about mixed packets is that you may end up hitting on a variety that you really enjoy, but may not otherwise have purchased.
ReplyDeleteLists of plants that are deer resistant:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7754
and
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/deerbest.html
and
https://www.klru.org/ctg/resource/deer-resistant-plants-nancy-webber/
Drought tolerant:
https://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=centex_drought
and
https://www.klru.org/ctg/tag/drought-resistant-plants/
and
http://ekps.tamu.edu/
and
https://texassuperstar.com/press/superstar_brochure_2016.pdf
As for freeze tolerant:
https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7952
and
http://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Plant-by-plant-freeze-information-1766802.php
Also, drive around and see what is still living - take pictures so you can identify them later.
Lilacs are drought resistant, love to have freezing winters and the deer won't eat them. Cows and sheep nibble on them. We have bushes 10 feet tall and their scent is wonderful! Can't grow roses, though..too cold.
ReplyDeleteAfter all our snow, frozen water buckets, and downright frigid temps, it's lovely to see summer color! Looks like you got lots of good ideas for drought resistant flowers. Don't for get crepe myrtles, the lilacs of the South. Summer long color don't mind freezing temps and the deer (and goats) don't touch them!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You have lots to think about when it comes to planting. What one 4 legged critter may not eat, another just might
ReplyDelete