redbud
Cercis canadensis
Cercis canadensis now open for business throughout Central Texas. Provides a great native alternative to exotic Bradford Pears – and don’t require much water to stay alive… Both the Eastern Redbud and the Texas Redbud (var. texensis) are considered native here.
Huisache - Acacia farnesiana
Blooms from January through April – this year it has only started showing some color from March. Has thorns, which make it slightly less desireable than Goldenball Leadtree.
Prunus mexicana - Mexican Plum - click for larger image
The Mexican Plum attracts swarms of butterflies, bees and other insect nectar seekers.
Anemone berlandieri - Wind-flower - click for larger image
Named for Jean Louis Berlandier who collected plants in Texas and northern Mexico. This bud is not quite open for business. The mostly white sepals are not petals. Colors range from greenish white to purple. This one is one of the many weeds that are interspersed between the clumps of Buffalo Grass in my curbside strip.
Forestiera pubescens - Elbowbush - click for larger image
Also known as Spring Herald, blooms January – March.
Tradescantia gigantea - Giant Spiderwort - click image for larger picture
open for business for nectar feeders.
Dalea greggii - Gregg Dalea - click image for greater detail
The Gregg Dalea continues to put out some blooms.
Sophora secundiflora - Texas Mountain Laurel - click image for detail
Here’s a pic of a cluster of mountain laurel blossoms.
Sophora secundiflora - Texas Mountain Laurel click for larger image
The mountain laurels are in bloom!
Texas Mountain Laurel buds - Sophora secundiflora - click image for detail
Grape flavor Kool Aid is the olfactory surprise that accompanies the February blooms of the Texas Mountain Laurel. It ranges in size from a small shrub to a small tree depending on conditions. The bright red seeds give it another common name, Mescal Bean.
bob's brain: living well with a movement disorder and other comorbidities 