Heirloombulbgirl

Tag: flowers

  • Growing Oxblood Lilies by Seed

    Isn’t this the coolest? I am obsessed! Some Oxblood Lilies are still in bloom, while others are in different of the seed process. Some Oxbloods don’t produce viable seeds at all. For some odd reason, I find this utterly fascinating. I have chronicled the last few weeks of Oxblood Lily seedpod development on my Instagram/FB accounts, which has brought me ridiculous amounts of fun. I have managed to figure how to put music to reels (huge step into this techno-century). Even my daughter laughed at my latest dorky song choice….I laughed too. I’m still laughing. The absurdity of gardeners who love their plants is immense, and yes….borderline psychotic, but in a joyfully good way. I think we all need good diversions in life that bring us joy. For me, it is watching my lilies go to seed.

    If you Google “do Oxblood Lilies go to seed?” most sights will say no. About 15 years ago, I had a hunch that mine did. I spotted way too many rogue Oxbloods throughout the yard. The relocation of lilies by Squirrels and small children were a distinct possibility, I decided to do a little science project. I did the whole “seed in paper moist paper towels” thing, and much to my joy, they sprouted. I did plant them as they grew and quickly lost track of my seed babies. Now I’m more savvy. I’m not knee-deep in violin concerts alongside peanut butter and honey child-rearing. My littles have all grown up, I have a somewhat of an empty nest and a lot of Oxblood Lily seeds to cultivate. The last 15 years, I have allowed nature do what it wants to do with the lily seeds. This year, I’m more intentional. I’m collecting the seeds and germinating them.

    Lily seeds enjoy a moist environment. I have half of my seeds in the moist paper method, and half my seeds in tea cups placed all around my music studio. No, I don’t have a greenhouse so I have to take a chance that my young violinists won’t throw the cups at each other while my back is turned. So far, so good. It’s been a few days, so I happily wait for green little sprouts. Patience is a virtue in which I apparently need. That’s the only real explanation on why this process is so thrilling for me. I have offered up free seedpods to folks to try their luck at growing Oxblood Lilies by seed. I’ve never sent Lily seeds via mail before, so if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. 🙂 Remember, I’m not a botanist, I just play one on Web MD.

    Happy Gardening my friends!

  • The Flex of the Tropical Spider Lily

    If Tropical Spider Lilies could speak, there would be a lot of flexing going on with the other flowers in the garden….

    ”Really? Is that all you got?”

    ”You know what they say about bulbs with big blooms…”

    ”I remember blooming like that when I was just a wee baby bulb.”

    ”Oh, how sweet. You decided to bloom a cute little flower.”

    Come to think of it, even gardeners with Tropical Spiders flex among other gardeners. Take, for instance, my family friend “Bonnie” (name possibly changed to keep her bulbs safe from bulb diggers like myself). I received a private message the other day with a “Look what I have blooming.” Basically, an “in your face!” picture of a magnificent clump of White Spiders.

    “Where did you get those lilies?!”

    “You gave them to me.”

    ”Well, I want them back. I’m coming right over to dig them up!”
    Too bad she lives 3 hours away. She knew her bulbs were safe. I could hear her little chuckles through the typed words of her messages. I bet my Mother put her up to this….

    My Tropical White Spiders bloomed about a week after the infamous flexing message. Then my phone broke, which was probably a result of the bad words I had considered using when my Spiders had STILL had not bloomed.

    So I gave them a hefting watering. Twice. Then magically, just like that, my Tropical White Spider Lilies bloomed.

    If my phone hadn’t lost all my contacts, my little garden flexes to Bonnie would have been rampant.

    ”Mine are bigger than yours.”

    ”Here’s what a *real* Spider Lily looks like!”

    (And my favorite) “Anything yours can do, mine can do better” sung in the style of the old musical Annie Get Your Gun.

    Every now and then, some flowers in the garden simply stand out among the other peasant plants. Tropical White Spiders just demand your full attention. The blooms are large, captivating and completely over the top gorgeous. A perfect flower for a little playful banter with your friends, and a little flex among the other garden flowers….if only Tropical Spider Lilies could speak.

    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan @Heirloombulbgirl

    ””

  • The Superpower of Bulbs. Finding Faith by “Dodging Death by Dormancy”

    Here we are, sweating hot and grumbling in 105 degree summer heat, and the Crinum be like “Nope. Not havin’ it. I’m going back to sleep.”
    I want to have that superpower….the ability to simply remove myself from heated situations or troublesome times. I want to magically take myself out of a hot environment, cool off and simply wait for some rain to bloom beyond anything else in the garden. What an incredible superpower to have!

    Crinum are indeed a special bulb. Most of the hot summer, they sway back and forth between a green clump with a gorgeous lily, and a haggard-looking pile of death. Last summer, during the drought, the Crinum looked like they were all at death’s door, merely stubs of crispy brown remnants of foliage. Ah, but they weren’t dead at all. Not even close. The Crinum were just saving their strength and resting in the cool of their little sanctuary below the ground. Dodging death with an incredible ability to remove themselves from the heat and just wait for their perfect opportunity to re-emerge with a boom.

    There are many bulbs that sleep quietly and hide out underground during their dormant seasons. I find this attribute utterly fascinating. For instance, how does a bulb determine it’s specific season to grow and bloom? How does an Oxblood Lily or Spider Lily not get fooled by the summer rain, only to wait quietly and bloom like no other in the first downpour of the Fall? The mere fact that flower bulbs have unwavering fortitude to wait in the hard seasons, blooming beautifully when the rain comes is nothing short of the description of faith….the ability to believe in things that are not seen, hoping for things beyond their circumstances.

    Crinum are my summer reminders of faith. Crinum give me hope through the heated struggle of gardening in a Texas summer, when everything appears to die before my eyes. When times are tough, Crinum simply retreat to their quiet place….a sanctuary. They are restored, renewed and recharged. Crinum don’t fight their circumstances with yelling, screaming, debating or grumbling. Crinum simply find their quiet place, believing beyond the 105 degree weather that “this too shall pass.” The weather *will* cool off, the rain *will* come and the beautiful Crinum *will* share its bloom again….believing in things not yet seen, hoping for things beyond their circumstances. I need flower bulbs like Crinum to remind me where my true source of power is….not in myself, or a perfect environment, with perfect people in a perfect world. On the contrary, my superpower is my faith in Him, Who created it all….seasons of great beauty and seasons of wait. I rest in the quiet of the sanctuary of the Lord, fully knowing that He is the true power source of all…even the little Crinum.

    ”O God.

    You are my God;

    Early will I seek You;

    My soul thirsts for You;

    My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

    So I have looked for You in the sanctuary;

    To see Your power and Your glory.” -Psalms 63:1-2

    It is another hot summer afternoon. The garden is showing off it’s many shades of crispy brown foliage, but the Crinum are all in wait…..their season is coming. Remember, your Heirloom Bulbs aren’t dead….they are simply cooling off below the earth, dodging death by dormancy. 🙂

    Happy Gardening, my friends! Love, Keenan @heirloombulbgirl

  • Oxblood Lily Give Away

    In an effort to continuously beautify the world, or at least a flower garden or two, I’m giving away Oxblood Lilies to well-deserving, bulb-loving gardeners. 🙂

    If you’d like some lilies, simply send me a email at heirloombulbgirl@gmail.com about what you love best about the Oxblood Lily (or any Heirloom Bulb). If you aren’t familiar with lilies, just tell me what you love about gardening. I will send you 2 lovely Oxbloods *free* (shipping/handling will be around $8.00). If you live close, come on by to the studio and get your lovely lilies without the shipping charges. Once your Oxbloods arrive, put right into the ground, water in and wait for the first heavy rainfall of the Fall….and Voila! A beautiful red Oxblood Lily.

    Oxblood Lilies are powerful reminders of the redemptive process throughout the garden. When droughts and overwhelming heat bear down heavily on the soul, the Oxblood Lily becomes a beautiful reminder of renewal and hope.
    Every garden needs an Oxblood Lily.

    Looking forward to hearing from you!
    Happy Gardening, my friends! love, Keenan

  • The Texas Horticultural Society Garden Tour 2024

    Sometimes, a brick is worth a thousand words. In this case, my old salvaged brick was worth about three packages of old bulbs that Boone Holladay gifted me at the garden tour. Boone was one of the amazing horticulturists that I met at the recent garden tour. It was so enjoyable meeting such talented gardeners who are passionate in their specific fields. A huge thanks to Lisa Whittlsey, the driving force behind the conference.

    I can’t even begin to share my thankfulness and gratitude towards all those who helped make the gardens look beautiful. I was reading through last year’s journal about “working hard to get the gardens ready for something”, but I was completely unaware of what that future “something” would look like. Old journals remind us of how much things have grown. We can look back and see all the prayers that have been answered, and the dreams that have come true…..even the simplest little garden dreams.

    I would like to personally share my thanks to Faith Bridge, an adult Sunday School class at the Church of Horseshoe Bay. Faith Bridge has been instrumental in supporting the Agape Haus through their generous scholarships towards children’s lessons, instrument repair, music and garden supplies. I honestly could not do all that I do without their help and support behind the scenes. A lot of prayers go into a project such as the Agape Haus Studio and Garden. In fact, a few years back, Dwight and Jamie King helped turn the studio into a LLC. Dwight used to ask me what my dreams were….not just any dreams, but the big dreams. Dwight has been a constant encouragement along the way. Jamie, his lovely better half, volunteered her entire morning the day of the tour, polishing up the Studio itself, and spreading mulch in the Native Gardens. We had about 8 members of the class come to the gardens before the actual horticulture garden tour, and they were able to enjoy the fruit of their support.

    Family and friends also came to the studio to help out the cause. My in-laws put up the historic fencing from the former Higgabothom Mansion, as well as tree trimming, weed pulling, Iris planting, and overall general encouragement. My parents helped with snacks for the Sip and Stroll and enjoyed getting to know new friends. My dear friends and fellow musicians Doris Messer, Aileen Horan and Martha Rowlett put together some lovely handouts, decorated the Agape Haus beautifully, made the amazing “rack cards” and painted the barn and doors….because one should always start projects that can’t be finished right before a garden tour.

    Perissos Winery donated 4 cases of incredible wine for the tour. My husband, who has helped out at the winery for years, was in charge of the wine tasting and the Sip and Stroll. I figured if people were sipping on amazing wine, they wouldn’t notice all the weeds or gardening mishaps that I had throughout the gardens…..my assumption was correct. I think everyone had a lovely time. 🙂

    At the end of the tour, I was asked only one question….which variety of heirloom bulb is my favorite. I thought for a few moments….

    ”Definitely, the Oxblood Lily.”
    Honestly, the redemptive quality of this amazing flower bulb is unmatched by any other flower. I’ve seen Oxbloods grow up through the rubble of a tear-down and grow up from the compacted earth. The Oxblood is symbolic in the South of cooler temperatures after a long, hot summer. There are a million more reasons I love Oxbloods, but I simply concluded with the fact that every garden needs an Oxblood Lily….so I dug up a bunch of bulbs and shared. It was a good day.


    Gardeners are the kindest and best part of humanity. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the 2024 garden tour. Happy Gardening, my friends!

    love, Keenan @heirloombulbgirl

  • Heirloom Crinum Seeds

    You know what they all say…the older the Crinum, the bigger the Crinum seed pod. Actually, no one says that. But after today’s find, I think we should all say it together. I mean, honestly, just look at how large those seeds are! When an old Crinum clump comes a calling (but you’re in a dress for your daughter’s graduation from A&M) all you can do is collect the seeds. In this case, a whole bag full of baby Crinum seeds.


    Crinum seeds are incredibly cool and a great summer project for kids. The Crinum flower grows into a seed pod when conditions are right, and will eventually fall to the ground and break open. The seed will form a sprout above ground, only to reverse the growth to form a bulb under the ground. The original seed will eventually transfer all of it’s nutrients to the new baby bulb. Nature is so fascinating! This process takes a season of very slow growth, but in a few years (and decades) the Crinum seeds will eventually grow to be one of the largest of all flower bulbs. Once established, Crinum will provide years of flowers and new baby Crinum seeds to start the process all over again.

    Crinum bulbs are also worth digging, if you don’t mind breaking a shovel or two. My son, my nephew and I got up this morning and dug at the former old hunting cabin. There are still a few remnants left after the cabin had been bulldozed down. It doesn’t matter how times I dig after a teardown, I am always saddened to think that once upon a time, a cherished garden had been deeply loved by its gardener. I salvage flower bulbs for future generations of gardeners who enjoy a special link to the past.
    I’m happy to report that my son was able to get under some brush and dig out 4 large bulbs, all while avoiding Poison Ivy….something to definitely celebrate. Heirloom Bulbs will sometimes “sulk” when moved. Don’t ever be disheartened if the bulbs don’t bloom the first year. I suppose I’d sulk too if I had lived somewhere for 75 years and have my house torn down. After the shock of moving, bulbs will settle into their new garden, put forth flowers of thanksgiving and thrive happily. It is important to keep the roots from completely drying out. For this reason, I send my bulbs off in style….moist newspaper and a nice tonic of vermiculture (worm castings). The pictures below are all Milk and Wine Hunting Cabin Crinum that had been moved years ago. The lone pink ranger was a gift from my Mother-in-Law’s friend. These beauties bloom faithfully every year.

    If you would like some seeds to start an old Crinum, email me at heirloombulbgirl@gmail.com. Id be happy to share the bounty with you. There’s something very special about having a flower that dates back to the turn of the century….we all need strong roots in this day and age.

    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan @heirloombulbgirl

  • The Little Garden That Could

    In three days, the Texas Horticultural Society will be touring my humble little studio during their 2024 Conference. Needless to say, I have a lot of work to do. In fact, I am reminded about it every time someone hears about the distinguished guests coming for a visit. My family and friends all appear to have the same movie script.

    ”Do you understand what a big deal this is?? Keenan, you have A LOT OF WORK TO DO!”

    It’s always the same facial expression as well. Eyes bugged out of their heads as they look at the overwhelming amount of poppies that need to be dried, wildflower herds that need to be thinned, weed seeds that need to be cut, hay and mulch needs to be spread, dried bulb foliage that looks scrappy and the half painted barn that I decided to repaint because I don’t have enough to do. But hey, I’ve got this! Gardens always rise to the occasion.

    This past week, my Uncle-in-Law and his lovely wife Brenda brought the 150 year old picket fencing from the original Higginbothom mansion in Dublin, Texas. The house no longer exists, but the fencing had been salvaged yeas ago. When Brenda and Uncle Don heard about the special garden tour, they felt the fencing belonged at the studio. The fencing arrived on Tuesday, and gave them a quick tour of the gardens. Uncle Don’s facial expression was basically the same as all the others as he looked at me and said (in his matter-of-fact way) “Seven days? You’ve got a lot of work to do!”

    Don’t worry everyone! I’ve got this!

    Heres a little reminder of the past history of Agape Haus Studio and Garden, just to remember how far the little garden has come…

    *Purchased for $25K in 2014. Holes in walls were no extra charge.
    *Barn restored and chicken coop created.

    *Ratty chain link fencing torn down around beautiful Live Oak Tree and first garden planted.

    *Purchased the drug house next door for $15K and tore the thing down in between violin lessons. Found a falling down shed shell and had it moved by a neighbor and a bunch of football dudes. The wood used on the Potting shed was salvaged from the old tear down.

    *Llano Flood in 2018. All bulbs were moved from our flooded house to the studio grounds. Dug bulbs every day for much needed soul therapy. Remember, never leave your bulb babies behind.

    *Covid 2020. My Covid isolation project was eliminating the sticker-heaven in the back lot, while restoring the land. I pulled a large bucket of stickers every day, while digging out rock to create a path through the native garden, which was created in 2022.

    *The last chickens to survive the predator attacks were given away to a dear friend, and the coops were turned into potting sheds in 2023. Land began to restore and wildflowers began to bloom.

    *Two years back to back hard freezes, hard droughts and record-breaking temperatures. All Antique Roses were lost, and the gardens suffered. A dear friend stepped in a got Agape Haus a solar-paneled well storage tank. What a game changer!

    *Finally, Five large Invasive trees were removed last year (thanks to my hubs and son), the Veggie Garden established, the Large back Live Oak garden established, the Cut flower Garden created, Luciano’s meadow was created, and finally….I followed a landscaping company that had an enormous truckload of good dirt, and had it dumped to create the Lavender Garden….all in the last 2 years.

    *April 21-28….Do the Hustle! Fencing, snail-picking, Iris-planting, Weed-pulling, Prickly Poppy-cutting, Goldfish brought in, Lavender planting, and paint mishaps….all in a week.
    Thanks to my amazing friends and family who have supported me in this adventure.
    I’m truly excited to see what the little garden will look like in 3 more days. As always, it is only by the grace of the Lord and His guidance that any of this is made possible. It makes no sense. Honestly, how can a little violinist tear down a house? The Lord simply enables ordinary people to do extraordinary things. This garden is nothing without Him….I am nothing without Him. It is the Lord who whispers quietly “Just keep digging “, and so I do.

    The Little Gardens that Could. And I am so humbled and proud to be a part of the Texas Horticultural Society garden tour. Happy Gardening, my friends! Love, Keenan @Heirloombulbgirl


  • A View From the Gardens

    A place of renewal. The gardens at Agape Haus Studio and Gardem, LLC, are a labor of love. This adventure started with a delapitated old farmhouse, a drug house, ratty chain link fences, weeds and stickers, terrible rocky soil and garbage throughout the grounds. In between a full time music studio, an entire drug house was torn down, weeds were pulled, rocks were removed, gardens were planted and thousands of rescued Heirloom Bulbs were planted. The potting shed was made out of the reclaimed wood from the old farmhouse, 150 year old stained glass windows salvaged from a church and the tin was used from the old drug house.
    The Lord’s hand has been ever present in this project. Many days, my hands are so sore from utter exhaustion, but the Lord gently knudges, with a still, small voice…. “Just Keep Digging.”
    So I do.
    Please enjoy a simple picturesque walk-through the beauty of complete land and soul redemption. These gardens are old-fashioned, wild cottage gardens…100% organic. I am always happy to share, so come for a visit.
    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan at Heirloombulbgirl

  • Coming Soon, To a Garden Near You!

    A few years ago, I saw the cutest plant stand while on vacation in Colorado. I thought the idea of “plants by donation” was totally charming. I had an old picnic table and an old farm door, and with the help of some teenagers, put together my first plant stand. It was blown over within a week. Wind and storms in Texas can get brutal! I nursed the poor little plant stand for a few months until it completely fell apart….then I was on to another project. It has been about five years since the original “plants by donation” idea was pressed upon my heart. Now the idea is back in full force, thanks to my husband.

    My husband and I rebuilt and moved one of the compost piles in front of the studio driveway. I’d actually love to close off the driveway completely, and let it be a shaded picnic area under the large old Live Oaks, but that’s for another day. Anyhow, the ugly compost heap got a nice new face lift with some very old 12 foot long carriage house doors that serve as the backdrop for the compost. I put a potting table on one side of the compost, just because it looks so cool. I stacked a lot of the old terracotta pots on top of the table, and Voila! just like that, I saw my future *unbreakable* plant stand! My children and husband had built a cutting garden last year at the studio. I’m thrilled to get some bouquets available for unsuspecting music students. I’ve also been moving Paperwhites to the cut flower garden, so the entire bed won’t be so lonely when all the flowers die back. This week I plan to seed all the Zinnias and other cut flowers. I will also offer heirloom flower bulbs in adorable vintage china teacups and vintage bowls.


    Our small little town does not have a garden shop. Gardeners have to drive for 45 minutes to get to the nearest organic garden shop. Our grocery store carries seasonal veggies and annuals, but nothing really interesting for the garden. There is a non-profit in the works called Keep Llano Beautiful. The plant stand should serve this noble endeavor well. I’m hoping gardeners from all over will add their extra plant babies as well. Take a bulb, leave a bulb. Pass-Along plants for everyone!

    I’m going to get to work on potting up some Heirloom Iris, Oxblood Lilies, Spiderwort, Texas Naives and other hard to find plants. Hopefully, “if the Lord is willing and the creek doesn’t rise”, the little plant stand will be open by the end of April. I will keep you posted.
    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan at Heirloombulbgirl

  • 50 Shades of Iris

    Few words are needed to describe the sheer enthusiasm Iris brings to the garden. Iris stands tall, announcing loudly to all the world (or at least the rest of the block) that Spring has sprung. Iris come in every color of the rainbow, except gray. Naturally, I am particularly fond of pale or muted shades of Heirloom varieties. My husband’s Grandmother had a beautiful two-toned pale yellows Iris that blooms later in the Spring. I absolutely adore those lovely Iris.

    Iris are extremely tough old gals, surviving natural disasters and neglectful gardeners. I once dug up some Iris, got distracted, and after a few seasons of harsh weather, the Iris bloomed the following year….still in the dug-up clump where I left it. Oops. I’m glad my flowers outlive my stupidity. Maybe that’s why Iris are also known as Cemetery Iris or “Flags” (as the non-Iris collecting commoners call them). True Cemetary Iris are typically white or purple, and can still be found growing in cemeteries throughout the South. All Iris seem to have stories to tell, and many have traveled far and wide to land humbly in my gardens.

    Many of my white Iris are from my In-Law’s farm in East Texas. The Iris are remnants of the German homesteaders that originally lived on the land in the early 1900’s. The only evidence of the old German house is the Iris border in the middle of a horse pasture. Once I discovered the house location, I went on a digging frenzy, locating countless pieces of cool old pieces of china to make mosaics. The beautiful Iris receive no care or attention, except from passing horses or cows. The Iris have bloomed faithfully for over 150 years. White Iris are extremely common, but the stories behind the Iris are unique and dear to my heart….making each plain white Iris a special addition to the garden. I think that every garden should tell a story.

    Some of my favorite purple Iris (not yet in bloom) came to Texas from England in the 1880’s. Few cherished items were allowed on the long journey overseas. Mrs. Franklin chose a corset, a few homemaking necessities and a purple Iris. Their Texas homestead was extremely rough terrain, drastically different from the gardens of England. In fact, the last Comanche Indian raid in Texas was not far from their homestead. My dear friend, the Great-Granddaughter of the Franklins (of the Franklin ranch) gave me a few Iris from the original Franklin ranch house. It is mind boggling to imagine all that the little Iris survived through….droughts, floods, Indian raids, World Wars and The Great Depression. Somehow, surviving it all. The Franklin Iris are bold annd strappy, multiplying readily. These Iris are the “alpha” of my collection, eating small plants and other pests that get in their way.

    I have beautiful yellow, blue and magenta Iris gifted to me from flower friends, some who I’ve never even met. My daughters and their friends began to also have a love affair with Iris, trading my flowers for their own Iris collection. My daughter Hollie once received an Apricot -shaded Iris that she stuck in my garden with rocks around it, keeping *her Iris* segregated from the rest of the rabble that I grew. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed old-fashioned flower swaps with these true “pass-along” flowers. Many Iris come from house tear-downs that I chronicled through the years on my original website blog, which unfortunately is having some technical issues. Hopefully, the stories of these great old gardens will someday be readable again. Until then, I close my eyes and still see the century old beauty. Treasured gardens of Miss Margaret and Eugenia are now long gone, existing only in my mind and in all their flower bulbs that were salvaged.

    I am always happy to share these old flowers with you. The best part of preserving heirloom bulbs is getting these old gals into the hands of gardeners who will love them. Sharing and trading flowers is such a joy, keeping the spirit of Old-Fashioned gardening with Pass-Along plants close to the heart. It’s exactly what Miss Margaret and Eugenia would’ve done. Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Love, Keenan at Heirloombulbgirl