Heirloombulbgirl

Tag: texas gardening

  • A Gift of Wood’s Rose

    My Spring Break started the same as any other week. Violin lessons and gardening. The weather was absolutely beautiful. We are still recovering from the ridiculous late freeze that bit all the garden’s new spring growth. The ever-present challenge of Texas gardening is likened to a new intense level of Jimanji, with temperatures reaching upwards of 90 degrees soon after the freeze. Luckily, Luciano, my former student and garden helper extraordinaire, was in town for his Spring Break. The gardens were in need of Luciano’s gentle ways (I can be more like a rabid squirrel).

    ”Would you like some roses? I have a few that I started from seed.”

    Would I?! Music to my ears! (My rose garden is still recovering from the gophers). I did not realize that I was actually being gifted with over 10 beautiful little baby roses!!! Everything Luciano touches grows. Apparently, in between his horticultural collegiate studies, he found time to grow roses from a few rose hips. The rose hips were off of an old, established Wood’s Rose. I was not familiar with this rose, but from everything I’ve read, they look perfectly suited for our area. Luciano is amazing.
    I have secret plans that he will take over the Agape Haus gardens when I retire, but that’s for another day.

    I have a lot to do this week in the garden. In addition to planting the remaining Wood’s Roses, I will be pulling weeds and trying not to hurt my hands in the process. In my continuous effort to be intentional and NOT behave like a squirrel, I am *trying* to take small areas to tackle the weeds. After I pull the unwanted weeds, I am applying a nice, thick layer of organic mulch. In larger areas, I’m going to use the good ‘ol moist cardboard method. It was an unusually poor wildflower season due to the lack of rain. Few flowers with a lot of seeding grasses. I did manage to get my wildflower habitat started, with little to no flowers, but at least it is outlined with old Live Oak limbs and looks hip. I’ve never had the luxury of just kicking back in small areas before and focus….I typically am running around looking for my shovel.
    Baby steps, Dr. Venkman. Baby steps.
    As I tell my family, “See the Growth” both literally and figuratively. 🙂

    Happy Gardening, my friends!
    Shout-out to Anna, a fellow Crinum lover. She requested some Crinum babies for herself and a friend. I love this.

  • 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