Another Bug

My parents spotted this fancy red dragonfly in their yard in Houston. It hung around for a few days and then vanished.

Bugs

This looks like a cross between a wasp and a wood bee.

Any idea what it is? It look so evil, doesn’t it?

In the garden

In Austin, TX the air is on fire. Almost daily highs over 100F since the beginning of June. Many record breaking days. Wishing it wasn’t so hot outside. I want to enjoy my garden a little more. Here are few things that are doing well in spite of  (maybe in some cases because of) the heat.

Surprise, my grass is doing well. In the front it looks super awesome. In the back it looks good from this angle. The dogs still have some dirt beds, but the dog track is growing in. Also thrilled that my dry stack wall is turning green! 

I found this variegated St. Augustine in Dallas last year while visiting a gardening friend.

It came in a four inch pot and started looking pathetic last year, but now it’s looking quite lovely.

I fantasize about mixing it with my lawn grass. For now it’s in the trough planter at the edge of the patio. 

I bought this elkhorn fern (Polypodium polycarpon Grandiceps) about six years ago. My mother had it for a while and gave it back to me last year. My gardening attempts last year were more like a killing spree, and this guy nearly bit it. He is much smaller now, but reviving, thank goodness. 

This basil was purple-black and turned green. I’m a little unhappy, but so intrigued. 

I love checking a spot I don’t see often and finding lush plants. These airplanes are under heavy shade and not very visible. I’m happy to see this cutie poking its head through my wall. 

Thanks for this desert willow, mom! Those tiny buds finally bloomed.

Tree Trimming

I called a tree service on Sunday.

Got an estimate on Monday.

And got the trees trimmed on Saturday. The broken one is now significantly shorter and no longer a threat to our house.

Of three hackberry trees in the back, two were topped and the middle one was removed. This stump was cut level to the ground; see the picture below.  

I used Changos tree service and I’m really pleased. They were very careful in my backyard, moving pots and furniture out of the way and then back where they found them.

They were very easy to talk to and finished trimming all eight the trees on my lot in about four hours.

Surprise Expense

I looked out my backdoor this morning and saw this. Interesting how that tree has grown so close to the little pergola over the trough planter. 

Wait a minute. Something’s wrong. I went outside to inspect and sure enough the branch was really low. These branches are usually high over head. (Even Wally’s head.)

Then I saw this crack.

Then I called a tree company. Hard to tell between winter and summer—you’ve got to look close. 

To be continued…