Category: Flora

I’m looking over…

On By CarynIn Flora

A four-leaf clover. My first time ever finding a four-leaf clover!

Four-leaf clover

I recently read an article on four-leaf clovers, and one finder suggested looking for squares amongst the triangles made by three-leaf clovers. Apparently this works. Day 2 of thinking of squares and triangles, I spot one. I carefully laid it flat between layers of wax paper and put it in one of my book presses that my Dad helped me make years and years ago.

Oak plank book press

The method for looking works for me, because I found a second one the next day, and two more the following day. My eldest also found one after I told her the trick to it.

Four-leaf clover in situ, can you spot it?

Common Oxalis

On By CarynIn Flora, Garden
Common Oxalis wildflowers

We currently have a very pretty edge plant growing in our front flower bed. The Common Oxalis is native to the area, the leaves resemble clover, and they have lovely delicate yellow blooms. I’ve read that they will flower all spring, summer, and fall. We have another Oxalis growing in the shade of the trees that can’t take the Texas heat and goes dormant during the summer. We’ll see how these do. The kicker? I didn’t plant these. They grew in as a border plant on their own. I do need to corral a few wayward explorers, but on the whole, they did quite a nice job filling in a space that needed filling. If they survive our summer, I think I’ll keep them.

Henbit Bouquet

On By CarynIn chickens, Flora
Hens eating henbit flowers and leaves

One of our first wild flowers to bloom here is henbit, with their delicate purple flowers. As they grow in the meadow outside the run, the chickens appreciate it when I gather some to share with them. Appreciate might not be quite the right word, as they are hopping before I get in the run, and the bouquet doesn’t last long against the ravenous hoard.

Bud

On By CarynIn Flora

This is quite exciting; it looks like the oak leafed hydrangea is budding! I would love for this particular plant to flourish and take over the shaded area between the trees in the front yard. It might take ten years, but buds on the twigs after the first winter is a good start!

Budding hydrangea twig

Wild plum blooms

On By CarynIn Flora
Wild Plum Blooms

It must be spring. Our wild plum trees are blooming. The first year we moved here there were actually tiny plums in late October, early November. The last few years the summer has been too dry and there has been little to no fruit, certainly not enough to make some wild plum jam. Maybe this summer will have more moisture, maybe. We are currently under wild fire alerts, so hopes are not high.