Many of the Cycads around Ausin had been knocked back hard by a bad winter, it was impressive to see how quickly they bounced back, putting out fantastic new growth.
I think the fuzzy yellow squiggles are what's left of the female flowers?
I envy Austin their ability to grow Cycads.
I wasted no time in finding the small cactus and succulent garden.
Tall blooming Yucca were almost as much a fixture in Austin as the blooming Agaves.
And blooming Cylindropuntia!
I believe these go by the common name horse-crippler? (for obvious reasons)
That's a pretty little flower.
These two! They darted into and out of cover the whole time I was exploring. I'm glad I finally managed to capture a portrait.
Nice trimming work on that palm trunk...
Were there birds in here? I honestly can't remember.
I think I would love to be able to grow Tradescantia pallida like a weed.
Bromleiads and giant Staghorn ferns (and such harsh shadows you can barely see them)!
And waterlilies...
More Cycads and Agaves...
And a fern forest!
The Prehistoric Garden was said to be quite the draw, and after lunch, and a few speakers, our time in the garden was drawing to a close...time to hurry on through...
Favorite palm ever,
Rebounding Cycad (Dioon edule)...
I've considered planting out my Dioon edule a time or two, they're rumored to be one of the hardier Cycads.
What the what?
A new flush of Cycad growth, doing their best impersonation of the praying hands emoji.
Ya, I may have went a little overboard on the Cycad photos...
Finally it was time to get back on the bus, which picked us up by the lower gate.
Pretty cool, eh?
Weather Diary, Dec 17: Hi 52, Low 34/ Precip .41"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
The pillar holding that gate is a fascinating piece of sculpture. I loved seeing all your Cycad photos, not too overboard for me at all.
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever in Santa Barbara Lotusland has an excellent collection of Cycads.
DeleteWow. You saw WAY more than i did at Zilker! I don't remember that fence at all.
ReplyDeleteYou were probably one of the well-behaved who got on the bus in a timely manner, rather than lingering like I did...
DeleteCycads!!! Be still my beating heart. If only they grew in zone 7... Once, I've seen a Cycad with an abundance of orange fruit/berries in the center. It was a sight to behold. Cycad, few Bismarck palms and a carpet of Tradescantia pallida: it doesn't get any better then that.
ReplyDeleteRight? You just described a wonderful garden, well, there needs to be Agaves too.
DeleteGreat shots of the cycads! I don't even remember seeing those bird cages so I can't tell you if there were birds in them. I wish I'd gotten better shots of the fence - we were being hustled to our buses when I saw it.
ReplyDeleteHaving been the one doing the hustling back in 2014, I get it. But still...a couple last minute shots of something that great are definitely warranted.
DeleteToo many cycad pictures? Never. Oh the Bismarckia nobilis - sigh if only we could grow it here. The gate and its support are great.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of JJ (she of Digs) purchasing a Bismarckia nobilis when we visited Flora Grubb back in 2011 (I think?). She was sure she could keep it alive, I was in awe and figured if she could then I would too, at some point. Poor thing didn't make it through it's first winter.
DeleteBotanical gardens are the best!!! I try to go to them in every city I'm in. They never dissapoint.
ReplyDeleteThat's what traveling is for, right?
DeleteOH those purply waterlily leaves. None of mine are that dramatic. That purple waterlily flower is a tropical and would need to be brought indoors for the winter, so alas it is not going to find a home here. But I love seeing all those dramatic plants.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if these water lilies are lifted for the winter? Austin isn't Wisconsin but it can get cold.
DeleteYour kind of place, for sure!
ReplyDeleterickii
For sure!
DeleteGreat collection - the palms are wonderful, as are the gates!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great garden!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed seeing Zilker Botanical Garden, Loree. The staff were so gracious and welcoming to our group, and it's a treasured garden in Austin, although funding from the city has not been what's needed over the past decade. I'm hoping with their new conservancy that future funding will be more in line with what they need for maintenance and the addition of planned new features that will enhance the garden.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful, thank you for including it!
DeleteI enjoyed this tour of the botanic garden. Beautiful flowers on the Cylindropuntia.
ReplyDeleteWish you and Judy could have been there!
DeleteYou probably could grow Cycas panzhihuaensis in a protected spot in Portland. Probably the most hardy cycad-may defoliate in winter but comes back. Hard to find big ones tho and the larger ones are very expensive. But you can find smaller ones around.
ReplyDeleteGood to know, I'll keep my eyes out.
DeleteI'm pretty sure the silvery palm is a Brahea, probably Brahea armata. There are some long term Bismarckia survivors in Houston, but a lot of nice sized plants have died in our recent freezes, and Austin runs a few degrees colder and for longer durations. Brahea are hardier and might grow better in your area.
ReplyDeleteThank you! My knowledge of palms is rather limited, I appreciate the heads up.
Delete