Garden Galleries

I like my gardens a little carefree and find even volunteer plants look good with a neat edge.

This may be my favorite plant combo for a dry tropical look. The narrow crinum leaves are offset by the broad, wavy split-leaf philodendron edges.

French thyme acts as a containment boarder. Behind it you can see a mix of four-nerve daisies, tropical milkweed, larkspur and poppy.

These crinum make a statement, provide structure and are indestructible.

To create extra splashes of color, add a few reseeding annuals to the mix. Here, the existing artemisia and giant lilies are complimented with the vivid blooms of poppies and purple tradescantia.

A happy stand of gorgeous, spring poppies. against a backdrop of hearty crinum.

Including a big pot on a mixed perennial and reseeding annual bed allows for additional structure. This one is planted with lavender and a variety of sedum.

A mix of perennials and reseeding annuals featuring a mountain laurel makes this city lot stand out beautifully.

Also loved by bees, these brilliantly colored poppies can be allowed to reseed on their own, or you can collect the seed-filled pods and share the seeds with friends!

Poppies have gone to seed in this picture and will be back to bloom again next spring.

This poppy close-up reveals its intricate and amazing design.

Maybe they're weeds to you, but adorable clumps of yellow-blooming clover are appreciated by pollinators as much as any other blooming plant! Here they fill in the spaces between culinary sage and oregano.

French thyme does double duty as a great culinary herb and a cold hardy, drought tolerant walkway edge.

Tumbling thyme mounds across the bordered edge.

In San Antonio cilantro is planted in the fall and is available throughout the winter. By mid-spring it flowers and creates a beautiful, soft, cloud-like effect, nestled among other vegetation.