Spring blooms abound

February rains bring March flowers in South Texas.  We love our March flowers even it doesn't make for a cute rhyme.  By May we are well into the heat loving blooms of summer.  And the Pilgrims didn't make it this far south anyway.

From my garden this week an Iris shared as a common purple iris, which seems accurate as I enjoy seeing these very same blooms all around town.

Plant ABCs: S is for Sophora Secundiflora

Plant ABCs is an ongoing series in which I am highlighting a plant from my garden for each letter of the alphabet.  I'm currently going through the entire alphabet A - Z, then will continue updating and adding plants to the list over time.  My previous posts in the series are on the "Plant ABCs" tab under the header.  Today's letter is "S" and Sophora Secundiflora is the highlighted plant. 

The Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora Secundiflora) was one of the first plants I learned to name.  Of course I knew only its common name for many years.  Texas Mountain Laurel was my father's favorite and whenever I'm asked to name my favorite plant this is the one I choose.

Double Rainbow - Rainbow Gardens #1

As part of Support Your Independent Nursery Month hosted by Pam Penick at Digging I'm visiting some of my favorite San Antonio nurseries.  This week brings a visit to Rainbow Gardens  #1 at 2585 Thousand Oaks Drive in north central San Antonio.  We're fortunate to have two Rainbow Gardens locations and last week I wrote about visiting Rainbow Gardens #3 on Bandera Road northwest of the city.  It's interesting to note how different these two are.

Rainbow Gardens #1 has more appealing signage and entrance than Rainbow Gardens #3.

  A geodesic dome houses the checkout and garden shop area

  
Rainbow Gardens is the San Antonio Express-News "Reader's Choice"  gold winner for 2011.

Several small gardens such as this fountain display area greet customers

Autumn and cool weather annuals under a large oak create a bright welcome at the entrance to the nursery area

A big display of perennials nearby

Talavera Pottery and garden ornaments 

Colorful glazed garden spheres

Love these terracotta spheres

Rainbow Gardens also has a huge selection of glazed and terracotta pottery as well as metal planters.

The main aisle is where most of the huge selection of native and xeric plants are displayed along with water garden plants.  There's a greenhouse for shade plants and tropicals.  On the left lots of trees, shrubs and roses are available.

This beautiful Bonsai display is the domain of Maria who has been a fixture here forever.  She's semi-retired now and works only a few days a week.

Ornamental grasses are straight ahead down the main aisle and were on sale.  The area was almost empty so no photo, but I did load up my wagon with some good buys.

Well, hello there Mr. Fox!

Now crossing to the other side of the garden we find Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora secudiflora 'Silver Peso'  which I've been considering for a full sun area by my fence.  These should be transplanted small unless you excavate the site.

 Large size succulents on display

Giant hesperaloe, an option for along my driveway

Yes, I'm taking you along on a shopping trip.  Back to the front through the metal arch planted with bright zinnias

A closer look at the zinnias, enjoying fall color where we find it here in south Texas

Out front to load up my purchases and explore the garden along the road.  Lindheimer's senna has easily survived the drought and the ocotillo is sprouting along the stems.

Dahlberg daisies are looking good too

Agave and yucca anchor this west facing roadside garden, tough and durable in a harsh environment.

If you're interested in visiting a Rainbow Gardens location and live north of San Antonio, the Thousand Oaks Drive store is more convenient to downtown attractions.  If your plans include Sea World or Fiesta Texas, then the Bandera Road store is easily accessed from FM 1604.  While both locations have great plant selections and service, the Bandera Road location has been updated recently and is a nicer spot for families to explore.

You can also take a look back at my post on Hill Country Gardens in New Braunfels from the first week in this series.