The Yucca rostrata has landed

Texas Native Plant week finished in rather spectacular fashion with the addition of a Yucca rostrata to my front garden.

And it has quite an adventurous story to tell.

First, it's been a while since the original Vitex which occupied this spot for 20 years met its demise.  Shortly afterward I replaced it with a silvery Yucca rigida purchased from Barton Springs Nursery in Austin.  The next morning we found the Yucca rigida had fallen over in high winds during the night.  We set it upright but apparently the damage was done and it never recovered.  There were times when it looked as if it might grow again so I left it in place until the base finally rotted through about 15 months later this past July.  Meanwhile I had discovered Kenny at Fredericksburg Trade Days flea market.   As a Texan and yucca lover how could I walk by this setup and not go in to look around?

Kenny lives out in West Texas in native Yucca rostrata territory.  His friend grows yuccas (actual location is a secret) and allows Kenny to dig and transport these beauties himself making his prices and yucca stock the best around.  When my Yucca rigida died I contacted Kenny and after some back and forth discussions over several months I was disappointed to hear the Yucca rostrata I finally decided on had been sold and we agreed he would bring more in November.

On Saturday I called Kenny to find out what sizes would be available in November and learned his customer had decided on a smaller yucca, so the five foot stunner was still available.

"I'll be there in the morning."  Since the flea market is open just one weekend a month I had to act fast and enjoyed the beautiful 75 mile drive through the Texas Hill Country.

Kenny modeling his brand new "JB" aka Stetson hat.

There she is!  The big one straight back behind and slightly right of the table.  He also has some beautiful Thompson blue yuccas at incredible prices.

A major issue all along was how much yucca we could fit in the SUV.  We had measured and knew it would fit.  Six feet (72 inches) with the root ball.

Just fits diagonally.  What a mess!  Per Kenny's recommendation we brought along something to support the trunk, and this empty laundry detergent container did that perfectly while also working as a shock absorber on the road back.

There's Kenny washing dirt out of his brand new hat which was knocked off in the loading process.

Back home we already had the hole ready to plant.

In it goes and the next step is carefully slicing the plastic off.  This one has been in the pot for a year so the root ball stayed intact (another problem we had with the freshly dug Yucca rigida).  Slightly mounded to ensure good drainage.

That's Neal making sure it's straight and level.  Very important given the prominent location.

Hello, you great big beautiful yucca you!

You look "mahvelous" next to the Agave ovatifolia.  Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Did I mention Kenny's prices are really good?  No email, no website just call Kenny at 817-319-3343.  If you live anywhere near Texas and need a native yucca Kenny is your guy.

Love Creek Apple Orchard

It's Fall in South Texas so it's time to head out to the Apple orchard.

Medina Garden Nursery

October is Support Your Independent Nursery Month as declared by Pam Penick at her Austin blog Digging.  I'm joining in by visiting local favorites around the San Antonio area and posting each Monday.

This week the spotlight is on the Medina Garden Nursery along State Highway 16 just east of the town of Medina, Texas.  After an hour of driving northwest from San Antonio into the beautiful Texas Hill Country I wasn't sure what to expect.  What I found was a pleasant surprise.

It felt a bit like driving up to someone's garden and that's just what it is.  Medina Garden Nursery grew out of the owner's interest in native plants. The nursery is in Ernesto Cariño's yard and acreage along the Medina River where he and Ysmael Espinosa have built display gardens around his stone house to teach customers about the beauty and durability of native plants. You can read more of their story in this article from the Native Plant Society of Texas newsletter. The article relays the facts, but Medina Garden Nursery turned out to be even more than I had expected.

A pretty and rustic cedar arbor welcomes you to come on in and see the selection.

Benini Sculpture Ranch

We arrived at the Benini Studio and Sculpture Ranch near Johnson City after our backroads wildflower tour.  There are lots of ranches in Texas, but this ranch is very different.

For one thing the cattle are made of chrome and rusty metal.

This is "Paladin" by Texas artist Bettye Hamblen Turner

In 1999 Italian artist Benini and his wife Lorraine moved to Texas and began installing sculptures by artists from around the world on their ranch just outside Johnson City.

The tour begins at the beautiful on-site art gallery where the works of Benini and guest artists are on display.

I could have stood here and looked at this door all day

Beyond the door and into the gallery, we both loved this beautiful building and the artwork on display

After signing in visitors are invited to drive or walk the roads around the ranch to see the outdoor sculptures on display.

Some works are monumental like these hands named "Aspiration and Determination"

"Etruscan Warrior" is 21-feet tall

Other installations were delicate like "Dancers".  I think these would be perfect in my buffalo grass and wildflower lawn.  According to the website there were more dancers in this field, but some of them have been sold.  All the sculptures on display are available for purchase except those in the Benini personal collection.

A few paid homage to the Texas ranch setting

A very Texas "Bluebonnet" and behind the trees is "Five Bucks, One Blue".

Another view of "Five Bucks, One Blue"

"Texas Landscape"

Some pieces reflected typical Texas yard art style. This is "Ranching Memories" near the entrance

I was amused to find these painted roof vents which are a common theme in Texas yard art.  This is "Wee Three Kings" by Benini.

Many sculptures are kinetic, and the gentle breezes this day provided nice, slow paced movements.  Flowers and garden inspired pieces were a very high end version of yard art stuff we find at our favorite garden centers.

Most of the kinetic art is by La Paso who has completed a number of commissions in the area including some in San Antonio.  This one looked like a butterfly.

Contemporary pieces of cut metal play beautifully with our native oaks.

Some mimic our native limestone rocks



The road leads up to the residence high at the top of a hill

Visitors are welcome to walk around the yard to see the sculptures on display and enjoy the view.  This is one of several sculptures by Texas artist Ho Baron which were among my favorites on the ranch.

A horse sculpture by Bettye Hamblen Turner is stunning.  This one is "HI-Ho".  Hi-Ho Silver?  Or a possible reference to the work of fellow Texan Ho Baron nearby?

Bronzes overlooking the valley

 Contemporary steel on a pedestal against a background of trees

 

 
Behind the house is this chair sculpture "Waiting for Blue Moon" by Benini.

A view back at the hilltop near the house
 
 
Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch by the pond surrounded by world-class sculpture.  This is "Head Games" by Ho Baron.

Nearby is this mirror mosaic likeness of Benini

The Pod Series

"Table for One"

  

A detailed look at "Paladin" before we head out.

  Bull's eye!

 

 
More pieces along the road to the main gate

 Agaves by La Paso

 

  
The Benini Studio and Sculpture Ranch is currently for sale and will close permanently after Labor Day this year so the next few months will be the last chance to see this unique bit of Texas art history.  Update:  The Benini Sculpture Ranch did not close as scheduled in 2012 and remains open.

When we left the ranch we headed toward Johnson City and took advantage of a few more sights along the way.  This agave bloom by one of the gates to The Preserve at Walnut Springs next door reflects the steel agave bloom sculptures we had just seen along the gate road.

Real longhorns in the shade.

 
A bull sculpture by Bettye Hamblen Turner marks the turn at Hwy 290 near Johnson City.  This one was purchased and moved to this spot so it will remain on permanent display here at the entrance to The Preserve at Walnut Springs which is currently under development.

The Benini Ranch sculptures mix Texas Hill Country natural beauty with art that often mimics the landscape.