Friday Smiles 398: another visit to Botanica

 

It's Friday, so let's join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) along with the wonderful ladies at Friday Smiles.  

The last time we visited the Botanical Gardens, we were watching the test run of the new carousel horses.

Finally, it was time for me to go.  As I walked to a new area of the gardens, this truck came into view.

I was amazed at how colorful it was, then as I got closer, I noticed it was made to look like it had been created from Legos.

It was then that I walked into a very hot and sunny clearing where I was greeted with palms.

It seemed they were everywhere in pots on both sides of the seats that were available where one could rest.  I would have stopped had there been even an inkling of shade, but none was anywhere to be seen.

Instead, I headed for a shady, albeit rather rocky area.

It appears I had found the lily pond.  It took me a minute to realize that was actually a bird sculpture, not a real bird in the background.

I stayed a few minutes,

then headed to the next garden.

This is possibly my favorite garden of all, the Xeriscape Garden.

I love how they have theirs set up, although I don't have the terrace that Botanica has.

There are several misconceptions regarding Xeriscape Gardens.  First, it is NOT all about gravel, stones, and cacti.  In fact, too much gravel around your plants will heat the soil and take moisture from it.

 

Although Botanica has a lot of rocks and stepping stones in their Xeriscape Garden, you can have many types of these gardens, one of which I tried to create last year when I planted calla lily, elephant ears, and phlox, none of which took off.  What HAVE worked included holly, lily of the valley, hostas, and vinca vines.

Another myth is that xeriscape means no lawns. First of all, there is no ‘zero’ in xeriscape.

Another myth is that xeriscape means no lawns. First of all, there is no ‘zero’ in xeriscape

Read more at Gardening Know How: The Truth About Xeriscaping: Common Misconceptions Exposed https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/the-truth-about-xeriscaping-common-misconceptions-exposed.htm

Another myth is that xeriscape means no lawns. First of all, there is no ‘zero’ in xeriscape

Read more at Gardening Know How: The Truth About Xeriscaping: Common Misconceptions Exposed https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/the-truth-about-xeriscaping-common-misconceptions-exposed.htm

 Another misconception is this type of gardening is hard to maintain.  A good water-wise landscape can be designed to avoid expensive automatic irrigation as well as weekly mowing maintenance.  My "flower bed," which I hope to turn into a xeriscape garden in the future, receives whatever moisture Mother Nature provides.  I haven't watered there in years and years.

A final misconception is that xeriscapes use native plants only.  Again, although native plants are usually recommended and will tolerate conditions to a particular climate quicker and easier,

there are numerous types of plants that are well adapted for use in xeriscape landscapes.  It only requires a bit of research on your part.

 

I think we'll stop here today and show the last of the Botanica photos next time.  Since I've taken up so much of your time today, I will pass on any funnies.  Now let's head over to Annie's because she knows how to put a smile on everyone's faces.  And whatever you do, please don't forget to start your weekend off right with a few Friday Smiles of your own.  Please remember, if you would like to play along, Annie would love to have you join us.

I'm also sharing this with AEDM.  Today is Day 27 and I joined a link up party where I shared photos I took in our local Botanical Gardens.