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Birth in the Garden

August is not my favorite month, even though it’s when I was born. Often, I think of my dear mom in her final days of pregnancy in a sweltering Dallas apartment without air conditioning. I figure that if she made it through that, I can handle anything!
Betty Lehmusvirta
This year, I get to experience birth of another kind. My ‘Bloodspot’ Mangave, a hybrid between Agave macroacantha and a Manfreda shot up a bloom stalk a few weeks ago, now topped out at 40”.
Mangave Bloodspot bloom spike in container Central Texas Gardener
Mangave Bloodspot flowers Central Texas Gardener
I keep it in a pot on my patio, since my soil isn’t the best for succulents, especially in cold weather drenches. Plus, it’s cute. Since I’m on the patio every night, it’s easy to adore those slightly silvery, burgundy spotted leaves.
Mangave Bloodspot leaves Central Texas Gardener
This is her second birth, actually. In 2018, she produced 14 bulbils which I potted up.
Mangave Bloodspot bulbils Central Texas Gardener
Some have gone to friends, and others will go to new homes eventually.
Mangave Bloodspot bulbils in containers Central Texas Gardener
I’m not a fan of hot, sultry weather, but passion vine’s passionate about it. Lots of birthing is going on as Gulf Fritillary butterflies lay their tiny eggs on its wide leaves after deep sips of nectar from its flowers.
Gulf Fritillary egg on passion vine Central Texas Gardener
I will venture into drenching humidity to get a laugh out of energetic bees and their hilarious acrobatics on pollen-rich stamens to take home to the hive.
bee on passion vine collecting pollen Central Texas Gardener
Well, I’ve done a few flip flops myself when back in pre-pandemic days at work when someone announced, “Breakfast tacos in the break room!”
Bee on passion vine pollen Central Texas Gardener
Hope you’re finding wonder in the dog days! Linda

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