A vine has turned up in my front bed. It’s really pretty so I hope it has some staying power. It’s very delicate; somewhat like cypress vine with pinnate leaves and twining antennae that are as slender as sewing thread. The cerise blossom looks like a sweet pea but is the size of a grain of rice. It’s just as sweet as can be, once you get down on the ground with a magnifying glass and can actually see it. It would make an ideal vine for a pergola at Barbie’s dream house. If this sounds familiar, please let me know what the heck it is. Unless it's some horrible invasive scourge that will suck all the nutrients out of my yard; that I would rather not know. Let me have my illusions.I spent part of this gorgeous spring afternoon in the fascinating garden of Melissa at Zanthan; she generously shared with me some California poppy seedlings (after I boo-hooed that none of my seeds came up). Thanks Melissa and I hope can keep them alive!
9 comments:
This is just a guess from your photo, Aurora - it looks like some kind of vetch - not a scourge, but planted for erosion control and forage. The genus is Vicia and there are several species in Texas, all in the pea family. Rather than sucking out nutrients most of them are nitrogen fixing plants that improve fertility.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Oops - forgot to say your day with MSS sounds like fun - and it will be cool to see photos of those poppies when they bloom.
Annie
Wow, Annie, you are fast and accurate. I looked at the online pics of vetch, and that's what it is. It's nitrogen fixing, so it can't be all bad. Although it is listed as invasive in some places. Thanks for your smarts!
Just luck, Kiwi- it resembled the lighter pink Crown vetch that was used in Illinois. Glad I could help!
Annie
Annie knows everything! and I concur. I have some growing in my vegetable garden...common vetch (Vicia sativa). I think it's quite pretty too and it dies down as soon as Austin's heat hits.
As for the California poppy seedlings...my pleasure. I hope they grow for you. If not, I'll have more to share next year.
And when will you plant the poppy seeds? Is it a fall planting?
Annie, nice ID on the vetch. I've never seen it before.
Bonnie: I followed Melissa's instructions: plant seedlings in ground right now with possible late summer bloom. Despite my daily waterings, they are looking very stressed due to the heat.
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