Starting last Wednesday the 17th, we began our annual what's blooming excursion for the 2013 gardens. With an extremely mild winter followed by more cool fronts with cool nights and warmer days, we are seeing a mix of winter, spring and plants that bloom through fall. It is one of the most interesting mixes we have seen. Here are some of the blossoms we captured--many are only seen at one garden.. Amaryllis: several varieties. Abutilon with its "lantern flowers" . . . common name Chinese Lantern Morning Glory: fast growing vines Bauhina Orchid Tree was just starting to bloom--lavender variety.... Continue reading

The Blackburnian Warbler is one of 21 or so species of “tropical” warblers that pass through Fort Bend and Quail Valley on their journey from South and Central America to breeding grounds, many along the Canadian border with USA. Blackburnians are distinct, being the only warbler with an orange throat. They are eye catching. During a photo shoot last week of flowers blooming for the April 27 QV Backyard Tour, we glimpsed a Blackburnian stopping in one of the gardens. The Blackburnian Warbler winters on the upper coast of South American and flies north in late March, April and early... Continue reading

On March 14, 2013, The Quail Valley Garden Club continued its pledge to enhance our community by dedicating 7 of the 14 trees given to City Centre at Quail Valley. The remaining Live Oaks will be planted after irrigation and... Continue reading

The Color Purple Nikki Runge bought the home of one of the original developers of Quail Valley, Frank Marsters, Jr. With major renovation inside and out, the garden showcases some of the latest ideas for color and uses well-adapted tropicals and sub-tropicals plantings. An enviable pool is a work of art itself. The lake view isn't bad either. The garden is a paradise for entertaining and gives the feeling of a vacation in an upscale resort in the tropics or a spa! It's one enduring theme is the color purple and variations of blue and mauve . . . with... Continue reading

Kaleidoscope In 1984, Allen and Linda Barron bought their home on Glenn Lakes. It had minimal landscaping out front and no landscaping in a large, open space back yard. Keeping the open space, but making the garden comfortable is a challenge to any designer. Linda and Allen have done the design, planting and responded to things like Hurricane Ike. It's now a graceful garden and literally and figuratively a kaleidoscope of ideas. As you enter, you'll see a plant kaleidocope. If you have never played with a plant kaleidoscope, it's entertaining. Unlike the kaleidoscopes most of us have used, it... Continue reading

Meditation Garden Kyle Pedwell and David Clardy bought their English Tudor 7 years ago. The backyard was barren and ugly. Despite Hurricane Ike, today it is transformed into an English Country Garden with areas for meditation, relaxation and entertaining. Using ideas from QV Backyard Tours and others to build their garden, Kyle and David have done all the work themselves. Part of the garden is reminiscent of a New Orleans style courtyard with both sun and shade areas, which allows for plant diversity as well as growing fruit trees. It also allows relaxing according to the weather. Bottom line they... Continue reading

Heirloom Garden Kelly Bourne and DJ Janota bought in Quail Valley a year ago for unique floor plans and trees. Avid collectors of "anything old" or that has an heirloom quality, they wanted a garden where they could entertain, but that would fit with their interests. The basic garden itself already had heirloom plants such as Live Oaks, Crape Mrytles, Nandinas, Plumbago, ferns and other well-adapted plants. They continued with a garden design that was easy to care for as well as entertain, but added native plants such as Cestrum, Bottle Brush, Bauhinia Mexican Orchid Tree, Angel Trumpets and Vitex... Continue reading

Congratulations to Peggy Parsons who chose Garden #2, then won the drawing of the correct entries. Peggy says, Wow, this must be a perk from doing Crime Watch! Two 2013 spring garden tours . . . the River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail and the Quail Valley Backyard Tour both offer beauty and stimulating ideas. While Quail Valley doesn't pretend to rival the mansions with big budgets and lots of help, we do put love and creativity into our gardens. Quail Valley gardeners do willingly share their experiences--both triumphs and "I learned the hard way" by doing it myself. Contest:... Continue reading

When Flowers Fly . . . You never know what to expect at Penny and Don Johnson’s garden. Week-to-week, seasonal native flowers, vegetables, citrus and much more fill the garden with "what's that?" Weather and seasonal changes always create a surprises. The garden started out with the idea of attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They surpassed that goal. As a Certified Wildlife Habitat and a Monarch Butterfly Way Station, flowers seem to fly off trees and bushes as the like-colored orange Monarch and Queen butterflies especially enjoy orange flowers, while the yellow Sulphurs thrive on the yellow Cassia plant--and totally surprised... Continue reading

Our 2013 Gardens provide a variety of alternatives how different families create magic in their gardens and enhance their home's comfort and value. Tour is April 27, 2013, rain or shine from 10-4. The gardens were selected for variety including location and type of lot, price range, garden variety and/or maintenance ease. The common theme is incorporating native or well-adapted plants into your garden. Knowing the right ones, can bring more butterflies and humming birds or just save time and money. Press the links below to learn more about each garden. 3418 El Dorado The Color Purple 2130 Glenn Lakes... Continue reading

Fly-overs are common in Fort Bend Winter and Spring . . . The Sandhill Crane is one of the few cranes species in the world not endangered. Cranes hold their necks and legs straight out in flight. While they are about the size of the Great Blue Heron, herons hold their necks in an S shape in flight and often "walk Egyptian." Sandhills make a deep, rolling trumpeting and rattling sound. Sandhills land in grasslands, meadows and wetlands where they eat insects, seeds and invertebrates. You may be lucky to see one in a nearby pasture in Fort Bend, but... Continue reading

Members of Quail Valley Garden Club not only celebrate Valentine's Day, but also our Arbor Day Project chaired by Jerre Anne Wagner and her committee. 14 Southern (Live) Oaks will be planted at City Centre lining El Dorado and La... Continue reading

In winter, Forster's Terns are especially prevalent on the La Costa and Bermuda Dunes Lakes on the Quail Valley Golf Course (El Dorado #15, 16, 17). Forster’s Tern is another winter visitor to Fort Bend that is quite common over our ponds and lakes during winter. Graceful fliers they glide above ponds, then abruptly plunge into the water to fish. In winter they have only a black marking from the eye to the ear; but during summer breeding, adults take on a distinctive black cap. Forster’s Terns breed in marshes and have interesting floating nests that can co-mingle eggs of... Continue reading

Wow! Did we have a New Year surprise. The Townhouses of Quail Valley Club House had new couches in our social room we so members had a pleasant visit during the coffee and break segments, great food and the share... Continue reading

Mature Bald Eagles have white heads and tails with a brown body. They are 4 or 5 years old before they reach their "breeding feathers" and are long-lived to around 28 years in the wild. Rivers, creeks and streams are Bald Eagles' “highways” and hunting grounds. They need open space these corridors provide in the most forested areas so they can hunt in open spaces. Holding their wings like a board to circle and hunt for prey, Bald Eagles are large enough to cast a noticeable shadow when they fly over head. Bald Eagles cast a noticeable shadow flying overhead.... Continue reading

Just a few of the Quail Valley residents who make the holiday brighter . . .and were recognized by the Quail Valley Garden Club 2012. The Shoemake Family, 3202 Robinson Road The Romero Family, 2714 Oakmont The Gegen Family, 3110... Continue reading

City Centre at Quail Valley was all festive and we enjoyed our holiday gathering very much! Jackie Walker, Marilyn Ellis, Sandy Smith, Gretchen Cockrill, Mary Chan, Nancy Lindsay and Jo Altenbern. Greeted by Shirley Renfrow to collect our Toys for... Continue reading

Good grief, Charlie Brown, look at all the lights! The Quail Valley Garden Club Wishes you a Happy Holiday and hope you enjoy this thumbnail of the festive displays in Quail Valley. Lynn Ellis and her committee, as always, had... Continue reading

The House Finch loves living around homes. Living in Christmas and other wreaths, hanging plants, and under house eaves are the type of places they thrive and nest. So wreaths, liking conifers and the red head, breast and rump of the male make this Finch a perfect December bird of the month. House Finches love black-oiled sunflower seeds. If they find your feeder, you can expect a flock of up to 50, including red males and the rather plain females. If they discover your feeder, House Finches love black-oiled sunflower seeds. If they come in a large flock, you likely... Continue reading

Front Row: Sandy Smith, Dana Belt, Marilyn Ellis Back Row: Janice Scanlan, Gretchen Cockrill and Chair Judy Belt Snowfest Parade is always a time to enjoy and give back to the community. Another great parade and effort to entertain by... Continue reading

Our fieldtrip and program at Papershell was well attended and very enjoyable. Owner Elizabeth Barrow provided the program on Native and Well-Adapted Plants . . . her primary point was that you need to choose and incorporate plants that work... Continue reading

The Chipping Sparrow is a bird that winters in Fort Bend so they’ve been showing up lately for the seed harvest. With a jaunty reddish brown cap, you may miss them when House Sparrows are near. Both are seed eaters and forage on the ground or on seed platforms. Sometimes the distinct grayish white stripe over the eye may alert you to a Chipping Sparrow before you see the cap. The Chipping Sparrows gravitate to tree and grassy areas so watch for them in parks, your garden if it has trees and grassy or understory areas where there are seed... Continue reading

Patty McKeever provided the following pictures from the Federation Meeting, "Wow with Flowers." The picture on the left was one of the arrangements provided by members that caught Patty's eye. Patty, Shirley Renfrow and Regina Petrauskas attended. A bonus of... Continue reading

Happy 40th Birthday Quail Valley Garden Club Members and guests enjoy a birthday cake to celebrate. Social chair Rose Ann Acosta, Karen Segura, Judy Pasadyn and Inge-Lise Braswell once again made this a festive, fun day. Guest Barbara Tucker (r)... Continue reading

Inca Dove is the smallest of the 5 species of doves found in Fort Bend. Margaret’s photo feature this month shows the deep peach to rusty underside of the Inca Dove’s wing, which is unusual to see when the bird is not in flight. Early settlers in Texas watched all species of doves because they fly directly to water holes and helped settlers locate precious water. Inca is also the most “scaly” of the doves and sometimes has the bluish cast of the photo above. As ground foragers doves like seeds, scattered on the ground or on platform feeders. You'll... Continue reading