I’ve taken time this week to pay attention to what sparks my heart. I went into town for a haircut and walking back to my truck I pondered, “What would water your heart on the way home?” I drove straight to my happy place, Hill Country Water Gardens.

Walking through this time of year is completely different than the spring and summer months. The parking lot was empty, all but one car, but the gate was open, so in I strolled. I was greeted by a young woman maneuvering a steel wagon full of succulents and she looked happy to see me. I smiled and nodded at her and said, “Just walking through”, as she smiled and nodded in agreement with full knowing what was meant by that.

Only a few fountains were running because they’re getting ready to drain them for the winter and it was odd to feel the stillness in a place that is usually so alive with people. There was a distinct chill in the air which made me grateful for the choice in layered clothing. The middle of this establishment offers the most light, and it was filled to the brim with trays and hanging baskets full of fall flowers. I don’t do fall/winter flowers. As a matter of fact as soon as I spot the first display of mums for sale, I know my season for caring for flowers is over until spring.

Here’s the difference a year made. Last year, I brought every planter indoors once it got cold, but one night recently, the temperature bottomed out quickly to 40° F, and I didn’t even think about the plants sitting in stone planters outdoors. Anything below 50 is considered cold for tropical plants, but checking on them the next morning, they all fared well, except the Hibiscus. That’s alright because it wasn’t my favorite, plus the Hibiscus can easily be replaced, but this did cause a pause while standing in the yard to consider which are my favorites. The answer came quickly because this year there are only two that spark my heart.

They’ve been written about here and here and these plants would be difficult to replace. The owl planter that one of them sits in was made by a local artist and I don’t want to replace that, so it’s now inside. This week I learned that Barb doesn’t have to save every flower in the yard, but it’s nice to know how and when to protect the few that spark your heart.