Why yes,

I do have a child attending UT Austin just at the moment.  So hopefully you'll find it understandable that I'd want to capture this "Longhorn Moment" in my gardens.

OK so technically these aren't burnt orange flowers, but close enough.  Go, Horns!

Because if there is one plant (other than succulents in a pot) that I don't shy away from planting "late" in the season here, it is caladiums.  Caladiums are part of the Araceae family, which means they are related to Jack in the Pulpits.  I suppose you could think of them as the flashy branch of the family? (Every family has one!)

You probably knew caladiums originally come from South and Central America. But did you know they've been in cultivation in Europe since the late 18th century?  Take that, tulips!  And did you also know that most of them found in these parts are bred in Lake Placid Florida?  I had no idea.

Caladiums work in Texas in the summer.  They are very heat tolerant, the newer types will handle at least some summer sunshine, and though caladiums aren't politically correct (not native!  don't support pollinators!) or au courant in the least?  Though along with crepe myrtles, mimosa trees, monkey grass and St. Augustine lawns they represent a mostly abandoned version of how Austin landscapes used to look?

I simply can't get over the way their leaves catch the light.  Call me nostalgic and old fashioned, but this to me is just the way summertime in Austin is supposed to look.