Because Houston is a city that has experienced most of its growth in the last several decades, it feels pretty much the same, no matter which part of the city that you find yourself in. Despite the ubiquitous strip centers, fast food restaurants, and housing developments, tucked away here and there are a number of unique places that can make for a fun outing.
Yesterday morning, a friend and I took a Saturday morning adventure to one of Houston’s best-kept secret’s, Jerry’s Jungle. No more appropriate name could have been given to this plant menagerie, which is open to the public just a few times a year. This private garden-cum-nursery is about a 15-minute drive north of downtown off of I-45. Taking the exit onto Gulf Bank, then Airline, and finally Hill Street, one might feel a bit like they are somewhere in Mexico (as my friend said).
The grounds, very densely covered with all types of flowering plants and trees, occupy, what seems to be, several lots. Most of the plants are growing in the ground, but when Jerry’s Jungle is open, there are many varieties of unusual plants for sale. (Check out the Jerry’s Jungle website for the calendar and other offerings.)
I am not good at recognizing nor naming even the more common yard and garden foliage, so I was far out of my league with the myriad of plants yesterday. However, the beauty and variety were amazing. Seeing everything that Jerry grows, I realized that the range of plants that we can have in our yards and gardens here in Houston is far greater than I had ever imagined.
I’ll go back in October when Jerry’s Jungle is open to the public again. By that time, I will have a better idea about some new beds I want to make in my yard, and the relentless heat should be a bit more forgiving.
After a wonderful time of encountering many different plants, when the Saturday morning heat intensified, despite the shade, my friend and I decided to take a respite at another place she knew of: My Dee Dee’s Pie Shoppe and Deli. Just a few blocks from Jerry’s Jungle, this is another business that seems a bit out of place. Located in an old Victorian house with antique decorations inside to match, My Dee Dee’s was an interesting stop to get inside from the sun. The lemon chess pie had a nice citrus tang, but was so empalagoso, that a sliver would have been enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.
What a very pleasant way to spend the first morning of a 3-day weekend, a lot more fun than a trip to Lowe’s and stopping at McDonald’s afterward.
Filed under: All About H-Town (Houston), Gardening and Flowers, It's What I Like, Maps, Geography, and Places, New and Unusual, Talking About Food | Tagged: empalagoso, gardening, gay, gay gardeners, Gulf Bank, horticulture, Houston nurseries, Houston Texas, Jerry's Jungle, lemon chess pie, lgbt, Lowe's, McDonald's, My Dee Dee's Pie Shoppe, passion flower photo, passion fruit photo, Pretty Flowers, red clerodendron, unusual places in Houston | Leave a comment »