Drought Tolorant Plants

I just wanted to start a list of plants that grow well here in the Gulf coast Area of Texas. I will add more later.....
Lantana
Daylilies
Cannas
Pentas
Plumbago
Coreopsis
Echinacea
Salvias
Rosemary
Mexican Heather
Blue Daze
Cigar Plant
Perennial Verbena
Hamelia 'Firebush'
Butterfly Weed
Iris'
Gaillardia
Purple Fountain Grass
Pampas Grass
Carolina Jassmine
Confederate Jasmine
Pink Muhly Grass
Vitex
Yuccas
Succulents
Cacti
Agave
Honeysuckle
Junipers
Crepe Myrtles
Flowering Quince
Mountain Laurel
Bottle Brush
Eleagnus
Fig Ivy
Purple Passion Vine
Ginger
Aloe
Sweet Olive
Texas Sage
Have any Questions??? Feel Free to Ask!

xeriscaping

What is Xeriscaping?? Planting water-wise plants. Planting native plants for your area....like perennials and other plants that don't need a lot of watering. More information to come soon!

We need some Rain!

I know I have only seen it rain once since January and it wasn't at my house! My grass needs some rain! Some natural nitrogen and perfect Ph watering... No chlorinated hose water! Well I know...I should be happy I can at least water! Most areas around me are in mandatory water conservation modes. It just makes me sad though when I drive around and the grasses and trees are all brown. They are in shock or worse...dead already. I know this will pass and we will complain that we are getting too much rain someday. I just get a little passionate about plants and I wish it would rain!! So now some tips:
1. Mulch your plants, but not too deep on the trunks or plants.
2. Deep root watering! Very important...water longer and less often when possible.
3. Plants the kinds of plants that will thrive in dry/ hot conditions. (Natives)
4. Simplify
5.Don't use weed killers. They sit close to the surface and the thirsty roots of trees and shrubs will pull the herbicides in and cause damage or worse.
6. Insects look for healthy and distressed plants. Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites, scale, etc....
Use insecticidal soap or just plain dish soap and water to spray as needed. Use something stronger when this doesn't work.
7. Never water plants when they are in the hot sun. Late afternoon watering is better. Water well...not just on the surface.
8. Remember if a plant is wilted from lack of water....don't over water to correct. This can suffocate the roots and kill the plant.
9. Sometimes a plant will look fine, but the soil looks dry....if in doubt, stick your finger in and feel the soil about 1-2 inches deep.
10. It is okay to fertilize your plants during a drought. All the watering is washing the nutrients away. Use organic fertilizers when possible. Use low doses of fertilizers often and look for one with micro nutrients like iron, sulfur and magnesium. Add compost to your soil.

Super Bloom

Super Bloom! 55 percent Phosphorus is the key to making your yard a Spring wonderland full of blossoms and blooms! Use this water soluble plant food on whatever blooms to get more flowers and bigger blooms!

Awesome Lawn Fertilizer! Great Green Up!

Looking for a good Lawn Food?? This stuff is great! 22 percent nitrogen and 6% Iron= GREEN! I love it and if you use a lot of Bonus S, try to use this 3-4 times a yr and see if you don't have to use the weed and feed anymore! Green Max can be used carefully under tree and shrub drip lines for green-up and growth on trees and shrubs..... Happy Gardening!

Spring Clean-up

Ahhhh....Spring is here! Hard to believe it but 14 days ago we were freezing and we have had nothing but warm weather since. But the grass is greening up and the birds are coming back. The butterflies are fluttering around and the ants are making mounds....  Yes, that means I must come out of my hibernation and weed-eat the dead overgrowth and mow the Rye grass I put out in December. As I was working out in the yard today I noticed the spider mites had gotten to my plants in the garage. I got all of them outside and sprayed them with insecticidal soap after a good watering. I cut back some of my plants that were damaged from the freeze. They should be okay but you have to get the top stuff off that froze. I have Red Tip Photinia that needed a trimming and Fig Ivy on my house that I shaved down with the hedge trimmers. Next Week: Crepe Myrtles need to be cut back. If you have Roses, you need to prune them. They need a heavy pruning in Feb and Aug. with deadheading through the year. If you have any questions about what to do to get your yard in shape for Spring, just ask! Send me a message..... Happy Gardening!

Bacopa.... A lovely addition to your garden.

Bacopa is a beautiful plant. It does really well in zones 8-11. Bacopa grows to about 6 inches tall and it spreads approx. 12 inches or so.... It likes bright light to keep it blooming. Bacopa is wonderful in hanging baskets, deck boxes, container gardens or in raised beds. Make sure it doesn't get dry, it likes to be evenly moist. Bacopa should be showing up in the garden centers soon or get you some seed. Put them out as early as February to enjoy them all spring. Happy Gardening!

Rye Grass.....So pretty and green!

Hi Everyone I haven't posted in a while. It's coooooold outside...... I will be posting shortly though with all kinds of Spring Gardening info! I know it doesn't seem like it now, but Spring is right around the corner. I know I have a lot to do in my yard. Last week, before the cold weather moved in, we were having temps in the upper 60's. I decided to put out some Annual Rye Grass Seed. I LOVE the beautiful green grass. Rye Grass is a cool weather grass. You apply it by spreader or hand and it will germinate fast! Be careful not to get it in flowerbeds....
You will need to mow it to keep it manicured. (It can get tall and grow fast in warm weather.) Rye grass will die out in late spring when the weather warms up and stays warmer. Your St. Augustine or other grass will still be there and it will be healthier due to the added organic material. Rye grass is very green and soft. It adds a nice contrast to spring growth and flowers!
Rye usually will return the following Fall by volunteer seeds. It will thin over time and you will want to reapply seed. The seed is inexpensive. Don't be afraid to put it out thick. Rye grass helps to keep your soil in the yard where it belongs! If you have eroson problems or just muddy areas, put out some Rye Grass. If you have any questions...just ask! Happy Gardening!