Monday, June 20, 2011

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!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

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.