PLANTS OF THE MONTH
December, 2024
Here is our native maple, the Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) of Lost Maples State Natural Area fame. One of the most drought tolerant trees I know. I planted it on the side of my car port, and then didn't water it or help it in any way for twenty years. I woke up recently with trees dying all around us due to drought, and started watering it. It responded immediately with great enthusiasm and became noticeably more bushy.
I have read that this tree is going extinct, so let's keep it going! Natives of Texas Nursery in Kerrville (830- 896-2169), carries this tree in multiple sizes. Road trip!
September, 2024
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Here is the native Texas Lantana, Lantana urticoides, in its natural form. Although not as densely blooming as the hybrids in the mainstream nursery trade, even those labeled urticoides, it has its lanky charm! It towers above other perennials and shrubs, attracting butterflies galore! |
May, 2024
The size and vigor of this Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) illustrate how successfully it has adapted to recent more extreme weather conditions: heat, drought and cold! Opuntia is one cactus species I noticed survived the winter of 2021, while many others did not. This particular specimen has a trunk resembling an oak tree-amazing! In cases where part of the plant may freeze, those pads can simply be removed.
While not a specialist in succulents, I like to use them for interesting texture and atmosphere. There's a lot of structure to the Prickly Pear, which is a useful feature in a garden, especially when it can be considered an evergreen. I'm particularly fond of the kinder, gentler spineless version, Opuntia ellisiana.
November, 2023
March, 2023
I've never seen my Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) look as lush and vivid as this fall after our "Survival of the Fittest" summer. Although a non-native from South Africa, its performance here makes it look a lot like a Texan!
September, 2022
Leadwort Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is an underused groundcover that is very good looking and very well suited to our soils and climate-even in its extremes. It's evergreen most of the time, has pretty red foliage during Fall and Winter, and has eye-catching bright saturated blue flowers. It's very low-just a few inches high-likes sun and dappled shade, and spreads. It's good for a woodsy look or a colorful cottage garden application. It's also extremely xeric (drought tolerant). What could be better!
My Bougainvillea has rewarded my "survival of
the fittest" gardening techniques (no supplemental irrigation all summer- yikes!) with this gorgeous display. This is an impressive and beautiful plant.
August, 2022
April, 2022
The Anacacho Orchid Trees (Bauhinia lunarioides) have been in rare form this Spring, maybe due to the rain last season. This is an unusual pink sport I rarely see anymore. I think I'll propagate some!
This tree, native to the Hill Country, shows what native Texas plants are all about-it keeps looking good in every season without any maintenance whatsoever. It's nearly evergreen, loved by pollinators, never looks stressed in the summer, certainly doesn't require supplementary irrigation, and puts on sporadic shows of flowers (usually white). I noticed them blooming this Fall in Confluence Park. They grow in different forms depending on the space, but are small trees, sometimes with a shrubby form. Everybody has enough room for this tree!
This tree, native to the Hill Country, shows what native Texas plants are all about-it keeps looking good in every season without any maintenance whatsoever. It's nearly evergreen, loved by pollinators, never looks stressed in the summer, certainly doesn't require supplementary irrigation, and puts on sporadic shows of flowers (usually white). I noticed them blooming this Fall in Confluence Park. They grow in different forms depending on the space, but are small trees, sometimes with a shrubby form. Everybody has enough room for this tree!
March, 2022
My Anaqua (Ehretia anaqua) is blooming away happily this spring, even after all we've been through! After a rough year in 2021 with the week of snow, I gave it some manure compost last year and it is still responding with enthusiasm.
It's been through a lot, having lost a limb when a tornado came right down our street, blowing off a roof or two down the block. But its twisted, rugged branches only add to its interest and beauty.
October, 2021
My Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus wrightii) has been flaming away happily throughout the daily hundred degree temperatures and appears to be right at home with the situation. It is a hub of activity with all the butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other insects it feeds, and provides cover and shade for small mammals and reptiles. This is an excellent native, wildscape shrub. It is not evergreen, but is a deciduous thicket that is dense enough to provide cover in winter as well. Its bright colors and soft, mounding form give it a very inviting appearance.
July, 2021
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Sunflowers are everywhere right now, especially on bare or disturbed soil. What a nice start to the summer!
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April, 2021
Our roses seem only to have been encouraged by the week of snow. I've never seen such enthusiasm as this year!
Antique, or unhybridized roses, grown on their own rootstock, tend to be much less trouble and more adaptive than traditional hybrids. The relatively new 'Knock Out' roses are so tough and reliable, they can be used in commercial plantings, but lack the charm and individuality of the Antiques to me.
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January, 2021
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The prostrate form of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus') makes a very pretty, easily pruned, flowering, fragrant evergreen hedge. It stays about 3' or less. You can cook with it, it attracts lots of bees and it requires very little water or maintenance. It blooms repeatedly throughout the season here and the flowers are a light periwinkle color. The only thing that will kill it is too much water!
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November, 2020
The Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum rufidulum)
definitely lives up to its name with a brilliant display of rusty Fall colors. It's busy all year with glossy bright green foliage, white Spring flowers and dark berries. It can be shrub-sized or grow into a small tree. This plant will make you glad you got it.
October, 2020
The Crape Myrtle has a lot to offer to people who like color and appreciate low maintenance. Although not a native of Texas, it performs very much like one. It is drought tolerant and disease and pest resistant but not invasive. It makes itself right at home here with long bloom periods, and somehow achieves the slightly rugged look of a Texas native. There are many colors and sizes to choose from and many have really good Fall color as well. These photos are of the same tree, a few weeks apart. Hard to resist!
September, 2020
This is American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, my favorite plant. It is native throughout wooded areas in the American Southeast. It likes to have some shade, especially in the afternoon. Birds love the berries. It is not as tough and heat/drought tolerant as the Mexican Beautyberry, which has darker, less shiny purple berries, more leathery leaves and a larger stature. They often seem to be sold interchangeably and may be hybridized, so it is a good idea to buy them in the Fall, when you can see what berries you're getting!
