June, 2020

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Here is a spectacular specimen of Caesalpinia pulcherrima,  Pride of Barbados, which performs best in extreme heat and dryness.  The red mulch only adds to the drama.

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July, 2020

'Firecracker Plant' (Rusellia equisetiformis) is very striking, very drought tolerant, and needs little or no maintenance.  Give it enough room (about three feet) to show off its natural cascading form.  Another interesting option is to plant it as an ornamental hedge where its long bloom time (eight months or more) and unusual, fine  texture are featured.  It may not be evergreen (may freeze to the ground) but might be worth it.

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August, 2020

Here is one of our most glorious natives, Texas Sage or Cenizo ("ashen" in Spanish), Leucophyllum frutescens.  Its blooming is associated with rain- but not necessarily, such as right now!  One time, I partially broke off a small branch from my sage as I went by, and the next time I saw it, a few days later, that small branch was covered with blooms, while the rest of the shrub had none.  Very mysterious!

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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!

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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!
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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.

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December, 2020

Firespike (Odontonema strictum) has tropical, lush foliage and bright red spikes.  It starts to bloom right around the holidays with its festive colors.  Firespike likes some shade and will wilt in the sun in hotter months but makes up for that in the winter.  There is a pink version that grows larger than the red, but in my experience, maybe because of its size, seems thirstier (wilts more readily) and has smaller blooms.

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January, 2021

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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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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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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October, 2021

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Our Turk's Caps (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) have never looked so good!
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March, 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!

April, 2022

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 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!

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August, 2022

 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.

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