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East Texas Gardening- Things to do in October October 5, 2017
- Things to do in December August 8, 2017
- Things to do November August 8, 2017
- Things to do in September August 2, 2017
- Things to do in July August 2, 2017
- Things to do in June May 24, 2017
Category Archives: Favorite Plants
Overton Horticulture Field Day
Last week the rains didn’t dampen landscapers, Master Gardeners and industry reps from attending the annual Horticulture Field Day in Overton, Texas, where trials of a wide range of mostly annual flowers and foliage plants were planted in replicates to see which ones had what it takes to make a good showing in our hot, humid (and often rainy) East Texas climate. Of course, this is just the end of June, and it will be interesting to see which ones will still be going strong when it comes… Read More →
Crapemyrtles for Great Summer Color
You know summer has arrived in the South when the cicadas start singing and the crapemyrtles are blooming. Crapemyrtles are among the most popular of the small trees in the southern United States because of their beauty, long season of bloom, compact size, hardiness and longevity. It is common to find stately, thriving crapemyrtles well over 100 years old at old homesteads, abandoned home sites or cemeteries. Crapemyrtles have been called the lilac of the south, being cultivated in the U.S. since the early 1800’s. The common crapemyrtle,… Read More →
Jazz Up the Landscape
Have you ever looked at your yard and thought, “This needs something to jazz it up?” Something to make it more than just another ho-hum planting of “round green meatballs” as some of my horticulture friends like to call plants that look like, well, round green meatballs. There are lots of plants that can liven up a plain yard. Even one plant, properly selected and located, can make a striking statement and attract attention. The following is a very small sampling of plants with dramatic form or foliage… Read More →
Ginkgo – a Unique Tree with a Long History
Tyler, famous for roses and azaleas, has another plant that attracts attention from fans of Texas trees. On the grounds of the Tyler City Hall stands a living monument to the ice ages and to the city’s early history. On the southeastern lawn lives an old, large Ginkgo tree, brought to us by one of Smith County’s famous residents. This tree is now known as the Hubbard Ginkgo since it was a former Texas governor and ambassador to Japan, Richard Bennett Hubbard of Lindale, who brought this tree… Read More →
Orange for Holidays
Orange is such a fall color – probably most closely associated with pumpkins, and that favorite Thanksgiving desert, pumpkin pie (yes, pecan pie is also right up there in the favorite category). All the fruit off of my Satsuma orange tree has been harvested, ripening during the fall color fest. One of my other favorite fruits is Japanese persimmon, and they are indeed pumpkin orange, also ripening at this wonderful time of year. The color orange is not restricted to fruit, however, as several trees and shrubs have… Read More →
Colorful Foliage for the Yard
This is the time of year when foliage takes over flowers for center stage in the landscape. Many people have commented that fall foliage in our neck of the woods is just as good as the more renowned northeastern foliage. No need to take a long road trip; a drive around town or out into the surrounding countryside will reward you with a bounty of reds, yellows, oranges, purples, and the various hues of green from different evergreens. You may not have room in your yard for… Read More →
Blooming Plants That Measure the Darkness
Some of the most beautiful blooming plants wait until the shorter days of fall to erupt with colorful flowers, a last glorious display before the first freeze of winter arrives to end it all. Flower color is always better, more vibrant during the cooler fall weather, too. The summer sun and heat often cause blooms to fade quickly, and colors seem to bleach under sunny Texas skies. But why do some plants wait until now to flower, while others bloom from spring through frost? The answer is fall… Read More →
Salvia ‘Amistad’
I got to know about a new salvia at the Garden Writers Association annual meeting in Tuscon last year, and right away knew I had to get some to try. Salvia ‘Amistad’ is a naturally occurring hybrid found in a garden in Argentina, believed to be a cross between S. guaranitica and S. gesnerifolia. The “wow” factor are the blooms – rich purple flowers popping out of almost black calyces. They were introduced in the Sunset Western Garden and Southern Living Plant Collection programs this year. I got… Read More →