Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ is a lovely evergreen trailing perennial that blooms when most other perennials are just waking from dormancy. The flowers are a beautiful clear azure blue and resemble Forget-Me-Nots. Bloom-time is late winter into early spring. ’Georgia Blue’ is used effectively as a cascading border, as an accent in rock gardens or planted…
Green Lake Nursery has a nice assortment of cheddar/spice pink type dianthus, each very similar, yet each a little different. The basic growing requirements are the same. They like loose well-drained slightly alkaline soil. Full sun with afternoon shade is preferred in north Texas. More lush foliage occur in the cooler months. Regular watering is…
Erysimum Citrona Orange and Citrona Yellow Okay, we all know that pansies rule for cool season color in north Texas, but how about the other cool season plants that go along with the pansies?? You know the usual line-up, snapdragons, dianthus, alyssum…. Well, it is time to welcome a new member to the cool season…
Copper Canyon Daisy Tough, and tenacious, qualities that define this native Texan. T. lemmonii was discovered by husband – wife team, Sara and John Lemmon, pioneer botanists and avid plant collectors. Late October till hard frost, sometimes, even into December, depending on the winter, T. lemmonii produces bright, one inch, golden daisies that will illuminate…
Mexican Mint Marigold Lazy gardeners, here is a plant for you….Tagetes lucida, or Mexican Mint Marigold. It is hardy, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing and also useful in other ways besides landscaping. As for hardiness, it will grow in most soils, even poor soils, as long as they are well drained. Once established, it is heat…
Gulf Muhly Grass Gulf Muhly is a lovely and durable native Texas grass. Its fine textured gray green foliage has a stiff upright habit. It grows about two to three feet tall and wide. Beautiful billowy plumes that look like pink smoke hang softly above the foliage. Bloom time is usually from the end of…
Flame Acanthus or Hummingbird Bush Hummingbird lovers take heed, Anisacanthus quadrifidus ‘Wrightii’ is a must for your landscape. Flames of red orange tubular flowers, about 1” long, bloom from August through October. Hummers and butterflies are guaranteed to come and partake of the late summer nectar. Being a tough Texas native, hummingbird bush does well…
Cheilanthes sinuata or Astrolepis sinuata Wavy Cloak fern does not fit the norm when it comes to what one perceives a fern to be. The fact that it makes its home in the Big Bend regions of west Texas and at the same time can be cultivated in the lovely gardens of north Texas is…
Coneflower Coneflowers appear to be rosy pink sombreros on parade in the perennial garden. The sturdy long lasting sweetly scented blooms are perched upon 2’ tall stems that emerge in summer from 6” tall clumps of foliage. The spiny orange, cone-like centers can be dried and used in flower arrangements and wreaths. Butterflies and hummingbirds…
Skeletonleaf Goldeneye V. stenoloba is native to the dry rocky Chihuahuan desert of Texas and New Mexico. In north Texas landscapes it can be used individually or in mass plantings as a tall groundcover. Skeletonleaf Goldeneye is a densely branched rounded sub-shrub with single golden daisy-like flowers on naked stems. Blooms usually appear from June…
Feather Top Grass Native to Africa, naturalized in Texas and southwestern U. S., Feather Top grass is noted for its spectacular feather-like flower plumes. Soft, creamy-white flowers can reach up to five inches long. The lovely plumes make great cut flowers, either fresh or dried. Leaves of light green form densely tufted clumps up to…
House Leeks or Hens and Chicks Sempervivums are the darlings of plant enthusiasts. Their many varieties of color, texture and shape are a collector’s delight. Colors range from red, burgundy, black, yellow, green, gray and combinations of these colors. Leaves can have long hair or short hair, can be glossy or dull. Bristly bloom stalks…