White Oak Conference Center Butterfly & Hummingbird Sale Spring 2016

Perennials Adiantum capillus-veneris - Southern Maidenhair Fern – This fern thrives in soils that have lots of organic matter worked into the mix. They prefer shade to filtered sunlight. A great fern for detail shade plantings or containers. Looks delicate, but is really quite tough. Keep soil moist. Can be evergreen most winters.

Anisacanthus wrightii - Flame Acanthus – A tough, Texas native, shrubby perennial covered with orange tubular flowers summer & fall. Averages 3’ height. Drought tolerant once established. Hummingbirds!

Antirrhinum hispanicum – Spanish Snapdragon – This is an amazing deer-resistant snapdragon that likes the heat! It makes a 1’ tall x 2’ wide clump of fuzzy grey-green leaves. The flowers are pink on the upper lips and whitish on the tips of the lower lip with yellow near the base. Spanish Snapdragon (also called Creeping Snapdragon or Perennial Snapdragon) thrives in our hot, humid summers where most snapdragons fear to tread. Prefers a sunny, well-drained spot. Evergreen “subshrub” – flowers year round with peaks in late spring to early summer and again in the fall. Great for rock gardens or those often neglected corners of the garden! Hardy to below 0°.

Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Hinckley’ - Hinckley Columbine - A gorgeous evergreen native Texas perennial for shade gardens. Forms 24” mounds of bright green parsley-like foliage all winter. Then in March-April, produces stalks of magnificent orchid-like yellow flowers for up to 6 weeks! Afternoon shade & good drainage.

Asclepias curassivicia - Mexican Butterfly Weed - Great perennial for butterflies and beautiful in the garden as well. Constantly blooming clusters of orange & yellow flowers on 3’-4’ stalks. Responds well to pruning. This is The Monarch Butterfly Plant!!! It is their larval food as well as providing nectar. Do not use insecticides on this plant! Sun, part shade. Moist, well-drained soil.

Barleria striata - Blue Philippine Violet - A spectacular fall bloomer! Covered with rich violet-blue flowers all fall & into a mild winter. A 3’– 4’ plant with very attractive foliage. Prefers part shade.

Callirhoe digitata – Standing Winecup – A fabulous native perennial that produces 2’-3’ tall slender stems that are absolutely covered with 2” poppy-like, wine-magenta flowers for months in the spring. It prefers full sun and a moist, well-drained soil, but can take a little shade.

Cestrum auranticum - Yellow Cestrum– A large, root hardy tropical-looking shrub displaying large showy clusters of bright yellow 1” tubular flowers spring to fall followed by spherical, fleshy white berries. The flowers are an excellent source of nectar for Butterflies & Hummingbirds. Birds love the berries. Grows 4’-6’ tall. Prefers full sun. Responds well to pruning.

Cestrum nocturnum – Night Blooming Jessamine – No fragrance garden should be without ‘Night Blooming Jasmine’! Its fragrance fills the evening air with heavenly, tropical sweetness. It has an informal habit – freestanding, but with long, vine-like stems. Small clusters of tubular, white flowers appear at the leaf axils all along the stems. The flowers are attractive but not showy. They are followed by shiny, bright white, fleshy berries. Averages 4’x4’ in cultivation, but may grow larger if it is especially happy. Full sun to filtered sun. Root hardy in severe winters. Moist, well-drained soils.

Cuphea ignea - Pink Cuphea - An incredible cuphea! Dainty looking, yet tough, this 2’-3’ upright mounding cuphea forms a solid mass of small green leaves and is constantly covered with adorable

Page 1 tubular, pink flowers with lavender lips and white “ears” from spring to fall! It grows in full sun or light shade. Moist, well-drained soil. Hummingbirds & Butterflies.

Cuphea ignea ‘David Verity’ - David Verity Cuphea - A compact and more refined version of the standard cigar plant. ‘David Verity’ grows into an upright, very full plant with tiny foliage and it is a non- stop bloomer of small, tubular, orange and yellow flowers spring through fall. It’s an incredibly tough plant and doesn’t seem to have any insect or disease problems. It’s a great companion plant for the Mexican Butterfly Weed. Averages 3’ tall. Sun, light shade. Hummingbirds & Butterflies.

Dianthus sp. Carnation - Silver Leaf Miniature Carnation – Red, fragrant flowers occur in great numbers during early spring and into summer. The silver, narrow foliage is a nice contrast to the bright red flowers. Plant in sun to partial sun. Excellent cut flower. Perennial.

Duranta ‘Cuban Gold’ - Cuban Gold Duranta – A little tropical shrub that comes to us by way of Jamaica. This is a very versatile plant that can be maintained at 12” or will make a 3’ - 4’ shrub. It can be used in low borders, as a small accent plant, can be sheared as a low hedge, and does equally well in containers. It will hold its dazzling chartreuse color even in the toughest of summer heat and humidity. Bears occasional sprays of light blue flowers. Performs best in full sun to partial shade. Root hardy; adaptable to many soils; drought tolerant once established.

Duranta erecta ‘Alba’ – White Duranta – The Cockrell Butterfly Center’s selection of an outstanding white version of this fabulous long blooming root hardy shrub. This version also is a more compact grower averaging 4’–6’ & is thornless! Forms a large full “shrub” & is covered with tight clusters of milky white flowers in heavy cycles late spring through fall. It also produces dangling clusters of yellow berries – birds love them. Prefers full sun but will take light shade. A must for any butterfly or bird garden!!!

Eremophila glabra ‘Outback Sunrise’ - Outback Sunrise Emu – An evergreen, durable ground cover that thrives in heat. Withstands reflected heat and full sun – once established, very drought tolerant. Masses of tubular yellow flowers cover the plant through spring into summer. Plant in well-drained soil.

Eremophila glabra - Gold Emu Bush – A lush evergreen shrub with small, narrow, medium to dark green leaves. Produces masses of tubular yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. Has an attractive natural shape, but can be pruned as well. Pruning after its first spring bloom cycle with improves the flower display for the next bloom cycle. Needs good drainage, full sun. Drought tolerant once established. 2.5’x 2.5’.

Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ PPAF - Diamond Frost Euphorbia – An absolutely amazing, tough, drought tolerant, attractive plant! Form a 2’ mound of tiny white flowers that, at a distance, looks like a soft white cloud. This heavenly-looking airy plant is perennial in zones 9 and 10 and will normally bloom all year round! It adds a touch of softness to a garden and does well in pots. Full sun or light shade. Moist, well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

Evolvulus glomeratus - Blue Daze – Small gray-green leaves are a pleasing background for the 1” wide blue “morning glory” type flowers which close up at night. Beautiful in borders and works well in hanging baskets. Averages 18” in height. Sun or part shade. Moist, well-drained soil

Hemerocallis ‘Buttered Popcorn’ - Buttered Popcorn Daylily – This buttery-gold winner has been called a “large-bloomed Stella de Oro” due to its near continuous blooming habit, but is even more heat tolerant! This kind of reliable flowering is very rare in a chunky sized plant. It has an abundance of fragrant 6” blossoms. A long flower display from mid-season into fall. Flower stalks are 28”-33” and sturdy – the lush foliage is 24” tall x 30” wide and quickly becomes self-shading for better weed control in the landscape. Excellent cut flower! Semi-evergreen. Tough enough for road side plantings and erosion control. Unsurpassed performance!!!

Hemerocallis ‘Grape Ripples’ - Grape Ripples Daylily – A unique daylily with rich purple flowers that have a chartreuse throat. Grows to about 24” tall – sturdy and reliable. Full sun to partial shade. Butterflies!

Page 2 Hemerocallis ‘Lemon Vista’ - Lemon Vista Daylily – Lemon Vista has large 6½” fragrant, lemon- yellow blooms atop 24”-30” tall scapes. This daylily meets the demanding criteria for overall beauty, balance, growth and performance needed to be named an All-American winner. Repeat bloomer – evergreen in some winters! Excellent cut flower.

Hemerocallis ‘Red Volunteer’ - Red Volunteer Daylily – Red Volunteer is very striking in the landscape. It blooms on well-branched 29”-33” tall scapes with large, 6”-7” velvety, crimson red blooms. Strong grower, very popular and great as a large focal plant. Excellent cut flower! One of the prettiest “red” daylilies out there!! Sun to part sun.

Homalocladium platycladum - Tapeworm or Centipede Plant – This unusual upright growing shrub has long “wands” of flat leafless stems, jointed at the nodes, giving the stem the look of a measuring tape. Tiny leaves do appear on new growth, but disappear as the stems age. In late fall through winter small greenish-white flowers bloom in the stem joints, which may be followed by red fruits. Can take full sun, but will be darker green with some protection from afternoon sun. Hardy & evergreen to 25°, but will re- sprout from the base if damaged at lower temperatures. Can take regular irrigation & is also drought tolerant. Nice specimen plant in containers.

Justicia sp. ‘Lemon Sorbet’ - Lemon Sorbet Shrimp Plant – A shrimp plant with a delicious color! It produces 4”-6” shrimp-shaped spikes of overlapping pastel lemon-yellow bracts with white tubular flowers on a 3’ mound of soft, apple-green leaves. This tough attractive plant is an extremely long bloomer, responds well to pruning, & is root hardy in the Houston & Gulf Coast area. It grows in sun or light shade & a moist, well drained soil. Hummingbirds!!!

Justicia sp. ‘Variegata’ - Variegated Red Shrimp Plant – Native to Mexico, this wonderful hummingbird attractor forms a 3' mound of soft, apple-green leaves with subtle variegation. Produces 3" spikes of overlapping plum-red bracts with bright red & cream flowers. These spikes eventually lengthen to 6"-7" & resemble large red shrimp. This is the MOST floriferous of the shrimp . Responds well to pruning, is root hardy, grows in sun or light shade, & a moist, well-drained soil. Hummingbirds!

Justicia spicigera - Mexican Honeysuckle – A tough & wonderful shrubby perennial with a 3’–4’ full, rounded form of velvety-green leaves. It’s covered with clusters of 1-1/2” bright orange, tubular flowers all during our warm months. It’s drought tolerant once established. Sun or light shade. Hummingbirds & Butterflies.

Lantana spp. ‘Butter Cream’- Butter Cream Lantana – Elegant and tough! This low mounding perennial has the same growth habit as ‘New Gold” Lantana but the flowers are unique. Each flower starts out bright golden yellow and as it ages, a creamy white edge forms and blends in until the entire flower is white. Looking at the 18”-24” mound of flowers you see a beautiful blend of gold creamy yellow and white. Drought tolerant once established. Sun. Moist, well-drained soil. Butterflies!

Lillium formosanum - Philippine Lily – One of the few naturalizing lilies for the Houston area! Dark green grassy evergreen mounds that produce gorgeous white Easter Lily-type blooms in summer on 4’ stalks. Light shade, sun. Moist, well-drained soil.

Lilium lancifolium - Orange Tiger Lily – Wonderful Southern heirloom lily – a memory of Grandmother’s garden. One of the only Tiger Lilies that will dependably naturalize in our area. Basal clusters form in late winter and elongate as temperatures warm into 3’ stalks of glossy, bright green, lance-leaf foliage. Stalks are topped with multiple blooms of nodding orange flowers that are dotted with dark brown “freckles”. Full sun to part shade and moist, well drained soils.

Lycianthes rantonnetii - Variegated Blue Bush – Bright white and green foliage with rich violet- purple flowers adorn this neat, colorful shrub – can also be pruned as a climbing plant. Does well in containers or the ground. 3’x3’ or larger – but can be pruned to desired height. Plant in sun with some afternoon shade. Evergreen most winters.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris ‘Nana’ - Creeping Wire Vine – Tiny dark, glossy green leaves cover wiry stems on this evergreen creeper. Great as a groundcover between stepping stones – very tolerant of foot

Page 3 traffic. Use in hanging baskets, containers, rock gardens or train to climb up a trellis for a unique dense screen. Drought tolerant, deer resistant – sun or partial shade.

Orthosiphon sp. ’Alba’ - White Cat Whiskers – Super showy! Tender, shrubby, “mint” with terminal white flowers in heavy bloom cycles spring to fall. Responds well to pruning. Another butterfly & hummingbird nectar plant. 3’-4’ tall. Part shade.

Orthosiphon stamineus - Purple Cat Whiskers – Super showy! Tender, shrubby, “mint” with terminal lavender flowers in heavy bloom cycles spring to fall. Responds well to pruning. Another butterfly & hummingbird nectar plant. 3’-4’ tall. Part shade.

Penstemon digitalis - White Penstemon – A native, evergreen penstemon with lush, dark green foliage & 2’ stalks of tubular creamy-white flowers in spring. Sun, part shade. Hummingbirds!

Penta lanceolata - These “uprights” are the heirloom, pass-a-long originals that still carry all the sweet nectar that hummingbirds and butterflies love. The self-cleaning lanceolatas bloom non-stop with no dead-heading. They can reach up to 3’ tall and their flower clusters are 3” across thereby adding both height and color to sun, part-sun or light shade gardens. Each plant will carry dozens and dozens of clusters at one time. Normally root hardy in harsh winters – if not, cut back hard in early spring for a full plant with year-round beauty. Easy to grow and makes a decent cut flower! Ruby Glow – a stunning, rich red Starburst - pink blossoms with a dark pink center. White – pure, clean white – great for gardens that you can enjoy at night!

Rhoeo spathacea vittata - Variegated Moses-in-the-Boat – A colorful, semi-tropical groundcover that is perfect for difficult areas where a splash of color is needed. It tolerates dry shade and can be used in areas under trees where turf is thin. Sword-like, somewhat succulent leaves are deep green with purple undersides. Vittata has pink and yellow-green striped variegations. Grows 6”–12”. Prefers shade to part shade, but will grow in full sun. Moist, well-drained soil.

Rondeletia leucophylla - Rondeletia – A unique perennial with glossy, lance-leaf foliage on a dense 3’ shrub-form topped with penta-like clusters of rich, deep coral flowers in late summer-fall. This luscious looking plant is an absolute magnet for butterflies! Sun or light shade & a moist, well-drained soil. It’s root hardy in mild winters & responds well to pruning for an even fuller look.

Ruellia caroliniensis - Blue Shade Ruellia – 1-1/2”–2”, petunia-like, blue-violet flowers bloom. Periodically throughout the warm season on this 1’–3’ groundcover. Foliage is evergreen in mild winters. This is a great groundcover for shady areas and in mass plantings under trees where grass will not grow.

Salvia elegans - Pineapple Sage – A deliciously fragrant, super colorful, tough perennial with an open, airy structure of soft fuzzy green leaves and long terminal spikes of vivid red tubular flowers late summer thru fall. The fragrance of the foliage smells of pineapple! The leaves are used in fruit salads and teas, and the flowers are great in desserts and salads. It averages 3’-4’ tall and grows in full sun or part shade in moist, well-drained soil. It responds well to pruning. Hummingbirds and Butterflies!

Salvia greggii ‘Dark Pink’ - Dark Pink Autumn Sage – A shrubby, evergreen, native salvia with small oval leaves & an abundance of bright colorful flowers spring thru fall. They come in a range of colors – this one is dark pink. An absolute must for Hummingbirds! Sun, well-drained. 2’-3’.

Salvia greggii ‘Raspberry’ - Raspberry Autumn Sage – A shrubby, evergreen, native salvia with small oval leaves & an abundance of bright colorful flowers spring thru fall. They come in a range of colors – this one is raspberry pink. An absolute must for Hummingbirds! Sun, well-drained. 2’-3’

Salvia hybrid ‘Silke’s Dream’ - Silke’s Dream Salvia – This cross of Salvia darcyi x Salvia microphylla was discovered by Art Petleyof Austin, TX. Looking superficially like Salvia microphylla, the 2’x3’ clump is topped all summer and until frost with 15” spikes of rich, dark orange-red. In fall, the remarkable number of flowers explodes into a solid mass of color. Very durable and easy to grow. Hummingbirds!!!

Page 4 Salvia leucantha - Mexican Bush Sage – A beautiful, upright growing 4’ salvia with velvety purple spikes of flowers. Blooms a little in spring & summer & has its most spectacular display in fall. Prefers full sun. A must for hummingbirds!

Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ - May Night Salvia – An outstanding salvia with a compact growth habit, profuse deep purple flower spikes and a tolerance for heavy clay soils. Foliage is evergreen in winter – very cold hardy! Blooms nearly year round. Dead head occasionally. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love ‘May Night’. Deer and rabbit resistant. 12’’-16’’ high including the flower spikes. Full sun to partial sun.

Salvia oxyphora - Fuzzy Bolivia Sage – This unique and beautiful salvia is winning us over with its dark green, ridged foliage topped with spikes of fuzzy, deep pink flowers. Each flower has a “lip’’ just inviting the hummingbirds to come get a drink! Prefers some afternoon shade. Prune regularly to maintain fullness. Can reach 3’x2’. Hardy zones 8a -10 and beyond! Bloom spring thru frost. Perennial.

Salvia vanhouttei ‘Dancing Flames’ - Dancing Flames Salvia – This plant really lives up to the name - it is a riot of color!! Bright, golden variegated leaves are topped with spikes of brilliant -red flowers in the fall. This is great used in borders and along walkways, and is dynamite in mixed containers with purples, yellows and oranges. Sun, but appreciates afternoon shade. Hummingbirds and Butterflies!

Saponaria officinalis - Bouncing Bet Soapwort – Evergreen groundcover with clusters of fragrant, soft pink 1” phlox-like flowers throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial forms a dense 1' clump with flower stalks approximately 2' tall when in bloom. Also known as Soapwort, the plant will produce a soapy lather when crushed - it was used as a cleaning agent by early settlers. Deer resistant. Part sun or shade. Tolerates poor soils in wet or dry conditions.

Scutellaria sp. ‘Fuschia Fountains’ - Fuschia Fountains Skullcap – A wonderful, tough, dynamite perennial from Northern Mexico. Forms a 6" to 8" tall mound of tiny foliage and is smothered with small snapdragon-like fuschia flowers spring to fall in heavy bloom cycles. Sun, good drainage. A very long- lived perennial.

Scutellaria ‘Red Fountains’ - Red Fountains Skullcap – Colorful, low mounding perennial with small glossy green foliage covered with clusters of red tubular flowers through late spring and summer. These skullcaps mound or slightly “carpet” an area and well gently cascade over edges of raised beds. Average 8”-10” tall. Sun or light shade. Moist, well-drained soil.

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis 'Coral' - Coral Porterweed – A 2'-4' tall bushy herbaceous plant with long, elegant flower spikes of coral flowers almost constantly blooming from spring to fall. The flowers appear in clusters moving upward along the long narrow flower spikes. Prefers part shade. Tender in a hard winter. Responds well to pruning. Hummingbirds & butterflies!!!

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis ‘Purple’ - Purple Porterweed – A 2'-4' tall bushy herbaceous plant with long, elegant flower spikes of purple flowers almost constantly blooming from spring to fall. The flowers appear in clusters moving upward along the long narrow flower spikes. Prefers part shade. Tender in a hard winter. Responds well to pruning. Hummingbirds & Butterflies!!!

Stokesia laevis ‘Peachies Pick’ - Peachies Pick – Stunning! Considered the best Stoke’s Aster available. Tight evergreen rosette of foliage. A multitude of compact upright flower spikes are topped with dozens of large, lavender-blue flowers in early summer. Averages 18”-24”. Sun or part shade. Butterflies!

Tagetes lemonii - Copper Canyon Daisy – A medium sized, wonderfully textured aromatic shrubby perennial that explodes with bright golden yellow flowers in the fall & sometimes in the spring. 3’–4’ tall. Full sun, moist but well-drained soil. Butterflies! Deer-resistant.

Tagetes lucida - Mexican Mint Marigold – A wonderful fall blooming perennial that bears clusters of golden-yellow, single flowers on attractive, 2’-3’ upright, many-branched mounds. The aromatic foliage has a pleasing, anise-like scent & is popular as a substitute for tarragon. It grows best in a sunny, well- drained bed.

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Verbena canadensis - Homestead Purple Verbena – A tough, low growing, spreading perennial covered with beautiful purple flowers spring to fall. Sun.

Viola hederacea - Australian Violet – An outstanding evergreen groundcover for shade gardens! Forms a lush carpet, 1”-2” tall, of bright green foliage & is almost constantly blooming adorable white & blue violet flowers in heavy cycles spring, summer, & fall. Must have under-story conditions & especially afternoon shade. Also looks great cascading out of containers. Moist, well-drained soil.

Vitex agnus-castus ‘Montrose Purple’ - Montrose Purple Vitex – A new Vitex with slightly larger foliage & magnificent blooms that are 3 times larger than the standard Vitex & a richer, darker blue color. A drought tolerant, sun loving, small, single or multi-trunked tree up to 18’ tall. Butterflies.

Zephyranthes sp. ‘Labuffarosa’ - Labuffarosa Rainlily – A real showstopper! Blooms beautiful 2” flowers with two toned-petals of white and soft pink during rainy periods in spring, summer and fall. Attractive grass-like foliage 10” tall. Multiplies from bulb & seed. Sun or part shade. Rainlilies are spectacular in mass plantings, wonderful tucked in pockets throughout the garden, and also love showing off in containers. For a delicate looking plant, these are quite tough. Will tolerate wet & dry.

Zephyranthes sp. ‘White Labuffarosa’ – White Labuffarosa Rainlily – A real showstopper! Blooms beautiful 2” white flowers after rainy periods in spring, summer and fall. Attractive grass-like foliage grows 10” tall. Multiplies from bulb and seed. Sun or part shade. Rainlilies are spectacular in mass plantings, wonderful tucked in pockets throughout the garden, and love showing off in containers. For a delicate looking plant, these are quite tough. Will tolerate wet and dry.

Trees & Shrubs Aloysia virgata - Almond Verbena – Small single or multi-trunk “tree” with delicate-looking foliage and a constant show of 6”– 8” spikes of feathery white flowers. It’s known for its unbelievable fragrance of a heavenly honey-vanilla scent that wafts across the garden. Prefers full sun. Butterflies!

Brunfelsia magnifica - Magnificent Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – Bigger, bolder foliage and flowers than your standard Brunfelsia. Large 3”-4” violet-purple blooms, that fade to lavender and then fade to white over 4 to 5 days. 4’-6’ high and wide. Butterflies! Fragrant! Morning sun or filtered sun is best. Long bloom time in the spring. Occasionally will bloom in the fall as well.

Buddleia davidii ‘Blue Chip’ - Blue Chip Butterfly Bush – An exciting new “miniature” buddleia that averages 2’ tall and wide. It continuously blooms through the summer & fall covered with short spikes of lavender-blue fragrant flowers. This fabulous butterfly attractor is beautiful used in borders, containers, as a tall “ground cover,” and also as a great cut flower. It’s tough, can tolerate heat, drought, and cold and is deer-resistant! Full sun, moist, well-drained soil.

Callistemon viminalis 'Hannah Ray' - Hannah Ray Bottlebrush – Beautiful as a specimen or when used as a hedge. Aromatic, normally evergreen small tree with soft, feathery, apple-green foliage on limbs with a slightly weeping form. Long spring blooming cycle with large bright red bottlebrush flowers. Averages 10'-12' tall. Sun or light shade & good drainage. A hummingbird magnet!!!

CITRUS Improved Meyer Lemon – The Meyer lemon tree is considered the world's gourmet lemon. The fruit is sourest in August, and sweetest in January. Although it bears heavily November through April, the tree is ever bearing - flowers and fruit are present on the tree at the same time. Meyer grows to about 10’ tall and 8’-10’ wide and produces heavy crops year after year. Allowed to ripen on the tree, the rind turns golden. Meyer tolerates temperatures down to 29ºF. If Meyer freezes to the ground in hard freeze (every 20 years) it will grow and produces again in 18 months. The tree is believed a hybrid between Citrus limon, the lemon, and Citrus reticulata, the mandarin orange.

Kishu Seedless Mandarin – Mild flavor, sweet and juicy—like eating tangerine candy. Good for eating out of hand or for juicing. Dwarf tree, good for containers. Cold hardy to the mid-20s once established.

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Rhode Red Valencia Orange – Rhode Red is a unique Valencia orange because it exceeds most other Valencias in volume of juice with less acidity. It was discovered in a grove near Sebring, Florida by Paul Rhode in 1955. Medium to large fruit with a deep orange color and super sweet flavor –few seeds. Although it is a darker orange than most Valencias, it is not red like a blood orange –we’re not sure why it was named Rhode Red! Fruit can hold on the tree for several weeks after ripening.

Chandler Pummelo – Pink pulp is sweet and juicy. Easily segmented for eating fresh. Lacks the tartness of grapefruit. Very few seeds. May grow to the size of a soccer ball.

Ficus carica - Fig – Figs are easy to grow, drought tolerant, and are relatively disease and pest free. They are a wonderful in the garden and are a practical way of creating a large, full screen. You can also plant one as a large, dramatic accent plant. The sculptured trunks & limbs provide winter interest. The added bonus is the delicious fruit in the summer & fall! Most fig trees mature anywhere from 12’ x 12’ to 20’ x 20’ & can easily be pruned if absolutely necessary. All figs need sun and a well-drained soil. Celeste, Improved Celeste – The best for our area. Purple-brown skin, pink flesh. Medium fruit, excellent flavor. Closed eye. This is the “sugar fig” of heirloom gardens. Very cold hardy.

Hibiscus hamabo - Yellow Tree Hibiscus – A beautiful & unique hibiscus “tree” that grows about 10’-12’ tall & 10’-12’ wide. This hardy, deciduous large shrub or small tree has attractive, somewhat rounded leaves with a silver backing & is covered with 3”-4” bright sulphur-yellow flowers with a maroon center in summer. In the fall, this plant becomes a blaze of color; a yellow-red-orange show stopper. It likes full sun & a well-drained soil.

Prunus mexicana - Mexican Plum – Outstanding native spring blooming tree with very fragrant white flowers! Slowly grows to about 20’. Sun, part shade. Produces a tasty small plum. Great for eating, for jellies, jams, & for sharing with the birds! Butterfly nectar & host plant.

Rhamnus caroliniana - Carolina Buckthorn – Small tree or shrub that matures to 10’–15’. Carolina buckthorn is prettiest under the shade of a large tree. It’s creamy springtime blossoms are followed by gorgeous berries that turn red in late summer and hold this bright color for a couple of months, finally ripening to black in October. As soon as they ripen, they are devoured and treasured by several species of birds. Deciduous to almost evergreen, with leaves turning bright yellow in the fall. This is a must for any habitat garden!

Rosa ‘Chi Long Han Zhu’ – Also called ‘White Pearl in Red Dragon’s Mouth’, this ancient garden rose is tough as nails, blooms cheerfully through rain, heat and the occasional winter freeze. Being a China rose, it is long-lived, becoming more dense over time. New growth may have touches of purple, dark red or bronze. Heat tolerant, drought-resistant – this red rose can fill almost any landscaping niche and do so without fertilizers, sprays or deadheading. China roses do not go dormant in the winter – they are inspired by winter rains to bloom in generous masses. China roses prefer minimal pruning. Overall size can reach 3’x3’.

Rosa ‘Mutabilis’ – An outstanding China rose that never seems to stop blooming! A large, full shrub covered with single roses of yellow, orange, rich pink and crimson. Almost evergreen in mild winters. Sun, averages 4’-6’.

Rosa ‘Belinda’s Dream’ – A garden favorite because it is almost constantly in bloom with tidy, high- centered, richly fragrant, full double, medium pink blooms. Upright. Beautiful blue-green foliage. Full sun, good drainage. 3’-4’ x 3’–4’ average. Texas SuperstarTM.

Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’ – This is the incredible rose that survived Hurricane Katrina, continuing to live in the salt water flooded yard of Peggy Martin in Plaquemines Parish, near New Orleans. Long arching canes give this rose a graceful rambling form and clusters of showy, bright pink flowers make it a stunning accent in any garden. Covered with clusters of flowers each spring from mid-March through May, it starts blooming again in late summer and repeat blooms until a frost slows it down in win-ter. Thornless and disease resistant. Full sun. Moist, well-drained soil.

Page 7 Sophora secundiflora - Texas Mountain Laurel – A small, but gorgeous, native evergreen tree or large shrub that blooms large wisteria-like clusters of very fragrant purple flowers in spring. It can eventually reach 18’. Full sun and good drainage.

Vines Bauhinia yunnanensis - Pink Orchid Vine - It’s spectacular! Tough, fast growing & cold hardy (actually semi-evergreen in mild winters). This beautiful and unusual vine has wonderful 1” double “kidney”- shaped leaves, and is covered with terminal racemes of 2” orchid-like pink flowers in late spring, all summer, and into fall. It’s drought tolerant once established & prefers full sun.

Tomatoes & Herbs Tomatoes Black Krim– A most unusual novelty. Fruits are a dark, deep red (almost a shiny black) with heavy green shoulders. Interior is a deep, reddish-green color. Sweet and tasty. Matures extremely early. Indeterminate.

Black Prince– This delicious heirloom hails from Siberia. This is a fairly early tomato, and one that is more apt to set fruit in cool climates. The small, dark-red, slightly pear-shaped fruits begin maturing a little more than 2 months after planting. Black Prince yield from 25 to 40 pounds of tomatoes per plant over a 3-month harvest season. The flavor is worthy of a chef’s table! Vigorous vines grow best in tall cages.

Cherokee Purple – Large open pollinated: A reliable producer of unusual, medium pink-purple fruits that appear brown in color, and average 8 to 12 oz. apiece. Fruits are round to oblate, with no cracking. Exhibits tolerance to mild drought as well as to common diseases. Indeterminate.

Pierce’s Pride – Heirloom. Deep, black-red in color and very flavorful. Medium-large fruits are great for slicing. Late and indeterminate. 90 days from transplant.

Rose Tomato – Amish heirloom. Large, crack resistant, 10 oz. fruits are meaty and dusty rose colored. Flavor is excellent, and is considered by some to rival Brandywine. Plants are vigorous and strong with good leaf cover.

Steak Sandwich – Vigorous but compact, loads of fruits at a time. Harvest summer through fall. These tomatoes need at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water per week and prefer six hours or more of direct sun each day.

Super Beefsteak Tomato – Delicious, flavorful, meaty fruits averaging 1 lb red beefsteak tomatoes. Crack resistant. Extremely vigorous plants. Indeterminate. VFN.

Valencia – Round, smooth orange fruits average 8-10 oz. Their meaty interiors have few seeds. This midseason tomato is among the best for flavor and texture. Requires staking. Indeterminate.

Herbs Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum' - Bronze Fennel – Soft feathery aromatic foliage with yellow blooms against delicate bronze-green leaves. It has a very distinct flavor of licorice. Great plant for supporting beneficial insects as well as butterfly larvae and a great host plant for the swallowtail butterfly. Grows to 4' and needs full sun to part shade with soil that is loose rich and well drained.

Melissa officinalis – Lemon Balm – A perennial herb in the mint family –Lemon Balm is a calming herb whose leaves have a gentle lemon scent. In the summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear – a major bee attractor! Crush some leaves and rub them on your skin to help repel mosquitos! Full to part sun.

Mentha piperita - Chocolate Mint – This herb has a delicious chocolate and peppermint fragrance. Its leaves are bronze-green and its blooms are long, feathery and lavender-hued. Perennial – likes full or partial sun. Bees & butterflies flock to mint flowers. Keep well-watered. A great mint to add to your herb collection!

Page 8 Mentha spicata ‘Kentucky Colonel’ – Kentucky Colonel Spearmint – Large, dark green, crinkled fragrant, tasty leaves – lilac, pinkish, white flowers in summer. Easily grown in most soils. Do not overwater. Grows well in containers – prune to remove flower heads and encourage new leaf growth. A delicious sweet mint! Plant in sun to part sun.

Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum 'Dark Opal' - African Blue Basil – What a gorgeous plant this is! Even if you don’t use it in recipes, it makes an outstanding addition to any landscape, garden or container. It is a bushy plant that can grow up to 3’ in a season and is stunning with its purple blushed foliage and pinkish- purple flower spikes. It’s continuous growth and flower production are unmatched by other basils because it is sterile and will not produce seed. The flowers can last for weeks in a floral arrangement. An outstanding pollinator plant!!!!!

Origanum x majoricum - Italian Oregano – Often called the “pizza herb” for its distinct hearty flavor that pairs so well with tomatoes. A great evergreen herb that you can use all year long. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Cut and use often and it will reward you with continuous, lush growth. A great groundcover, border edging and container herb. Drought tolerant, fragrant, edible. Sun to part sun. Super cold hardy into low 20’s.

Thymus citriodorus - Lemon Thyme – Looks like English thyme, grows like English thyme, but that is where the similarity stops. Lemon thyme’s lemony fragrance and flavor make it ideal for any recipe calling for lemon juice, lemon zest or lemon flavoring. Low growing, easy to grow, blooms light pink flowers. Sun to part sun – evergreen in mild winters – perennial most years. Great in rock gardens or between stepping stones. Cut often for continued growth of edible foliage.

Thymus serpyllum - Mother of Thyme – Also known as creeping thyme – a staple for every herb garden. Used in cooking for centuries, it is also a great border plant, between stepping stones, in rock gardens and containers. Low growing, easy to grow, pink flowers. Sun to part sun. Evergreen in mild winters – perennial many years. Cut often for continued growth of edible foliage.

Local nurseries that carry Treesearch plants:

 The Arbor Gate – 15635 FM 2920 Rd., Tomball, TX 77377 - (281) 351-8851  Buchanan’s Native Plants – 611 East 11th Street, Houston, TX 77008 - (713) 861-5702  Joshua’s Native Plants – 502 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77008 - (713) 862-7444  Nature’s Way Resources – 101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe, TX 77385 – (936) 321-6990  Nelson’s Water Gardens – 1502 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, TX 77493 - (281) 391-4769

Near Northwest Management District

The State of Texas created the Near Northwest Management District in 2001 to address concerns about public safety and economic development in our area. The District’s mission is to promote and coordinate economic growth, the creation and beautification of area green spaces and promote and supplement public security within our boundaries. www.nnmd.org

Near Northwest Community Improvement Corporation

The Near Northwest Community Improvement Corporation coordinates with the Near Northwest Management District to promote economic growth, cultural activities and the public welfare if the near northwest area of Houston by supporting existing programs and/or crating programs that will benefit the Near Northwest community. http://www.nnmd.org/programs/near-northwest-community-improvement- Page 9 corporation