Brazoria County Master Association

WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON

OCTOBER 2009

Contents Ready, set, grow...cool season flowers BY ann mClain Cool Season Flowers 1 Now that our weather is Easter cards and spring scene here, naturalizing And take a chance, try BEES Buzz 3 moving toward cool and wrapping paper, and you easily and persisting these ―miniature‖ narcis- wet at last, it‘s time to have the classic variety even after the house sus from the jonquil Winter Weeds 4 think a bit about provid- called ‗King Alfred‘. they once surrounded is division: ing our flower beds with Enjoy the pictures – it gone. One old variety October Job Jar 5 ‗Minnow‘ – two-toned some cool season inter- isn‘t likely to appear in especially recommended yellow flowers on a Book Review 5 est. Although many of your . by TAMU‘s Dr. Welch is short, ten-inch stem. our favorite flowering ‗Grand Primo‘, with clus- Inquiring Gardener 6 On the other hand, we will continue to ters of cream and yellow ‗Pipit‘ – saucer is yellow have the classic south- produce right through flowers. At the Hous- and the corona is yel- Plants of the Month 7 ern narcissus, called the winter, others are ton low streaked with ‗Campernelle‘. It ap- Prez Sez 8 disappearing or settling Garden white; short . pears to be a hybrid of into a resting state. Club‘s ‗Trevithian‘ – golden Announcements 8 Narcissus odorus, with What can we do to have Annual yellow and fragrant. two to four bell-like a new interest for win- Bulb A sort of junior Cam- flowers per stem, ter and some early Mart, pernelle. sweetly scented, as the spring appeal? most of name would sug- Narcissus should be the varieties offered In the temperate world, gest. planted in October or COMING UP are Tazettas. the ultimate sign of Sev- November, preferably in spring is the narcissus, eral Of course, Houston‘s well drained with  FREE October Seminar also called daffodil or books growing conditions are good humus content. Sat, 10/10/09 jonquil. For us, the pa- claim not ours, but the Bulb References say that 10:00 am—11:30 am, perwhite narcissus pops that it Mart‘s list is a good both ‗Campernelle‘ and Lake Jackson Public Library up and into bloom so happily place to start if you ‗Tevithian‘ tolerate wet- ―Fall Flowers in the Garden‖ early that we should tolerates heavy, wet want to experiment with ness, but why not give  BCMGA BOARD MEETING properly consider it a clay. One source men- Narcissus. Consider them the best you can. Tues, 10/13/09 sign of winter, although, tions a jonquil , these as annuals, and you Plant them 2‖ deep, 5:30 pm AgriLIFE Office surely, with a promise of ‗Trevithian‘, as a good may be pleasantly sur- which means with 2‖ of All members welcome! spring to come. substitute for it, al- prised. Some varieties: soil above the shoulder though it‘s not clear if it of the bulb. A layer of BCMGA MEETING Narcissus is a huge ge- ‗Grand Soleil d‘Or‘ – an is as tough. sand underneath is rec- Tues, 10/13/09 nus, so big that it has old variety, with deep ommended, too. Good 6:30 pm AgriLIFE Office been broken up into Varieties from the divi- yellow saucers and spacing is 6‖ apart. Fer- eleven subdivisions. sion Tazetta are our orange-red coronas.  FREE November Seminar tilize after bloom, to Some of these sub- best bets for Brazoria ‗Inball‘ – white coronas Wed, 11/04/09 increase the chances groups won‘t grow well County. These are the and saucers. Suppos- 12:05 pm—12:50 pm, that they will return, here. Unfortunately, paperwhites, plus some edly the fragrance is Lake Jackson Public Library and leave the foliage on among those is the big, close relatives. What all less musky than the ―Winterize Veggie ‖ until it turns brown. flashy trumpet division, of these varieties have older varieties, and  FREE December Seminar which I grew up calling in common is that each the stems are shorter. Braiding or twisting the Wed, 11/04/09 daffodils. These have a bloom stem carries a foliage to make it die ‗Ziva‘ – white saucers 10:00 am—11:30 am, very large trumpet aris- cluster of flowers. The faster defeats the with gold coronas. Lake Jackson Public Library ing from the saucer of flowers have a short whole purpose, which is ―Holiday Plants‖ the perianth petals, and stubby corona sitting on ‗Erlicheer‘ – a double to store up plenty of each stem has one a perianth or saucer. flowered form; white energy for next year. flower. Picture the yel- saucers and creamy Narcissus prefer sun, Some of these varieties low daffodil printed on yellow coronas. Really have long been on the (Continued on page 2) pretty. WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 2

Cool season flowers (continued from page 1) but they can tolerate a little bit acquired, but don‘t count on them whatsoever...there‘s nothing at all. new varieties tolerate pretty of shade. Be careful where you to return next year. Some will, much full sun, as long as the tem- The old fashioned rule of thumb put paperwhites – not everyone most won‘t. But they are gor- peratures are cool. Pansies have for planting ranunculus is to put finds their powerful fragrance geous while they last. There are big faces, while violas are smaller them out on Thanksgiving. Actu- pleasant. If the bulbs do natural- forms of which are likely and more dainty looking, although ally, it may be better to aim at ize, you will need to dig and divide to stay with you awhile. One is they are plenty tough. early November, hoping to hurry every four years, or else they will the species Freesia laxa var alba, growth along. These bulbs need push themselves up out of the also known as refracta. The flow- to get into flower while it‘s still soil. ers on this species are said to be cool, because warm weather will creamy white, and they are very Another old-timey bulb for our melt them. The main thing is that fragrant. I was given a clump of cool season is the snowflake the heat of summer must be over what I think is this species, al- (Leucojum aestivum). Like the before you plant. Soak ranunculus though to my eye it is more yellow oldest paperwhite varieties, this bulbs for at least twelve hours in Another good choice from the than white. Its fresh looking is naturalized around many old warm water. You can add a bit of garden center is sweet alyssum. foliage is green from October home sites. The Latin name stimulator to the water. This occasionally decides that it is through May, and it blooms for means ―summer snowflake‖, and it Then plant them with the gnarly a perennial, and blooms right about a month in spring. must bloom in ―fingers‖ pointing down, in well through the summer and on for summer some- should be planted after drained soil and full sun. Plant another winter. It comes in where. But the weather cools, which probably them 1‖-2‖ deep. You could space white, and here it will pop means November for us. They them out to come up through a also in a out its nodding should be set pointed end up, ground cover, which would make a range of little 1‖ white about 1‖ deep and 2‖ apart. Re- bigger show of a few bulbs. But if pastel bells about the member, you‘re planting a mass of ranuncu- shades. same time the when you lus, put them about 6‖ apart. But, if you narcissus ap- can‘t tell Mark where you plant this one – want those pastels, you‘ll have to pear, in January. There is a which end the emerging foliage looks exactly get seeds and start them yourself named variety not readily avail- of a bulb is like a weedy relative we all have – local garden centers have only able called ‗Gravetye Giant‘ that‘s the top, (see page 4). You don‘t want to white. Oh well. The white tends not very different from the spe- plant it on pull out your expensive bulb be- to be tougher, and more fragrant, cies. If you order bulbs, be sure its side. fore it gets to the good part. anyway. that you are getting ―aestivum‖; Freesias Now, having planted these bulbs, Lately, I have been trying another there are other species, but this prefer a cushion of sand under how about adding a nice annual little sprawler. This is toad flax, is the only one that can bloom in the bulb, and they want very well groundcover to surround them and or linaria. You will probably have our mild winters. drained soil in full sun. dress them up? I have a few to get seeds for this, although Snowflakes should be planted in There is one more bulb that I like suggestions here, too. One possi- October or November, too. They to plant. It‘s a bit pricey, espe- bility would be to plant dianthus, would like to be in a semi-shady cially since it absolutely will not in some complementary color. spot, and they tolerate dampness. return for a second year, but I These can be perennial, of course, Put them 2‖ deep, and 4‖ apart. just love the flowers. This is the but they will suffer in the sum- They look especially good in ranunculus, or Persian buttercup. mer, so, unless they are something clumps and drifts, although a The modern varieties produce really special, you‘ll want to pull some nurseries have it occasion- small clump nodding in a corner by several stalks a foot or more tall, them out by the time the bulb ally. It‘s easy from seed, if you the walkway looks good, too. with deeply cut, lacy . The tops have dried. The problem is have to go that way. It can grow flowers are double and present as that many easily bought dianthus to a wispy 12‖ or so, or it may just If you decide to brighten your balls of overlapping petals, and come in colors that may not flat- flop over, which is good, too. The space with freesias, put them they ter the colors of the bulbs men- flowers are like tiny, open-faced near your door or where you like come in tioned above. snapdragons, and they come in a to sit in the spring sun. All those many lovely range of soft colors: pink, bath and body type products are Pansies and violas are another colors. yellow, white, terra cotta, purple. onto something – freesia smells choice, and their colors are usu- These are It doesn‘t mind cold, but will good! The modern hybrid forms ally more in the same ranges as definitely crash when temperatures rise. don‘t smell as wonderful as the old our bulb prospects. The whole annual for -fashioned ones, but they do grow pansy tribe does not like warm So clear out some spaces in your us – when more strongly and have larger weather, so wait until things cool flower beds for winter color. the plant flowers, in very lovely shades such down before planting. November Anywhere a ginger or or collapses, as peach and rose and blue, often should be good. Traditionally, rudbeckia has died down for a you will with white throats. The modern pansies/violas were thought to be rest there may be a hole crying to find no hybrids will be the most easily for semi-shade, but most of the be filled. Let it be with color. bulb WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 3 The bees buzz

3rd QUARTER WEATHER TROPICAL GARDEN UPDATE

Did anyone else, besides the newsletter editor, have a water bill this Submitted by: Carole Wenny summer that was higher than electric with A/C running non-stop? Whew…all the tropicals that had a tough winter, some killing back to the ground, did return with mild weather. Even the As of September, the U.S. Drought Monitor still lists the county as D-2, plumerias made it. Then, of course, some plants suffered from ―Severe Drought‖, even with the recent . The newest release of the the prolonged tropical heat, and some plants suffered from the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts improvement through the end of absent tropical rainfall. All in all, though, the gardens had December. Let‘s hope the forecast pans out. something to display throughout the summer. The ‗Raspberry Ice‘ Bougainvillea never stopped blooming and remains in a bat- tle with the Brazilian Sky Flower (Thunbergia grandiflora) as to Alvin (near FM 1462 & Rosharon Road) KTXALVIN4 which can put out the longest July August Sept Year to Date ‗arms‘. However, the Purple Alla- Brazilian Sky Vine High Temp 100.6° 101.7° 96.6° 104.7° manda Vine, also known as Rubber Low Temp 72.1° 72.9° 66.6° 32.5° Vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) Avg Temp 85.4° 84.6° 78.6° 73.5° has them both beat. The plum- bagos, durantas, and bauhinias had Historical Temp 82.0° 82.0° 78.0° 70.0° to be cut back to keep them in Avg Humidity 54.8% 53.6% 58.5% 53.7% bounds. The crinums were more Max (mph) 26 NNW 25 NNW 16 N 35 N dependable than the cannas. The Avg Wind (mph) 4.1 3.0 1.7 3.0 Crown of Thorns varieties we have 2.32‖ 2.44‖ 1.69‖ 24.19‖ didn‘t mind the dryness, so they Historical Rain 5.30‖ 3.90‖ 6.80‖ 38.00‖ bloomed sporadically. The biggest disappointments were Angleton (BEES-FM 523 & Hospital Drive) Compiled by Ted Jagen the gingers and the angel trum- July August Sept Year to Date pets (Brugmansias). Most gingers High Temp 96.5° 98.0° 93.7° 99.4° never bloomed at all. Of the five Low Temp 71.9° 70.5° 65.0° 28.1° brugmansias we have, only one, the Avg Temp 85.7° 84.3° 77.8° 72.6° yellow near the entrance to the Photo courtesy of http:// Historical Temp 83.0° 82.8° 79.0° 71.4° gardens, just put out some blooms www.desert-tropicals.com Avg Humidity following the recent rains. We Max Wind (mph) 33 S 27 SE 28 WNW 38 ESE lost some hibiscus plants that were moved to make the path- Avg Wind (mph) 1.7 1.8 2.1 3.3 ways all 4-feet wide. The tri-color leaved hibiscus (Hibiscus Rain 1.36‖ 1.38‖ 4.30‖ 18.97‖ rosa-sinensis, unknown cultivar) rebelled by becoming bi- Historical Rain 4.34‖ 4.83‖ 7.49‖ 43.96‖ colored, the white markings all but disappearing! The plu- marias were less showy than usual, but we didn‘t fertilize be- cause of the drought and plumerias are very heavy feeders, so Lake Jackson (Willow Drive & Old Angleton Road) KTXCOLDS3 lack of may have made a difference. July August Sept Year to Date Nothing bothered the bamboo varieties except maybe those of High Temp 96.6° 97.1° 92.8° 98.6° us who had to whack it back to keep it from covering every- Low Temp 71.4° 72.7° 66.3° 30.6° thing. Thanks to all who helped in this endeavor. It is possible Avg Temp 84.9° 84.7° 77.9° 73.1° that the addition of edging and mulching all the beds made the Historical Temp 84.0° 84.0° 80° 71.9° gardens look so much Avg Humidity 79.7% 78.5% 85.5% 80.0% better that people Max Wind (mph) 18 WNW 6 NW 13 E 27 E didn‘t notice the un- Avg Wind (mph) 1.2 .8 1.2 2.3 happy plants as much! Rain 3.09‖ 2.40‖ 6.45‖ 20.10‖ Historical Rain 5.90‖ 4.60‖ 8.10‖ 40.20‖

Caveat lector (let the reader beware). These readings are for specific places. Given the random raindrops in the county, one mile away may have different precip readings. Also, these are all personal weather stations ‘Raspberry Ice’ and may or may not adhere to National Weather Service standards. Bougainvillea Variegated leaves too — Historical data is from U.S. State Department Country Studies for Alvin over-the-top color and Lake Jackson; and weatherbase.com for Angleton. WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 4 winter weeds

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by AgriLIFE Extension or BCMGA is implied

With cool season flowers come... cool season weeds. Yes, they‘re just beginning to pop up now and will reach a crescendo in early spring. Add a topping of to flower and shrub beds to keep about 3‖ of mulch over bare ground. That will suppress germination of new weeds. If any seed into the mulch, or grow through the mulch, ―weed‖ them out before they flower and set seed. In lawns, TAMU turf specialist, Dr. Jim McAfee, recommends pre-emergent in very early autumn to control winter broad-leafed weeds. If weeds are already present in turf, use a post-emergent for the specific weeds you want to control. As always, READ THE LABEL to make sure the herbicide is both safe for the type of turf you have and effective on the weed(s) you want to kill. The following represent just a few of the non-native winter weeds we‘re likely to see. For a rogue‘s gallery of many different weeds and their growing seasons, see http://scsphotogallery.tamu.edu/gallery/JimMcAfeeWeeds?page=1

Common Chickweed And is it ever common! Makes a large mat of tiny leaves and weeny white flowers. Hard to believe that all those leaves come from a thread-like stem. Easy to weed out, but this annual‘s seeds will blow in from everywhere. Plan on having it every year. Don‘t mistake it for self-seeded sweet alyssum.

Why mulch? Here‘s graphic proof...these appeared within the last week in an unmulched area. There are 7 different weeds in 1 sq. ft.!

Bedstraw (various species) This annual is easy to identify. The sprawling stems have Buttercup (Ranunculus spp) whorls of 5 to 8 leaves covered This is the one whose leaves look just like your expen- with fine velco — they‘ll stick sive Ranunculus bulbs. Same genus, not same flowers! to almost anything. Easy to uproot, but you‘ll be walking around with pieces of it at- White Clover tached to your clothing. It sets seeds after the tiny white Does anyone not recognize flowers. clover? As a perennial, the whole plant needs to come out, or it will continue to grow. Long hold the plant tenaciously in the soil. The better the soil, the deeper the . Get it while it‘s young.

Spiny Sowthistle No matter which of the 50 states you‘re in, spiny (or prickly) sowthistle will be with you. An intro- duced annual, it puts out a False Dandelion Young plant on left. Mature on right. There deep fleshy tap root, has are several plants called ―false dandelion‖ in this area. They all prickly leaves with yellow look rather like leaf lettuce when young. And they‘re prolific. flowers appearing in early spring. But don‘t let it go that long or the root might be a foot deep. WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 5 October job jar—what should we do this month?

Perennials & Summer Flowering Blubs/ dead last in the priority list, so drought cer- planting the slow-growing . Put them Rhizomes: BeBe Brown, Brenda Gerstle, and tainly is one reason. Or, maybe we watered, where you won‘t have to pull them out just as Jo Ann Holt all agree that now is the time to but we did it in full afternoon sun and we they start to be useful. be moving and dividing perennials. Brenda will cooked the grass. Secondary problems, such Hardy Woody Ornamentals: Ann McLain be working on irises, shasta daisies, and some as cinch bugs, may have struck while the grass says this is not the time to be transplanting of her salvias. BeBe will be dividing clumps of was stressed. Whatever the cause, it won‘t any well-established shrubs or small trees – ornamental grass, and planting lily bulbils hurt to wait awhile to see if it will recover. it‘s still too warm, and the stress of warm (those little black balls that form in the leaf The basic remedy would be to re-sod, but wait nights may kill the transplants. But if your axils of tiger lilies.) until spring for that. One reason is that sod garden plans call for this woody to be moved producers had a bad summer, too, and avail- Division is just what it sounds like. Woody over there, here‘s something you can do now able sod is likely to be stressed and of lower ornamentals (trees and shrubs) don‘t increase to prepare. Root the transplant-to- quality, or it may be higher priced to account outward at the base (although they may be will help. With a sharp spade, cutting for all the water it needed through the sum- sucker – but that‘s a different story). But straight down, cut a circle around the base of mer. Good reasons to wait. herbaceous plants, those that don‘t make the shrub (but do not cut under the root mass woody trunks, usually do grow outward as well Roses: Barbara Ray says that keeping your itself.) How big should the circle be? It as up. Some perennials may throw new shoots roses watered is the best thing you can do should fall within the area you plan to include so vigorously to the sides that the centers die this month. Renew the mulch on the beds. in the root ball you will dig. The rule for entirely, leaving a ring-shaped plant. The good You can, and should, cut out dead parts from trees is for the circle to be maybe 7‖ out part of this is that as the clumps get fatter, the bushes, but don‘t deadhead or do any from a 1‖ diameter tree trunk. It‘s harder to they can easily be divided to make new plants. pruning into live wood. This might stimulate give a guideline for multi-stemmed shrubs. When you replant the smaller pieces, they growth, which is not a good thing as the possi- You want to think about how big a root ball grow much more vigorously than if you had not bility of frost approaches. If you have been you can handle, and remember that the major- done the dividing. spraying (as for black spot), don‘t stop now. ity of the roots will be under the canopy of the plant. How you divide, and what tool you use, de- Veggies: Debbie Soderman reminds us that pends on the plant. But the basic idea is the October is still a good time to be planting In response to the root pruning, the shrub will same. A good place to start is to cut the root crops, such as carrots, beets, radishes, grow new, tighter roots around its base to clump in half; often we do this with a sharp, and turnips. It‘s also not too late to set out replace the extended roots you cut. The re- square ended spade. Garden knives, small the kale family: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sult will be less stress later when you sever saws, hand clippers, and fingers may all come and Brussels sprouts. If you do, remember to the deeper roots under the root ball. Wait into play. There‘s no ―right size‖ for the divi- fertilize when you plant and again when fruit- until December to dig out the root-pruned sions, except for this bottom line: each clump ing starts. (She also reminds us that most of tree or shrub. must have live roots and it must have at least our gardens do not require phosphorus or Tropical Ornamentals: Spring is the only one active shoot. Live roots are usually , so use a nitrogen only fertilizer.) time to think about transplanting anything springy and flexible; dead roots are woody and Ray Michalik‘s strategy in the vegetable gar- that‘s not 100% hardy. However, if you have stiff. Replant your divisions in the garden, or den is to harvest most of the fall veggies by some in-ground tropicals (like hibiscus) that pot up extras to give away. January 1. This is so that he can be ready to you‘d like to pot protect in the winter you can Lawns: Has the past year of drought left plant his potatoes in late January. If this is root prune them now -- see Hardy Woody your lawn with expanses of dead grass? What your strategy, too, you need to take note that Ornamentals for the procedure -- and put should you do? Paula Craig says that your some cool season crops, such as Brussels them in pots when a freeze is predicted. The grass may not be really truly dead, but if it is, sprouts, need 75 days from planting out until denser root ball formed over the next two there may be several reasons why it happened. they start to bear. From October 1 to Janu- months will assist the plant to survive in a pot For many of us, watering the grass comes ary 1 is only 92 days, so plan ahead if you‘re as well as being much easier to move. Now read this

Garden Bulbs for the South. 2nd Edition. Ogden, Scott. Timber Press: Portland. 2007, 396 pp, $34.95 ―Bulbs‖ is a bit of a misnomer, but Garden Bulbs, , Rhizomes, The narrative style offers history, how various Latin and common Tubers and Tuberous Roots for the South would have been a mouthful. names came into use, the conditions of the plant‘s native and This is an indispensible reference for southern . The author growing tips. A goodly number of photos accompany the text. covers almost every type of plant that stores food in below ground Only one serious flaw mars the book‘s usefulness. There is no consis- structures. The extensive plant entries make enjoyable reading. tent synopsis of a plant‘s growing conditions. Only rarely does the In a different format than most encyclopedic references, plants are author mention that a plant only grows on the coast, or not south of generally grouped by bloom season. This format makes it easier for Dallas for instance. Experienced gardeners will know to ask others the gardener to see what might bloom together. The drawback is that for personal experiences, but newer gardeners will have a harder time any plant has to be looked up in the index to find the page reference. determining whether an unusual plant will grow in their gardens. WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 6 Ann MCLain, The inquiring gardener: plant sale preparation

If it’s October, it must be time roses will be contributing a may end up with more pieces than team. The propagators will do to get ready for the Spring branch or two for cuttings as the you need. And branches cut back the potting and rooting, but if Plant Sale. The 2010 Spring weather cools a little. Rose cut- for tidiness can make good cut- you can stay to help, that‘s a Plant Sale will be April 24, and tings rooted now may not fatten tings. Here are some guidelines plus. When they‘re busy, more yes, that is six months away. But up in time for our 2010 sale, but about plant contributions. hands are always helpful, and the time to start propagating they will be in good shape for they can be sure to get a  Plants especially mentioned on healthy young plants is now. Ac- 2011. proper identification for the the wish list are particularly tually, the propagating project labels if you‘re right there. In addition to plants started right nice: plumerias, hibiscus, angel began several months ago, but it‘s (And remember, that potting here in our potting shed, our plant trumpets, and roses. These not too late to join in. As you shed is where interesting sale also features interesting new plants have a lot more value if take advantage of the better plants are sometimes available things that we buy from nurser- we know what they are, so weather of fall to get your gar- to workers!) ies. Cindy expects to be buying please label carefully with vari- dens ready for the cooler half of some ―liners‖. This is a flat of ety (essential for roses), or at Our shade house is filling up fast the year, please keep that plant around 70 plugs of very small least color (for the others). with plants, but we have a second sale in mind. baby plants. We will pot them on Also, if you are bringing in shade house under construction. I talked to our plant sale coordi- and fatten them up for sale. plumeria parts, keep them in Once the is plumbed in nator, Cindy Goodrum, about how There‘s a limit to how many ten- big chunks and label which way and the shade cloth is installed, we get all the plants we offer at der things we can carry through is up. Without leaves, it‘s hard we‘ll have a big new space to put the sale. A lot of what we sell is the winter in the , so to tell, and we don‘t want to be plants for our sale. Do you have material propagated from plants this strategy will be used only for trying to root the wrong end. plants that you wouldn‘t want your we grow at BEES. This is good very popular or very interesting Cindy also has requested seed- garden to be without? Let‘s get marketing, because when potential items. She will also be buying ling Vitex – check around your them propagated, so we can share buyers ask questions about the some things in the spring to be plants for volunteers. them with our customers. plant, we can take them to see the used in creating the pre-planted  If you have other useful or parent plant. Even when the par- containers we sell. interesting plants to offer, ent plant isn‘t in bloom, it allows Cindy expects the greenhouse to check with Cindy at the customer to imagine how it be especially full this year, be- [email protected] to see will look in her own yard. This is a cause she is planning to raise a lot if they will work for our sale. definite advantage over buying of vegetable transplants for sale Cindy prefers not to have lots plants at the big box stores. at the Fruit and Citrus Sale in of odds and ends, because it Some of our mother plants fling February. Last year the vegeta- complicates our information their seeds around generously, ble babies filled a whole bench in booklet. The general rule of and the propagating crew has the greenhouse, and they were all thumb at the sale is to stock been busy digging up baby rubber sold within 30 minutes. This year six or more of each kind of vines (―purple allamanda‖), Cassias, there will be more, lots more. plant. But there are always Cindy Goodrum, Plant Sale Coordinator and Pride of Barbados. Other exceptions, and if especially and Greenhouse Manager, potting up So what can you do to help get BEES favorites need a little help good plants come in from vari- one of the Spring Plant Sale offerings. ready for the sale? To begin in germinating their seeds, and ous sources, they can add up to with, volunteer! If you are able the crew has baby coral beans up six quite quickly. So ask Cindy to come to our regular work days and ready to grow. This spec- before you decide to bring or (Tuesday and Friday mornings), tacular tree was in full bloom near not bring. you can join the propagating crew. the greenhouse during this year‘s If you don‘t know much about  When you bring in divisions or sale, and we could have sold doz- starting plants from various spare cuttings or volunteers, keep ens. Unfortunately, we had only a parts, this is a great way to learn them in good condition. Try to few seedlings. So we‘ll hope that while helping the group. Everyone collect material right before a this bumper continues to be pitches in to mix potting soil, take work day. Keep potential cut- healthy and grow well – their cuttings, and make labels. Plus, tings in water, or at least Divided Salvias (above) and Dianella spectacular parent will help sell this is where a lot of interesting wrapped in wet newspaper or (below) waiting for pots them all. plants become available for adop- paper towel to keep them Now also is the time for starting tion by those who help. Such a moist. Plastic grocery bags cuttings from many of our shrubs. deal. work well to contain newly dug This is a particularly good time to things. Give them a little wa- And you can contribute plant ma- take cuttings from hibiscus and ter, too, to minimize shock. terial! While you are cleaning up althaea (rose of Sharon), and the your beds at home you may find  Bring your contributions to the propagation crew has been doing seed pods or volunteer seedlings. potting shed and give them to that. And even though this isn‘t If you‘re dividing perennials, you someone on the propagating rose pruning time, some of our WHAT’S GROWIN’ ON P ag e 7

PLANTS OF THE MONTH fern: Woodwardia orientalis (Oriental Chain Fern, Mother Fern)

Size: 4‘‘ H x 4‘ W Another Mother fern make plantlets when situated (fronds up to 6‘ long) Mercer has mature properly. The plantlets are specimens of this fern — it‘s defi- easily potted up, but take quite Shape: Arching layered nitely an ‗ooh-aah‘ knockout — es- a while to make a mature plant. Light: Filtered sun to shade pecially in the Prehistoric Garden. Water: Consistently moist; The layered arching fronds won‘t tolerate dry This is occasionally listed as droop at the ends giving a look ―Mother Fern‖, but some ferns in of a tree fern without a trunk. Flowers: None the Asplenium genus also make Fertilize: Maintain high humus, This is a fern that can be the plantlets on their fronds. They‘re fertility for best growth centerpiece of a . generally lacier than Woodwardia, Propagation: Plantlets formed but are also called ―mother fern‖. Not commonly available; but on fronds; spores Here‘s a perfect example of how specialty nurseries, like Cald- common names cause confusion. well‘s (who sells it as Mother Fern), carry it. The evergreen leathery fronds Photo courtesy of Yucca-Do

NATIVE shrub: Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

Size: 8‘ x 8‘ unpruned Metallic wow! The flowers are prolific but too Shape: Loose rounded Another native whose Japanese small to be significant. It‘s the ensuing metallic purple ¼‖ berries Light: Dappled to full sun counterpart is more commercially that completely circle the stem in (Leaves yellow-green in available, but a must for habitat late summer-early autumn that full sun) gardens and its stunning berries. provides the wow. Birds relish Soil: Average The native range from the mid- the berries, usually stripping them Atlantic states southwest to Water: Dryish to semi- within a month of ripening. moist Texas, including Brazoria county, also extends into Mexico and the To limit the size, it can be Flowers: Tiny pale lilac- Caribbean. The pest-free decidu- whacked back to about 1‘ in winter pink cymes ous American Beautyberry is typi- without affecting next season‘s Berries: Metallic purple cally found in rather open, rich flowers and fruits. Fertilize: Average-low woodlands as an understory Available: local plant sales or pas- Propagation: Seeds, shrub. salong. stem cuttings perennial: Dianella tasmanica variegata (Variegated Blue Flax)

Size: 3‘ H x 4‘+ W Bold foliage A good grower, it makes a Shape: Upright, clumping When a variegated liriope does- healthy clump within 2 years, Light: Full sun to part sun n‘t give enough POW in the gar- remaining evergreen to at least den, try this member of the 25°. The only reported draw- Soil/Water: Well-drained/average Phormium family. We really back is that plants grown in more Foliage: Evergreen strap, green & wouldn‘t expect this Tasmanian shade in this area may get scale, white variegated native, in a climate akin to San so give it a fair amount of sun. Flowers: Tiny pale blue, allegedly Francisco, to prosper here, but The all-green Blue Flax appears followed by brilliant blue berries grow it does with a vengeance. to set heavy crops of electric Fertilize: Average In fact it‘s even being used in blue berries, but there‘s no re- Propagation: Clump division concrete planters in front of the port or picture of berries on the Lake Jackson Target store. And variegated version. Just cut off Australian nurseries report that the unattractive flower stalks if it will take periods of waterlog- it doesn‘t set berries. ging, so grow it anywhere that Available: plant sales, passalong, isn‘t permanently wet. some nurseries. Ed barrios, the prez, sez... BCMGA Well, finally a bit of rain and, oh, what a difference it made to the tropical garden. Last time I checked we had about 1.8 inches of rain Brazoria County Agri-Life Extension at BEES in the last 2 weeks, but only 1 inch at my house in Lake Jackson. It was very spotty so I know folks who received much more 21017 CR171 and some who received much less rain. Plants in the tropical garden Angleton, TX 77515 are just putting on a show with increased growth and more blooms; especially our Brugmansias which have looked stressed and have not bloomed all year. The El Niño occurrence normally reduces hurri- Phone: 979.864.1558 canes, which it has so far, but also normally gives us much more rain. Let‘s keep our fingers crossed for a wet fall. Phone: 979.388.1558 If you were at the last general meeting, you know that Carole Phone: 281.756.1558 Wenny, Ellen Pedisich and Barbara Bruyere are on the nominating committee for next year‘s BCMGA board members and committee chairs. Based on early feedback it looks like there will be several openings. Please consider serving on the leadership team and helping us make our association the best run in our State. If you are inter- ested in a leadership role please contact the nomination committee.

Editor: Monica Krancevic [email protected]

BCMGA Website: http://grovesite.com/mg/bmg

ANNOUNCEMENTS and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers Always Needed: B.E.E.S. (the gardens), every Tuesday and Friday, 7:30am—12:00pm

Hands-On Composting: Brazosport Garden Club, Tuesday, October 6, 7 pm — 9pm Master Composter Ellen Pedisich shows how it‘s done. Lake Jackson Public Library, 250 Circle Way, Lake Jackson

67th Annual Bulb Mart: Garden Club of Houston, Thursday, October 8—Saturday, October 10 9:30 am—5:00 pm Thurs & Fri; 9:30 am—2:00 pm Sat Westminster United Methodist Church, 5801 San Felipe (at Bering) 500,000 bulbs and lots of woody and herbaceous material as well. This is the big one...go early for best selection. Free lectures at 8:30 am both Friday and Saturday.

Additional information at: http://www.gchouston.org/Portals/0/MembersDocs/2009%20BPM%20Guide%20Book.pdf

Horticulture Guided Tour: Houston Zoo, Saturday, October 10, 7:30 am—9:30 am, $30 Join the Houston Zoo‘s horticultural director on a tour of the lush and diverse displays of plants at the zoo. Additional information at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/en/cev/415

Trees: Harris County Extension Precinct 2, Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 pm—9:30 pm, FREE 1000 Basspro Drive (Hwy 288 & Beltway 8), Pearland Dr. Carol Brouwer, Harris Agent is the speaker at this Green Thumb Lecture Series