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Strong and Stunning Plants for Texans

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SuperstarTEXAS ® Strong and Stunning Plants for Texans TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ® It isn’t easy to become a Texas Superstar® plant. Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the cut. Every plant earning the Texas Superstar® designation undergoes several years of extensive field trials by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, both part of the Texas A&M System. They must show superior performance under Texas’ tough growing conditions. During the field trials, plants receive minimal soil preparation, reasonable levels of water and no pesticides. What it takes to be a Superstar® What does this mean to the average homeowner? It means you will find landscape success with beautiful, proven, Texas-tough plants. Find these GO TEXAN plants at your local nursery and be sure to look GO TEXAN is the Texas for the Texas Superstar® logo on the plant tags. Department of Agriculture’s program promoting the Visit TexasSuperstar.com for additional details. products, culture and communities that call Texas The term “Texas Superstar” is a registered trademark of Texas A&M home. As a mark of Lone AgriLife Research, Texas A&M System. Star pride, the GO TEXAN logo–a glowing brand in the shape of Texas–can be found on everything from floral products and grapefruits to cowboy boots and retirement destinations. For more information, visit GoTexan.org. Angelonia, before the summer heat. If Exposure: full sun Summer Snapdragon planting in mid-summer, a Height: 12–24 inches Angelonia angustifolia shady location is advised. Plant type: annual Serena series Soil type: A well-prepared Planting time: fall bed with organic matter and Soil type: well-drained soil good drainage is best, but this Suggested uses: flower beds, Angelonia is a spreading plant is tolerant of many soil meadows and hillsides annual with upright flower types. Should be kept moist spikes that resemble minature but not too wet. Moderately Special notes: The Texas snapdragons. The Serena drought tolerant. bluebonnet, which blooms series are the only angelonias Suggested uses: excellent for between March and May, has Summer Snapdragon that are grown from seed. mass bedding, in mixed borders a blue flowering stalk that is Flower colors available include and containers. tipped with white, just like white, pink, purple, lavender Special notes: Be careful a bunny’s tail. These hearty and lavender pink. They flower plants rarely suffer from not to overwater, especially insect and disease problems, all season long until frost. if growing in containers Angelonia can be used as however a well-balanced a border planting, a ground fertilizer applied in the fall will cover or as a trailing plant for “Baby’s Breath” help with flower production. mixed containers. Euphorbias Euphorbia hypericifolia Exposure: full sun (syn. Chamaesyce hypericifolia) Texas Maroon Height: 12–18 inches Bluebonnet Plant type: annual Lupinus texensis Planting time: spring These Euphorbias are very ‘ Texas Maroon’ Soil type: most soil types, finely textured, rambling (syn. ‘Alamo Fire’) Whopper Begonias as long as well drained annuals that present the appearance of a cloud of Suggested uses: mass bedding white in the landscape. Very A selection of the Texas or ground cover, mixed borders well-suited for the hot Texas state flower is a hardy and containers summers, these unusual plants winter annual native to Special notes: Very reliable perform best as edging, ground Texas. Flowers are densely performer in all areas of Texas; cover and mixed container plants. arranged on a spike with tolerates heat well. Several varieties performed a characteristic ice white ® well in the Texas Superstar terminal tip. trials, including “White Manaus,” Whopper Begonias Exposure: full sun Begonia x semperflorens- “Breathless White,” “Silver Fog” cultorum Whopper® Series and “Hip Hop.” Height: 12–14 inches Exposure: full sun Plant type: annual Height: 12–18 inches Planting time: fall Superstar Wax begonias have long been Soil type: well-drained soil “Baby’s Breath” Euphorbias Plant type: annual a staple of Texas landscapes. Planting time: spring Suggested uses: bedding, This recently introduced series window boxes, patio containers distinguishes itself with large Suggested uses: edging, ground cover and mixed and hanging baskets leaves on large plants that Special notes: Texas maroon have enormous flowers. They container plants bluebonnets have a spreading are outstanding in shade and Special notes: Very useful growth habit and reddish- partial shade, and will tolerate for blending other flowering full sun except in extreme heat. plants together in either mixed maroon flowers with a Both green and bronze foliage borders or mixed container characteristic white terminal types are available with red plantings. Flowers heavily tip. It is recommended they or rose flowers. “Everything is through the summer until frost. are spaced 12 inches apart bigger in Texas” and Whopper when transplanting or seeding. begonias fit the bill! Texas Bluebonnet annuals Exposure: partial to full shade; Lupinus texensis does well in morning sun and Bluebonnet will tolerate full sun, except in extreme heat, especially with The Texas state flower is a low relative humidity. hardy winter annual native to Height: in shade can reach Texas. This species is the most 24–30 inches with a 12–16 inch commonly seen variety along spread. Will be shorter and roadsides and in pastures more compact with more sun. throughout the state. Flowers Plant type: annual are densely arranged on a Planting time: best in spring spike with a characteristic just after frost but can be ice white terminal tip. planted later. Will be more heat and sun tolerant if allowed to establish well Maroon Bluebonnet Lady Bird Johnson Royal heat but may behave as Suggested use: mass plantings, Blue Bluebonnet perennials in western Texas. combination plantings with other Lupinus texensis For a tight mounding plant of summer annuals such as salvia bluish green foliage, select and Mexican mint marigold, and the ‘Tiny Tim’ variety. For also make nice cut flowers for A selection of the Texas state variegated foliage, try ‘Ascot beautifying the indoors flower with a distinct royal Rainbow.’ For more of a red (cobalt) blue color was named or dark maroon color, try Dakota Gold Helenium in honor of former first lady, ‘Blackbird.’ ‘Rudolph’ has Helenium amarum ‘Dakota Gold’ Lady Bird Johnson; flowers dark green foliage with red Lady Bird Johnson Bluebonnet are densely arranged on a accents. ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ or spike with a characteristic ‘Glacier Blue’ is notable for Helenium is a native Texas ice white terminal tip. excellent cream and green wildflower that now has variegated foliage. Exposure: full sun for improved cultivars for garden optimum bloom Exposure: full sun to use. Once established, Plants Height: 12–14 inches partial shade are Texas tough, continuing to grow and flower with little or Plant type: annual Height: 1–2 feet Plant type: cool season annual no irrigation. Young plants are Planting time: sow scarified small flattened rosettes of foliage seed in the fall; if one misses Planting time: late summer and fall in the spring (or even late winter the planting window, transplants in southern locations) that Soil type: best in potting soil can be set out in late winter develop strong tap roots. By in containers but will perform Soil type: numerous, but must mid-to-late spring, a canopy of in ground beds, if soil is very be well-drained thready dark green foliage well-drained Cool Season Euphorbias Suggested uses: accent beds, develops and 1 inch diameter meadows and hillsides, as Suggested uses: best used in bright yellow composite flowers well as containers mixed containers, but also in begin to appear. Flowering Special notes: The distinct well-drained landscape beds continues through autumn. The cobalt color sets this blue- or rock gardens ‘Dakota Gold’ cultivar typically bonnet apart from the Texas Special Notes: These plants grows as low cushions of Bluebonnet. It is a vigorous are very pest and disease foliage topped with bright plant and will do best if spaced resistant. They are hardy to yellow flowers. Plants can be 12 inches apart. It tends to zone 6 and hardy in containers, grown on most any well- produce more seed than other unless the temperature drops drained soil with a sunny bluebonnets, so it should below 15° F. The most heat exposure. Good for low input easily naturalize in an area tolerant varieties are ‘Ascot landscapes where irrigation given proper care. Rainbow’ and ‘Tiny Tim.’ water is limited. Globe Amaranth Exposure: full sun Globe Amaranth Cool Season Euphorbias Height: 6–8 inches Euphorbia martinii, Gomphrena globosa Plant type: reseeding annual E. characias subsp. wulfenii, E. amygdaloides Planting time: anytime Globe amaranth (known by from containers USDA Zone 6 some as bachelor’s buttons) Soil type: well-drained slightly These cold and drought- are versatile, often overlooked, acidic soil is best, but it adapts tolerant winter annuals summer annuals that thrive in to alkaline clay soils as long as provide mounds of color in the the Texas heat. Varieties range drainage is adequate landscape from fall to spring. in size from 8 to 48 inches, and Suggested uses: accent, border They are not fond of summer vary in color from whites to annuals pinks to lavenders to dark, rich Larkspur purples. The All Around, Las Consolida ambigua Vegas, QIS and Audray series, and Fireworks varieties are USDA Zone 7 Dakota Gold Helenium good performers. This reseeding annual has a backward-projecting spur, Exposure: full sun formed by the upper petal of Height: 1–4 feet and about the flower. The long spikes or as wide, depending on variety panicles of flowers come in Plant type: heat-loving, both single and double forms. summer annual Colors range from various Planting time: early summer shades of blue or purple-blue after nights become warm to pink and white.
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  • Shrub Swamp State Rank: S5 - Secure

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  • Nannyberry (Viburnum Lentago)

    Nannyberry (Viburnum Lentago)

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  • ASLEEP at the WHEEL MERRY TEXAS CHRISTMAS Y’ALL! Friday, December 9, 2016, 7:30 Pm

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  • Pruning Shrubs in the Low and Mid-Elevation Deserts in Arizona Ursula K

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    az1499 Revised 01/16 Pruning Shrubs in the Low and Mid-Elevation Deserts in Arizona Ursula K. Schuch Pruning is the intentional removal of parts of a plant. visibility and safety concerns is sometimes necessary. These Pruning needs of shrubs commonly planted in the low and can be minimized by allowing sufficient space for the plant mid-elevation deserts in Arizona vary from no pruning to reach its mature size in the landscape. Renovating or to regular seasonal pruning. Requirements vary by plant rejuvenating old or overgrown shrubs through pruning species, design intent, and placement in a landscape. Fast generally improves the structure and quality of the plant, growing shrubs generally need frequent pruning from the and results in improved displays for flowering shrubs. Some time of establishment until maturity, while slow growing shrubs are grown as formal hedges and require continuous shrubs require little to none. Pruning should only be done pruning to maintain their size and shape. when necessary and at the right time of year. Using the natural growth form of a shrub is a good guide for pruning. Shearing shrubs should be avoided except for maintenance of formal How to prune? hedges or plant sculptures. All pruning should be done with Selective thinning refers to removing branches back to the sharp hand pruners or, for thicker stems, loppers. point of attachment to another branch, or to the ground. This type of pruning opens the plant canopy, increasing light and air movement (Figure 1). Thinning cuts do not stimulate Why prune? excessive new growth. They serve to maintain the natural Reasons for pruning shrubs include maintenance of plant growth habit of the shrub.
  • Using Evergreen Trees and Shrubs

    Using Evergreen Trees and Shrubs

    Taking Another Look . Using Evergreen Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers to Add Year-Round Interest to Your Landscape When most people hear the word evergreen, they think They come in all shapes — flat, horizontal, pyramid, of a Christmas tree. However, evergreen really refers to rounded, narrow, broad, irregular, and even contorted. any plant — a tree, a shrub or ground cover — that And if you don’t like a plant’s natural shape, there’s keeps the color in its needles or leaves all year long. always pruning. It’s easy to see where the name evergreen comes from! In contrast, deciduous plants lose their leaves once a Foliage color ranges from all shades of green, year in the fall and survive winters by becoming dormant gray-green and blue-green, as well as gold, yellow, (inactive) until spring — like maple trees, for example. cream, purple and red. Check out the new growth on evergreen plants in the springtime. The light shades of Whether considering evergreen trees, shrubs or ground new growth contrasted against the darker older foliage covers, evergreen plants can be divided into two broad are beautiful. categories: 3. Protection for birds. Evergreen trees, such as pines, spruces, and junipers, provide the essential hiding places that birds need for building nests and for shelter from Evergreens with needles winter winds. Common examples: Pine, spruce, juniper, fir and yew 4. Low maintenance and longevity. Once established, many evergreen plants require little maintenance and flourish for years. Evergreens with leaves Called broad-leaved evergreens Have you thought about these ways to use Common examples: Boxwood, evergreen plants? holly, azaleas, rhododendrons, euonymus and English ivy Accent and contrast.
  • The Laurel Or Bay Forests of the Canary Islands

    The Laurel Or Bay Forests of the Canary Islands

    California Avocado Society 1989 Yearbook 73:145-147 The Laurel or Bay Forests of the Canary Islands C.A. Schroeder Department of Biology, University of California, Los Angeles The Canary Islands, located about 800 miles southwest of the Strait of Gibraltar, are operated under the government of Spain. There are five islands which extend from 15 °W to 18 °W longitude and between 29° and 28° North latitude. The climate is Mediterranean. The two eastern islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, are affected by the Sahara Desert of the mainland; hence they are relatively barren and very arid. The northeast trade winds bring moisture from the sea to the western islands of Hierro, Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The southern ends of these islands are in rain shadows, hence are dry, while the northern parts support a more luxuriant vegetation. The Canary Islands were prominent in the explorations of Christopher Columbus, who stopped at Gomera to outfit and supply his fleet prior to sailing "off the map" to the New World in 1492. Return voyages by Columbus and other early explorers were via the Canary Islands, hence many plants from the New World were first established at these points in the Old World. It is suspected that possibly some of the oldest potato germplasm still exists in these islands. Man exploited the islands by growing sugar cane, and later Mesembryanthemum crystallinum for the extraction of soda, cochineal cactus, tomatoes, potatoes, and finally bananas. The banana industry is slowly giving way to floral crops such as strelitzia, carnations, chrysanthemums, and several new exotic fruits such as avocado, mango, papaya, and carambola.
  • What Is a Shrub?

    What Is a Shrub?

    What is a shrub? The man behind the beverage counter at the festival asked me if I ever had a great shrub. With questioning eyes, I imagined that beautiful green evergreen that grows outside our house. I guess he knew that I had no idea why he was asking me that question since he started to laugh as he explained that it is fruit syrup preserved with vinegar and mixed with water or alcohol to create a very refreshing drink. It seems that this is an old fashioned idea that was used to preserve seasonal fruit, creating fresh flavored syrup that can be used for beverages, salad dressings, or meat glazes. Adding vinegar to water helped make it safe to drink for Babylonians and even Romans made a beverage like this called posca. Early colonial sailors carried those vitamin C enhanced shrubs to prevent scurvy. Many older cookbooks or well as some recent ones have recipes for shrubs. As I researched shrub recipes, I found several different methods. Most of them involved creating fruit-flavored vinegar and adding sugar to it. The vinegar acts as the preserving agent, allowing fresh fruits to turn into flavorful syrups. The ingredients are simple: Fresh fruit, vinegar, and sugar Fruits - Think berries, peaches, plums, pears, cherries and many other fruits, just make sure they are wonderfully ripe and sweet. The fruits need to be washed, peeled, chopped, or lightly crushed. Some additions can be ginger, citrus peels, or even peppercorns. Vinegar – you can use distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even wine vinegars.