I have been really busy. I have a large stand of lemon mint, wild, in the back yard. It comes up every year and I leave it for the bees. When it first started blooming, no bees. Now it is covered with young bumblebees. Add to that, my flower bed is coming along. I am impatient. I want it filled now. But that takes time. The dianthias are really coming along and covered with blooms. I planted a hibiscus last year when I first started the bed. I thought it had died. Low and behold it did not and it has sprouted from the root and is coming right along. I have a bunch of roses to put out. I am going to Lowe's tomorrow and buy a bunch of plants to put in there. I also have a Texas hibiscus coming up that I thought had died.
If you are gardening in Texas, please us native plants. We have such a huge selection of them. I have tickweed, Lambs ear, standing cypress, salvia, daisies, spider plants. And I have planted and it is sprouting now, amarath. It is called Kiss me over the Garden Gate. It is an heirloom plant. You will love it. And a good place to get natives is Wildseed Farms at www.wildseedfarms.com. It is located in Fredricksburg, Texas. Also, I buy from High Country Gardens at www.highcountrygardens.com. You can't beat natives. As to trees, stay away from Bradford Pear. It is a trash tree and will take over your yard. Even when you take it out, you have to kill the root system or every root will sprout hundreds of shoots. I'm battling that now. My pick for where I am is the water oaks I have in the front yard. I talked with an arborist about my trees. He told me that there is almost nothing that will attack a water oak and they will get 120 feet high. He also told me that my burr oak is in good shape. I also have a pecan that my daughter planted about 5 years ago that is doing good. Point is always use trees suited for your area and consider the mature height as well. I have no electric lines around my house so that is not a problem for me. However, my entire front yard is in deep shade. Not that I mind. I love it. Always plant shurbs for the wildlife, you know, the birds. I have a bunch of holly bushes that offer shelter in winter and I am planting a cedar for them. My son hates the cedar because he is allergic, but they are great shelter for birds. Take care of nature and nature will take care of us.
