An azalea is a forerunner of spring in Korea. An azalea flower gives Koreans two things connected with happiness: the beauty of the mountains and plenty of sweet treats. When the azalea starts to bloom, the mountains are blanketed with the pale pink color of the flowers. Specifically, the azalea is the first flower to…
Shaded areas brighten with the vibrant color and graceful blooms of cyclamen. Their flowers rise above patterned leaves, each vivid and poised, immediately drawing the eye. Planted in beds or containers, they enliven spaces where most other perennials have finished blooming. Three species are commonly grown locally, each appearing in turn to provide bursts of…
There’s a certain magic to spring in East Texas—one that feels especially alive as Easter approaches. It’s not just a change in the weather; it’s a full awakening. Lawns green up almost overnight, trees unfurl fresh leaves like they’ve been saving them for a special occasion, and gardeners everywhere begin that familiar ritual of stepping…
Every spring in East Texas, about the time the daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils finish their show, gardeners start getting the itch to tidy things up. The blooms fade, the leaves begin to flop, and those once‑cheerful clumps suddenly look a little faded. It’s tempting to reach for the pruners. But if you want a strong…
February offers gardeners a moment to reflect on the cultural roots woven through our Southern landscapes, and few influences run deeper than those carried from Africa. It’s a good time to note the plethora of our Southern influences from Africa, a truth that becomes more evident the longer one tends an East Texas garden. This…
“February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March.” (J. R. Stockton) In February most gardeners pass the time planning their future gardens and landscape. Only an ice storm finds them waiting for spring by a fire and sipping coffee. Gardeners track online sources, read gardening books while thinking about…
Valentine’s Day has a funny way of sneaking into the garden. It arrives when most flower beds are still bare, the soil is cold, and gardeners are pacing the yard like impatient parents waiting for spring to wake up. But for those who love plants as much as people, February 14 is less about roses…
Ah, Christmas gardening – that glorious time of year when we attempt to impose cheer on plants that would frankly prefer we leave them alone until spring. If you’ve ever decorated a cactus, tried to convince poinsettia to live past New Year’s, or fought a squirrel for custody of your outdoor lights, congratulations, you’re probably…
There’s no plant that says “Christmas” in the South quite like a holly. Those glossy green leaves and bright red berries have been woven into our holiday traditions for centuries, symbolizing hope, resilience, and cheer in the darkest days of winter. Here in East Texas, we’re fortunate to have several native hollies that not only…
November in East Texas is a season of change. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons are pleasant, and the leaves crunch underfoot as the landscape shifts into its autumn wardrobe. Many folks assume the garden is finished for the year, but the truth is this is the very best time to plant trees, shrubs, and…
As the weather gets cooler we know that winter will be just around the corner. Now is the time to start making plans for the winter months ahead. Here are some suggestions: Pine straw helps provide favorable growing conditions and stimulates healthy plant development by insulating tender roots, conserving soil moisture, eliminating erosion and protecting…
Mums the Word. As a child, when I heard this phrase, it usually meant you had been given some information, couldn’t share with anyone, and was often accompanied with a threat of sorts. In this case, I hope this topic reaches as many people as possible. What I’m referring to is the common garden mum…
When the nights begin to cool and the first whiff of fall drifts through the air, I know it’s time for one of the most popular cool seasons flower combos: pansies and violas. These cheerful, cold-hardy flowers have been brightening up Texas winters for generations, offering a welcome splash of color when most other blooms…
My husband and I have 2 sets of “grandtwins” and my mother and aunt are twins, so twins are special in our family. I guess that’s why the Narcissus ‘Smiling Twin’ Daffodil is special to me. Although I can’t grow them in my very shady yard, I have planted them in other family yards and…
If you’re looking to brighten up your garden this spring, Triteleia ‘Queen Fabiola’ is a top pick. These cheerful bulbs grow in sunny clumps, sending up stems loaded with blue-violet, star-shaped flowers that pop against their grassy leaves. Native to California, they’re tough enough to handle a range of weather and pretty forgiving if you’re…
In times past, the Byzantine Gladiolus was a favorite in the Old South. It can still be found growing in old cemeteries, abandoned home sites, and along ditches. I saw one last year for the first time. It was love at first sight and I knew I just had to have one but they are…
Something quietly magical is happening in neighborhoods across the country. The front yard is coming back to life. No longer just a manicured patch of lawn or a decorative buffer between sidewalk and home, today’s front yards are evolving into vibrant, welcoming spaces that invite connection. They are becoming the heart of neighborhood life where…
I don’t see them regularly, but I often smell them. The flowers of the sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), which appear in fall, early spring, and even during mild winters, are small and creamy white, but their fragrance is among the most powerful and distinctive of any garden plant. It also happens to be one of…
As our beautiful trees finally become mature, it can be challenging trying to get something to grow under the shade of their canopy. We’ve probably tried various grasses and shade tolerant plants but they aren’t as tolerant as they use to be. So what do we do now? Groundcover! Groundcover can be the answer to…
Plant of choice for shady spots in your garden… These shade lovers produce exceptional foliage that can be tucked away in the shadier parts of your yard or garden. Though they are not known for tolerating direct sun, many newer varieties can take some exposure a few hours during the day. Those varieties that have…