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 March 17, the world wakes up a little greener. We pin on shamrocks, order green drinks, and suddenly everyone has at least a distant cousin named O’Something. But how did a tiny three-leaf plant become the star of Saint Patrick’s Day? Pull up a chair — this story has roots….. Legend says that back…
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…
In this new day of earth friendly gardening vining or climbing plants certainly have a role to play. Flowering vines can bring us a vibrant wall of color during the blooming seasons. Whether it’s tumbling over a fence or creeping up over a pergola or arch they can add shade and a feeling of privacy,…
Tyler, Texas, made a huge impression on me, especially since I was enamored with its scenic beauty. I arrived in Tyler during the winter season 5 years ago. The roadside was beautiful. Green grass covered the city’s roadside. It was different from the barren and yellow roadside of Abilene, Texas. When I decided to move…
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…
When the days shorten and summer’s riot of color fades, East Texas gardeners are rewarded with one of the most elegant shrubs we can grow: the sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). These graceful evergreens step into the spotlight just as many plants are winding down, offering blooms from October into December. Their timing alone makes them…
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…
If we can survive until October, East Texas will enjoy what I like to call a “second spring.” Meanwhile, as the blazing heat of summer begins to ease, our gardens shift gears. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and monarch butterflies begin their long migrations, while a burst of deep red oxblood lilies signals “the end is in sight.”…
“If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?” One peck is the correct answer, which is a quarter of a bushel or approximately 12 pounds and that would be perfect for a family of four to enjoy during the growing season. Peppers are one of my…
Our typical Texas summer has arrived, and my house and landscape are both hot. Mrs. G wants more shade. Energy conservation in the landscape is more than just a marital mandate or environmental buzzword. It is a practical, cost-saving approach that every homeowner can put into action. By following Texas A&M AgriLife’s Earth-Kind® principles, gardeners…
I’ve had a Christmas Cactus in my house nearly all my life. My mother had a huge one, as did her mother before her. Now, I haven’t had the same Christmas Cactus this whole time. I admit to killing a few over the years either by kindness (too much water) or by sheer neglect. I’ve…
Let’s start as beginners in the Succulent World. We all start somewhere, right? Succulents are a great way to get started in the plant kingdom. Easy and very rewarding to grow, not to mention just plain fun! Basics, Succulents are defined as plants that have thickened, fleshy and engorged leaves, usually to retain water in…
There was a storied fig tree planted at the Goodman Legrand house, that was celebrated not only by the house’s residents but by visitors for a century. The tree was one of the first horticultural improvements made to the property when Gallatin Smith purchased the land in 1859 and built the dog trot cabin that…