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I’m sharing my best garden tools with you in case you don’t already have some of these in your bag. I find myself using these time and time again for weeding, transplanting and digging. These are the most hardworking tools in my garden!
The fall yard chore of raking leaves, or even worse, blowing leaves with a gas powered blower, isn’t all its cracked up to be. I am hearing more and more calls to “leave the leaves”! As I work hard to convert my San Antonio, Texas yard to a pollinator and insect haven, I’m learning about the important role that leaves play at this time of year.
The first thing you will notice about Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is its showy blooms. Its ball-shaped flowers that resemble little white pom-poms are beautiful and unique. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that the fragrant flowers are alive with pollinators!
Did you know that your garden can not only look good, it can do good for the Earth? Whether you have a flower garden, vegetable garden, or a landscaped bed, a few simple changes can make a big difference.
Want a delicate plant that sways in the breeze, its flowers like tiny butterflies riding the wind? The plant for you is Gaura lindheimeri, also known as Butterfly Gaura or Whirling Butterflies!
Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a great entry level plant if you are looking to add more native plants to your yard. It performs well in a variety of conditions and its prolific blooms attract hummingbirds and pollinators.
If you are looking for a gorgeous ornamental grass that is native to much of the United States, look no further than Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). It turns into a pink fluffy cloud in the fall!
If there is one plant you should avoid at the nursery at all costs, it is Ligustrum (also known as Privet). If you already have it growing in your yard, you may want to seriously consider taking it out.
Why? Because Ligustrum is a highly invasive non-native plant that is taking over wooded areas throughout the Eastern United States, crowding out native species and drastically reducing biodiversity in those areas.
Want a US native plant that will add a dramatic pop of purple to your garden? Then American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is for you! Its berries shine at the end of summer when many flowering plants are on the decline. Birds love the berries too!
Want a plant that is going to add a bright pop of pink to your Texas garden? Look no farther than Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)! This is a beautiful shrub native to the Edwards Plateau and Trans Pecos regions of Texas, as well as parts of Mexico.
