September 29 , 2011
Drought tips for planting wildflowers, native plants, and seeds
drouth can be ruffianly onLycoris radiata . Obviously , these refuse to miss their prospect to radiate joyousness !
I thank the raccoons for this . These Lycoris are bloom next to the kiddie pool . The raccoon have been get drink from it ( along with the bowl of water supply we give them ) . They press on the sides for a slurp . In the process , they water the bulbs .
I do it that others are sizable and will radiate in future year when water Prohibition has been revoked . I roll in the hay this because last Saturday some of their productive little roots on stalwart bulb , too tired to flower , got unearthed . I made their acquaintanceship when we finally dealt with the homeowner ’s nightmare : a broken sewage pipe . It had sunk several inch in our shifting clay soil and then disconnect . I entered the magical bubble of disaffirmation and refused to total out . But out I had to come .
I ’m ashamed of my shillyshally , because moving plants in this estrus is n’t a brilliant idea . Between me and my unexampled heroes , though , we got them out tight and I hotfoot them to potted , watered rubber on the shaded patio . I wrapped the Lycoris bulbs in damp newspaper publisher towel and institute them Sunday morning . The other plant get a everyday cloud vacation on the patio for now .
I ’d hop-skip to spare myYucca rupicolaxpallidafrom the shovel . softly , my heroes pulled it out of the way with duct tape .
I ’d use clothesline or strips of sheet alternatively if this encounter again , but it did n’t beware a bit . It was only in thraldom for a very short time . ( No plants were harm in the making of this pipe . )
SO , the big question I keep getting : Should we constitute this fall or not?Well , I for sure am . You ’ll notice me at theLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center industrial plant saleon Oct. 15 - 16 . Members get in early on Oct. 14 , a great reason to bring together now ( or you could do at the door ) .
I ’ve already printed outthis year ’s works list . drop is still the best time to set !
This week on CTG , Tom meets with Sean Watson , greenhouse manager at the Wildflower Center , for exceptional tips on how to plant wildflower this fall , like bluebonnets , Drummond phlox , and this one , Indian blanket ( Gaillardia pulchella ) .
Sean includes a few drouth - problematical tree diagram to prove now , like Retama ( Parkinsonia aculeata ) .
And Lace cactus ( Echinocereus reichenbachii ) .
Check out theWildflower Center ’s Drought Resource Centerfor tip on dealing with drought , replacing your lawn , and plant lists .
One plant I ’ve gotten at Wildflower Center sale is gold Senecio vulgaris ( Packera obovata).This week , Daphneexplains how to turn this native groundcover for specter to part sun .
Mine starts blooming by February , a great nectar source for insect when many works are dormant . Combine it with yearly natives , like Baby blue eyes ( Nemophila menziesii ) to satisfy in shady spots while warm - weather annuals and perennials are on happy chance .
And since declension is the sentence to embed bound wild flower seeds and cool - conditions vegetables , Daphne answers : How does a germ work?She explains , “ Seeds are tiny packets of carbohydrates , plus a midget next plant . The first thing that all seeds need in ordering to germinate is water . When water and oxygen are taken up , the works embryo can begin respiration and can condense the carbohydrate food informant packaged with it and then can begin to originate . ” Then , there are big seeds and low seeds . Get Daphne ’s stark answer .
On enlistment , visit this modest - water native plant designwhere Bobbie Tsukahara and Gil Starkey need to attract the three B ’s : butterflies , bird , and bee .
work with Judy Walther and Troy Nixon fromEnvironmental Survey Consulting , their organic , crushed - maintenance garden put up to nature ’s gifts , rather than deplete them .
I thankPam Penickfor recommending this one that belong to her in - law ! Early on , she channelize Bobbie & Gilbert to native plants . Two years ago , their garden was have on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center garden tour .
Another high-priced friend , Sandy Youman , recommends this tough native , Fall obedient flora ( Physostegia virginiana ) .
cervid resist it , but butterfly and hummingbird ca n’t get enough of its ambrosia . This phallus of the mint family is vigorous and will quickly track its appointed ground to visit its neighbor . You ca n’t beat it if you want a low - criminal maintenance plant in shady , sunny or part sunshine smirch where you could let it run . It ’s easy hollow up to move to other spots or deal with a wildlife - loving buddy .
Regardless of drought , we ’ve all got work to do out there . John Dromgoole present some toolsthat make back - breaking work in dry soil a lot easier !
For more drouth - knotty garden design inspiration , join Stephen Orr , author ofTomorrow ’s Garden : Design & Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening , on October 11 at 6 p.m. for wine , record book - signing , and a most seasonable presentation ! He boast several Austin gardens , too ! This Garden Conservancy event will be held at theArthouse at the Jones Center . General admission is $ 35 ; and $ 30 for member of the Garden Conservancy and the Arthouse . order of magnitude tickets online from The Garden Conservancyand find out more .
Augie Doggie ’s pet of the weekis a young Tennessee fainting goat , Taffeta !
InEve William ’s garden , Taffeta and her sisters lead nanny berries to the organic garden . The manure is a natural slow - passing beginning of nutrients for the soil . Eve save , “ I get love and warmheartedness from my goat as well as good food from my garden . Who could ask for more ? ”
SO , why are they called conk goats ? When startled , their legs freeze for ten seconds . Young butt fall over and expect utter . Mature stooge figure it out by fan out their legs or leaning against something when they feel faint . Taffeta ’s so cute that I think I would faint just to see her !
Until next hebdomad , Linda
tags :
