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Bamboo, a tall hollow cane, grows natively around the globe. Southeast Asia is home to the largest concentration of native bamboo where it can grow to 130 feet tall. Here in Texas a native variety of bamboo known as Arundinaria can be found in thick cane breaks along many rivers and marshes. It produces dense […]

The Classics: If you are anything like me, you get confused about the differences between all of the most obviously poisonous plants in Texas: Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac, and Poison Oak. Just remember to stay away from all of them… Poison Sumac:  Poison Sumac is much more of a shrub or even tree than its […]

Floral Facts (not all of these are in season or work well in central Texas):  Periwinkles – also known as blue Vincas. We have all heard the phrase, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” in reference to marriage. The blue refers to periwinkle which was supposed to increase the love between the married couple […]

We have started seeing mosquitoes. It is only going to get worse. We wanted to give you some quick info that could possibly help. Also, below, please notice the section on erosion.  Some mosquito facts: They can detect carbon dioxide from ~150ft.  They suck. Forgive me. Couldn’t resist. Only the females bite (for nutrients to […]

PRUNE YOUR CRAPE MYRTLES Don’t let the controversy of how to prune your Crape Myrtles prevent you from taking care of them! You’ve probably noticed everyone is pruning their Crape Myrtles this time of year. We love the pretty, colorful blooms they provide for that extra Spring time pop of color. Unfortunately, there’s a lot […]

The Plant Hormone Auxin Did you know that plants have hormones too? Plant’s hormones control their growth, reactions and even their movement. Perhaps the most interesting and widely studied plant hormone is Auxin. Auxin was discovered in the 1930s by Charles Darwin. In 1880 his book “The Power of Movement in Plants” describes the effect […]

No Fail Drought Tolerant Plants for Low Water Gardens: Let’s welcome in the New Year with some water wise plants. As an Austinite we know the importance of water conservation, especially during the Summer. Try conserving water year-round with these lush drought tolerant plants for a water friendly garden! Yarrow (Achillea) Zones 3-8 This drought […]

Here is a short work from the one and only Ally. She put this together a while back for a project and we thought that some interested soul out there would enjoy it. Here you go… Short: Did you know Coca-cola was originally made from a nut? In fact, all forms of cola originate from […]

The new year is fast approaching, and one thing is on everyone’s mind: “how can I make my yard look tip-top this 2019″… Okay, maybe that’s not the one thing on your mind, but it’s a nice goal that doesn’t involve giving up donuts or getting a personal trainer. Here’s some tips and advice to […]

Why do Trees Shed their Leaves? When I was little, my mom and I got into an argument because I was convinced it was fall. Our yard in central Austin had a number of large live oak trees that shed their leaves in the spring. Naturally, it made sense to me that “when the leaves […]