Brenda Beust Smith
HOUSTON CHRONICLE’S
LAZY GARDENER
Brenda's
Bio
Lazy Gardener's
Guide
by
Brenda Beust Smith
Gardening with Dogs
by
Brenda Beust Smith
A Gardener's Guide
to Growing Bulbs
on the Gulf Coast
by
Sally McQueen Squire
Habitat Gardening
for Houston & Southeast Texas
by
Mark Bowen
The Bayou Planting
Guide
by
Mark Bowen
Naturalistic
Landscaping
by
Mark Bowen
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Photo
by Brenda Beust Smith
Brugmansias hang down.
Thanks to global warming,
they're becoming huge
in the Greater Houston area.
How fair is a garden
amid the trials and passions of existence.
~Benjamin Disraeli
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DEAR BRENDA: I live in the
Chicago, Illinois area and have two potted hibiscus plants,
which I have brought in for the winter. They have bloomed
occasionally and look very healthy; however, I have noticed
that there are white spots on the underside of the leaves,
and it looks like these white spots can fly! Are these
mites? What can be done for my beautiful plants. I am not
happy about flying things in my home, but it is still too
cool to put the plants outside . It is around 40 to 45 at
night and anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees during the day; yet
they are predicting warmer weather for this coming week. --
JRK, Chicago.
DEAR JRK. Thanks for telling me where you are. It makes a
HUGE difference in gardening. Sounds to me like you have
whitefly. I’d recommend spraying your plants with a weak
solution of Ivory or Palmolive liquid soap (about a teaspoon
full in a well cleaned Windex bottle filled with water),
especailly the undersides of the leaves.
But since I’m more familiar with a subtropical climate
(unlike Chicago!), I took the liberty of forwarded this
email to Roz and Pat Merritt, powers-that-be of the American
Hibiscus Society for their suggestions. Here is their
answer:
“Brenda nailed your problem, white fly. Since you have only
two potted hibiscus, I suggest you take them, one at a time,
into your shower and give them a bath. Turn the shower on to
a lukewarm water spray and wash off the leaves using your
fingers to get under the leaves. Let them drip dry in the
shower. Do this every third day for three washings. This
should catch every life cycle. If you lived in a warmer
climate, you could do the same thing outside using a garden
hose.
That’s the organic way (Brenda’s suggestion of soap and
water is great, but bump up the soap to a tablespoon per
gallon of water). If they were mine, I would go to Home
Depot and purchase a ready-mixed bottle of Bayer Rose and
Flower Insect Killer (about $6) and spray the leaves every
other day for a week. The active ingredient in this spray is
imidicloprid, which is the insecticide used in dog and cat
flea collars...more user-friendly that most other sprays.” —
Pat Merritt, Lone Star Chapter, American Hibiscus Society (www.lonestarahs.org).
DEAR BRENDA: My friends are fighting over my angel trumpet.
One says it's a brugmansia, the other says it's a datura.
What's the difference? SALLY
DEAR SALLY: Brugmansia flowers hang down. Datura flowers
point upward. They are truly the “angel trumpets.” But that
common name is universally used for both. Brugmansias
actually do better here than daturas. Thanks go global
warming, we no longer have to protect these.
In fact, they are no longer “shrubs” but usually grow into
trees as high as two stories tall. So plan for lots of
vertical as well as horizontal room! Don't overwater. Plant
in a well-drained, sunny spot.
DEAR BRENDA: I don’t know how to find a landscaper. We had
one man come out who came highly recommended but he wanted
so much! We couldn’t possibly afford it. Can you give us any
guidelines for working with a landscaper? Do you recommend
landscapers? M.D.
DEAR M. D. It must be the season. I’m suddenly getting lots
of questions about landscapers.
I do not recommend landscapers. I know some excellent ones
but there are so many good ones and a lot who aren’t so
good.
My suggestion is to always ask around your neighborhood. See
if any of your neighbors have used landscapers they really
like and that way you can see the long-term results of their
work.
Many independent nurseries also have landscapers on staff or
landscapers they recommend.
But finding one, as you experienced, is just the beginning.
I am willing to bet that, in the beginning, you gave him/her
no idea how much money you wanted to spend. This is so
unfair and counterproductive to both you and the landscaper.
If you don’t set an upper limit, the landscaper has no
alternative but to offer you the very best available. It is
very difficult for him to come back at a later date and
start upping the price. It’s a lot easier to come down,
makes you happier and more likely to use his service.
But, not giving a ceiling price in the beginning also means
he wastes a lot of time and effort on a project you can’t
possibly afford.
I know, you’re thinking you have no idea what landscaping
costs. But you do know how much you can afford to spend.
$500? $1,000? $5,000?
$10,000?
Decide this. Be upfront and honest with the landscaper.
Then, if you find you can add more, or want to add more, the
two of you already have a foundation from which to work.
Remember, there is a huge fee difference between a landscape
architect (a college degreed professional) and a landscape
designer or landscaper. You are perfectly within your rights
to ask about the training and professional affiliations of
anyone you hire.
The Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (www.txnla.org)
is an organization of landscapers and nurserymen and one
source for landscapers who care about their profession.
DEAR BRENDA: When I lived in Colorado, we grew the most
beautiful columbines. I’ve been trying to grow them here but
they just don’t last the summer. What am I doing wrong?
They’re beautiful in Colorado right now. MARY J.
DEAR MARY: You’re growing the wrong columbine. Try ‘Texas
Gold’ columbine, the only one that really will grow on the
Gulf Coast for any extended period. Others will grow but
gradually get overwhelmed by the summer heat.
One trick is to plant it in an extremely well drained area
where it gets good winter and spring sun but is shaded in
the summer, especially in the afternoon. Don’t overwater it.
Make sure it is very well mulched.
These are most easily found in nurseries in the spring
(January through April) because that is their bloom time
here.
Hope this helps.
GREATER HOUSTON/GALVESTON/BEAUMONT GARDENING CALENDAR These
events are all in Houston unless otherwise specified. All
are listed almost exactly as submitted. Call and confirm;
dates, times, etc., may have changed!
Tuesday, June 6: “Insects in the Garden” Marvin Keenan,
noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Park;
Master Gardener event, 281-55-5600, access
http://hcmga.tamu.edu;
free.
Wed. (June 7th) African Violets and Their Gesnariad Kin by
Tom Solloman, 10 am at 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Houston, TX
77034, free. Harris County Master Gardener Event. Call (281)
991-8437. Website:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu
Thursday, June 8, “Landscape Planning and Renovation,” by
Jodie Douglass, 7-9 pm, U of H Cinco Ranch, 4242 S. Mason
Rd., Rm. 118, Green Thumb Seminar, 281.341.7068 or
www.fbmg.com; free.
Friday (June 9): “Tough as Nails Plants for Texas Summers”
by Bill Smartt, 11 a.m., ”Treasures of the Texas Gulf Coast”
luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Sherren Smith Gift and Garden Center
at Brookwood, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire; register at
281-375-2149. Seminar free, luncheon $12.95.
Monday, June 12th: “Fence Board Planter Craft Project” by
Cynthia Douglas, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church,
2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood; free, except for cost of
materials($3-$4). Lake Houston Gardeners event, 713
256-6314.
Monday June 12: “How to Start a Community or School Garden”
by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane;
713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; free
Wednesday, June 14: “Lunch Bunch: Folklore of Native Plants”
by Karen Breneman, noon to 2 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306
Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
“June 15: “The Galveston Bay Foundation; how it got started
and what it does” by Bob Stokes, 7PM, Houston Arboretum and
Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, free. Native Plant Society
event. (713)681-3665 or
www.npsot.org.”
Friday - Saturday, June 16 - 17: Tropical Treasures Plant
Sale, 10 am
- 4 PM, , Nessler Civic Center, 2010 5th Ave. North, Texas
City, TX, 713-864-9717. Ginger Tour 1 PM - Mount a
Tillandsia 2 PM both days. Admission free. Bring a can of
dog or cat food for Whiskerville Pet Sanctuary and get a
free plant.
Saturday (June 17): Plumeria Society of America sale, 9:30
a.m.-3 p.m., Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Hwy 59 and Hwy 36
in Rosenberg (713) 946-9175(must); free. Saturday, June
17th, Plumeria Show & Sale, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Bend
County Fairgrounds-Bldg B, HWY 36 & US 59, free. Plumeria
Society of America event. 713-946-9175 or
www.theplumeriasociety.org
Sunday (June 18): “Trees and More” by J. C. Swearingen, 2
p.m., Herman Park Garden Center, 1500 Herman Drive. Gulf
Coast Fern Society event, 713-649 3535; free.
Monday June 19: “How to Start a Community or School Garden”
by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900
Kane; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; free class.
Tuesday (June 20): “Made in the Shade”, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.,
Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield, 281-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Thursday, June 22: “Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC):
Environmental Concern Series”, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mercer
Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic
Gardens, HARC, and the Heartwood Chapter Master Naturalists
jointly sponsor a series of short lectures on local issues
concerning this areas environment. The lectures will
include: Stephanie Glenn: “Invasives: Tracking Oak Wilt.”;
David Hitchcock: “The findings of the Houston’s Regional
Forest report” describing the structure, functions, and
values of our region’s forest; Lisa Gonzalez: “Invasive
Plants of the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed.”; David
Hitchcock “The Role of Vegetation in Houston’s Air Quality
Challenges.” These classes qualify as Master Naturalist
advanced training.
Thursday, June 22 - “Butterfly Hobbiest--Raising
Butterflies” by Tricia Thomas. Bud O’Shieles Community
Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm.,
free. 281.341.7068 or visit www.co.fort-bend.tx.us or
www.fbmg.com.
Thursday (June 22): “Butterfly Hobbiest--Raising
Butterflies” by Tricia Thomas. 7:15 p.m., Bud O’Shieles
Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg, 281-3417068
or www.fbmg.com; free.
Sunday, June 25: “Weeds” by Sarah Smith, Native Plant
Society, 2 p.m., Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501
Woodway Dr.; 713-681-8433 or
www.houstonarboretum.org; free.
Monday June 26: “Sell What You Grow at a Green Market” by
Ray Sher, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane;
713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $30.
June 27: “Butterfly Gardening,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County
Extension event, 281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
June 27: “Butterfly Gardening”, Green Thumb series by Karen
Breneman, Harris County Extension agent. 6:30-9 pm. Tracy
Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive. Texas
Cooperative/Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600, access
http://hcmga.tamu; free.
Tuesday, June 27: “Master Gardener Workday: Shade Garden”, 9
a.m. to noon, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield,
(281)-443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
Friday-Saturday (June 30-July1): Jerry’s Jungle Garden
Tropicals Open House and Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-5p.m., 712 Hill
Road, 281-272-8612 or
www.jerrysjungle.com; free.
Saturday (July 8): Plumeria Society of America sale, 9:30
a.m.-3 p.m., Bay Area Community Center, 5002 Nasa Road 1 We
need to add that the sale is Cash or Check only and My phone
is (713) 946-9175 or
www.theplumeriasociety.org; free
Saturday (July 8): International Plumeria Conference begins,
Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard in Galveston. PHONE NUMBER
(must) or
www.theplumeriasociety.org; free?
Saturday, July 8. Texas Rose Rustlers Summer Rookie Meeting.
10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m., Mercer Arboreturm, 22306 Aldine
Westfield Road, Humble, speakers Gaye Hammond and John
Ferguson. free. Call 281 468 3677 or visit
www.texasroserustlers.org.
Sunday, July 9: “Birding Walk”, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,
Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Sunday, July 9:”Amphibians of East Texas” by Mike Howlett,
East TX Herpetological Society, 2 p.m., Houston Arboretum &
Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive; 713-681-8433 or
www.houstonarboretum.org; free
Monday July 10: “How to Start a Community or School Garden”
by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane;
713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; free class.
Wednesday, July 12: “Lunch Bunch: Building a Patio
Fountain”, noon to 1 p.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine
Westfield, 281-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Thursday, July 13, “Pests,” by Vince Mannino, 7-9 pm, U of H
Cinco Ranch, 4242 S. Mason Rd., Rm. 118, Green Thumb
Seminar, 281.341.7068 or
www.fbmg.com; free.
Friday, July 14: “Ladybugs and Butterflies” by Nancy Brahm,
11 a.m., “Southern Lady Luncheon,” 11:30 a.m., Sherren Smith
Gift and Garden Center at Brookwood, 1752 FM 1489,
Brookshire. Register at 281-375-2149; seminar free, luncheon
$12.95.
Monday July 17: “How to Start a Community or School Garden”
by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900
Kane; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; free class.
July 18: “Landscape Construction” by Dr. Mike Arnold, 6:30
p.m., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Park;
Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600, access
http://hcmga.tamu.edu;
free.
Tuesday, July 18: “Crinums in East Texas” by Joe Shaw, 11
a.m.-1 p.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield,
281-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
Thursday, July 20: “Here Come the Hummingbirds” by Mark Klym,
noon to 3 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield,
(281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
July 20, “Hummingbird Invasions” by Mark Klym. 7PM, Houston
Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, free. Native
Plant Society event. (713)681-3665 or
www.npsot.org.
Sunday, July 23, 2006, Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale, 1 - 4
p.m., Fort Bend County Community Center, 1330 Band Road @
Texas 36, Lone Star Chapter of the American Hibiscus
Society, 713/723-5858,
www.lonestarahs.org for a map, free.
Sunday: July 23: “Poisonous Plants” by Glenn Olsen, Native
Plant Society, 2 p.m., Houston Arboretum & Nature Center,
4501 Woodway Dr.; 713-681-8433 or
www.houstonarboretum.org; free
Monday July 24: “Sell What You Grow at a Green Market” by
Gita VanWoerden, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane;
713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $30.
July 25: “Pests and Diseases,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County
Extension event, 281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
July 25: “Pests and Diseases”, Green Thumb series by Dr.
Carol Brouwer, Harris County Extension agent. 6:30-9 pm,
Tracy Gee Community, 3599 Westcenter Dr.; Texas
Cooperative/Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600, access
http://hcmga.tamu.edu;
free.
Thursday July 27: registration deadline for Saturday July 29
class “Plant the Fall Vegetable Garden” by Dr. Bob Randall
and Diana Liga, 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900
Kane; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $30.
Tuesday (August 1): “Cactus & Succulents” by Phyllis McEuen,
noon, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek
Dr.Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600, or
harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Wednesday, August 9: “Lunch Bunch: The ABC’s of Bromeliads”
by David Whipkey, noon to 1 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306
Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Thursday (Aug. 10): Registration deadline for the August
24-November 9 Fall Master Gardener Class, Thursdays 8
a.m.-noon., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek
Dr., 281-855-5600 or harris-tx.edu/hort; $150.
Tuesday, August 15: “Gardening With Nature” by Karen
Breneman, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306
Aldine Westfield, 281-443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
Tuesday, August 15: Reservation deadline for the Thursday,
August 17: “Special Workshop: Make a Decorative Rain Gauge”
by Cynthia Douglas, from 10 a.m. to noon., Mercer Arboretum,
22306 Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
$15.
Tuesday (August 15): “Snakes in Houston” by Mike Howlett,
6:30 p.m., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek
Dr., 281-855-5600 or harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort. Master
Gardener event; free.
Thursday, August 17: Reservation deadline for the Saturday,
August 19: “Tropical Workshop”, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mercer
Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield, (281)-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer; $50.
August 19: “Ground Covers”, Suzzane Chapman, Mercer Gardens
at 6:30 pm. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear
Crek Park. Free Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600;access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort
August 22: “Landscape Design,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center,
3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event,
281-855-5600, http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Tuesday, August 22: “Native Plant Garden”, 9 a.m.-noon,
Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield, 281-443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
August 22: “Landscape Design” County agent Carol Brouwer,
Green Thumb series at the Tracy Gee Community, 3599
Westcenter Dr. 6:30-9 pm. Texas Cooperative/Master Gardener
event. Free to public. Call 281-855-5600; access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hoprt
Sept. 5: “Gardening Fun by the Sq. Foot”, John Jons at 12
noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Free Master Gardener meeting. 281-855-5600, access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort
Sept. 26: “Landscape Maintenance,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center,3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension
event, 281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Sept. 26: “Landscape Maintenance”, Carol Brouwer, Harris
County Agent. Green Thumb series; 6:30-9 pm. Tracy Gee
Communtiy, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Texas Cooperative/Master
Gardener event. Free to public. 281-855-5600; access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort.
Thursday-Saturday (Oct. 12-13-14): 2006 Bulb and Plant Mart.
Garden Club of Houston, gchouston.org. The Garden Club of
Houston’s 2006 Bulb and Plant Mart (64th year) will be held
again this year October 12, 13, 14 at the same place,
Westminster United Methodist Church, at San Felipe and
Bering.
Friday-Saturday (Oct. 20-21): Jerry’s Jungle Garden
Tropicals Open House and Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-5p.m., 712 Hill
Road, 281-272-8612 or
www.jerrysjungle.com; free.
Oct. 24: “Soils and Composting,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County
Extension event, 281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Nov 28: “Trees,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee Community Center,
3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event,
281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Jan. 23, 2007:”Fruits and Nuts,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee
Community Center,3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension
event, 281-855-5600,
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
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