I get a lot of emails from folks who have moved to Houston
from other areas. To almost all I say: Forget everything you
learned in Kansas, Connecticut, Oregon, North Texas, etc.
You now live in a subtropical pocket that is actually closer
in ecology to Southern Louisiana than it is to any other
part of Texas even. We aren’t “South.” We aren’t even “Deep
South.” We’re Subtropical South and we’re different.
Two general rules I find nearly all newcomers need to know:
Raise your bed. We live in a bowl. Unless you live on a
freeway overpass, chance are you will flood at some time or
other. Even if your property doesn’t flood, chances are it
contains at least some, and probably mostly, clay soil. This
soil holds water. This is good for a lot of plants, but not
good for most of the imported landscape plants we insist on
using.
Raise the bed by adding organic matter. Organic matter holds
water in a form plants can use without “drowning” the roots.
If you live in The Woodlands or Galveston and are lucky
enough to have sandy soil, you can ignore this if you want
to. But it’s still a good idea because the organic matter
will help sandy soils as well; since they don’t hold enough
water.
Forget the labels (north/south/east/west-facing) used in
other states. What we need to know here is how much sun does
a site get. The sun gets PLENTY hot on a north facing wall
in summer. Full sun plants in Connecticut should go only in
morning sun here.
How much sun a site gets tells you which plants will and
won’t work there. Don’t worry about winter. Our winters are
getting warmer and warmer anyway, and even if a cold spell
does come through, the soil never really heats up that much.
Just grab all those bags of leaves your crazy neighbors are
putting out for trash pickup and pile them on the more
tender plants. This adds organic matter to the soil and
protect the roots at the same time.
If you get a chance to hear local gardening experts giving
advice, GO! A great one is coming up: “Beating the Odds:
Successful Gardening Houston.” Co-sponsored by Rice
University and the Hermann Park Conservancy, this one
includes some great speakers (and me):
Beating the Odds: Successful Gardening in Houston
Eight Tuesdays, March 6-May 1, 2007
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
(No class April 3)
Fee: $195.00
All classes will be held at locations in Hermann Park
Registration information:
Mailing address: Rice University, MS 550, P.O. 1892,
Houston, TX 77251
713-348-4803, scs@rice.edu, www.scs.rice.edu
The Gulf Coast presents many challenges to Houston’s
gardeners – gumbo soil, irregular growing seasons, floods,
droughts, intense heat, and limited growing space. Sometimes
it seems miraculous that anything grows here. Offered in
partnership with the Hermann Park Conservancy, this course
brings together experts from diverse backgrounds to motivate
and teach participants sensible techniques for creating
productive and interesting gardens designed to thrive in
Houston’s difficult climate.
The City of Houston’s horticulture department will provide
optional volunteer opportunities each week to help reinforce
the information discussed in the preceding lecture and to
help participants gain confidence in their ability to
successfully manage a garden.
Course Schedule:
March 6. Basic Botany and Physiology. Plant structure and
functions. Categorizing plants. Jennifer Rudgers, PhD,
assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology,
Rice University. Miller Outdoor Theatre
March 13. Plant Nutrient Techniques. Soil structure, plant
nutrients, fertilizers, and soil pH. John Ferguson, owner,
Nature’s Way Resources. Houston Garden Center
March 20. Plant Propagation Techniques. Seeds, cuttings,
layering, and grafting. Angela Chandler, certified
propagation specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension Agency.
Green House
March 27. Landscape Design. Basic concepts of designing a
landscape. Sarah Newbery, partner, Curtis and Windham
Architects. Miller Outdoor Theatre
April 10. Organic Gardening. Organic vegetables and fruits,
water-smart techniques, ecological pest management, and
organic soil improvement. Bob Randall, executive director,
Urban Harvest. Houston Garden Center
April 17. Scaling Down Your Front Yard, For Ecology’s Sake.
Reducing the size of your yard by replacing some of the St.
Augustine grass with plants and wildflowers that require
less maintenance. Maintaining tidiness to keep the neighbors
and homeowners’ association happy. Brenda Beust Smith,
columnist, Houston Chronicle. Houston Garden Center
April 24. Pruning for Maximum Blooms. Pruning techniques for
blooming shrubs. Bart Brechter, curator, Bayou Bend. Houston
Garden Center
May 1. Water Gardens. Building and maintaining a personal
water garden. Anita Nelson, owner, Nelson Water Gardens and
Nursery. Houston Garden Center
• Also want to remind you of another great upcoming event:
The University of Houston (my alma mater and a beautiful
horticultural asset to our community) is going to sponsor a
second gardening lecture this spring.
This year, the UH Entrances & Perimeter Committee (I'm a
member) is thrilled to present Dr. Bill Barrick of
Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama, a site that is
famous as the epitome of Southern charm and graciousness.
There is so much we can learn from him about making our own
gardens as genteel, as wonderfully “Southern” as their
gardens are.
This Feb. 17 lecture on the UH main campus will be free but
reservations are required. UH will mail out this information
later on. You will be able to order up to four free tickets.
The Houston Camellia Society, Houston Orchid Society and
Greater Houston Amaryllis Society will have exhibits and are
among many who have donated exciting door prizes.
If you’d like to be on the mailing list for reservation
information, email your name and (SNAIL) mailing address to:
lazygardener@sbcglobal.net.
Use UH LECTURE as the subject, please.
PLEASE feel free to forward this information to all the
gardeners on your email list. I just wanted to be sure you
save that date on your calendar.
DEAR BRENDA: I’m attaching a picture of a vine that’s in
bloom now on my neighbor’s fence. This vine is in shade all
day and it blooms off and on all year long. I want one! What
is it? Becky.
DEAR BECKY: It’s a
bleeding heart vine. Mine is blooming now, it’s in the
shade, and it blooms off and on all summer. Here’s a
picture of mine.
I have to make a confession here. I don’t remember if I
have two different vines, or if they change color in the
winter. |
 |
Some plants do, you know. I
have a lovely red hibiscus that, after that last cold spell,
put out some decidedly pink flowers. Cold also makes
hibiscus flowers smaller. And my pale pink La Marne antique
roses are now a beautiful deep pink. Wish they’d stay that
color all the time.
But back to the bleeding heart, usually in the summer I have
white blooms with red tips (hence, “bleeding” heart). The
ones blooming now are solid purple. Maybe it’s two different
ones. But they’re both great choices.
Make sure it’s well drained, either planted on a sloping
area or in a raised bed.
DEAR BRENDA: I bought something called an ivy geranium. It’s
really pretty but how is it different from a regular
geranium? L. T.
DEAR L.T.: I’m not sure in this area that there is much
difference. Neither one of them like our summers much and
certainly cannot take the sun that they take in northern
areas. Maybe a little morning sun, but absolutely no
afternoon sun in the summer.
 |
As you can see
from this picture of my Ivy geraniums, the stalks
tend to trail, so are great for hanging baskets and
containers. We saw them all over Hawaii used as
groundcovers and they were wonderful. But it doesn’t
get as hot there as it does here. |
It’s my experience that the
standard (zonal) geraniums with the larger leaves are
hardier here, but that could just be the fact that I totally
ignored both of them. The one pictured here is now dead.
They need cold, so tend to do best in fall and spring. It’s
our summers they really hate, so put them in a cool shaded
spot until the temperatures start dropping down again.
Hope this helps!
Brenda
GREATER HOUSTON/GALVESTON/BEAUMONT GARDENING CALENDAR
This is my Master Calendar — ALL the events submitted to me
for this column and for my Houston Chronicle Garden Calendar
(Saturdays, Star Section, current week only published). All
in Houston unless otherwise specified. All are listed almost
exactly as submitted. Call and confirm; dates, times, etc.,
may have changed!
Friday (Dec 29) Registration deadline for the Harris County
Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 intermediate level workshop:
The Key to Managing Insects in Your Garden held on Wed Jan
17th from 9 am-1 pm at the Environmental Institute of
Houston, University of Clear Lake. Fee $48.00. Call (281)
991-8437 or visit our website at: http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu to
download a registration form. Class size is limited, please
register early.
Saturday, Dec 30: “Secrets of Success with Orchids, 2 p.m.,
Clown Alley Orchids, 3119 Lily Street in Pasadena;
281-991-6841; free.
---------=---2007--------
Monday-Jan. 31: “Get Ready for Gardening” exhibit, Fort Bend
County Libraries’ First Colony Branch, 2121 Austin Parkway
in Sugar Land; call for hours, 281-265-4444; free.
Tuesday January 2: “Getting Ready for Spring” by Ron Brown,
noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Free Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600, access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.
Wednesday (Jan 3) Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct
2 Monthly Educational Program: Fabulous Fruits, Tantalizing
Tomatoes, and a Peck of Peppers by Angela Chandler, 10 am at
1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Houston, TX 77034. Call (281) 991-8437
or website:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu free program, open to the
public.
Wednesday (Jan. 3): “Bay Area Water Conservation for Our
Flowers” by Jennifer Appel, 9:45 a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 East
Main in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event,
281-332-5294; free.
Thursday Jan.4: “Backyard Orchard II: Care of Fruit Trees”
by Dr. Bob Randall, 6:15-8:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane
St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $25. Dispel the myth that fruit
trees require too much work. Learn how to gain a bountiful
fruit harvest without headaches. Dr. Bob Randall grows a
wide variety of fruit at his home and in the Urban Harvest
Teaching Garden.
Thursday Jan.4: Registration deadline for Saturday Jan. 6
class “Backyard Orchard IV: Peaches, Plums, Pomegranates &
Other Fruit” by Ethan Natelson, MD, 9:30 a.m.- noon, Urban
Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $25. These are some of the best
tasting fruits you can grow, and many are beautiful
ornamentals too. Ethan Natelson, MD is a past President of
the North American Fruit Explorers.
Friday Jan.5: “Backyard Orchard III: Hands-On Fruit Tree
Pruning” begins, Dr. Bob Randall and Gary Edmondson,
4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540
to register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $30.
Winter is the season for this garden maintenance activity so
critical to healthy trees and successful fruit production.
Six pruning sessions are available on Fridays in January and
February.
Saturday, Jan. 6: “Growing Peaches Workshop” by Herman Auer,
9 a.m.-noon, Galveston County Extension office, 5115 Highway
3 in Dickinson, 281-534-3413; free.
January 8: “Internet Gardening” by Alan Raymond, 7 p.m.,
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in
Kingwood. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 281-324-4838.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007. 9:30 a.m. "Landscaping/Curb
Appeal" by Carol Brouwer. Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327
Lakeview Drive. Visitors welcome. $5 program fee. Jersey
Village Garden Club event. 713-466-6885.
Tuesday January 9: The Woodlands Garden Club program, 9:30
A.M., Rayford Road Community Center, 2325 Rayford Road.
Jonathan Pixler, Student at Texas A. & M. majoring in
Horticultural Science, will present Tropical Horticulture
program. All interested in gardening invited to attend. If
interested call 281-363-9964.
Wednesday, Jan. 10: “Selection and Care of Garden Tools”, by
Greg Harmison, Noon to 2 pm, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine
Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Wednesday Jan. 10: “Successful Fruit Varieties for the
Greater Houston Area,” Heidi Sheesley and Ray Sher,
7:00-9:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540
to register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free
class. Houston's climate is ideal for growing oranges,
grapefruit, apples, pears, figs, grapes, blackberries,
peaches, and many more varieties. Find out what you can grow
in your yard. Sheesley and Sher have decades of experience
growing a wide variety of fruits using organic methods.
Wednesday, January 10:, "Galveston Bay Estuary Program",
Scott Jones, Estuary Program Public Information Officer,
10:30a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 E. Main Street. League City
Garden Club event, free to the public.
Thursday Jan 11: “Growing Organic Vegetables Series” begins,
6:15-8:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540
to register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $205.
Ten classes on a variety of veggies that grow well in our
area and organic techniques to grow them.
Friday January 12: "Azaleas and Camellias" by Bart Brechter,
10:30 Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive: Free,
Houston Federation of Garden Clubs Event, 281-252-4539
Monday Jan 15: “How to Start a Community or School Garden”
by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane
St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; free class. Start a garden at a
school, place of worship, or vacant lot for education,
donation to the hungry, or improving your community. Learn
the basics of planning, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob
Randall has advised over 150 community and school garden
projects since 1987.
Tuesday, Jan 16: “Proven Fruit and Nut Trees for the Houston
– Galveston Area”, by John Panzarella, 11 am to 1 pm, Mercer
Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
Tuesday, January 16: "Millenium Seed Bank Project-Plant
Conservation in Texas" by Michael Eason, 10:00 a.m., Sugar
Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way, Sugar Land; Sugar
Land Garden Club event; 281-565-4658 or
sugarlandgardenclub.org; free.
Tuesday Jan 16: “An Introduction to Permaculture” by the
Permaculture Guild of Houston, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Chimney Rock
and San Felipe area; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class.
Learn about four courses over the next year that will help
you turn your yard or farm into a vibrant bird and
butterfly-filled space with gourmet vegetables and fruits.
The Permaculture Guild of Houston is a group of permaculture
designers who co-teach these classes.
Tuesday January 16: "Attracting Purple Martins", Pau Fagala†at
7:00 PM. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Free Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600, access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort.
Saturday, January 16: "Vegetable Gardening with Diane Liga"
10 am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702,
www.buchanansplants.com, FREE
Wednesday (Jan 17) Registration deadline for the Harris
County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 intermediate level
workshop: Weed Identification and Management in Your Garden
held on Wed Jan 24th from 9 am-1 pm at the Environmental
Institute of Houston, University of Clear Lake. Fee $38.00.
Call (281) 991-8437 or visit our website at:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu to download a registration form.
Class size is limited please register early.
Wednesday Jan 17: “How to Start a Community or School
Garden: Class 2 - Design” by Gary Edmondson, 2:00-4:00 p.m.,
Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and
directions; free class. Learn the criteria needed to choose
a site and design considerations. Place measurements on
paper.
January 18; Plant Propagation, by Linda Knowles. 7PM,
Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, free. Native Plant
Society event. www.npsot.org;
free.
Friday, Jan. 19: “Natives for Sunny Gardens” by Patricia
Martin, 9:30 a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 East Main in League City.
Gulf Coast Gardeners’ Forum event, 281-332-5294; free.
Saturday, Jan. 20: “Arbor Day Tree Lecture”, by John Ross,
10 am to noon, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd.,
(281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.
Saturday, January 20: “Pruning for Spring” by David Albrecht
and Stewart Thompson. 11 am, Martha’s Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6
Bypass, Navasota , 936-870-4044 or email:
registration@marthasbloomers.com, Free
Saturday Jan.20: Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale, 9:30
a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1900 Bering Dr., 713-880-5540 or
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions, free admission. Fruit talk by
Heidi Sheesley and Ray Sher from 8:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.
Houston's climate is ideal for growing oranges, grapefruit,
apples, pears, figs, grapes, blackberries, peaches, and many
more varieties. Choose your favorites at this once-a-year
sale. New location and expanded selection including exotic
tropical fruit trees.
January 22: Reservation deadline for the Saturday, January
27, 2007 “Tea Thyme: When Memories Bloom”: celebrating the
65th Anniversary of the Houston Garden Center. Proceeds to
benefit Houston Civic Garden Center renovations. Old
fashioned tea…circa 1942 — “Serving our Grandmothers’
Recipes” ... made with love. Vintage Style Show “Petticoats,
Parasols, and Paraphernalia” — 100 years of women’s history
and fashion in a series of charming vignettes, decade by
decade, presented by the Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum.
Flower Arrangements Through the Decades — Renee Blannchke of
Smithville, designer; creative flower arranging has changed
between 1942 and 2007; dazzling arrangements will
demonstrate the trends. Scavenger Hunt in Our Backyard
(weather permitting). Attire: Vintage accessories/costumes
of all decades. Or, dress in the 21st Century with purple
dress and red hat. At the Garden Center in Hermann Park,
2-5p.m. Sponsored by the Houston Federation of Garden Clubs.
For information 281-341-7702; $25. Reservations by January
22, 2007
January 22: Reservation deadline for the Jan. 27 “Tea Thyme:
When Memories Bloom — Houston Garden Center’s 65th
Anniversary celebration, 2-5 p.m., Houston Garden Center,
1500 Hermann Drive. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs
event, 281-341-7702; $25.
Monday Jan 22: “Sell What You Grow at a Green Market” by
Gita VanWoerden, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane
St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $30. Backyard gardeners in the
city as well as farmers in the countryside can sell at a
local farmers’ market. Find out how to set up shop,
including packaging, displays, pricing and market rules.
Gita VanWoerden is Owner of Animal Farm Permaculture Center.
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.
Tuesday Jan 23: “The Ecological Foundations of Permaculture
Design” by the Permaculture Guild of Houston, 7:00-9:30
p.m., Chimney Rock and San Felipe area; 713-880-5540 to
register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $140.
Course topics include world ecosystems, climate, water
conservation, water supply and waste treatment, soil, trees
and forests, pests, and Texas ecosystems. The Permaculture
Guild of Houston is a group of permaculture designers who
co-teach these classes.
Wednesday Jan 24: “How to Start a Community or School
Garden: Class 3 - Implementation” by Gary Edmondson,
2:00-4:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540
to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and
directions; free class. Critique garden designs from Class 2
, determine materials needed and cost of your garden build.
Review fruits that grow well in the Houston area.
Thursday, Jan. 25: “Overcoming Challenges to America’s
National Parks” by National Parks Conservation Association
President Tom Kiernan and National Parklands in Texas
Director Jim Nations, Sadie Gwin Blackburn Environmental
Seminar, 9:30 a.m., Houston Museum of Natural Science Imax
Theater, One Hermann Circle Drive. River Oaks Garden Club
event, 713-523-2483 or
www.riveroaksgardenclub.org; free.
Thursday Jan 25: Registration deadline for Saturday Jan 27
class “Backyard Orchard V: Apples, Pears & Persimmons” by
Ethan Natelson, MD, 9:30 a.m.- noon, Urban Harvest, 1900
Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register;
www.urbanharvest.org
for details and directions; $25. Learn to grow the best
varieties of apples, pears and persimmons for flavor and
adaptation to our climate. Ethan Natelson, MD is a past
President of the North American Fruit Explorers.
Thursday, Jan 25: "Fruit Trees and Their Care" by Dr. Robert
Randall of Houston Urban Harvest. 7:15-8:15 pm (social hour
starts at 6:45pm), Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band
Rd in Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event,
281-342-3034 or 281-341-7068
www.fbmg.com
Thursday, January 25, “The Basics of Growing and Caring for
Fruit in this Region” Our speaker, Dr. Bob Randall,
Executive Director of Urban Harvest, is a local expert on
growing fruit and he has been quoted as saying “Fruits are,
in my opinion, the best of all plants.” You won’t want to
miss this program that is free and open to the public. 7 – 9
PM at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road ,
Rosenberg , 77471. 281-341-7068 or
FortBendMG@ag.tamu.edu
Friday (Jan 26) Registration deadline for the Harris County
Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 intermediate level workshop:
Tree, Shrub and Fruit Tree Pruning held on Sat, Feb 3rd from
9 am- 1 pm at Clear Lake United Methodist Church at 16335 El
Camino Real, Clear Lake, TX 77062. Fee $20.00. Call (281)
991-8437 or visit our website at:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu
to download a registration form. Class size is limited,
please register early.
Saturday, January 27: “Container Planting for Late Winter
and Spring” by Karen Wier and Gar Houston, 11 a.m., Martha's
Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass in Navasota, 936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
Sunday (Jan. 28): Fruit Tree Seminar with Heidi Sheesley, 9
a.m., The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 in Tomball,
281-351-8851,
www.arborgate.com; free.
Tuesday Jan.30: “Growing Great Tomatoes!” by Mark Cotham,
6:15-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540
to register;
www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20.
Foolproof organic tips on planting, dealing with pests,
fertilization and getting the largest harvest. Mark Cotham
is an author of Growing Tomatoes in Greater Houston: the
Community Garden Experience.
Saturday, February 3: "Antique Roses" by Glenn Schroeter of
the Antique Rose Emporium, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101
Hwy. 6 Bypass in Navasota, 936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
Saturday, Feb 3: "Rose Pruning with Donald Burger", 10 am,
Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702,
www.buchanansplants.com, FREE
Tuesday February 6:† "Compost Tea/Organic Gardening" by Phil
Shannon at 12 noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033
Bear Creek Dr. Free Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600,
access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort.
Saturday, February 10 "Using Compost & Organics for Better
Gardens" by Warren Johnson, 11 am, Martha's Bloomers, 8101
Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, 936-870-4044, or email:
registration@marthasbloomers.com, Free!
Saturday, February 10, Fort Bend Master Gardener Fruit Tree
Sale Citrus, blueberries, pomegranates, mangoes, and much
more! Heidi Sheelsey, owner of TreeSearch Farms, will give
an overview of plants at the sale at 8 AM. The program is
free and open to the public. The sale will open at 9 AM and
will conclude at 1 PM or when plants are sold out. Fort Bend
County Fairgrounds-Building D, 4310 Highway 36S, Rosenberg ,
77471. 281-341-7068 or
FortBendMG@ag.tamu.edu
Saturday, Feb. 17: Dr. William E. Barrick. Of Bellingrath
Gardens in Mobile, AL, will speak at the University of
Houston. Bellingrath Gardens are considered a premier
example of Southern charm and graciousness. Free, but
reservations are required as space is limited. For
information, email
lazygardener@sbcglobal.net.
Tuesday, Feb. 20: “Simple Irrigation Repair”, by Greg
Harmison, 11 am to 2 pm, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine
Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731,
www.hcp4.net/mercer;
free.
Tuesday February 20: "Curb Appeal" by Dr. Carol Brouwer at
7:00 PM. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Free Master Gardener event. 281-855-5600, access
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort.
Tuesday, February 20: "Basics of Seed Propagation" by Angela
Chandler, 10:00 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226
Matlage Way, Sugar Land; Sugar Land Garden Club event;
281-565-4658 or sugarlandgardenclub.org; free.
Saturday (Feb 24) Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct
2 Spring 2007 Garden Treasures Plant Sale and Seminar, sale
hours 9:15 am-1 pm Landolt Pavilion, Clear Lake Park 5001
Nasa Rd 1, Seabrook, TX 77586. Classes Schedule: 8 am Fruit
Tree Preview, Heidi Sheesley, 8 am Tomatoes, Peppers and
Vegetable Preview, Angela Chandler, 11 am Planting and
Caring for Fruit Trees, 12 noon Planting and Caring for
Tomatoes and Peppers. For more information call (281)
991-8437 or visit our website at:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu
Wednesday (Feb 28) Harris County Master Gardeners at
Precinct 2 Monthly Educational Program: Texas Superstars by
Dr. Carol Brouwer at Clear Lake Park in the meeting room
located at 5001 Nasa Rd 1, Seabrook, TX 77586 at 10 am (on
the south side of the lake), free and open to the public.
For more information please call (281) 991-8437 or visit our
website at:
http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu
Thursday-Saturday, March 1-3: Azalea Trail, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Houstonians will celebrate spring once again with the River
Oaks Garden Club’s annual Azalea Trail!! This trail features
four private homes and gardens, as well as the beautiful
Bayou Bend, Rienzi and the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of
Civics Building and Gardens. For ticket sale information and
locations, please contact The River Oaks Garden Club,
713-523-2483 or
www.riveroaksgardenclub.org; free.
Saturday-Sunday (March 3-4): Spring Branch African Violet
Club Show & Sale; Sat plant sale: 10am-4pm; Sat. show 1-5p;
Sun. show & sale, 10am-4pm, Houston Garden Center, 1500
Hermann Dr., 713-462-4257,
www.orgsites.com/tx/sbavc; free.
Saturday, March 10, Fort Bend Master Gardener Perennial
Sale. Come see what’s new for spring! Heidi Sheelsey, owner
of TreeSearch Farms, will give an overview of plants at the
sale at 8:30 AM. The program is free and open to the public.
The sale will open at 9:30 AM and will conclude at 1:30 PM
or when plants are sold out. Fort Bend County
Fairgrounds-Building D, 4310 Highway 36S, Rosenberg , 77471.
281-341-7068 or
FortBendMG@ag.tamu.edu
Tuesday, March 20: "Everyday Ikebana" by La Verl Daily,
10:00 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way,
Sugar Land; Sugar Land Garden Club event; 281-565-4658 or
www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free.
Saturday, March 24: "Herbs for Now & Later" by Ann Wheeler,
11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass in Navasota,
936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
Saturday, March 31: "Jazz Up Your Landscape Plantings" by
Dr. Doug Welsh, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6
Bypass in Navasota, 936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
Saturday, April 14: Spring Garden Gala plant sale, 9 a.m.-2
p.m., Stephen F. Austin State University ’s Mast Arboretum,
intramural field on Wilson Drive, 936-468-4404 or
http://arboretum.sfasu.edu; free. “We will offer a great
selection of rare, unusual, and Texas-tough trees, shrubs,
succulents, and herbaceous perennials, as well as many heat
loving tropicals,” said Dawn Stover, Mast Arboretum research
associate. “All of the plants are produced at SFA by the
staff, students and volunteers.”
Greg Grant, Pineywoods Native Plant Center research
associate, will have a number of his introductions available
as well, including the pink flowered ‘Pam Puryear’ and large
flowered ‘Big Momma’ Turk’s cap, according to Stover. “Many
of the rare Aromi hybrid deciduous azaleas will be offered,
as will a good number of the rarely available native East
Texas red buckeye,” Stover said.
Proceeds from the plant sale help support the SFA Mast
Arboretum, the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden , the Pineywoods
Native Plant Center and educational programs.
Tuesday, April 17: "Natural History & Cultivation of
American Pitcher Plants" by Mike Howlett, 10:00 a.m., Sugar
Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way, Sugar Land; Sugar
Land Garden Club event; 281-565-4658 or
www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free.
Saturday, April 28: "Accessorizing the Landscape" by Dr.
Bill Welch, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass
in Navasota, 936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
May 1-2: Florescence flower show, Museum of Fine Arts, Beck
Building, 5601 Main Street. River Oaks Garden Club, the
Garden Club of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts event,
www.riveroaksgardenclub.org or 713-523-2483; free.
Saturday, May 12: "Basil, Basil & More Basil" by Ann
Wheeler, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass in
Navasota, 936-870-4044 or
www.marthasbloomers.com; free.
IF YOU FOUND THIS COLUMN HELPFUL, YOU MIGHT LIKE SOME OF
BRENDA’S FLYERS FROM HER GARDENING TALKS:
($1 each plus a self addressed, stamped envelope; 3 flyers
will fit in one envelope. Make checks payable to Brenda
Beust Smith and mail to: Flyers, 14011 Greenranch, Houston,
TX 77039)
• RAIN/BOG GARDEN DESIGN. Turn that low spot into an asset
to help store water for drought periods.
• ECOLAWNS. How to have a healthier, more
environment-friendly lawn from a lazy gardener’s
perspective.
• 10 COMMANDMENTS OF LAZY GARDENING. It’s a mindset with
very practical steps.
• DEER NO! PLANTS. Tips and planting suggestions.
And, from Brenda’s now out-of-print “Lazy Gardener’s Guide”
($1 each) — designs for:
A BUTTERFLY GARDEN
AN HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN
AN ANTIQUE ROSE GARDEN
A WILDFLOWER GARDEN
A GARDEN IN SHADE ALL DAY (NO DIRECT RAYS)
A GARDEN IN FILTERED OR PARTIAL SUN
A GARDEN IN ALL DAY SUN OR AFTERNOON SUN
A TROPICAL GARDEN FOR WINTER BEAUTY
($1 each plus a SASE; 3 flyers will fit in one envelope.
Make checks payable to Brenda Beust Smith and mail to:
Flyers, 14011 Greenranch, Houston, TX 77039)
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