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Written by Kim Rogers
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Jul 10 2011 1:46PM |
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Last Updated on Nov 29 1999 6:00PM |
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At this time of year, I can’t help but notice all the beautiful flowers around town. The brutal Texas heat in the summer is hard on many flowers, plants and trees, but one flower that thrives in this weather is the Trumpet Creeper, also known as Campsis radicans.
The large, woody vine always catches my eye because of the beautiful trumpet-shaped orange, red or yellow flowers. Blooming from June to September, the vines feature numerous roots which grab onto every available surface – fences, telephone poles, walls, trees, etc.
Native the southeastern United States, this popular perennial plant blooms profusely in full sun, but less so in partial shade.
The spectacular flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, especially Ruby-throated hummingbirds who use the flowers as their major food source. Along with bumblebees, they are one of the few birds/insects that can reach the nectar inside the long flowers. Trumpet Creeper depends on these birds/insects to pollinate flowers. Each time a hummingbird or bee visits a flower, it gets pollen on its head which it delivers to the next flower.
A word of warning – handling this plant may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some people, similar to poison ivy. |
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The leaves can also cause a rash in animals, especially cows, so this plant is often referred to as a "cow itch vine."
The high-climbing plant grows very quickly and crowds other plants, so if you want to add a little privacy to an existing chain-link fence or if you simply have an unattractive fence that is in need of a little pizzazz, you won’t regret adding this striking plant to your garden. |
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Written by Kim Rogers
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Aug 19 2010 9:59PM |
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Last Updated on Feb 2 2011 2:26PM |
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Summer heat is tough on flowers, especially in Texas where summers are some of the most brutal in the nation. My once-beautiful garden is now pretty sad looking as even my heat-loving flowers and plants look less vibrant now.
The one bright spot in my garden is the flowering Lantana plant that comes back strong, year after year.
They are known for an abundant of small clusters of flowers. The orange/yellow/red tricolor blooms, often referred to as Texas Flame or Dallas Red, are my favorite although I do also like the lavender and pink varieties.
Lantanas are a low, spreading shrub that grows best in dry areas so they are most often seen in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Mexico.
No green thumb is necessary to grow these pretty flowers — Lantanas require very little care and usually grow when nothing else will.
Very drought tolerant, Lantana starts to flower mid to late summer, and continue to produce pretty, colorful blooms in the hottest weather, often attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Next spring I hope you will plant Lantana and enjoy them as much as I do. If you want to brighten up your yard with plants that really blossom when the heat is in full force, you are in for a treat!
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Written by Kim Rogers
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Jun 23 2010 12:59PM |
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Last Updated on Feb 2 2011 2:27PM |
If you have a shaded area in your yard that needs some color, you can’t go wrong with caladiums. These gorgeous plants come in a striking array of colors and patterns with heart-shaped leaves of red, white, pink and green.
The white caladiums can be planted in the sun, but the red and pink varieties thrive in warm, humid shade. Caladiums do not flower; they are grown for their pretty foliage. They grow equally well in a garden or in containers.
The red caladiums are my favorite, but I also like the pink and white varieties. Every year I plant red caladiums in a 19-inch ceramic pot that is under the patio cover. Red caladiums are the only plant I have ever planted there, but my husband actually had the nerve to suggest I plant something else there this year – of course I didn’t!!
The pink variety also needs shade, so I have those in a pot under the shade of our oak tree. The white can handle full sun, so I have them in pot around the swimming pool.
Caladiums are super easy to plant and to care for. They will thrive in the hot summer, but have absolutely no cold tolerance in the winter. You must grow them as annuals or dig them up before the first frost and replant in the spring. Originating in the Amazon jungles of South America, caladiums are native to Brazil.
As I was doing research for this article, I was surprised to learn that caladiums are poisonous if ingested and can also be a skin irritant. While I certainly have never ingested them, I do not usually wear gloves when working with them. I have never experienced any skin issues afterwards, but I’d rather be safe than sorry so I will wear gloves from now on.
Please give caladiums a try and I hope you will find them as fulfilling as I do.
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Written by Kim Rogers
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Jun 14 2010 12:54PM |
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Last Updated on Feb 2 2011 2:28PM |
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This week’s column is dedicated to my love affair with oleanders. This fabulous shrub, often seen as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks and along roadsides, produces clusters of gorgeous flowers from May through October.
Oleanders are super easy to care for — they are perennial [they will rebloom year after year], hardy, low care, don't need much water, easy to find, affordable to buy, grow relatively fast, love lots of hot sun and can tolerate pretty bad soil. While oleanders love the sun, they can also be planted in partial shade.
Native to Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, the botanical name for the oleander is Nerium oleander. They come in a variety of colors — red, white, pink, salmon, yellow and purple. I had a tough time choosing between pink and red, but ultimately chose red and it was a great choice.
Just like most flowering shrubs, oleanders require occasional trimming. Some varieties can grow 20 feet tall, so be sure to check the size before buying. Oleanders are often used as a divider or hedge, but can also be trained into a tree, although it takes years to develop a strong trunk and is susceptible to damage during strong winds.
Since oleanders grow so large, the only place I could plant mine was along the side our house. I would prefer so this beautiful shrub to be in a more prominent location that I could enjoy more, but it will eventually grow much taller than the plants in front of it, so you won’t be able to miss it.
One word of caution — the oleander is poisonous from the roots and the stems to the leaves and flowers. When working with this plant, you should always wear gloves and wash your hands afterward. Make sure that your children and pets don't eat the leaves or flowers, and don't use the leaves or branches for mulch or barbecue fires.
So now that you have the scoop on oleanders, hurry to your local nursery and purchase this gorgeous shrub. You won’t be disappointed!!
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Written by Kim Rogers
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Apr 20 2010 9:23PM |
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Last Updated on Feb 2 2011 3:57PM |
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For my first column I just had to start off singing the praises of my favorite flower, the Calibrachoa Superbells. I stumbled upon this beautiful flower last summer at Wal-Mart, a nursery I do not usually frequent. It ended up being – by far – my favorite purchase of the season.
Calibrachoas look like a miniature Petunia and beautifully cascade over the sides of the hanging basket or container. They are super easy to grow and maintain.
They come in a variety of colors, including violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze and white. I purchased a hanging basket with a “confetti” mix of gorgeous red, purple and yellow shades.
They hang along my covered patio that receives part sun and part shade. These beautiful flowers thrived last year until the fierce sun and heat of the Texas summer made them start to decline. I have read that they do not require a lot of water, but I found I could not give them enough last summer. This year we have the hanging baskets connected to our sprinkler system [thanks to my sweet hubby!], so that should solve that problem. I am going to watch these carefully in July and if they start declining, I plan to move them to a shadier part of the backyard.
However, I just read that when the flowers start to wane, a simple trim is all that is needed to correct the problem, so I guess I’ll try that route too. I also just read that too much watering causes root rot, so I’ll have to keep an eye on that as well.
The plants are low-maintenance and do not require deadheading. However, I do often pick off the spent flowers so they will rebloom more quickly, just as I do with all my flowers and plants.
These beautiful plants are generally annuals, but can be perennials in zones 9-11 [Dallas is zone 7].
Take my advice – head to your local nursery and purchase these fabulous flowers!!
Characteristics:
Bloom time: spring to frost
Bloom colors: Violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, white
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Fertilize: Once a month
Pet friendly: Yes
Insect problems: No
Disease problems: No
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