S O U T H E A S T T E X A S G A R D E N I N G
POISONOUS PLANTS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE
Don't push the panic button - this is not to say you shouldn't use these plants in your landscape, but just be aware that they are toxic and keep that in mind if you have young children or pets. These are very commonly used in Gulf Coast and Central Texas landscapes. The list includes but is not limited to:
AZALEAS, BRUGMANSIA/DATURA, CALADIUMS, CAROLINA JASMINE, CASTOR BEAN SEED, CHERRY LAUREL, DAFFODIL BULBS, DELPHINIUM/LARKSPUR, DIEFFENBACHIA, ALOCASIA/CALOCASIA, HOLLY BERRIES (Including Yaupons), HYDRANGEA, IRIS RHIZOMES, ENGLISH IVY, LANTANA, OLEANDER, PHILODENDRON, SAGO PALMS, TEXAS MOUNTAIN LAUREL, VIRGINIA CREEPER, WISTERIA SEED PODS, AND PODOCARPUS (Japanese Yew) BERRIES.
TEXAS GULF COAST VS. CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENING
Having lived in SE Houston along the Gulf Coast and now in Austin (Hill Country), the gardening challenges are different. Houston has higher humidity, 20+ inches more rain than Austin, poor drainage due to the Beaumont clay soil and substructure, and warmer/shorter winter periods. In the Houston area, north of I-10 and west Hwy 59, soil changes to a more sandy loam texture. The soil pH in this area tends to be close to neutral. Houston is more subtropical and many tropical featured plants can be grown in the garden year round in protected areas. Due to humidity, sunlight strength isn't as strong as inland Texas. All of the Gulf Coast area is considered to be in Zone 9a.
In the Austin area, I-35 is a distinct boundary between black clay soil to the east and the caliche limestone substructure to a shallow topsoil base to the west. The drainage is excellent, but soils are on the alkaline side (7-8 pH). Gardening plant choices depend on which side of the Edwards Plateau escarpment line you live. Austin has wider temperature extremes between winter lows and summer highs, dryer conditions with 20+ fewer inches of annual rainfall and lower humidity levels, windier conditions that promote rapid drying, Xeriphytic plants are a plus for gardening in the Central Texas area. A greenhouse for overwinter protection of tender plants is much more a necessity in Austin. The strength of the sunlight is stronger and shade trees are very valuable for gardens. Downtown Austin is Zone 9a but all surrounding suburban areas are Zone 8b.
PUBLIC BOTANICAL GARDENS TO VISIT
MERCER ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
CLICK HERE for schedule of upcoming events at Mercer.
22306 Aldine Westifield Rd., Humble, TX 77338 (281) 443-8731
ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN - AUSTIN
2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 512 477-8672
CLICK HERE for more information
THERE ARE SO MANY HORTICULTURAL EVENTS GOING ON IN THE HOUSTON and AUSTIN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
A GOOD SOURCE OF INFORMATION REGARDING THEM IS THE MONTHLY GARDEN CALENDAR BY BRENDA BRUEST SMITH, PUBLISHED BY THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE and the Garden Feature Section of the Austin American-Statesman, both on Saturdays
Local college and university curricula include Houston Community College
( a two year A. A. S. degree program), & Texas A&M ( a four year B. S. degree)
MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM CLASSES OFFER A TERRIFIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR STATE AND COUNTY.
The second mystery photo is the "Green" Rose (Rosa chinensis virdaflora), Circa 1789. This plant fails to produce petals so the green shaped flower is all sepals. It is a garden novelty and conversation piece.
If you would like to have a notice of non-commercial, public interest posted on this site or if you have any other questions about growing any plant in the Gulf coast or Central Texas area, please contact us
Please return to SOUTHEAST TEXAS GARDENING for more horticultural information