Texas Gardening: I need something to look forward to!, 1 by pbtxlady

pbtxlady wrote:
1. My sweet autumn clematis are doing just fine in the heat, setting buds for (looks like) Sept bloom. Not sure but I believe they are native to this area (?). Actually, all my other clematises are hanging in there pretty well too.

2. Georgia Blue speedwell blooms very well in early spring. Some sedums do too, if there's enough sun. My scabiosa is almost evergreen and one of the first things to bloom every year.

3. Best way to get rid of grass is always lasagna layering. You don't have to layer it up as high as you should for a raised bed. It'll still work.

5. I grow lotus in pots. They are attractive if you like their foliage (which I do), and if you don't care about flowers, they are easy enough to grow. But I have not had much luck getting them to bloom. The one that did bloom for me didn't come back this year. The other has never bloomed, in 4 years. It's in too much shade. But it's in mostly shade because it burns and burns when it gets hot.

I don't think it's the water temps as much as the air temps. The tuber never seems to suffer. I keep growing them because, if they do bloom, it's worth the wait. Unfortunately I've never gotten a good photo because the wind blows up the hill I live on and beats them to death.