Since the local paper had an article about how bad the drought is in most of Texas, I looked up some plants that don't need so much water. Of course, these are being recommended by a Bexar Co. site. Other parts of Texas may have different plant requirements.
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F4Best/nLowWaterPlants.htm
Plants for the drought
Thanks for the link!
The thing is, at times, it can get very dry, but then other times we get those torrential rains that will dump 2" in a day or rain for a week straight. So, it seems like some plants that can survive a drought will rot when it pours. I guess it's trial and error (and lots of cash) to figure out what is a survivor in our area, it's probably like that everywhere.
I think for my next garden I'll just stick with natives. =)
I only have natives in my garden...at least I think that most of them are...but daaaang....I'm still having to water a couple of times a day out this way just to keep them half alive... : /
Yeah, so much for my summer veg garden...it's ka-put.
Oh, I forgot! Also, the wildlife is hurting because of the drought. Birds, animals, butterflies, everything. If people can put water out, that might help. I live in the country and I'm putting buckets and containers of water outside my fenced-in "yard", besides the water bowl inside the fence. Sometimes I find a bucket empty. They do drink quite a bit. I've also put corn out. I wouldn't normally, but there's not much out there for the deer any more. There's a mother raccoon with 4 babies living on my property and at least one armadillo. If I could make rain come along I would!
I agree Linda, I have to clean my birdbath everyday because the birds take so many baths in it. That really cools them off. I put a little food out, too much and it attracts rats. Have 3 hummers now, fighting over the feeder.
It finally has rained here, still hot, just not as dry. Hope you get some rain soon.
I'm trying to incorporate more natives too, they're less fussy.
Natives can die just like any other plant. Today's gardeners can choose from adapted plants that may perform better than natives. Of course, all plants are native somewhere. Probably close to 1/3 of the plants that do well in Texas are from other areas of the world with similar conditions. Why limit yourself to Texas natives?
Well, Jamesstorrs, one reason, could be as part of a conservation effort in order to save the plants that are being destroyed by urban sprawl.
Another reason, because we would like to get aquainted with the plants that have existed here, for a long time, and have been overlooked, mainly because the nurseries didn't offer native plants for a long time.
It isn't just that they are hardier, it is that they are special, because they are part of the heritage of this beautiful land we call Texas.
Great list and link there Linda...I just wish they had not included vitex on the list--but it is probably very xeriscape suitable. They could have probably also suggested nutgrass for a lawn alternative too (just a joke folks--I battled it back for about 2 hours today--its right up there at the top of my most hated invasives/adapteds' at this point in time).
Speaking of which, did I miss frostweed on that there list? =)
Had an interesting visitor on mine today...the White-tipped Black Moth (Melanchroia chephise). Whom was kindly Identified on the butterfly forum for me today. The host plant for this moth is another Texas native annual snow-on-the-mountain (I think--the host plant part that is). Perhaps he was confused.....yet another great reason to grow Texas natives!
Debbie
This message was edited Aug 26, 2006 10:40 PM
I was surprised to see Basil on that list. I didn't think they were that drought-hardy. Unless there was a typo and they meant Brasil? I really like mine!
here here...Josephine! I wholeheartedly agree about our cherished natives...
beautiful moth.. Debbie...I've never seen one like that.... :)
Melanie
Sorry ( I guess) to have upset the purists who don't want anything that is not "native" in their gardens. I hope you use the native vitex and not the improved varieties, because they have been messed with. And please don't use Gold Star esperanza- it's an improved variety. Use the native one, with blooms few and far between.
Maybe it would mollify the purists if someone came up with a plaque for their flower gardens that made it clear that all the plants date back to say 1600 with no improvements by selective breeding. Then those of us who use some "pure" natives, some improved natives, and adapted plants from inferior parts of the world (not TEXAS) can enjoy the diversity of our gardens without the strait-jackets imposed by a few.
Vitex is not a native Texas plant...is it or am I just really tired? Its certainly not listed in any of my books (and I own a lot of books).
Thank you TxTurqoise--I had never noticed it before either...and probably would never have had it not been there as I was out checking on my frostweed and the Texas stars.
Since you twisted my arm here's another shot showing his/her attractive little orange body. ;)
uh ... uh ..! Josephine (Frostweed) HAS won an award from the Govenor of the state for her contribution in preserving Texas natives .. and we are darn proud of her efforts and contributions. I think you need to long onto her website ... the again ...James, I dont understand your disdain for people who like Texas natives? Whats up with that?
Hey guys,
What's wilting (I use this word instead of hanging), it seems that a touchy subject has or is about to burst? You know everyone has their own preferences'. Some only natives and some variety. Nothing wrong with either one. In some form or fashion all plants are altered, so to speak, from a native(wild) variety. How else do you explain all the soil ammending and cross pollinating and so-on and so-on. Having a yard filled to the brim with plant varieties from only texas regions is awesome and very historic. Having plants that are xeriscapic(nt a true word....hehe) and not from texas regions is great too. choose what you will and congratulate others who choose differently. Diversity is what is needed. I commend everyone for what you put in the pot or ground. there are so few of the populus who are even trying they prefer a lawn instead.
calvin
Very diplomatic of you...Calvin... and so very true...I love all green growing things...and my collection is truly diverse...I've always had a hankering for the things that I see growing along our road sides and out in the brush country where I grew up in the south part of our state. I've gathered only a few things out that way....and am learning all about them, thanks to DG and all of these wonderful folks who also love these plants. Its a wonderful thing when the "weeds" and wildflowers of our state are now being sold in nurseries, "hybridized" perhaps...but thats ok....its for me to enjoy and save some water on my water bill..lol.. :)
The only plaque in my garden actually reads, "Don't just stand there, weed!"
:D
Beautiful, Debbie...ya lucky gal you...would love to see this little critter in my rock garden.. :)
Well James, I am sorry I got you upset, you asked why use Texas natives and I gave you three of the reasons why I do it.
However, I am not a purist, and I do love, and admire the beauty of all plants, for God has created all of them.
I have a small percentage of plants that are not Texas natives, some because they are beautiful, some because they were given to me by friends, and some because they remind me of my chilhood.
All plants are beatiful, who would not admire a gorgeous rose? or an orchid?
a bromeliad? an amazing cactus? a Jimson weed?
Your fellow gardener;
Josephine.
((((Josephine)))) You are so beautifully eloquent :)
Well . . . I have a few nice "Gold Star Esperanzas" that are doing very well, but they probably would be as brown as the stickers if I didn't hand water them weekly. I've got about 6 acres of native Texan something or anothers grow'n wild out here and of all the things that are still surviving this summer's drought, these little Cardinal's Feathers (Texas natives) are out lasting everything - even the sticker-burrs.
Pretty much every thing else that's not native (and don't get watered often) is turn'n brown or already dried totally up. It's really bad this year and if that little Tropical Depression that's brew'n out there don't bring us some rain, I'm not sure if there will be any relief in sight for at least another week or two.
My point being . . . I have both native and non-native plants growing here and enjoy them all. However, in times like this it just makes since to me to grow stuff that don't need as much water. If it can survive this drought . . . it's got to be tough and worth growing in this region - if you like it. :)
btw - your little Cardinal's Feathers are doing great in pots Frostweed :)
Thank you Melanie, i guess I am very passionate about plants?
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GD, thank you for taking care of those for me, they are indeed rare and special.
Well, Frostweed, I think your message was conciliatory, and if so, thank you, but I have to say that nothing that appears on any of these lists can "upset" me. Reading the musing and ramblings of others and posting my own musings and ramblings has been sort of fun for a few weeks, but I find very little of value- it appears there are old-timers who use this means of chatting- and hey, they pay their $15 (or maybe they don't) so why not? If I say that ixoras are well-suited for Alberta, I'd expect to be challenged on it. If I suggest, as do most professional horticulturists (of which I am not one), that "natives" at times underperform adapted plants, and I get sermons about the sacredness of Texas soil and flora, I just read quickly and move on.
Hope you get rain. DFW seems to be getting a lot, but we south of there are dry as a bone and nary a cloud in the sky.
James, we did get rain at least 1 1/2 inches, and it was wonderful, I hope you get some too.
It knocked down an old tree branch but no damage, the only damage I had today was caused by a squirrel who decided to climb on one of my salvias and broke a few branches, so I potted the cuttings and all is good.
Josephine.
So glad that ya'll were blessed with rain, Josephine...they say it may come down here in a few days....we're keeping our fingers crossed.. :)
Melanie