GARDEN PATCH

Find plants to fill bare spaces 

PHYLLIS WEBSTER

Phyllis Webster earned a degree in journalism before embarking on a long career in public relations and marketing. A Granbury resident since 1998, she has been deeply involved in the community. She is an award-winning writer and photographer, as well as a Master Gardener. She has authored Garden Patch since 2001.

Is your landscape a bit bare after February’s deep freeze? If so, it’s time to invest in new plants to fill empty spaces. 

Newcomers to Texas may fail to understand that summer is too late to install landscape plants, such as trees, shrubs, vines and most perennials. It’s best to get them well established before summer’s dry, hot weather.

With the expenses recently incurred by homeowners due to electrical outages, broken pipes, etc., reestablishing a landscape may seem costly, but there are many opportunities to save. First, talk with neighbors, post on social media and reach out to friends. Ask them if they have plants to divide and share. Likewise, you might have plants that you can trade or give away. Examples of plants to divide and share include day lilies, iris, asters, cannas, groundcovers and ornamental grasses.

Similarly, you might ask for seeds or cuttings of plants that are propagated in these ways. Many woody plants, such as rose of Sharon, have become popular “heirloom” plants because they are easily cultivated and passed along to others. Succulents such as sedum or aloe vera are easily reproduced, typically by breaking off a stem segment, rooting it in soil and giving it moisture. Many Texas natives, which may also be found at area independent nurseries, are easy to cultivate from division, seed or cutting. 

Another good way to source plants is to attend local plant sales, such as the one hosted by the Lake Granbury Master Gardeners (LGMG) at their Demonstration Garden, Saturday, April 17, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The Garden is located behind Hood County Annex I, 1410 W. Pearl St. LGMG is a non-profit organization affiliated with Texas AgriLife Extension. 

Plants offered for sale include perennials such as calylophus, copper canyon daisy, columbine, Blackfoot daisy, oxeye daisy, daylily, lantana, Mexican petunia, Turk’s cap, santolina, yarrow, esperanza, plumbago and others. Sale proceeds fund scholarships and educational endeavors benefiting area residents.

When replacing failed plants, choose selections that are reliably winter hardy to Zone 8, or even better, Zone 7. Also, be sure to look for plants that are both drought- and heat-tolerant. In addition, you’ll want to match plant requirements with your site’s ability to meet plant needs. For example, choose a plant that tolerates shade if your landscape is shady for several hours a day. Other issues to consider are mature plant size versus space, soil pH and type, water availability and required maintenance.

Before tearing out mature shrubs and trees, consider waiting another month or longer to see if the plants recover. Fall is by far the best time to replace large plants.

For answers to your horticulture questions, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension, Hood County at 817-579-3280 or go online to visit lakegranburymastergardeners.org.

pwebsterco@gmail.com | 817-680-4849