Herself’s Houston Garden

Gardening for fun and wildlife at the edge of Houston’s piney woods

Archive for September, 2009

Plant Doctor for House Plants now available for iPhone

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Written by timestocome

September 30th, 2009 at 5:00 am

Posted in plant science

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Thryalis Galphimia gracilis

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This shrub will easily reach 6′ tall in Houston and 4′ across. It is a very dense shrub right down to the ground. There’ll be no bare legs hanging out underneath.

Thryalis prefers full sun, it will grow in part shade but it’ll get leggy on you.

Blooms prolifically mid spring to early winter.

Drought tolerant once established. Excellent for barriers and low maintenance areas.

Birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to this plant.

Hardy to zone 8 but will die back in the winter in zone 8.

Propagate by cuttings.

Sometimes referenced as thryallis

Nothing interesting to report yet, this plant is only glancingly referenced in my books and I just picked it up this week.

Written by timestocome

September 23rd, 2009 at 5:00 am

Twelfth Annual Workshop and Plant Sale

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Landscaping with Native Plants to Attract Wildlife
Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
At the Houston Community College- West Loop Campus
Please Join Us!

It is a great plant sale and the speaker is our president of Butterflies Enthusiasts of SE Texas a real treat.
download the registration form/flyer

Also this weekend:
The Woodlands Landscaping Solutions 9-noon Sat, Sept 26th.

Mercer Garden Fair Sept 26th 8-4 and Sunday 27th 10 to 4pm

Written by timestocome

September 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 am

Posted in local happenings

10 things you didn’t know about bonsai

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1. Bonsai literally translates to tree in a pot.

2. There are 4000 year old paintings in Egypt showing bonsai.  2000 years ago bonsai shows up in Chinese paintings, 1400 years ago it shows up in Japanese art.  100 years ago bonsai makes a small appearance in London, then after WWII it shows up in the US.

3. In China bonsai often depict entire scenes, where as in Japanese bonsai it is typically one plant.

4. Shallow pots are typically used both for appearance, so you can see some of the roots and because it is easier to maintain soil moisture evenly.

5. There are many, many styles of bonsai including: Chokkan ( straight trunk tree); Fukinagashi ( wind swept); Netsurianai ( roots grow together); Ishkizuki ( with rocks ); Kengai ( cascade);  Yoseue ( group planting ); Bunkingi ( stressed ).

6. Some good choices to try to use for bonsai include: figs, crapes, junipers, azaleas.  Pines are more difficult, but if you want a pine find a short needled pine. Also consider trying to start with a cutting from a local tree or dig up a sapling.

7. Bonsais must be pruned and shaped frequently. Find some short edged tools to make it easier to get in tight spaces with out damaging other branches.

8. Soil should be well drained and course.  Your bonsai soil should get dry enough to need watering daily.

9. Spidermites can be a problem, Merit is the recommended systemic insecticide.

10. We have a very active Bonsai Society in Houston that meets at the Houston Garden Center the first Wed of each month at 7 pm.

Written by timestocome

September 16th, 2009 at 5:00 am

Posted in local happenings, out and about

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