Herself’s Houston Garden

There are about 100 species of portulaca, some are annuals some are perennials. They are semi-succulent and I bought them as filler for the water wise sections of the garden.

Portulaca grandiflora is an annual, which is a rarity among succulents. Flowers are large, they can reach 3″, these are about 1″ now. Flowers open in the sun and close under clouds and at night.

These grow just about anywhere but are not frost hardy, they are rated for zones 10-11 only.

Plant in full sun to light shade, well drained soil

Drought tolerant but will flower more if well watered.

Height should be about 4″-8″ tall, 8″-12″ spread.

I planted some a week ago and they tripled in size, so I went and purchased a dozen more.

South American native.

Hardiness Zones 5-11

Propagation: This plant should reseed itself.

Problems:
Aphids, root-knot nematodes.

More information:
Floridata: Portulaca grandiflora

There are over 2,000 varieties of euphorbia. This is a succulent and is again gaining popularity because of its water wise ways. I had no interest in it, it looked like a rather dull plant. Except for one thing, it was the only plant in the nursery mobbed with bees. So I brought several home and planted them in my bee and butterfly gardens.

Euphorbia can handle sun to part shade. I have some in the sun, some in the shade, I’ll let you know how they do about 6 months from now. It is a popular plant for dry, forested areas which is where it grows native in the Mediterranean.

Flowers mostly consist of brachs and are barely noticeable, being dark green and dark purple.

This euphorbia spurge will reach 1′-3′ tall depending on growing conditions.

Spruges tend to be frost hardy so this should winter over should we have another difficult winter this year.

Propagate by cuttings.

Toxic – do not eat this plant, toxins from euphorbia are used as poison animal control capsules.

Considered invasive in north western US and NC and Virginia. It was brought to the US in the 1827.

Rubber is produced from the toxic white fluid of euphorbias.

Meh – the spurges all committed suicide at the first sign of warm temperatures – not for Houston.

A fellow garden club member brought one of these to a flower show recently. It then dawned on me this might be a way to deal with the mosquito problem out back with out using pesticides. So I purchased a half dozen of them. Four are on the back porch and two are in a damp area of the garden. Time will tell how well it will work.

I’m told crumpled fresh leaves can be placed around inside your home to keep out mosquitoes. Others report it does nothing to repel mosquitoes. If you are looking for a plant high in citronella lemon balm ( melissa officinalis ) has a much higher concentration of citronella and may be a better choice.

Flowers will be purple, I’ll post photos when they appear.

Plant in sun to part shade.

Drought tolerant – good for water wise gardens.

Hardiness is barely 9a – this will winter over in warm winters, not in cold winters, may come back from roots.

Can be invasive if happy under proper growing conditions.

Toxic – do not eat this plant, especially toxic to cats.

Propagate
Root cuttings – remove plant from soil take a cutting of roots near the crown and replant.
Stem cuttings – allow stem to slightly dry before planting or just place in a glass of water
Layering

I didn’t really believe that these plants would do much to deter the local mosquito population so I’m extremely pleased with results. Four plants made the back porch usable, eight plants have cut the mosquito population by at least 90%. They are all out back, mosquitoes haven’t been an issue in the front yard.

I’m also noticing less lizards. Is that the weather getting warmer, less mosquitoes to eat, or do they not like citrosa either? I don’t know.

Either way at about $5/plant it’s worth a try you won’t find a cheaper mosquito fix.