The late heat wave is ending and we are finally getting some rain. With the shorter days and approaching fall holidays, a lot of people step back from gardening at this time of year. But, where we live, the reality is that it is go time! Don’t miss your window to plant trees and shrubs while they have a few months to acclimate before a winter freeze.
Also, while they may be off the radar for many folks, now is actually the time to think about wildflowers. By the time we enjoy bluebonnets in the spring, it is far too late to plant their seeds. Wildflowers actually need winter for germination, so we need to plan earlier. There are many wildflowers native to Texas, with some being more challenging to grow than others. Pink Evening Primrose, Winecup and Indian Blanket might get your pocket prairie started—and Indian Blanket is an important ally in combating invasive Bastard Cabbage (https://www.wildflower.org/learn/how-to/eradicate-bastard-cabbage). Red poppies are pretty, but what about our lesser-known native White Prickly Poppy? https://www.npsot.org/posts/white-prickly-poppy/ The plant in this month’s photo fed pollinators in our neighborhood for months during the dog days of summer, and it is still flowering right now!On that note, those who wish to support struggling pollinator populations might want to consider planting wildflower seeds for year-round food sources, not just spring blooms. Two autumn superstars that you may have seen growing along highways are Maximilian Sunflower and Goldenrod. These plants are very important during our fall butterfly migration. Those seeking a head start can even consider wildflower roots. https://seedsource.com/live-roots/wildflower-roots/
