Gardening

Oxalis, ‘Purple Frances’

Photo credit: William M. Johnson

Annual plant seminar & sale: Something old, something new

By Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

October 2, 2007

Fall is the ideal time to plant many ornamentals and perennials. The Upper Gulf Coast has several months of cooler temperatures and dependable moisture from October through March or April. Plants have time to establish a good root system during these more moderate conditions. This head start supports strong growth, long-term health and overall plant vigor.

Fall and winter present fewer pest problems as well. All in all, there are fewer sources of stress (such as heat, moisture swings, and insect pressure) on specimens planted in the fall. Flowering shrubs will particularly benefit from fall planting. Your efforts will be rewarded with a gorgeous spring display. In addition to the benefit it has for your plants, fall is also a more comfortable time for gardeners. We, too, benefit from cooler temperatures and spending beautiful fall days in our gardens.

A palette of perfect ornamentals and perennials will be available at the plant sale. Our goal is to provide reliable plant material for homeowners in Galveston/Houston area.

The selections that will be offered at this year’s event promise to be exciting. They represent an amazing variety of color, texture, size, shape and versatility in the landscape. There are some wonderful new introductions, old favorites, and dozens of hard-to-find selections. Many of the selections are suitable for habitat gardens to attract and support birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Even though the event is titled “ornamental & perennial,” a variety of vines will be available also. There are so many wonderful vines for the home landscape so don’t settle for the ordinary. We have a diverse selection ranging from the Argentine pea vine to the white potato vine, just to name a few favorites.

The Annual Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale is sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners. It will be held on Saturday, October 6, at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park at 4102 FM 519 in La Marque .

The plant sale will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 p.m. Prior to the opening of the sale yard, Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms will provide a seminar from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the Community Center auditorium. She will provide an overview of the special, hard-to-find plants in

the sale, which include a wide variety of native and adapted plants, perfect for our area. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first serve basis.

Directions to Carbide Park and additional information are available at the Galveston County Extension Office (281 534 3413, Ext. 1-2) and at our website provided at the end of this article.

More than 150 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties. Dozens of Galveston County Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you with your selections and purchases.

Proceeds from the sale will be used toward development and maintenance of the Extension Horticulture Demonstration Garden at the County Extension Office at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson . The garden is open daily to the general public.

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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