A double treat for
area gardeners
Annual garden tour and
plant sale planned for Saturday
April 29, 2004
DIANE ALEXANDER
Victoria County Master Gardener
This weekend garden enthusiasts in
The plant sale will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the
The master gardeners have held such sales for several years, and as in the
past, featured plants are propagated and grown by association members from
seed, plantings or cuttings. Additionally at this sale, there will be available
some highlighted plants from the Annual Garden Tour sites. One such plant is
the crown of thorns.
With the recent passing of the Easter holiday, there is not a better time to
accentuate both the beauty and the historical implication of the crown of
thorns (Euphorbia milii). This plant is also referred
to as the Christ plant or the Christ thorn, an allusion to the crown of thorns
worn by Jesus at his crucifixion was made from its stems. These stems are woody
and spiny, and this succulent shrub can produce shoots up to 6 feet. Most
leaves appear on new growth and can fall off easily under moisture or
temperature stress.
What appear to be flowers are actually brightly colored, modified leaves
called bracts. The true flower appears at the center of these bracts and is
almost inconspicuous. Most crown of thorns produce red bracts,
however, there are also yellow, orange and pink varieties.
The Christ plant is a member of the Spurge family and, like most others, its stems produce a sticky, white sap when cut or
broken. This sap, called latex, can cause a severe rash on susceptible
gardeners. Subsequently, careful handling with gloves is suggested. However,
the poisonous nature of these plants is also what protects them from
herbivores, such as deer and other plant-eating animals, according to one
academic source.
The Christ thorn requires porous soil and full sun for successful growth.
Here in the
The crown of thorns is only one of several highlighted plants that will be
available for purchase on Saturday. Others include the dwarf bottlebrush and
new knock out rose, the passion vine, the firecracker fern, the shrimp plant,
cigar plant, ixora, jatropha,
Dahlberg daisies, and the showy angel trumpet.
The plants propagated and/or grown by association members include a variety
of annuals, perennials, tropicals, natives, and
herbs. Favorites like society garlic, esperanza,
and sweet potato vine, along with foxtail, sword, asparagus and firecracker
ferns, exotic banana trees and possibly mounted bromeliads, can be found at the
sale. Sweet Italian pepper and variegated pepper plants, as well as spicy
global basil, purple basil and cilantro will help supply culinary desires.
Ivies and lilies are possibilities as is the mounding blue daze. All plants are
labeled with name, variety and proper growing information, and many master
gardeners will be available to assist shoppers by answering questions, helping
in selection and transporting purchases to vehicles.
An added delight to this year's sale is the "Pick of the Crop - A
Garden Gift Shop." This special shopping section will spotlight specialty
plants, garden art, and quality, homemade gifts. Many items are crafted by
association members and special friends of the organization.
The proceeds from both the highlighted plants as well as
those grown and donated by master gardeners benefit Victoria Educational
Gardens (VEG), the foremost ongoing project of the master gardeners.
Located next to the 4-H Activity Center, Phase I of VEG was completed in May
2003 and includes the Children's Garden, the
Phases II through VI are now in the planning and fund-raising stages, and members hope to begin work by the end of this
year.
Beginners and avid gardeners alike can add beauty to their home landscapes by visiting the VCMGA plant sale this weekend. But one need not be a seriously skilled gardener to enjoy the wonderful sights of color and design being offered on the Annual Garden Tour. Come shop, look, listen, dream and plan at both events. It's sure to be a double treat.