Victoria County Master Gardener Association
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk
2018 Oct 19
TAKE YOUR PICK
There is something for everyone at Victoria County Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale
October 19, 2018
By Brenda Heinold - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER BRENDA HEINOLD
Fall Aster (Symphyotricum oblongifolium) is just now beginning its blooming cycle. It is the perfect time to plant this Texas native as it will bring color to your landscape while attracting butterflies. Be sure to visit Victoria Educational Gardens adjacent to the plant sale location where it is growing. It will also be available to go home with you from this sale.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY BRENDA HEINOLD/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is not a rose at all but any rose would be jealous of the huge blooms shown here that cover this tall tree-like shrub in a fall landscape. This is one of the numerous hardy hibiscus varieties available at the Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale this weekend.
PHOTO BY LON WEST/WEST FARMS ARTISANAL GROWER & NURSERY
Look for planted color bowls at this weekend's plant sale designed by West Farms Artisanal Grower and Nursery for the Victoria County Master Gardener Association. Back by popular demand, these planted containers will be perfect for fall landscapes, door steps and the upcoming holidays. There will also be annual and perennial plants available for planting in your own containers.
Others:
- Large Variety of Fruit Trees
- Planted Color Bowls
- Ground Covers
- Trailing Vines
- Daylilies
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER NANCY ZAPLAC
Giant Leopard Plant (Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum') shows its beautiful, yellow, daisy-like flowers atop rounded, leathery, glossy green leaves in a bed in this open, rural landscape. It is a wonderful plant fit for a shady area and is one of the cultivars of Farfugium to be offered at this Saturday's Victoria County Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale.
Last week’s article discussed the wide variety of fruit trees that will be available for purchase at Saturday’s Victoria County Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale. Not only is fall a great time to plant fruit trees, it is also the ideal time to plant landscape trees, perennials and flowers to add color and texture in your landscape both now as well as next spring and summer.
Flowering trees
Crape myrtles have been called the lilacs of the South. They sport a wide array of flower colors, bark interest, leaf color and also growth form.
As I worked in the Master Gardener Victoria Educational Gardens last week, I was approached by a lady who wanted some help selecting the right crape myrtle for her yard. She specifically wanted one that would grow into a nice tree, rather than a shrub. At that time, I was unsure which crape myrtles would be offered in the sale. If she is reading this article, I am happy to report that we will offer two outstanding tree-form crape myrtles.
The first is Basham’s Party Pink, a Texas Superstar selection that can grow to 30 feet. It is an outstanding disease-resistant variety with light lavender-pink flowers. The bark of Basham’s Party Pink is a wonderful mixture of tans and grays with a reddish-brown undertone. Another great crape myrtle included in the sale is Natchez, which can also grow to 30 feet with a beautiful canopy and gorgeous exfoliating bark. Its large flowers are white and last throughout the summer.
Hibiscus
Fall is also an outstanding time to plant hibiscus, both the hardy and tropical varieties. They will continue to bloom from now until first frost and then will return in late spring. Even though the tops will die back in a freeze, well-mulched crowns and roots survive, resprouting each spring when the ground warms, for many years of beautiful color.
This sale will include Moy Grande, Lady Baltimore, Lord Baltimore, Texas Star and Confederate Rose hardy hibiscus. Confederate Rose, with its huge, rose-shaped blooms, makes a striking statement in the landscape. In addition to the hardy hibiscus, many tropical hibiscus will be offered in yellow, pink, red, salmon and white flowers.
Colorful shrubs
No landscape is complete without an assortment of colorful shrubs to serve as foundation or accent plantings.
- Mexican firebush, Hamelia patens, blooming so beautifully throughout our area now, will be available in three varieties, including the standard form, a compact form and the popular Lime Sizzler hybrid.
- Radiance Abelia, with its dense, compact silvery foliage and white blooms, and the ever popular Canyon Creek Abelia with colorful foliage and pink flowers will brighten any flower beds.
- Little John Bottlebrush, Pink Chinese Indigo and richly-colored Loropetalum will be among the many beautiful shrubs offered to provide color, fragrance and texture to the landscape.
Planted color bowls
Back by popular demand, this Saturday’s plant sale will feature beautiful mixed containers created especially for Victoria County Master Gardener Association by West Farms Artisanal Grower and Nursery. Just in time for the fall and holiday season, these containers are perfect for the homeowner who wants a beautiful addition to the porch or patio. If you want to create your own container, check out the many small perennials and annuals offered at the sale that you can plant in a container.
Shade plants, vines, ground covers, so much more
For shady areas in your garden, shop for Leopard plants, African hosta, Bear’s breeches, Firespike and Colocasia. Vines include Mexican Flame Vine, Red Bleeding Heart Clerodendrum, Cuban Pea Vine and Coral Vine. Stemodia, Blue Daze and Red Fountains Skullcap are among the groundcovers being offered. The daylily enthusiast can choose from many varieties that come from Victoria County Master Gardeners Association’s own daylily gardens. Fall is the best time to plant these beauties.
Revisiting available fruit trees
As described in last week’s article, there will be six varieties of peach trees, two each of pear, plum and apple, pomegranate, olive, loquat and three varieties each of blueberries and blackberries. Plant container-grown fruit trees and shrubs now in the fall rather than in winter months.
Inspiration for every landscape, gardener
There is something for every landscape and every gardener at the VCMGA fall plant sale, which starts at 8 a.m. Refer to sideline information for more information. Plan to come early to ensure that you snare some of those beautiful plants that you have had your eye on for fall planting.
Before, during or after the sale, spend some time walking through the adjacent Victoria Educational Gardens to gain inspiration. Revisit often; we would love to see you.
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk