Victoria County Master         Gardener Association

ROOTED TO CELEBRATE

Surviving the pandemic with land, cattle, flowers

July 03, 2020

by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Master Gardener

Edited by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Master Gardener

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON

The flowers of the Red Pagoda Clerodendrum offer ample red color for a patriotic garden blooming late spring through summer and fall.  Huge spikes of 1/2-inch reddish butterfly-shaped flowers that can reach 18 inches in height on stems beacon to hummingbirds searching for nectar.  It needs watering once a week in the summer with soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the blooming season for it to provide its best red blooms of courage.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON

The Gardenia jasminoides 'Miami Supreme' grows in this area up to 6-8 feet in height in full sun to partial shade.  It prefers acidic, evenly moist soils with excellent drainage and good air circulation.  It blooms a highly fragrant, waxy, sensational flower, ivory white in color as shown here recently in bloom.  It is said to be a magnificent landscape ornamental of purity whether used as a specimen plant, in containers, mixed shrub borders or pruned into a small tree.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON

The dark blue Ageratum 'Blue Danube', shown to the rear of the plants along with lavender and pink shades in this border planting is an annual that prefers full sun and requires very little care other than average watering and care to not overwater.  Its button-like fuzzy blooms appear mid-summer through early fall and are more significant in color when spent blooms are deadheaded.  This blue-blooming plant attracts bees, butterflies and some birds and adds a sense of patriotic loyalty to a summertime bed.



PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON

Safe escape to wide open spaces this spring during the pandemic was a source of rejuvenation and reprieve for those rooted in teh land during the lockdown and "stay-at-home" orders.  Beyond gate entrances like this one belonging to Borchers Southern Y Ranches in western Goliad County is a world of cattle ranching enriched with family heritage and stewardship of the land.  Like shown here, an American flag waves at all main gate entrances of the cow-calf ranching operation that are located in this area of Texas.

Unprecedented times this spring like never experienced before by most of us has brought change in and around our communities, state and country. And while many could not go to work or socialize, and most had to change routines for meaningful gatherings or observances for loved ones or in worship, some still remained grounded in their roots and being out with nature. We were resilient through family heritage and love of nature as well as creative through determined technology.

Rooted in the land
Some of us who descend from ranching heritage from several generations back are still actively involved in the industry and escaped to wide open spaces on land we love and know to co-mingle with cattle, horses and livestock.


I am grateful I had that opportunity to be outdoors as I am definitely rooted in the land. Fifth generation in a ranching family with land holdings dating back over 100 years, ranching in various counties allows us to move cattle around when needed and to benefit from various pastures. Primarily a cow-calf operation, the mid-spring rains and recent cooler weather this time of year has been very welcomed.

Owning and observing healthy, happy cattle reinforces the relationship with Mother Nature in being good stewards of the land. When things got very low and constrained, required time in the wide open spaces was very much a reprieve for me.

Rooted in the landscape/garden
Others ventured to their landscapes and gardens for spring plantings and maintenance while still others started gardening for the first time. Nurseries and garden centers that were fortunate with “business as usual” could not keep enough planting materials in stock.

This spring allowed me the opportunity to identify three new flowering plants for my known choice patriotic landscape. I met up with the red pagoda plant, Miami Supreme gardenia and Blue Danube ageratum all currently in bloom that add to my patriotic plant aspirations.

• Red

With tiered, pyramidal-shaped flower clusters in red color schemes against large, heart-shaped green leaves, the pagoda plant fits the red inspiration. In USDA plant hardiness Zones 8-11, its equally ornamental foliage and flowers brighten gardens all year.


It can grow to 6 feet or taller and at least as wide. The pagoda plant flower produces large spikes of butterfly-shaped flowers from mid-summer well into fall. The red spikes can extend 18 inches which reach up and out to hummingbirds.


In summer, it needs consistently moist soil and should be watered weekly or whenever the soil dries out completely on the surface.

As a moderately heavy feeder, the pagoda plant should be fed once every two weeks with soluble fertilizer. Its winter care requirements diminish considerably.

The pagoda plant adds the color red to a landscaped garden summer through fall and certainly can fit the bill for the first of the trio – red, white and blue.

• White

Blooming late spring to early summer, Miami supreme gardenia is a large, densely-foliaged shrub that produces large, intoxicatingly-fragrant, waxy, ivory white double flowers. Occasionally, it blooms in late summer or fall.

Mature at 6 to 10 feet, it has moderate watering needs in USDA Zones 8-10 with preferred morning sun but thrives in full to partial sun at maturity. It needs good air circulation to help it ward off leaf diseases.

It is one of the most popular gardenias due to its intense fragrance, its ease in growing, versatility, cold-hardiness and its gorgeous white bloom.

• Blue

Ageratum is a low-growing, low-maintenance annual that blooms all summer in sun or part shade with little required care. Small button-like ageratum flowers are produced in clusters on these plants.

Deadheading the flowers keeps them blooming all summer and for a tidier appearance.

They look particularly attractive along the front edge of a border of annual or perennial plants and/or in containers with other taller annuals.

The blue danube ageratum reaches 6 to 12 inches in height and 9 to 12 inches wide without overwatering. Its bloom is a deep blue, with others in lavender and pink colors that are fragrant and attractive to bees, butterflies and some birds.


It is a nice, fluffy addition to a garden setting in blue tones.

Rooted to celebrate
No doubt, Coronavirus-19 has changed our lives to a new level of normalcy, but nothing that we as Americans cannot live through and overcome with determined spirit and care for others.

On this year’s Independence Day, I encourage you to celebrate those things that are held most dear – family, friends and a country that bestows upon us constitutional freedoms embraced by God-given rights. Wave your American flag and celebrate America. Stay safe and well. After all, we are rooted to celebrate.

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, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.

More Information

PATRIOTIC PLANT PARTICULARS

Red Pagoda Clerodendrum

• Scientific Name: Clerodendrum paniculatum

Plant family: Mint

Wide native range from India to Southeast Asia

• Watering: Water needs fluctuate significantly during the year.

In summer, needs consistently moist soil and should be watered

weekly or when soil dries out completely on surface.

Do not overwater; plant does not like soggy soil.

In winter, water only if no rain falls for longer than one week or if

plant appears slightly wilted.

• Pruning:

Plant grows quickly in summer; may crowd out less assertive

plants.

Prune to restrict size and encourage better blooming and denser

foliage.

Prune in summer after the last flowers have faded.

Miami Supreme Gardenia

• Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides ‘Miami Supreme’

Plant Family: Rubiaceae

Native of China, Taiwan and Japan

• Blooms:

Highly fragrant; double flower

Waxy ivory/white flowers

Largest, most fragrant of all common blooms

Fat buds grace almost every limb on a large, vigorous plant

for several weeks to months.

When in flower, limbs make beautiful, long-lasting cut flower

arrangements.

Classic, elegant flowers are excellent choices for corsages and

bridal bouquets.

Frequent gift choice for a gardener of any skill level.

Frequent choice for Mother's Day, weddings, and house warming

gifts.

Blue Danube Ageratum

• Scientific Name: Ageratum houstonianum 'Blue Danube’

Plant Family: Daisy

Native of Mexico

• Blooms

Offer soft, round, fluffy flowers in various shades of blue, pink

or white - with blue being most common

Popular varieties offer range of blue colors and include the

following cultivars:

'Hawaii' - Flowers early in royal blue color and is one of the most long-lasting of the species.

'Blue Mink' - Flowers in a powder blue color and reaches 12 inches in height.

'Blue Danube' - Reaches just 6 to 8 inches and features blooms in medium-dark blue shade.

• Caution: Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction