January Bloomer

Dwarf Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis

These garnet red blooms first caught my eye in a Harlingen parking lot. It was a dreary January day, so I felt compelled to pull in and get a closer look. What a surprise to find Dwarf Bottlebrush! I'd grown (and loved) bottlebrush for decades but didn't know there was a dwarf cultivar. This hedge is located at the southeast corner of Ed Carey and Business 77. It stands at about 3 feet tall and 3 or 4 feet wide. I would bet that it has never received any TLC, yet it thrives. It's a drought-resistant plant that performs wonderfully in the Rio Grande Valley. The day I shot these photos, bees were really working these blooms. I imagine hummingbirds love them too. I've watched this planting for over five years now . . . guess it's time for me to add it to my garden.

Gardening is just yummy!

Homegrown broccoli is so tender that it's just about as good raw as it is steamed. The first time I grew broccoli, the plants went into my compost pile shortly after the main stalk was harvested. I had no idea broccoli would continue producing smaller spears around the edges of the plant. That same winter, my dad ate from his broccoli plants for months! Live and learn.

We're keeping a close watch on this little beauty! Three of my six cauliflower plants have fruits that have turned purplish and whose florets are not full. Why does that happen?

This year's seeds are now in the garden centers so it's time to begin planning the spring veggie garden. I grow vegetables, herbs, and a few cut flowers in raised beds. The most important part of my plan will be finding the right bed for the tomatoes and peppers. Rotating their planting location will reduce any disease they might get. I also always look for disease resistant varieties. (that info is listed on the plant label). If you can keep your plants disease free, your family will be munchin' on home grown tomatoes until August. My fave tomato for the Rio Grande Valley is Celebrity. It has been a good producer year after year. Even if you don't have a "vegetable garden", tuck a tomato plant into one of your sunny beds. Your taste buds will thank you for it!

I hope that you all have a chance to grow a vegetable or two!

Kalanchoe

When so little else is blooming fully, kalanchoes brighten up the garden! Hardly noticable most of the year, this is their time to shine. Mine edge part of our driveway and were all grown from leaf or stem cuttings from my mother-in-law. As soon as they've finished blooming, take your cuttings. Wait a few days for the cutting end to dry a bit before planting them. No need to root these in pots first - you can just poke the cut end right directly in your garden. Water, but let the ground dry out between waterings. Look for new growth within a month or six weeks.

A "Must Plant" Plant

I was reading about how inaccurate garden books can be when it comes to “bloom periods” - so much depends on our region and the microclimates in our gardens. It brought to mind the Thyrallis (Galphimia glauca) in different parts of my yard. Yesterday, I was admiring the Thyrallis planted against the house (and facing the south); it is fresh and full of blooms – what a pleasant surprise after the cold weather we’ve been having. As I continued strolling around the yard, I came upon another couple of Thyrallis bushes planted in an island bed – and exposed to the north wind. They were completely devoid of blooms and looking dormant and extremely stressed.

I bought my first Thyrallis in the early 80s from “The Flower Pot” (I loved that nursery!) I always called it yellow plumbago – but I’m not sure where that name came from – the nursery or me? Anyhow, this plant has survived freezes, droughts, and general abuse in my yard. It has never been bothered by either insect or disease. I think Thyrallis is a great plant for the Rio Grande Valley. It will grow to 5 feet by 5 feet. I did make the mistake of planting some under windows and had to trim them monthly in the summer to keep them below the windowsill. To keep them from getting leggy, I cut mine back to about one foot every couple of years.