Propagating Whatever We Want

As you may know, our slogan is "propagating whatever we want since 2000." That being said, we are continually bringing on new plants, whether native or just Texas tolerant, to try at the nursery.  We thought it might be a good idea to start a blog to introduce some of the new plants that we are cultivating and reintroduce some that we have carried for awhile. 

So, for our first blog, we would like to formally introduce you to the following Texas Natives:

Texas Mock Orange-- Philadelphus texensis 

Texas Mock Orange is a small shrub native to the Edwards Plateau.  It prefers part shade and can grow in our rocky soil.  Like other Philadelphus it has fragrant white blooms.  This shrub can be kept sheared, but it will drop its leaves come winter.  As an interesting side note, we learned the following from the Aggie Horticulture website:

"P. texensis has been designated TOES V, which means that it is on the Texas Organization of Endangered Species Watch list as a species without legal protection, and has either low population numbers or a restricted range in Texas. That is, it is neither declining nor having its range restricted, but rather needs some attention to make sure that it does not become threatened or endangered." http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/philadelphustexen.htm

 Gray Golden Aster-- Heterotheca canescens

I was first introduced to this plant while out on a plant exploration day in the Texas Hill Country with some of my other nerdy friends.  We saw this small (stays about a foot tall) silver mound covered in yellow blooms growing along the roadside.  This was summer time around noon.  While the rest of us were parched this plant looked pristine.  In fact these plants have really started to put on a show with their blooms here at the nursery.  (It's mid July, folks)  As if it couldn't get any better, this plant is evergreen and deer resistant!

Apache Plume-- Fallugia paradoxa

We have carried a few of these plants in the past, but are now bringing on new production.  I am familiar with this plant as it grew in Colorado (so very cold hardy).  These shrubs grow to about 3'x3' and are deer resistant.  On this airy plant, you will love the clean white blooms that are followed by a wispy seed head that resembles a plume of smoke (hence the name). 

In my opinion, the only paradox is why more people aren't planting them!