Libraries and Gardens for All!

Photo by: LH
amaryllis 2009-
candy cane variety?

Do you enjoy reading and gardening?
I sure do! I hope that you can try it out if you don't!!

I can't say that I will post often, but hope that you will check out my links below...

Check out some of my garden faves:
Native Plants of Texas [TAMU]
UT Texas Plant Image Archive
Texas Department of Agriculture [TAMU] Super Star Plants
Plants for Texas
Noble Foundation
Garden Web
HGTV
DIY

Check out some of my library faves:
Texas Library Association
HALS
Brazoria County Library System
Harris County Library System
Houston Public Library System
Internet Public Library


Southeast Texas Gulf Coastal Plains
This area is full of basic (opposite of acidic) heavy, black clay soils called "gumbo clay" but is actually Montmorillonite clay.
It can be quite difficult to work with unless you ammend the soil.
I mostly use the following:

  • soil sulfur

  • organic humus

  • organic peat

  • shredded mulch (I like cedar)

  • raw vegetable scraps (no seeds)

  • Gardens Alive! products

Plants that do well here that I like:

  • anything that is full sun, heat, drought, & humidity tolerant

  • daylilies

  • irises

  • rain lilies

  • gladiloli

  • freesias

  • lorepetalum

  • gardenias

  • some roses

  • hibiscus

  • vitex

  • pine trees

  • oak trees

  • variegated chinese privet

  • tall grasses: purple fountain, etc.

  • bamboo

  • elm trees

  • pansies

  • lupinus texensis

  • sunflowers

  • zinnias

  • bananas

  • gingers

  • tube roses

  • aloes

  • foxtail ferns

  • elephant ears

  • society garlic

  • spinach

  • tomatoes

  • onions

  • potatoes

  • berries: strawberry, blackberry, and some others

  • poppies

  • other lilies

  • many flowering vines

  • salvias

  • coleus

  • lambs ear

  • daffodils

  • liriope

  • amaryllis

  • bird of paradise

  • daisies

  • many wildflowers