Natalie, I love learning about new natives and seeing how you use them in your garden! You are so right about vines growing up the house. I used to have that and even though we treat for termites, I caught termites accessing a hole in the brick through use of the vine. It freaked me out and never again!
Thanks so much! As far as the vines…I’m like “do as I say not as I do” 😝Sometimes I make adult decisions and sometimes I throw caution to the wind. We shall see how it goes😅
Also, good point about rocks. I love the look and have debated using them but worry about the heat and also I dont want to block any volunteers. Also trying to work on breaking down the clay soil.
I have also heard using ground cover instead of mulch though many don’t handle foot traffic well. Large and heavy rock is great in high rain runoff areas where mulch would be washed out. I think you’ll get your volunteers in rock, it’s just those pesky weeds that easily make their homes in the nooks and crannies of rock that’s the frustrating part.😊
Your Lindheimer’s Senna looks so pretty, I have been trying to keep mine alive for two years and never grow more than 6 inches. All your plants look pretty, the skullcap looks amazing.
I just got a Lindheiemer’s Senna, Texas Kidneywood and Texas Persimmon too! My kidneywood was already blooming when I purchased it though, it smells divine and the pollinators love it! My husband and I just purchased a house on two acres and like your home it was mostly grass, but in a matter of four months so far we’ve already planted so much and are starting to run out of room 🤣
Your garden looks wonderful! Loving all the color. I was pleasantly surprised with Gomphrena in my garden this year. It will definitely be a staple from now on. I know you have some conifers in the back corner, correct? How are they doing? I am thinking about adding some but not sure how they will do. Thank you for the new video!
Hello and thank-you! Those are Spartan junipers. They can be tricky to grow in our area and are know to struggle with fungal issues. They’re more suited for a dry west Texas but I managed to avoid overwatering while getting them established. I have heard Arizona cypress is a good choice. I’m still learning trees though😅
@@theplantninja-texasgardener did you plant the gomphrena by seed? I’d like to find other colors. I have a pink but love the white and darker pink you have.
Thanks Jean! Old is relative(but experienced sure sounds better!) I have 80 year old patients who talk about their younger years being when they were in their 60s😊
Hey neighbor, thanks for watching! I learned the native plant lesson the hard way, but it’s been so much better since. And there are SO many beautiful native options💗
I also like yellow flowers. Thanks to you, I'm going to buy a guava plant. =D Next year I am going to buy four mexican fan palms for my yard. Have you ever considered getting one? They are very cold hardy.
I’m so glad! My pineapple guava made it through its first summer and hopefully it’ll make it through winter. I just looked up the Mexican fan palm. Those really offer a beautiful tropical feel. I don’t know much about palms. I wonder if they can handle my alkaline clay soil🤔
@@theplantninja-texasgardener They may workout for you because Texas is close to Mexico and these palms are originally Mexican. The internet says "pH balance that is slightly acidic to moderately alkaline ranging between 5.5 -7.5." It also says optimal soil condition should be "neutral." It withstands temperatures well below freezing, even 0 fahrenheight. If it's damp in your area, they may develop fungus and kill them. I would research or experiment before committing to them. They cost $50 for 2 of them in my area. I would also research rachycarypus fortuneii, wagnerianus, Chamerops humilis and Butia species.
7:57 What is this beauty? I think I missed the name! - Everything looks so colorful, beautiful and healthy! I have one area with rocks, but we will have to re do it. Same rocks, but better weed blocking. For the aphids, get ladybugs, they will help with that problem. - I got my poor Myrtle eaten up again by the cut-ants, couldn't even take a picture of it when it looked pretty Always fun to watch your videos! 💚💚💚
Thank-you Martha! Wright’s skullcap😊 I love ladybugs but have found when I purchase and apply to a plant, half are dead and the other half fly away😅 I think putting one of those pop up greenhouses or collapsible laundry baskets over the plant might contain the ladybugs but my crape Myrtles are too tall for it to be practical.
@@theplantninja-texasgardener The trick that has worked for me with the ladybugs, is opening the lid around 8 pm, and they go to find a spot to sleep in the tree or plant where you release them. Years ago I did a bunch of boxes for a very sick Elm tree and it worked wonders! It was all drippy with the gross stuff the aphids do, and weeks later it was much healthier. - The sad thing is that a couple of years later we sold that house, and the new people chopped the tree as soon as they got there 🥺 - oh well....
WOOH! Thats awesome Natalie that you got the HOA approval :D. Me and my partners are currently fighting them just to be able to plant in our front yard for all native plants... Just trying to get some shade and nature around here. Im super excited to see how everything turns out. "Did i make enough space?" OH WELL! haha i totally get it
I’m so glad you’re in the comments again! I’m excited and somewhat nervous about my project. The HOA had a condition that the new area “must remain well maintained and to community standard” aka “don’t have a giant weed pit in a few months”😝. I read somewhere that we change the world by our example and not our opinion. So while I’m not here to lecture anyone on the environment, maybe once folks see how beautiful, lower maintenance, and wildlife friendly xeriscape can be they might be a bit more interested. This article highlights a state law that discusses HOA limitations on prohibiting xeriscaping. bestoftexaslandscapes.com/hoa-friendly-xeriscaping/#:~:text=Under%20Texas%20Property%20Code%20Section,of%20rainwater%20harvesting%2C%20and%20composting.Stay in the fight! The birds, bees, and neighbors will thank you!
@@theplantninja-texasgardener Psh you got this girl dont be nervous. That lot was meant for you to show off what you can do. I mean you're already leading by example online so bring it all to the front yard too! It's gonna look awesome. and yes thank you! We've been looking into that property code chapter 202 stuff. HOA emailed back some "we know better than you about plants" kinda email after we sent our plans and documentation so we just got a lawyer from work look at this kind of stuff lol 😆. shoooot I'm about to run for HOA at this point to start changing some policies hahaha
Always love your tours! My mealy blue sage has yet to bloom this year and it's super leggy. Maybe I'm watering it too much based on what you are saying.
@@frogjardin sounds like you’re doing what you can. You’re right, sometimes they really “crawl” that first growing season. Maybe next year is better. Only other thought would be what’s the sun exposure like? I know they do best in full sun.
oh My goodness oh my goodness. Ok so secretly, until now it's no longer secret, I have been wanting to invite you out to Puppy Paradise where I am working to establish 20+ acres of native Texas wildlife habitat. Ive been searching out channels that talk about native cultivars and hardy plants for our region. In a few weeks I'll have a sea of blue sage. I am about 40 mins northwest of Austin and am situated on a big hillside in base forward limestone soil. Cool stuff, I know, but what got me thinking was this cute little Texas Persimmon that's on the side of my main road. Ive often considered transplanting it because sooner or later it's in the road and I'll have to cut it down if I don't move it. Would you like it have it? I can deliver it to your garden or you can visit Puppy Paradise and see what James and I are doing to help diversify and establish more native trees, shrubs and flowers. I have several dozen Texas persimmons but this one is still small enough to potentially transplant with success. Maybe you can tell more people about our sniff spot and how they can enjoy Texas wildlife (both before and after cultivation, welp) with their pups in a protected predictable space? Trades maybe? Either way is fine but id love to bless your garden with a Texas persimmon if that would be welcome. Or maybe we need to build a whole new bed centered around this new tree!! hahahaha Let me know if you'd like pictures of the tree. It might take me a couple days to properly dig up the roots and transplant into a 45-65 gallon pot depending on the root ball size. Why do with the one you got, when you can get the one you want? lol
Your lawn reduction plan looks gorgeous!! What a nice collection of plants you have!
Thank-you! I mulled over that plan for about a year
Natalie, I love learning about new natives and seeing how you use them in your garden! You are so right about vines growing up the house. I used to have that and even though we treat for termites, I caught termites accessing a hole in the brick through use of the vine. It freaked me out and never again!
Thanks so much! As far as the vines…I’m like “do as I say not as I do” 😝Sometimes I make adult decisions and sometimes I throw caution to the wind. We shall see how it goes😅
Also, good point about rocks. I love the look and have debated using them but worry about the heat and also I dont want to block any volunteers. Also trying to work on breaking down the clay soil.
I have also heard using ground cover instead of mulch though many don’t handle foot traffic well. Large and heavy rock is great in high rain runoff areas where mulch would be washed out. I think you’ll get your volunteers in rock, it’s just those pesky weeds that easily make their homes in the nooks and crannies of rock that’s the frustrating part.😊
Wonderful video. Love your selection of natives.
Hey girlfriend! Thank-you and thanks for stopping by and supporting your fellow BCMG💗
Your Lindheimer’s Senna looks so pretty, I have been trying to keep mine alive for two years and never grow more than 6 inches. All your plants look pretty, the skullcap looks amazing.
Thank-you! I’ve definitely had my share of stunted plants. I just tell myself that the plants should have tried harder😝
Yay for your hoa approval! Can't wait to watch that project!
I’m nervous now that it’s approved! I hope it looks as good once installed as it does in my head🙏
@@theplantninja-texasgardener even if it doesn't come out like you think, your yard is proof it will be beautiful!
@@frogjardin 🤗I so appreciate that. I’m so glad you’re willing to come along for the ride💗
I just got a Lindheiemer’s Senna, Texas Kidneywood and Texas Persimmon too! My kidneywood was already blooming when I purchased it though, it smells divine and the pollinators love it! My husband and I just purchased a house on two acres and like your home it was mostly grass, but in a matter of four months so far we’ve already planted so much and are starting to run out of room 🤣
I’m excited to hear about your 2 acres!! Sounds like you’re already creating a beautiful and biodiverse habitat. 💗
I just replied to your email but it says “message blocked. ” Let me know if you didn’t get it I can send to another email.😊
I need to try out Gomphrena. Not sure why this isn't part of my Texas garden but it will be 🤠
They’re such a performer and I love the flower head structure! You’ll love them!
Your garden looks wonderful! Loving all the color. I was pleasantly surprised with Gomphrena in my garden this year. It will definitely be a staple from now on. I know you have some conifers in the back corner, correct? How are they doing? I am thinking about adding some but not sure how they will do. Thank you for the new video!
Hello and thank-you! Those are Spartan junipers. They can be tricky to grow in our area and are know to struggle with fungal issues. They’re more suited for a dry west Texas but I managed to avoid overwatering while getting them established. I have heard Arizona cypress is a good choice. I’m still learning trees though😅
Beautiful collection of plants!
@@HoustonKeith72 thank-you! These are my summer survivors 😂
@@theplantninja-texasgardener did you plant the gomphrena by seed? I’d like to find other colors. I have a pink but love the white and darker pink you have.
@@HoustonKeith72 I did use seed for the orange/red ones the purple were from transplant 👉www.monrovia.com/pinball-gomphrena.html
Such valuable info for new and experienced (notice I didn't say, "old." lol) gardeners alike! My spacing trouble is real, too.
Thanks Jean! Old is relative(but experienced sure sounds better!) I have 80 year old patients who talk about their younger years being when they were in their 60s😊
Enjoying your channel; I’m just north of you in McLennan Co. Gardening is a challenge if you aren’t using natives or adapted plants in this area.
Hey neighbor, thanks for watching! I learned the native plant lesson the hard way, but it’s been so much better since. And there are SO many beautiful native options💗
I also like yellow flowers. Thanks to you, I'm going to buy a guava plant. =D Next year I am going to buy four mexican fan palms for my yard. Have you ever considered getting one? They are very cold hardy.
I’m so glad! My pineapple guava made it through its first summer and hopefully it’ll make it through winter. I just looked up the Mexican fan palm. Those really offer a beautiful tropical feel. I don’t know much about palms. I wonder if they can handle my alkaline clay soil🤔
@@theplantninja-texasgardener They may workout for you because Texas is close to Mexico and these palms are originally Mexican. The internet says "pH balance that is slightly acidic to moderately alkaline ranging between 5.5 -7.5." It also says optimal soil condition should be "neutral." It withstands temperatures well below freezing, even 0 fahrenheight. If it's damp in your area, they may develop fungus and kill them. I would research or experiment before committing to them. They cost $50 for 2 of them in my area. I would also research rachycarypus fortuneii, wagnerianus, Chamerops humilis and Butia species.
7:57 What is this beauty? I think I missed the name! - Everything looks so colorful, beautiful and healthy!
I have one area with rocks, but we will have to re do it. Same rocks, but better weed blocking.
For the aphids, get ladybugs, they will help with that problem. - I got my poor Myrtle eaten up again by the cut-ants, couldn't even take a picture of it when it looked pretty
Always fun to watch your videos! 💚💚💚
Thank-you Martha! Wright’s skullcap😊 I love ladybugs but have found when I purchase and apply to a plant, half are dead and the other half fly away😅 I think putting one of those pop up greenhouses or collapsible laundry baskets over the plant might contain the ladybugs but my crape Myrtles are too tall for it to be practical.
@@theplantninja-texasgardener The trick that has worked for me with the ladybugs, is opening the lid around 8 pm, and they go to find a spot to sleep in the tree or plant where you release them. Years ago I did a bunch of boxes for a very sick Elm tree and it worked wonders! It was all drippy with the gross stuff the aphids do, and weeks later it was much healthier. - The sad thing is that a couple of years later we sold that house, and the new people chopped the tree as soon as they got there 🥺 - oh well....
WOOH! Thats awesome Natalie that you got the HOA approval :D. Me and my partners are currently fighting them just to be able to plant in our front yard for all native plants... Just trying to get some shade and nature around here. Im super excited to see how everything turns out. "Did i make enough space?" OH WELL! haha i totally get it
I’m so glad you’re in the comments again! I’m excited and somewhat nervous about my project. The HOA had a condition that the new area “must remain well maintained and to community standard” aka “don’t have a giant weed pit in a few months”😝. I read somewhere that we change the world by our example and not our opinion. So while I’m not here to lecture anyone on the environment, maybe once folks see how beautiful, lower maintenance, and wildlife friendly xeriscape can be they might be a bit more interested. This article highlights a state law that discusses HOA limitations on prohibiting xeriscaping.
bestoftexaslandscapes.com/hoa-friendly-xeriscaping/#:~:text=Under%20Texas%20Property%20Code%20Section,of%20rainwater%20harvesting%2C%20and%20composting.Stay in the fight! The birds, bees, and neighbors will thank you!
@@theplantninja-texasgardener Psh you got this girl dont be nervous. That lot was meant for you to show off what you can do. I mean you're already leading by example online so bring it all to the front yard too! It's gonna look awesome.
and yes thank you! We've been looking into that property code chapter 202 stuff. HOA emailed back some "we know better than you about plants" kinda email after we sent our plans and documentation so we just got a lawyer from work look at this kind of stuff lol 😆. shoooot I'm about to run for HOA at this point to start changing some policies hahaha
@@ErikAmon-ct3xx Wonderful! HOA can’t break our spirits…(maybe they can just a little)😝
Always love your tours! My mealy blue sage has yet to bloom this year and it's super leggy. Maybe I'm watering it too much based on what you are saying.
Give it a nice prune(top 12 inches to as much as half the height of the plant), I’ll bet that fixes it!
@@theplantninja-texasgardener I tried that back in July, but it didn't help. I started it from seed, so maybe it doesn't bloom its first year?
@@frogjardin sounds like you’re doing what you can. You’re right, sometimes they really “crawl” that first growing season. Maybe next year is better. Only other thought would be what’s the sun exposure like? I know they do best in full sun.
Thanks Natalie! They are in full sun, so maybe they just need more time. @@theplantninja-texasgardener
oh My goodness oh my goodness. Ok so secretly, until now it's no longer secret, I have been wanting to invite you out to Puppy Paradise where I am working to establish 20+ acres of native Texas wildlife habitat. Ive been searching out channels that talk about native cultivars and hardy plants for our region. In a few weeks I'll have a sea of blue sage. I am about 40 mins northwest of Austin and am situated on a big hillside in base forward limestone soil. Cool stuff, I know, but what got me thinking was this cute little Texas Persimmon that's on the side of my main road. Ive often considered transplanting it because sooner or later it's in the road and I'll have to cut it down if I don't move it. Would you like it have it? I can deliver it to your garden or you can visit Puppy Paradise and see what James and I are doing to help diversify and establish more native trees, shrubs and flowers. I have several dozen Texas persimmons but this one is still small enough to potentially transplant with success. Maybe you can tell more people about our sniff spot and how they can enjoy Texas wildlife (both before and after cultivation, welp) with their pups in a protected predictable space? Trades maybe? Either way is fine but id love to bless your garden with a Texas persimmon if that would be welcome. Or maybe we need to build a whole new bed centered around this new tree!! hahahaha Let me know if you'd like pictures of the tree. It might take me a couple days to properly dig up the roots and transplant into a 45-65 gallon pot depending on the root ball size. Why do with the one you got, when you can get the one you want? lol
Your excitement is contagious😊 Shoot me an email and we can discuss details. Theplantninja@gmail.com
@@theplantninja-texasgardener email sent.
Also... be careful of the Rue with Charlie. It's toxic to dogs. Our dogs use all of our yard as a salad bar, so I have to be really careful.
Thank-you for that info! Charlie is anti greenery so far😝