Summer Reflections

It was a long hot summer in North Texas and it may be next year as well. A recent article in the local press had this quote:

"Recent predictions by the National Weather Service of a 50 percent chance there will be another La Niña in the southern Pacific Ocean this fall can be taken two ways - with optimism or pessimism, said Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University professor and Texas state climatologist."

Let's think ahead now about another hot 2012 summer. You may have lost some plants or trees in your yard this summer. Or some of the plant material is weak and in poor condition. With that in mind, take a look around before you spend money to replace plant material. Here are three things that might assist you with a decision on what plants to pick that could survive the next hot, dry summer.

• Your Own Yard: Take a garden walk. What did well in your yard? What sort of sun exposure did it have (full sun, partial shade or shade) and which direction did it face (North, South, East, West or full sun exposure)? Make a list of what worked and learn from what failed. Consider planting more of the plant materials that worked.
• Yards in Your Neighborhood: As you drive through your neighborhood or city, see what plants and trees look at which materials still look strong. Which flowers are still blooming? What annuals are still colorful? If you do not recognize the plant, take a photo and ask your certified nursery person the next time you shop.
• Flame Proof Plants: Jimmy Turner, Dallas Arboretum Director of Research and Garden Designer publishes a list of Texas summer hardy plants each year based on his team's trial garden research. http://www.dallasplanttrials.org/

Invest in these plants and chances are you've got a winner! See the recent selections at http://www.dallasplanttrials.org/Presentations/ULMA/FlameProof%20Annual%20HO.pdf

Where to Plant:  To prioritize your budget for rejuvenating your yard, consider foundation plantings a priority. Why? Because, given the composition of Texas soil, we need to continue watering the soil near out house foundations in order to keep the soil moisture content consistent throughout the year and minimize foundation damage. That means you'll be watering foundation beds anyway and at times, according to city water restrictions; therefore, you might as well choose plants that thrived during the 2011 summer for those foundation beds.

Here's a short list of plants that add color that I would consider investing in next summer:

Annual  Color:

Sun:  Mexican petunia, Zinnias, Angelonia, Pentas, Vinca or Periwinkle, Strap Leaf Caladium, Ipomea or sweet potato vine

Shade (partial):  Caladiums, Coleus, Blood plant, Salvia, Southern wood fern, Japanese holly fern

Perennial Color

Sun:  Knock out Roses, Woody Salvia, Dwarf Abelia

Shade (partial):  Turks Cap

Reflecting on what worked this summer will give us more beauty and fewer heartbreaks in the year to come. Enjoy your yard more by working with nature and the current environmental trend.