Go Native – Gregg’s Mistflower 

By: Patty Cressman, Grayson County Master Gardener 

My adventure as a Grayson County Master Gardener sprouted in January 2018. I quickly learned that Master Gardeners love native plants. The concept of native plants was new to me. Since my early days as a Master Gardener, I have grown to love these native plants that are tough enough to endure the brutal Texas climate. Native plants survive the relentless scorching days of August without impacting my water bill. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture a “native plant” is “a plant that lives or grows naturally in a particular region without direct or indirect human intervention.”1 

1 Native Plant Society of Texas – www.npsot.org What a concept, a plant that does not mind my neglect of care. These plants do not require special soil preparation, nor do they require fertilizer or frequent watering. Even pesty insects do not seem to destroy them-my kind of plant. 

I met my first native plant at Eisenhower Birthplace in Denison, Texas, Gregg’s Mistflower, Eupatorium, Conoclinium greggi. The plant was named after Josiah Gregg, an American merchant, explorer, naturalist, and author. The plant displays a cluster of fluffy purple flowers. The flowers are a magnet to the Queen and monarch butterflies as they migrate through North Texas in the fall. The Gregg’s Mistflower is a perennial plant that blooms from March through November. 

Gregg’s Mistflower is a versatile plant that prefers part shade or filtered sun but will grow in direct sunlight. The plant requires minimal water and is quite adaptable to the long dry summers that North Texas offers. Gregg’s Mistflower makes a gorgeous groundcover and will thrive as a potted plant. 

Propagation of Gregg’s Mistflower is easy. You can collect the seeds in the fall and plant them in the spring. You can propagate from cuttings which will take root. Since the plant spreads you can dig up excess growth and transplant it elsewhere. 

Gregg’s Mistflower will be available at the 2025 Grayson County Master Gardener Spring Plant sale.  

1 Native Plant Society of Texas – www.npsot.org 

 Asparagi 

“To Everything, There is a Season” 

By Raye Nilius, Grayson County Master Gardener 

In 1959, Pete Seeger wrote the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The lyrics were taken from the Bible’s Book of Ecclesiastes and the song became a number one hit in 1965 when recorded by the Byrds. You may remember it as “To Everything There is a Season”. In 2001, the 1965 version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 

The lyrics embody a collection of profound wisdom that can be applied to many corridors you travel. If you are a gardener, the lyrics are gardening tips. 

“A time to plant, a time to reap.” 

Around 2016, I decided to plant Asparagus. It is one of my all-time favorite vegetables. The Latin name is Asparagus officinalis and it is thought to have originated from Europe, North Africa, and Asia where it grows wild along the riverbanks and sea shores. 

Asparagus made its way to the New World around 1655 before we became the United States of America. While China is the largest producer worldwide, growing 7.8 million metric tons (2017), the asparagus we buy at the market likely comes from Mexico and Peru. 

Asparagus is planted as crowns that closely resemble the miniature version of a cotton string mop. I started my Asparagi with six crowns of Mary Washington that I’d found at a big box store. We had a small kidney-shaped planting bed with three blueberry bushes and a tiny fig bush. I remember scooping out thick Blackland Prairie mud to first spread and then press the tentacles of the crowns into the soil. About a month later, spears appeared. 

When the spears are not harvested, they grow into the above-ground form of the plant that sports feathery fern-like leaves and a round green stem. The plant leaves photosynthesize food for the underground crowns. Without the above-ground plant, the crowns die and no more spears exist. 

Experts say that spears should not be harvested unless they are the diameter of a pencil. If your crown produces only one spear, allow it to grow into a plant so that more spears follow the next year. The first year, I left the spindly, green Mary Washington spears in the ground where they sprouted tiny branches and grew three feet tall with fern-like leaves that waved in the Texas wind. 

Not long after, I saw an article about a pink/purple variety of asparagus. In a fever, I searched online and found two-year Purple Passion asparagus crowns available for purchase. I ordered 12 crowns and planted them quickly in our kidney-shaped garden bed. 

The crowns grew well and in early spring, pink/purple spears shoved their way out of the soil like a submarine on an emergency blow. Their pink/purple color is derived from Anthocyanin, a pigment produced by the plant. They easily outcompeted Mary Washington’s delicate spears, grew longer (8-10”) and were sweeter than the green varieties. Purple asparagus produces more Vitamin C than green varieties. Asparagus is also rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and the amino acid Asparagine. 

When you snap off a spear early in the spring and eat it right there in the yard, no questions asked, you will find that they are tender, sweet, toothsome niblets. We ate them like they were candy. 

“A time to gain, a time to lose.” 

For several springs we enjoyed the beefy Purple Passion spears. I noticed that there were more every year. As it thrives in the soil the asparagus plant produces more crowns next to the crowns they already have. You can dig up the crowns, separate them, and move them to expand your asparagus bed to enjoy even more spears. With the initial six Mary Washingtons and the twelve Purple Passion crowns, we got more spears than we could ever eat. 

One fine day I decided to plant long beans in the kidney bed. We had to expand the bed to plant the beans because they grow best on a cattle panel that is bent into a U and supported by T posts. The bed was expanded from a kidney shape to a long oval, and drip lines were installed. 

It was worth the effort because my two favorite vegetables now thrived alongside one another in the company of their friends the Blueberries and a growing Fig. It was a happy family there in the oval bed. We enjoyed spears in the spring and I picked handfuls of long beans every day all summer long. The blueberries thrived too and during wet years, so did the fig. But that wasn’t to last. 

“A time to laugh, a time to weep.” 

In time, the Asparagi grew thicker and thicker, willfully shading the beans with their overbearing feathery fronds. They grew 6-8 feet tall. The beans suffered without grace in their shade on that end of the panel. 

One day my husband said, “Don’t bring any more spears in the house. I’m done.” 

Eight years after the first crown’s tentacles were spread out and pressed into the mud, we stepped back and weighed the benefits and drawbacks of Long Beans versus Asparagus. A difficult choice was looming. Something had to be done. 

The long beans could be counted on to produce all summer long. If allowed to dry on the vine, the beans inside the pod could be saved as seed for the next year. The leathery beans that were no good as snap beans could be shelled for their delectable beans and cooked with a bit of ham and a side of cornbread. They could be canned or frozen for later. Two thumbs up. 

The Asparagi produced fat, succulent, pink/purple spears for about a month and a half in the spring. Then they rocketed to tall feathery fronds. The plants created new crowns shamelessly right before our eyes. It isn’t easily preserved by canning or freezing. They took up four times the size of the original bed. The rascals were crowding and shading the blueberries and the long beans. Two thumbs down. 

“A time to build up, a time to break down.” 

We waited until winter to dig up the crowns. When I pried out the first crown, I heard Billy Bob Thornton’s voice from Armageddon; “It’s the size of Texas, Mr. President.” No longer the miniature version of the cotton string mop, they were nearly as big as a full size string mop. It took a week of exhaustive digging to get them all out of the Blackland clay. We filled two Gorilla Carts with excavated crowns. 

We shared the crowns among our gardening friends and family members who seemed genuinely happy to get them. When the crowns were out and gone, we tilled the ground, added compost, and installed another cattle panel for long beans. Now and then, two elusive crowns we had overlooked will shoot up a spear. 

“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” 

Gardening is a rotating carousel of choices and change throughout the year. Something new always pops up. Something else has to go. I hope that your carousel ride has been as eventful as mine, and just as enjoyable. As always, my friends, Happy Gardening!!! 

Evicted Asparagus crowns ready for their new homes 

A lone Purple Passion spear appeared after all (but one) 

of the crowns were removed 

Our first cattle panel for Long Beans, with Asparagus plants in the Background 

 Digging In: The Importance of Getting Your Hands Dirty Gardening 

By: Rebecca Yavner, Grayson County Master Gardener 

In a world dominated by screens and concrete jungles, the simple act of digging into the earth with our hands can feel like a radical act of reconnection. Gardening, beyond its aesthetic appeal and the promise of fresh produce, offers profound benefits for both body and mind. As we immerse ourselves in the soil, we not only cultivate vibrant gardens but also nurture our own well-being. The importance of getting our hands dirty in the garden cannot be overstated, as it fosters physical health, mental well-being, and a deeper connection with nature. 

Physical Health Benefits 

Gardening is more than just a leisurely pastime; it’s a form of exercise with numerous physical health benefits. Research has shown that activities such as digging, planting, and weeding can burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase flexibility and strength [1]. Moreover, exposure to sunlight while gardening provides a natural source of vitamin D, essential for bone health and immune function [2]. By engaging in regular gardening activities, we not only cultivate beautiful landscapes but also nurture our physical well-being. 

Mental Well-being and Stress Reduction 

The therapeutic effects of gardening on mental health are well-documented. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression [3]. The rhythmic movements involved in gardening, along with the sensory experience of touching soil and plants, can (and often do) induce a state of relaxation and calmness. Additionally, the act of nurturing living plants and witnessing their growth can instill a sense of purpose and accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and resilience [4]. Gardening provides a sanctuary from the stresses of modern life, offering a refuge where we can find solace, rejuvenation, and an escape from the worries of the world. 

Connection with Nature 

At its core, gardening is a deeply intimate interaction with the natural world. As we dig our hands into the soil, we become attuned to the rhythms of the earth and the cycles of life. Gardening fosters a sense of connection with the environment, reminding us of our place within the intricate web of life. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can enhance feelings of awe, gratitude, and interconnectedness [5]. By cultivating gardens, we not only nourish our bodies and minds but also cultivate a deeper reverence for the earth and its inhabitants. 

In conclusion, the importance of getting our hands dirty in the garden extends far beyond the boundaries of our backyard plots. Gardening offers a holistic approach to health and well-being, enriching our lives physically, mentally, and spiritually. As we immerse ourselves in the soil, we reconnect with the rhythms of nature and rediscover the simple joys of tending to living plants. So, roll up your sleeves, grab a trowel, and start digging. If you are like me, then your garden—and your well-being—will thank you for it. 

Citations: 

[1] Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2017). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92-99. 

[2] Holick, M. F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(3), 266-281. 

[3] van den Berg, A. E., & Custers, M. H. (2011). Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of Health Psychology, 16(1), 3-11. 

[4] Gonzalez, M. T., Hartig, T., Patil, G. G., Martinsen, E. W., & Kirkevold, M. (2010). Therapeutic horticulture in clinical depression: a prospective study. Research in Nursing & Health, 33(4), 385-397. 

[5] Weinstein, N., Przybylski, A. K., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). Can nature make us more caring? Effects of immersion in nature on intrinsic aspirations and generosity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35(10), 1315-1329