Spring has sprung and planting time is here. Now is the time to gussy up those landscapes; replace winter casualties; maybe try a new look here and there.
If more plants are in your future (and when are they not?), you’ll be spending lots of time at your favorite nursery, big box store, and, of course, the Somervell County Master Gardeners Spring 2025 Plant Sale on May 3. While you are out-and-about plant shopping here are some terms you’ll probably see.
Texas Superstar®
The Texas Superstar® program is a consortium of plant experts from Texas universities; TAMU AgriLife; commercial plant growers, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. Members’ teams test plants for adaptability, deer resistance, water requirements, pollinator attraction and more in Texas eco-regions. If you see a Texas Superstar® plant, you’ll know it has been tested by Texas experts. For more information see https://texassuperstar.com/.
Texas Native Plants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture definition of “native plant” is “a plant that lives or grows naturally in a particular region without direct or indirect human intervention.” This means a Native Plant might be a plant that has thrived in a Texas Region for hundreds of years. On the other hand a naturalized plants introduced long ago, but are now thriving and spreading without human intervention can be considered Native Plants. For more information on Texas Native Plants visit https://www.npsot.org/.
Proven Winners
Proven Winner is a national plant distributor and seller. This company sends their plants around the country for multi-year field testing by universities, public gardens, and test sites around the country. Plant trial locations in Texas are The Dallas Arboretum and Texas Tech. Go to the Proven Winner web site to find recommended plants for your region. https://www.provenwinners.com/.
Sun and Shade
Some plants like lots of sun; others don’t. To help you find the perfect spot for your plant, here is how to interpret those sun/shade requirements.
I’ve got to go now. Sorry to rush off, but the nurseries are about to open. I leave you with the Gardener’s Lament. So many plants. So little time.