February

The lack of average annual rainfall in January does not bode well for this year’s spring wildflower season. In past years January brought Bush Primrose Jasmine flowers, Windflowers, Narcissus and Hyacinth buds or flowers. When we get rain these late winter beauties should appear.

February is still a good time to move plants. I have a rose I want to move, but before I do I will water the rose well and prepare the new location with ample moisture. It is still a good time to plant new roses as long as they are protected from the deer. They need at least 6 hours of sun a day to do well.

Gardening in Central Texas can be a challenge and now is a good time to read up on what you might want to plant in your landscape. One of the best resources is the Grow Green Landscape Plants put out by the City of Austin in conjunction with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service. You can find it online at www.austintexas.gov/ watershed_protection/ publications/document. cfm?id=198301

This FREE publication lists Native and Adapted Plants for Central Texas. For each plant it tells the size, color, light requirements, drought tolerance, evergreen or deciduous, and special characteristics as well as a picture. Periodically I review this publication to remind myself of what my options are.

Another resource is the list of Texas Superstar Plants. You can find a description of them online at texassuperstar. com. Texas A & M Agriculture Research Center field tests plants across the state for several years to determine which will withstand Texas environmental conditions. They are careful to tell you which zones they perform well in.

We are Zone 8, although lately we seem to be more like Zone 9. You may see the Texas Superstar label on some of the plants found in local nurseries. Good luck with your 2022 growing season.

Written by Jackie Mattice Hays County Master Naturalist