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A. Here are some good vines for shade:

• Crossvine
• Star jasmine
• Potato vine
• Coral honeysuckle (needs some sun)
• Evergreen clematis
• Virginia creeper

On April 16, James David from Gardens joins us to talk about vines for Central Texas.

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Bicolor Sage (Salvia sinaloensis)

Salvias are among the most versatile and useful groups of blooming perennials we have for our central Texas landscapes. Bicolor Sage makes an attractive groundcover reaching only 6-12 inches in height.

Its small blooms are an intense royal blue rising on spikes above the dark
green foliage with a burgundy tinge. This salvia does best in a part shade location and is especially appreciative of a break from the hot afternoon sun.

Plants may be set about a foot apart to form a groundcover or used individually in the nooks and crannies of a rock
garden. It is also attractive spilling over the sides of a mixed container planting. Bicolor sage dies back in winter to return again in spring.

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• Plant anything you can except hot weather annuals, unless you’re ready to cover them.
• When planting, be sure to thoroughly soak the ground. Let it sink in; then water again. It’s better to deeply water all around the new plants, rather than dabbling a little each day.
• Try soaking new transplants briefly in a bucket of water & liquid seaweed before planting. They’ll get off to a good start.
• If the plant is root-bound, be sure to cut those roots away and spread the plant a little. This applies to 4” transplants as well as 15-gallon trees.
• While you’re on your hands and knees, might as go ahead and mulch, too. Pull the mulch a little away from the plant so it can really soak up any spring rains yet to come.

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