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| Q. How do I prune my overgrown, woody
Texas sage (Cenizo)? |
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A. When this drought-hardy silvery shrub gets
a little lanky on the lower branches, cut it back moderately to
promote new growth. Cut to a height about one inch from where you
want it to be. As it begins to grow, make another cut to promote
fullness.
However, this native plant is beautiful in its natural form. Shaping
the plant or reducing its height is fine, but you'll have a better
effect if it's not sheared like a French poodle!
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<<view past Questions of the Week |
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|
 Perennial
Winecup (Callirhoe involucrate)
Winecup is a native perennial that forms a spreading groundcover
of foliage about a foot high. Beautiful maroon/magenta chalice
shaped blooms with white centers appear in mid to late spring
and continue until early summer. Remove spent blooms to extend
the blooming season. Although drought tolerant, plants may die
back in the heat of summer. Interplant with late summer blooming
perennials to keep the area attractive all season long. |
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<<view past Plants
of the Week
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- Shear the shrub roses and prune other forms. Fertilize to promote
another round of blooming.
- The pesky sedge, nutgrass, is really taking off. Nutlets are
forming along spreading tubers, planning a future attack on your
garden. To prevent nutgrass from spreading, dig it up now. The
longer you wait, the more seasons you'll have it.
- We’re already seeing a lot of spider mites. The best control
is to wash the leaves off every three days. You can also use a
horticultural oil or soap spray. Organic gardener Malcolm Beck
recommends a foliar feed with liquid seaweed to keep mites at
bay while promoting plant health. Some organic gardeners also
find that it extends their tomato and pepper production.
- Whichever method you select, be sure to direct your nozzle to
the underside of the leaves, where the mites reside.
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