News and Events

NICE! Plant of the Month (Malus ioensis var. texana (Synonym: Pyrus ioensis var. texana)) Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) Other Common Names: Texas crabapple, Prairie crabapple Type: Small deciduous, wide spreading, multi-branched tree 12-15 ft high or large shrub forming thicket by root suckers; spine-tipped spur shoots; bark on young trees

NICE! Plant of the Month (Ehretia anacua) Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family) Other Common Names: Sugarberry, Knock-away, Vogelbeerenbaum (German) or Birdberry Tree, Sandpaper Tree Type: Multi-trunk shrub or medium tree with a rounded, dense canopy and deeply furrowed bark; up to 40-50 feet in moist soils but much less in dry

NICE! Plant of the Month (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii) Family: Sapindaceae Type: Deciduous tree Natural Habitat: Wide variety of habitats throughout Texas and neighboring states. Growth: 10-50 feet, small to medium-sized tree in the Hill Country. Deer Resistance: Deer will browse on young trees; enclose tree with a wire cage.

NICE! Plant of the Month Copper Canyon Daisy (Tagetes lemmonii) Family: Asteraceae Type: Shrubby herbaceous perennial. Natural Habitat: Native to Mexico and the Southwest U.S, it is well adapted for the Texas Hill Country. Growth: 2′ to 4′ tall and wide. Attains a naturally rounded mound. Deer Resistance: Its strong

NICE! Plant of the Month (Nassella (Stipa) tenuissima) Family: Poaceae Type: Perennial grass, grows in graceful draping tufts. Natural Habitat: Natural setting is open, rocky slopes at 5,000 to 7,000 ft. elevation in Trans-Pecos Mountains of Texas. Also found in New Mexico to central Mexico. Growth: Height 18″ to 24″.

NICE! Plant of the Month (Erythrina herbacea) Family: Papilionaceae Other Common Names: Cherokee Bean, Red-cardinal, Cardinal Spear. Type: Large shrub. Natural Habitat: Native to sandy woods along the coast of Texas. Adapted as far north as Dallas. Growth: In the Hill Country, most likely 4′-5′ in height. [Hybrids are available

NICE! Plant of the Month (Oenothera speciosa) Family: Onagraceae Other Common Names: Showy Primrose, Buttercups (yellow center). Type: Perennial; upright to sprawling. Natural Habitat: Native to hot and dry locations in Central and Southern region of North America. Prairies and open woodlands, roadsides, slopes, and ditches throughout Texas. Growth: 12-24

NICE! Plant of the Month (Bignonia capreolata) Family: Bignoniaceae (Catalpa or Trumpet-Creeper Family) Type: Evergreen, woody vine; climbs by tendrils with flattened tips. Natural Habitat: Usually found high climbing in trees in moist woods of eastern Texas to Florida and north to Illinois and New Jersey. Uncommon in most of

NICE! Plant of the Month (Prunus mexicana) Family: Rosaceae (Rose family) Other Common Names: Wild Plum, Big-tree Plum Type: Large shrub or solitary tree Natural Habitat: Usually found in ravines and creek bottoms, occasionally in fields and on hillsides. Growth: Height 7-20 feet Preferred Site and Use: Beautiful ornamental tree

NICE! Plant of the Month (Garrya lindheimeri) Family: Garryaceae (Silk tassel family) Other Common Names: Lindheimer Silk tassel, Eggleaf Silk tassel Type: Evergreen shrub Natural Habitat: Rocky limestone hills and canyons in Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos, under-story habitat. Growth: dense, fast growing 5-11 feet in width and height Deer Resistance:

NICE! Plant of the Month (Malpighia glabra) Family: Malpighiaceae Other Common Names: Mexican Myrtle, Wild Crepe Myrtle Type: shrub or small tree Natural Habitat: native range from South Texas through the Caribbean, Central America, and Brazil Growth: 3-4 ft. Preferred Site and Use: sun to partial shade Deer Resistance: white

NICE! Plant of the Month (Echinacea spp.) (5 species in Texas) Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae) Type: Perennial Natural Habitat: Sandy and gravelly soils of prairies in the Hill Country with various species eastward to Virginia and north to Nebraska and Indiana. Growth: 1-4′ tall depending on species or cultivar; most garden