Amy Ulmschneider
Debbie Rowland
Master Gardener
The heat of summer is upon us. If you purchased native plants at the Permian Basin Master Gardener plant sale in April, they are hopefully in the ground and thriving. However, even in the heat of summer, it is not too early to start planning for the fall PBMG plant sale on September 14, 2024, which will again feature native plants. Fall is the perfect time to plant native plants and sow native wildflower seeds. We have covered sowing native wildflower seeds before, see https://www.westtexasgardening.org/post/sowing-native-seeds and https://www.westtexasgardening.org/post/west-texas-wildflowers.
We're continuing a long-standing tradition by hosting a native plant sale in the fall. Every fall, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center hosts its Fall Plant Sale. Last year, this month-long native plant sale took place Friday through Sunday from 9am to 1pm from the end of September through the end of October. Think of fall as the start of the plant year. As the Cibolo Nature Center says, “Fall in Texas is a second spring!”
Why is fall the best time to plant native species? From a native species perspective, fall is easier for them to establish. The fall dormancy provides the perfect conditions for encouraging underground root growth. So your plants will thrive in the spring with healthy root systems to support vigorous new growth. Planting in fall also gives you time to prepare for the start of the next growing season. Winter is the perfect time to sharpen, clean, and care for your tools. When spring returns, you can get outside and enjoy the beauty and life of your spring garden, welcoming back old favorites and new plants.
Photo by Amy Ulmschneider
In preparation for our plant sale and to introduce some native plants you may want to plant in your garden, we present a Native Plant Profile. Now, let us introduce to you the rock rose, Pavonia lasiopetala, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's 2024 Wildflower of the Year. A small perennial shrub in the mallow family, the rock rose is truly a standout plant for its color, hardiness and versatility. Native to Texas, it can be found from the Edwards Plateau south to the Trans-Pecos. It adapts to a wide range of soils, but grows best in well-drained limestone soils. Not needing much water, pavonias thrive in full sun to partial shade, tolerate the heat of summer, and are an easy plant to grow. You'll know they're in the mallow family when you see their bright pink and yellow hibiscus-like flowers, and their beauty always makes you smile. Best of all, pavonias support native bees, birds, butterflies, moths, and small mammals that utilize their flowers and seed resources.
Keep an eye out for rock roses and pavonias, the Lady Bird Johnson 2024 Wildflower of the Year, and we'll see you at the PBMG Fall Plant Sale on September 14th.
If you have any questions, please call the Odessa AgriLife office at 498-4071 or the Midland AgriLife office at 686-4700.
The blog, where you can find additional information and access past posts, can be found at westtexasgardening.org. Click on “Resources.”
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