My Garden Journal

**TexRx** · 06-14-2012, 02:30 PM

Hi, Again! Today I have some pics that show how I deadhead this Vitex! Deadheading means removing the dead flowerheads so new ones will form. This small tree will bloom again on its own, but I can speed up the process by cutting of the dead heads! When this blooms again, it will be covered in 8" purple spikes!

Here's the pics

Before and after!

Plus! This plant is sometimes confused with marijuana cuz of its leaves!

And lastly....Here's some herb I'm currently vaping! So much for that Oz I was hoping to save up for....at least for now

**raiderman** · 06-14-2012, 02:38 PM

nice......

**TexRx** · 06-17-2012, 08:07 AM

So, I've been working on this new spot in my backyard for a few weeks and last night, I finished it! This is some xeriscaping that I'm doing - that means that after these plants are established (1-2yrs of care) they will survive on their own w/o any care from me

It was difficult getting a pic so I cut it into 2 and put them next to each other.....And the 4 other pics are of each plant individually

Here's the left side + the right side

The plant at each end is called lantana. This is a Texas native wildflower that is good for attracting butterflies! It blooms all summer, too! This gives it eye appeal

The 2 grasses are called Pink Muhly Grass. This Texas native will produce flowerheads in the fall and then it turns pink & stays attractive past christmas...then I cut it back to 12"-16" in feb. for better growth in early spring

This Texas native is called Autumn Sage! It is a sem-evergreen that is great for attracting hummingbirds! This is one of their fav food sources! Semi-evergreen means that it only looses some of its leaves in the winter. About 1/2 of the leaves drop. Less if it's a mild cool season

And the single plant in the center is a Pendula Yucca. It has a big off-white flower basket in the summer + it is an evergreen!

**raiderman** · 06-17-2012, 08:09 AM

yu always hava beautiful garden thanx for sharing this ns sunday morning.

**TexRx** · 06-17-2012, 08:22 AM

^^^ Thanks! My garden is a place for me to get lost in beautifull things! You're welcome to stay for a bit!......

I updated my post above with a new plant I forgot to include! It's a stoner mistake I do sometimes! Speaking of which.....I'm gonna vape a bowl!

**DSB65** · 06-17-2012, 08:28 AM

HAVE YOU BEEN HAVING GRASSHOPPER PROBLEMS...I SPRAYED WITH SOME STUFF CALLED DEMON...LOOK AT THE RESULTS.. THIS AFTER I SPRAYED MY TREES...

**TexRx** · 06-17-2012, 08:37 AM

^^^^ I have had zero problems with crickets. In fact I didn't see any at all until I started planting a native wildflower called Texas Lantana. Now, I see this type of cricket on this plant -pretty big with brown + yellow + some green- but I'm not trying to kill them, I want a few more! I have butterflies, dragonflies, lizards, hummingbirds, squirells but very few of these crickets

What I have to deal with every year is Wasps! I'm not too concerned anymore, tho..... since I read that wasps are actually benefitial. Whenever I see a nest on the house, I knock it down -no bug spray- then step on the nest.....and they just move on to somewhere else....They just aren't allowed on the house

Added: Here's a wasp nest I need to remove!

**whodatnation** · 06-17-2012, 09:52 AM

Iv got a vitex tree at my place too. Never knew what they were called lol smells good.
Iv been seeing some grasshoppers but havnt really considered them a problem.
Oh, I cant stand wasps. Iv been stung so many times, they really dont like me for some reason... Almost like a phobia

I know parasitic wasps are good around a garden but Im not sure what the "stinging" kind are good for?