Although I started out as a rose collector, and then a collector of plants in general, it was not long before I began to accumulate books on the subject of gardening. My library now includes perhaps 500 volumes gathered over 40 years, but there are a number of books that I use over and over working with design clients here in Central Texas.
“Native Texas Gardens” by Sally and Andy Wasowski is the best book I’ve found on designing a beautiful and yet practical landscape in our locale. It has wonderful photos of gardens, including both built features and planting styles, and is appropriate for all three of the ecosystems that converge here. The Hill Country, Blackland Prairies and Post Oak Savannah are all addressed within, as well as other ecosystems further north, east, west, and south of us. Because the Piney Woods region is overlaid on the Post Oak Savannah here in the Lost Pines of Texas, that area is also relevant to integrated design principles. There are lists of nurseries specializing in native plants, and also native plants lists included.
A companion volume, “Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region,” is also very useful. It includes a region-by-region discussion of all 12 or more ecosystems and shows photos of native landscapes within those areas. Soils, precipitation, major native trees and their companions are all described in the first third of the book, followed by photos and descriptions of various plants grouped into groundcovers, grasses, annuals/biennials/perennials, shrubs, ornamental trees, conifers, shade trees, vines and water and bog plants. Finally, some significant people and organizations that have contributed to the renewed use of native plants are listed, along with native public landscapes you can visit in each area.
The soft-cover “Native and Adapted Landscape Plants: An Earthwise Guide for Central Texas” is the most complete reference I’ve found on plants suitable to the areas both west and east of Austin. The booklet is organized into trees, small trees/large shrubs, perennials, yuccas and other succulents, ornamental grasses, vines, groundcover, bulbs/water plant, turf and invasive plants. Photos are included, along with descriptions including height, spread, light needs, whether evergreen or deciduous, seasonal interest, color, water needs, maintenance tips, what the plants offer to wildlife, and finally deer resistance. These guides are available for free at most nurseries in Austin and I share one with each client when we begin the design process.
A more general reference for gardening in Texas is “Easy Gardens for North Central Texas” by Steve Huddleston and Pamela Crawford. It was written for areas from Wichita Falls and south to Dallas, and includes areas south and east all the way to Waco, Temple and Killeen. Those regions include Horticultural Zones 7a, 7b and 8a, with minimum temperatures from 0 degrees to 15 degrees. Those areas can get as hot as our Central Texas, so plants included are appropriate in that respect. It may leave out some varieties that are less hardy and can be generally used here, but in these days of wildly fluctuating temperatures, that may assure some extra safety in terms of cold hardiness. Our zone here is 8b. General planting and gardening advice is included at first, but the book is primarily a compilation of suitable plants and their photographs, along with required growing conditions (light, water, soil, pests) and planting and maintenance suggestions. Plants are organized into annuals, perennials, shrubs and vines, and trees.
I always encourage my clients to think about including edible plants in the landscape. Two different books are favorites for illustrating both plants and growing techniques. The first is “Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening” by J. Howard Garrett and C. Malcolm Beck. It begins by describing the basic tenants of organic gardening and then offers suggestions for soil testing, preparation of beds, mulching, plant supports and protecting crops from cold and pests. Natural fertilizers are discussed, along with methods of controlling insects. The last two thirds of the book is dedicated to listing Texas appropriate vegetables and other food crops including fruits, herbs, and nuts.
A more recent publication is “Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening” by Greg Grant. The material is somewhat similar, but Greg’s wonderful sense of humor is present throughout. Information about starting an edible garden, including information on seeds, soil, watering, pest control, harvest and storage are addressed first, and then an alphabetical list of appropriate plants are included. Categories for discussion of each plant include when/where/how to plant each type, followed by care and maintenance and finally harvesting the results. His photographs are excellent and he offers advice about different varieties suitable to our soils and climate. Charts of frost dates and planting times are provided at the end of the book.
(To be continued next week)
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