Blog items for Plant Spotlight

by Deva Brown, Bexar County Master Gardener

I was watching the black pipevine butterflies in my yard, which were flitting around and occasionally landing briefly, but persistently, in one area. Not seeing any flowers there, I wandered over. On closer inspection, I saw the strangest plant I had ever seen. The whole plant ...

Patricia L. Brown, Bexar County Master Gardener

Brugmansia and Datura are frequently confused at first. This is probably because both have large, trumpet-shaped blooms. While both are members of the Solanaceae family, which include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and tobacco, each ...

By Mary Cennamo, Bexar County Master Gardener

Mexican Oregano Bush has an interesting history in Texas. In the early 1930s, this dried herb was known as  Wild Mexican Sage and was found most frequently at the  state’s local Mexican markets. Sometime after the 1980s, it was no longer available...

By Melody Stramer, Bexar County Master Gardner

Two of the most common questions we encounter at Master Gardener presentations are:  (1) what plants grow well in shady conditions and (2) what plants are deer resistant?  With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to Inland Sea Oats, a plant t...

By Tera Marshall, Bexar County Master Gardener

Shrimp plants are a must-have for any pollinator garden! They are drought tolerant once established, bloom from June until frost and attract tons of bees! They also freeze back to the ground and come back from the roots, even from our 10° freeze la...

by Paul A. Foerster, Bexar County Master Gardener

Amaryllis Bulbs

by Mary Cennamo, Bexar County Master Gardener

The Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a tropical plant that originated in regions of South America and Africa.  The genus Amaryllis comes from the Greek word amarysso, which means "to sparkle” and, indeed, Amaryllis are gorgeous, showy flowers.

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