Woodlands Water

There is a saying that one cannot be a good gardener if she (or he) has not killed at least a thousand plants. That said, there must be a large number of great gardeners in Montgomery County.

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)- This big, beautiful tree brings the drama—in a good way. Sweetgum thrives in everything from clay

Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) - This towering Southern native is known for its strength, beauty, and ecological value. Growing up to 100 feet tall,

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) – This a charming small, mound-shaped deciduous shrub that brings year-round interest to woodland gardens.

Native plants perform better. They establish quicker and survive better through freezes and droughts.

This weeks Native Water-Saving Plant is the Mustang Grape (Vitis mustangensis) - A common and easily recognized native grape with a white, velvety surface on the lower side of the leaves.

Warm-season turf grasses, like St Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda (most of us have one of these), naturally turn brown during the cooler months to allow roots to develop and strengthen. Overwatering to keep it green disturbs that process,