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Gregg’s Mistflower

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dry. Since this is not a tropical area, there are not as many lush evergreen plants as the Gulf Coast. There are also not the mesquites and cacti of the arid west, which I don’t mind at all.

Since we are on a corner, I decided that the flower bed on the north side of the house under the Sweetgum trees is where I would begin. It was overgrown with ivy, nandinas, and Italian arum lilies. Out came the ivy (termite attractors) and nandinas (invasive). Organic matter, compost, and fertilizer was tilled into the bed and new native plants installed. The arum lilies and a few other original plants came up, but everything else died. Whoops, what happened? Well, first of all, we had 28 straight days of rain in May. Many of the plants did not like the amount of water trapped in the gumbo soil. Since I had tilled it with a power tiller, it had compacted at the bottom of the tilled area making a pan for the water to sit in. In addition, other plants did not like being in the shade on the north side of the house.

As I contemplated this, I started cutting down hedges and planning flower beds. Two of the women I had met since moving here were Master Gardeners and were trying to talk me into joining. I kept telling them that I did not dig in the dirt. I just like flowers and planning where they should go.

After five years, I have planned and planted all of my flower beds (some of them multiple times). So far, the Gregg’s Mistflower and Fragrant (Prairie) Phlox have done really well in their beds. Lamb’s Ear and Yarrow seem to like it wherever I put them. The Purple Asters and Obedient Plants are trying to take over their space, and I love the American Beautyberry and Hardy Hibiscus that I have added as accent plants. I have added one flower bed but am slowly planting it as I find plants that pique my interest that will grow in the shade. I have learned about what plants the birds and butterflies like, and which ones are invasive. I have repeatedly dug out plants that came with the house that want to take over their beds. And I have become a Master Gardener. I still do not dig in the dirt (or soil as I have been told). Instead, I learn about how to plan and plant gardens and try to pass that information on to others.

Is my yard a showstopper? No, but it is becoming a place where I can enjoy digging in the dirt when the weather cooperates. A place where birds, bees, butterflies and even squirrels are invited in with flowers, trees, and feeders. Do I consider myself a gardener? No, but since I like flowers and their invitations to everyone, I garden.

Grayson County Master Gardeners Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Reach us by email at mastergardeners@co.grayson.tx.us, by phone 903-813-4204, our web page txmg.org/grayson, or our Facebook group.