It's no secret that herbaceous perennials are making a strong impact on East Texas landscape thought. Much more can be done. Educating the public is a smart first step. Simply put, herbaceous perennials survive year to year from the same root. Many are pruned to near the ground after the first heavy frosts in the fall. Many woody plants that make large bushes when grown further south can be included in this group when we grow them in our gardens in Nacogdoches (i.e., Salvia greggii and Anisacanthus wrightii). While not exactly "herbaceous" (lacking woody tissue), they are utilized functionally in the landscape as perennials and return from the same root or crown region year after year. I have also included in our discussion many perennials that do not return from a clump or root but are, instead, generally perpetuated by the heavy self-sowing nature of the species (i.e. Lupinus (bluebonnets), Aquilegia spp. (columbines), and Ratibidas (conehats).

Pure perennial borders in the old World fashion provide season-long waves of color, texture, and form. The only aspect that is constant is change. To manage a perennial border one must learn to recognize what is what and to respect plant requirements. Species that want to "take over" should be prevented from encroaching into areas occupied by the less competitive but equally valuable types. Perennial borders require an understanding of plant performance under local conditions. Many "perennials" sold in the nursery trade are not likely to return year after year. The species described in this treatise are likely candidates for a perpetual border in this section of East Texas. This is a work in progress and is not complete.

While southern gardening used to include numerous perennials tucked in pockets around foundations or out in the yard, they have fallen out of favor with preferences toward splashes of massed annual color and a foundation of evergreen shrubbery. Perennials do take a little care but, once established, they are generally much less work. Generally, a clump of three or five is needed to give the desired effect. Over the years, I have found that it is very easy to lose a special plant by just placing one in the border . . . a larger colony insures impact and sustainability. The following list is based on SFA Mast Arboretum observations

Anisacanthus wrightii and insignis, Flame Acanthus or Texas Firecracker Plant, is native to Mexico and West Texas. This woody plant reaches three feet and is hardy in Nacogdoches through most winters. The plant flowers on new growth and a vigorous specimen is very showy. It will consistently return from the roots and should be pruned close to the ground after the first frost. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the orange-red blooms. This plant is sometimes called "desert honeysuckle." The plant is very drought tolerant with no apparent disease or insect problems. Propagate by seed, softwood or hardwood cuttings. Dry Garden.

Aquilegia canadensis, Red Columbine, is a plant meant for the fern garden. It needs shade and moisture. While it only reaches one foot high, the blooms are very delicate and are held above the foliage. This is one of the showiest little woodland perennials in East Texas. Propagates by seed or division af clumps. A. hinckleyi or longissima is native further to the west, has a pale-yellow, showier bloom but is sensitive to hard freezes. These two species are quite different from the hybrid columbines which behave best only as cool-season annuals. ‘Texas Gold’ columbine is a CEMAP promotion.

Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly weed, is a native that's worth cultivating more. Bright, yellow-orange flowers are heavy in summer for about three to four weeks. While easily established in a sunny, well-drained soil, the root system should never be disturbed and plants are difficult to transplant. The plant reaches two feet tall and is a food source for numerous butterflies. Yellow, red, or orange cultivars are available. The plant never needs staking and gets showier year after year. The plant emerges late from the ground so don't weed it out. It is easily propagated from seed. New colony adjacent to the rock garden at top of steps by herb garden.

Callirhoe involucrata, Winecup, ranges from Texas north into Canada. The common plant prefers full sun and a well-drained bed. Winecups tend to disappear in the summer, then emerge in the fall for a second display. It is propagated by seed or tuber. The plants are invasive in fertile, well-drained landscapes.

Camassia scilloides, Wild Hyacinth, reaches two feet and sports an attractive blue flower spike in April and May. Use them as you would daffodils and try not to disturb them once they find a home in which they prosper. They tolerate full sun but appreciate some protection from mid-day and afternoon exposure. Plant the bulbs four inches deep in late November. You might want to try combining Lantana, daffodils, and Camassia for long season-long color.

Chrysanthemum leucathemum, Ox-eye Daisy, is native to the northeast corner of Texas and the eastern United States. It grows to only one foot tall and makes a nice evergreen groundcover. It appreciates full sun and can be ppropagated by seed or division. The two-inch daisies bloom from April to frost if the spent flowers are occasionally "mowed" away. While it does spread, it is reported to be less invasive than Shasta Daisy. Reliable and tough in the Arboretum.

Cooperia drummondii, Rain Lily, is native to our area and makes neat, attractive clumps. White flowers appear in September to October. The foliage stays green all year and the bulbous plants love a mulch. They bloom heaviest in the fall and can be divided almost anytime provided sufficient moisture is available. This plant should not be confused with the popular Rain Lilies most often found in the Texas trade, Zephyranthes. There are exciting new rain lilies coming out of Mexico. Rabbits like these plants. Plant the bulbs four to six inches deep in a sun to part shade, sand-to-clay location.

Coreopsis grandiflora, Baby Sun Coreopsis, is available in a number of hybrid cultivars; many are excellent for our area. Try "Baby Sun" or "Sunray". The plant reaches one foot and blooms in the spring and summer with a cloak of bright yellow flowers. C. lanceolata, Golden Wave, is native to East and Southeast Texas, reaches two feet tall and prefers a full sun location. C. tinctoria is an annual with a dark red spot in the center of a yellow bloom. All are easily propagated by division, cuttings, layerings, and seed.

Cuphea micropetala, Cigar plant, is also called "Mexican oleander" and is attractive as three to four foot mound even when not in bloom. It is drought-tolerant, has shiny lance-shaped leaves and attracts hummingbirds. The tubular yellow to red flowers are borne on a twelve inch flower spike. The plant blooms in the summer and fall and needs a sunny, well-drained area.

Delphinium virescens, White or Prarie Larkspur, is very tolerant of hot weather and is native to the Edwards plateau and norhtward. Give it one of your best, well-drained garden spots and, because the plant plant is tall and slender, make sure you plant several starts in a clump. Generally, the plant is only one to two feet tall but under optimal conditions it can grow to over five feet. This species is not to be confused with numerous delphiniums offered in Texas nurseries, few of which can make it through the summer. The plant is poisonous so don't plant where livestock can browse.

Echinacea angustifolia, Purple Coneflower, is best planted as an improved cultivar. Although the native is beautiful in its own right, varieties like "Bright Star" are reported as better garden plants. We are working with our own seedlings and appear to have a mixture of E. purpurea, pallida and angustifolia. Flowering begins in April and ends at first frost. An excellent cut flower candidate, the plant can be propagated by seed or division. The white cultivars have been ephemeral for us. Full sun and a well-drained soil are required. While the plant itself seldom exceeds eighteen inches, I have seen flower spikes over four feet tall. Prone to die-outs, disease-based. Seedlings often numerous.

Eupatorium caelestinum, Perennial Ageratum, Blue Boneset, or Foamflower, is an Ageratum look-alike. It grows to two feet tall, and blooms from late July to November. It's lavender blooms can make luxurious mass. It is very heat and drought tolerant. It is invasive in full sun fertile areas so be ready to keep it in a restricted area.

Eustoma grandiflorum, Texas Bluebell, is probably the best grown from seed and treated as an annual. It is native to Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas. This wildflower has been picked by roadside visitors in some places to the point that it has been lost. The two to three inch blooms are generally lavender, appear in June, and last until August.

Gaillardia spp., Indian Blanket, is available now in several garden forms. Perennial selections such as "Little Goblin" make tight mounding florferous plants for the garden. They are heat and drought tolerant. G. pulchella is native and can be established in any well-drained garden where reseeding is allowed. The plant begins blooming in May. Keep the spent blooms cut off and the plant will bloom though the summer. About August let the plant go to seed. Next spring weed out any seedlings that have left your desired spot. The plant is invasive and is commonly propagated by seed. Gallaria astaevalis is a rarely seen East Texas native with merit; yellow flowers and interesting yellow-globe seed heads that persist are key attributes.

Gaura lindheimeri, is one of the Arboretum favorites. Reaching four feet with light airy blooms, the species is most at home in a full sun dry location. Dependabe, rugged and the perfect plant for the front or mid portion of the East Texas border. The pink form ‘Siskiyou Pink’ is very showy and gaining in popularity. There are a number of varieties coming on board. ‘Dauphine’ reaches four feet and new blooms are white blending to pink as they age. ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is of slightly shorter stature. Native to Texas, Louisiana and Mexico, the species is root hardy and has been a dependable member of the dry garden here for years.

Hebranthus texanus, Copper lily, is a one foot plant that loves swampy, sunny places. It is native to East Texas and looks beautiful massed in front of garden beds. The bright yellow blooms appear in September.

Helianthus maximiliani, Maximillian Daisy, does get large. Ours grew to six feet tall in Bed B. This fall bloomer forms a tenacious clump that gets larger every year. The three-inch yellow flowers appear in the fall and are quite showy. The plant needs to be at the back of a perennial border and needs a short statured plant at its front, primarily to hide shoots that are often sparse in foliage near the ground. With full sun, a well-drained soil, and minimal care, this plant will return year after year.

Hibiscus coccineus, militaris, moscheutos, laevis, dasycalyx, and others are becoming a favorites. Plan on seeing some of the new colonies that we are encouraging in the LaNana creek area. H. coccineus, Texas Star Hibiscus, is considered by some to be a native while others argue that the plant is originally from Brazil. It has performed well for us in the garden. We have several flats of Hibiscus interspecific hybrids that should be interesting. There are few flowers that are as showy as the Texas Star. Give all species a loose, loamy soil full of organic matter; fertilize lightly and water generously. The plant loves to be placed near water. Each year that goes by involves an enlargeing of the clump plus numerous seedlings nearby. Mature plants are very competitive. H. militaris, Soldier Rose Mallow, is found in a white and pink flowered form. Both are intersting. Some of you may have noticed the single specimen in Bed F. While the plant should probably be cut to the ground after the first frost, I found the branching and seed pods to be an intersting winter accent. H. moscheutos, Common or Swamp Rose Mallow, grows to eight feet tall and wide, often covered with a cloak of three to four inch wide flowers in white, pink, or rose. The Confederate Rose, H. mutabilis, with pie-sized flowers in a wide range of colors, is almost too gaudy for some gardeners. Give the plant a protected but sunny spot and it will return year after year. The SFASU Arboretum is impressed with another Hibiscus: Hibiscus cannabensis, a gift from a Woodsville, Texas gardener. A prolific, lavender bloomed plant to six feet. Similar in habit to Hib. coccineus but with spiny stems and serrated leaves. While not winter-hardy, this has been a worthwhile plant to carry over in a cool greenhouse.

Hymenocallis liriosme, Spider lily, hhas elegant flowers four to six inches wide. The plant is native to wet places in Texas and north Arkansas and Oklahoma. The two-foot tall plant needs lots of water in a sunny garden spot. H. caroliniana is similar and is native to the southeastern United States. Blooms appear in April and May, unfurl in late afternoon, and are very fragrant.

Ipomopsis rubra, Red Gilia or Standing Cypress, ranges from Central Tezas to the eastern United States. The plant can reach six geet in the best sites. Bloomin our area is in May to July and lasts for four weeks or longer. Best propagates by seed because of a strong taproot, the plant can be encouraged in your garden by carefully promoting seedling development each year. The plant needs full sun and is drought tolerant. When the flower spike has bloomed, cut it off to promote reblooming. Inflorescence is generally a very bright orange. Easy at the Arb.

Iris brevicaulis, Louisiana Iris, is native from Alabama to Texas to Kansas to Ohio. This is just one of the Louisiana Iris types. There are now many hybrid types offered and I'll leave it to the taxidermists to sort out the species. Iris giganticaerulea X fulva X foliosa types are popular. The plants prefer a sun to part-shade area and appreciate a heavy cover of mulch. Plant next to a wet area, a pond, a ditch, or stream for best performance. Provide with azalea fertilizer and they will bloom better.

Kosteletzkya virginica, Seashore Mallow, is in the same family as Hibiscus, Malvaceae. It is native from New York to Florida and then west to Louisiana. Cut the plant back to just above ground; propagate by cuttings or moving seedlings from base of plant. Full sun and moist fertile soils are preferred.

Lantana sellowiana, Trailing Lantana, is native to central and western Texas and is well adapted to the deep South, escaping from cultivation in many locations. It is very drought tolerant, once established, and can be pruned to the ground each year. A heavy mulch is reommended to privent freezing of the crown. The plant looks best massed in a summy area. Numerous cultivatars are now availabe. We have established several in the bottomland park. L. horrida, or Texas Lantana, is also native and has a pungent "horrid" smell when the leaves are crushed. L. camara var. 'mista' (West Indian Lantana) has found a home over much of Texas, has larger leaves, but generally looks much the same. Lantana makes an excellent cover for spring flowering bulbs. By the time the blooms are spent, Lantana is leafing out and effectively hides the leaves of daffodils until they can brown and dry naturally. We participated in the 1996 TAMU CEMAP trial (cooperative educational marketing assistance plan) - down the lines of vines - about 20 Lantana cultivars, plus Salvias and Scaveola there.

Liatris spp., Gayfeather, is a must for the East Texas garden. L. puntata (one to three feet) adn L. pycnostachya (three to five feet) are the most drought tolerant. L. spicata is native to the eastern United States and is most often what is available from nurseries. While it grows well here, look for others in specialty catalogs. We have a magnificent plant in Bed B. It was almost five feet tall this past fall and bloomed from September until October. I also learned this past fall that it is loved by bees. A few years ago, while showing the plant off to a tour group, I reached over to hold the plant and got a ridiculous sting on the end of my nose. End of tour. Our plants never needed staking. After bloom, cut the flower stalks to the ground. Did have a nice bed at the base of the herb garden; was 'accidentally' weeded (rototiller) by one of our work-studies.

Lobelia cardinalis, Cardinal flower, is another native well adapted to a dappled-shade part of your garden. We discovered several natural clumps right on the LaNana creek bank and are trying to encourage their spread. Brilliant red blooms in September are the main calling card for this two-foot to four-foot tall plant. Propagate by cuttings, seed, layering, or root division. It is not robust and must be encouraged to spread. Place it with your azaleas or in any well-watered location. Mulch heavily. To encourage the plant's spread, place a shoot or two down and layer with mulch. Cardinal flowers are great hummingbird attracters and bloom as the birds are migrating south tthrough Texas. On a trip to the San Madre Oriental mountains, we found an impressive colony in bloom. The scarlet flowers were set on robust three-foot plants that had found a home right on the edge of a small stream course. We have nice plants in the bog - that now arise spontaneously. We have a dwarf form recently found in Mexico.

Lupinus texensis, Texas Bluebonnet, has been the center of much publicity lately. TAMU has a maroon bluebonnet and a program to turn bluebonnets into pack plants. Problem is getting pack plants to bloom right among other problems. It has been a well recognized state flower and it can be grown rather easily in any sunlit garden if a few rules are followed. The nursery business is now offering bluebonnets in small container sizes which makes an easy way to encourage their spread in your garden. L. subcarnosus, is probably best adapted to our part of the state but the remaining four species in Texas can be grown here. The bluebonnets in Bed B came from six small two-inch bluebonnets set in 1986. They have self-sown every year since. This raised bed provides several feet of well-drained soil and was limed prior to planting. The bluebonnet seedlings that emerged in the first and second winter and spring were not weeded out during the first weedings of each spring. Key to success: after bloom, the plant was allowed to dry and brown (a four or five week process). The seed pods were allowed to split and seed was scattered in other pockets of the bed. Seed germination is often erratic. To naturalize, select an infertile hillside site. Add limestone if needed. Scatter seed in the fall and "scratch it in". Several years of seeding may be necessary.

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia, Tahoka Daisy or Tansy Aster, is native to the Trans-Pecos south to central Mexico and north to Alberta, Canada. It only grows to two feet tall and is often cloaked with two-inch, lavender flowers from May to frost. The leaves are fern-like, sticky, and usually form a dense one-foot mound. It needs promoting in our area for soils that are sun-lit and well-drained.

Malvaviscus drummondii, Turk's Cap, is native from the southeastern United States to the Edward's Plateau of Texas. The plant can reach nine feet tall and is usually an evergreen along the coast. In Nacogdoches, the plant rarely exceeds five feet tall. Ti blooms from May to frost and will attract hummingbirds to your garden. After the first frost, stalks should be cut back to near the ground and the plant heavily mulched. Propagate by cuttings, seed, and clump division. We are very proud of the fine colonies of the white flowering form of Turk's cap - rare. We are also impressed with the variegated form - currently multiply that to make a large colony. Located in the shade garden and adjacent to the Texas Heritage Garden.

Mentha piperita, Peppermint, is an aromatic perennial herb commonly planted in Nacogdoches landscapes. All cultivars appear to appreciate part-shade to shade, plenty of moisture, and fertile soils. They are invasive in moist areas and may die if forced to endure much time between waterings. Propagate by seed, by cuttings, and by division.

Melampodium cinereum, Blackfoot Daisy or Mountain Daisy, can be placed just about anywhere. While native to limestone areas of Arkansas to Colorado to Texas, it will do quite well here if provided with a neutral pH. It is low-growing and blooms from April to frost and is not tempermental about soil conditions. It will return each spring and be blooming about the same time as bluebonnets. Best flowering is in full sun but it tolerates part-shade conditions.

Opuntia imbricata, Walking Stick Cholla, placed in a high and dry raised bed will make a striking accent cactus to six or more feet. Wet feet kills many that are planted in our area. Giben a one or two-foot bed of course sand, a little pine bark and limestone, it should live forever. Propagate by cuttings taken at the "elbows". The three-inch purple flowers are striking. Although slow-growing and finicky about exces moisture, the final product is a striking accent piece to any garden. O. phaeacantha, Texas Prickly Pear, is much lower growing (one to three feet) and is slightly more tolerant of excess moisture than Walking Stick Cholla. Three to four-inch yellow flowers are spectacular. Both are hardy in our area and doing well in the Dry Garden, along with a variety of Agaves, Yuccas, and Dasylirions.

Oxalis spp., Oxalis, can be a pest in the southern garden. A perennial, pink flowering cultivar is commonly grown in Louisianna and East Texas. It grows only eight to ten inches tall in part-shade to shady areas. The plant blooms from late winter until late spring and the bulbs are best divided in the early fall. The clover-like foliage is attractive and the plant is usually dormant during the summer.

Pavonia lasiopetala, Rock Rose, is well established in Bed B of the Phase 1 area. The plant grows to four or five feet tall and can be a rangy rascal unless pruned back annuslly. The pink blossoms are hibiscus-like, one and one-half inches across and scattered over the plant from May until frost. It grows better in a tight soil than in a sand but tolerates both well. While very drought-hardy, the plant can live with a little excess moisture. Cut back the plant each year to keep it trim and neat.

Penstemon cobaea, Wild Foxglove, Beard Tongue, or Canterbury Bells, is a favorite of our Bed B collection of Penstemons. Native from the Texas Gulf Coast north and west to Nebraska, the plant blooms in May with light lavender flowers. Plants bloom white, lavender, and purple. The snapdragon-like flowers last for weeks in the garden and once spent, they should be cut back to the foliage clump. The plant rarely exceeds two feet and should be planted in a tight three or five-plant colony for best effects. Propagate by seed or division.

Penstemon murrayanus, Scarlet Penstemon, blooms in the miid-summer heat on three-foot plants. The plant is native to East and North Central Texas and is very similar to P. havardii of the Trans-Pecos region. Both have rounded leaves that surround the stem. P. tenuous is another attractive native performing well in Bed B. Penstemons attract hummingbirds and butterflies and shoukd be clumped in groups of five or seven since they are very slender. Propagate by clump division or seed. Full sun and well-drained soils are preferred.

Phlox divaricata, Louisiana Pholx or Wild Blue Plox, is native to East Texas to western Florida and north to South Dakota. Flower colors range from white to lavender to purple. the plant combines well with spring blooming bulbs. The small, dark, ground hugging leaves make low attractive clumps and provide an interesting border to any bed. Drought tolerant, the plant should be in every garden. Propagate by seed, division of clumps, or cuttings in early summer.

Phox drummondii, Drummond's Phlox, grows to six inches and is a fairly common garden plant in our area. The plant self-sows easily in sand so be sure to recognize the young seedlings in the spring. They will quickly provide a blanket of white, pink, red, and purple flowers. The plant dies soon after flowering and going to seed, so plant below lantana or Pavonia to fill the space from June to frost.

Physostegia praemorsa, Lionheart, False Dragon-Head, or Obedient Plant, is another popular Bed B herbaceous perennial. Native to our area and Louisiana, the plant reaches two feet tall. It is the shortest of the Physostegias and most drought tolerant. Our clumps sport a very pale lavender bloom in September and October. The variety "Summer Snow" is whit-flowered and blooms earlier than the species, P. virginica. The individual flower stalks protrude four to six inches above the leaves to make a striking statement if massed in groups of five or more. The blooms mae excellent, long-lasting cut flowers and can be arranged easily. The individual flowers can be gently pushed to a new position that they should hold in; thus the name "Obedient Plant". P. pulchella and P. angustifolia, and P. digitalis are East Texas natives with similar landscape value. The plants grow naturally in swampy places but are remarkably drought-tolerant if a mulch is utilized.

Ratibida columnaris, Mexican Hat, is another June to frost bloomer for our area. The one to two-inch flowers are pure yellow to pure brown, usually red-brown in the center and yellow edges. The blooms are not dense enough to set aside in area for mass planting, but spotted here and there in three to five clumps, the plant is always a pleasant surprise. The plant gets denser year after year, returns from the clump and reseeds heavily. The annual, R. peduncularis, is very similar in appearance, reseeds, but does not return from the original clump.

Rudbeckia hirta, Black-Eyed Susan, gives up great summer color. The plant needs enough sun to avoid mildw and should be grown like a zinnia. Gloriosa daisy is a cultivated perennial version that needs attention in our area. My attempts at growing the plant have been thwarted by excessive moisture in the spots that I have tried. Blooms are a full three inches across. Black-Eyed Susan self-sows, often at a great distance from the mother plants, so keep a watchful eye for the seedlings. The leaves of the tiny seedlings are easy to identify because they are soft and furry.

Salvia farinacea, Mealy Cup Sage or Mealy Blue Sage, ranges over most of Texas. It reaches two to three feet in height and is sporadically covered with blooms from May to November. A blue and white form is available. Improved cultivars, like "Victoria", are available. Our plants in Bed B have survived well, but have failed to put on much of a display and appear sparse to me. Grow in full sun on a well-drained soil. Propagate by seed or cuttings.

Salvia greggi, Cherry Sage or Autumn Sage, ranges in central, south, and west Texas. The plant makes a round, neat bush about two to three feet tall that covers itself in white, pink, or scarlet blooms. The plants, if not pruned and given some winter protection (like under the eaves of a house) can grow into quite a rangy mess. There are several landscapes in Nacogdoches that have been well -liked by all the Salvia. They appear to survive best when the landscape is neglected. The tight, dense plant is desired. This may interfere with bloom, however. It is probably best to prune "on demand", trying to time shearings with spent bloom, striving for a slender graceful plant. To date, I have not been totally pleased with S. greggii as a landscape plant in east Texas; they are leggy, transparent and fail to fill out, even in full sun. However, I have seen excellent specimens in east Texas and blame it on me. The plants are very drought-resistant and the leaves, when crushed, give off a crisp, pleasant fragrance. Easy to propagate by seed, softwood and hardwood cuttings. There is a plethora of color forms out there now . . . approaching saturation.

Solidago spp., Goldenrod, is often despised for its contribution to hayfever. That association is probably not true. The Goldenrod is insect-pollinated, not wind-pollinated, and is highly sought after by numerous butterflies and bees. The plant reaches three feet or more and should be grouped in well-defined clumps where a bright yellow floral display might be needed. The plants are fantastic in bloom. Other times of the year are a different story. They should be mowed almost to the ground after bloom. This leaves a green groundcover for the remainder of the year and through the winter. A much aligned plant for our area, particularly in bright, sunny, moist soils. Propagate by seed or division.

Tagetes lucida, Mexican Marigold Mint, is a perennial marigold related to garden varieties being sold in nurseries. Native to West Texas and Mexico, many are finding favor in dry gardens. The plant we have is T. lemonii and it has performed well for two years in Bed B. It tends to naturally form a two-foot round mound. Blooms appear in the late fall. I have a wonderful slide of the plant taken January 1, 1987, that found the plant covered with bright yellow blooms. The plant should be pruned to within six inches of the ground. While drought-tolerant, better blooms and plant density shas only been possible with good waterings and light fertilizations. Easily propagated by cutting anytime of the year.

Thelesperma filifolium, Greenthread, False Golden Wave, is native to central Texas. Very similar to Coreopsis in bloom appearance, the plant is comfortable in high pH soils. Our first plants failed in an acid soil. The plants act as freely self-sowing annuals. The seedlings can be set where you want next year's display. T. simplicifolium is a perennial species that return from the root year after year. Provide a very well-drained soil, some organic matter, limestone, and bark mulch. Propagate by seed or root division.

Tradescantia spp., Spiderwort or Virginia Day Flower, ranges over much of the United States. There is little point in trying to understand the taxonomy of the many garden spiderworts that dot the country. Most are interspecific hybrids of varying origin. Bloom color can encompass a wide range of colors including blue, purple, pink, white, and white with a lavender throat. Some types reach two feet. They thrive under nearly all conditions. They can be used under a tree as a ground cover or allowed to fill an occasional pocket in the perennial border. A colony can be kept in bounds by annual weeding of the annuals. Propagate by seed or division of clumps.

Verbena hybrida, Verbena, is available in many cultivars and is appreciated for color, easy culture, and heat tolerance. V.bipinnatifida, Prairie Vervena, ranges from South Dakota to Mexico and needs full sun and a well-drained soil to prosper. V. elegans var. asperata, Hardy Verbena, is native to Duval and Hidalgo counties in Texas and in Mexico. It tolerates drought and makes a one-foot plant. There are other perennial verbenas available. Propagates easily by cuttings, division of clumps, and seed. The Verbena trial runs down the row of crepe myrtles that line the Ag/Art parking lot. Unique trial.

Viola odorata, Violets, flower during the winter and in early spring. They were popular in early Southern gardens. The plant appreciates shade, a moist, organic soil and is prone to spider mites in dry, exposed locations. The plant achieves a six to eight-inch height. Propagate by division.

Yucca pallida, Pale Leaf Yucca, makes a one-foot clump and sports a three to five-foot flower stalk. It is stunning in bloom. Native to South Central Texas, the plant is only one of many promising Yucca species tha will probably find a place in East Tecas landscapes. Their versatility, drought-tolerance, and tough dispositions are appreciated where environments are harsh. Y. rostrata and filifera look promising at this writing. Y. thompsoniana can reach ten feet and is a reliably hardy tree-type for our area. A raised well-drained bed is key to survival of this species in East Texas. I am still waiting on a progressive restaurant or fast-food place in Nacogdoches going for the ultimate dry-land, rock garden, desert display.

Zigadenus nuttallii, Death Camas, is famous for its toxicity. The plant is native to north central Texas to Tennessee and Kansas. The flower spikes are well above the lustrous green, lily-like leaves. The flower heads are up to five inches wide and dramatic. The bulbs can be planted into any well-drainend loamy soil and mix well with daffodils and providing a later show. They bloom in April and May. Propagate by division of clumps or seed.

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