pruning
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Pruning: Mexican Olive
The Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) was significantly affected by hard freezes in its first two winters here. Each time it recovered strongly, but last year it effectively had to grow a completely new tree from the ground up (only a few inches of trunk and parts of the lowest branch survived the freeze). Despite that… Continue reading
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Pruning: Live Oaks
When we moved into a newly built house in Seguin, there were two young Live Oak trees in the front yard. These were probably cheaply bought by the developer in bulk, sight unseen. Nevertheless, three years later, they seem to be reasonably happy and the main trunks are vertical. In their first year here, I… Continue reading
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Pruning: Texas Mountain Laurel
The Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) was the very first tree that I planted here, in spring 2023. During its first year, half of the tree appeared sickly and pale. I never did find out exactly what the problem was — perhaps the most likely explanation was iron deficiency caused by some root issue on… Continue reading
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Pruning: Desert Willow
I am very fond of my Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) tree. It has grown the fastest, tolerates — even thrives on — our poor quality soil and limited water, has a long blooming season, and is beloved by hummingbirds and other pollinators. It has a flexible structure that moves gracefully when the wind blows. However,… Continue reading
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Pruning: Mexican Plum
My time in Seguin, starting in 2023, has been the first experience for me to learn about choosing, planting, and managing trees. Thanks to some knowledgeable Master Naturalist colleagues, I have been receiving some good education in that department! Until now, any pruning of trees here has been minimal, usually addressing some immediate problem (e.g.,… Continue reading
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Dealing With Maximilian Sunflowers Next Year
This year my cluster of Maximilian Sunflowers (Helianthus maximiliani) plants grew from one plant that I transplanted last year. By the time this year’s plants began to bloom, they had already reached a height of 9-10 feet. Here’s a picture from that time. As the blooms developed further, the tall stems splayed out in a… Continue reading
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Winter Cut-Back Of The Pollinator Garden
There is a small flower bed in front of the house that mostly has perennial native plants, chosen to attract and feed pollinator insects and birds. The above photo was taken mid-January 2025, when most of the plants were not in their blooming season. As of January 15, 2025, we had already had two nights… Continue reading
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June Pruning Advice For Native Plants
Drake White, Owner and Founder at The Nectar Bar, is very knowledgeable about Central Texas native plants. She recently posted with recommendations for June pruning. This is what she said, and I’ll follow her list with notes about my own plants, almost all of which are in my pollinator garden near the front porch. (Some… Continue reading
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Trimming Salvia
I learned at a gardening seminar that Salvias could produce more blooms by cutting them back more often than once a year (what I am used to doing), and that you can cut up to 2/3 off. Supposedly, even though flowers are lost in the trimming, a greater number grow back. So let’s see what… Continue reading
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Planting A Huisache Tree May Have Been A Mistake
I chose to plant a Huisache tree here because is it a very hardy and drought-tolerant native, and a good host plant for birds and insects. However, after I arrived here, I encountered many gardeners and ranchers who do not like this tree AT ALL. Ranchers in particular consider it a weed because it spreads… Continue reading
About Me
Nature Lover.
Inquisitive Observer.
Student Gardener.
I invite you to join me on my journey to convert my sterile (from a nature point of view) new house lot to a healthy and diverse ecosystem, as I make discoveries, mistakes, and hopefully progress. I am not an expert or professional. The project started in February 2023 and the location is Seguin, Texas, USA.
Rewilding My Lot 