GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR TEXAS
By William C. Welch

Garden Checklist (for all Southern states except Florida and Texas)
Florida Garden Checklist

Christmas Flowers
Select from amaryllis, poinsettias, Rieger begonias, cyclamens, paperwhite narcissus, and kalanchoes. Choose plants that are in bud stage, before blooms are fully open. All of these plants last longer if located in cooler parts of the house. Water regularly. Keep soil moist, but don't let plants stand in water. The favorite of all holiday flowers is the poinsettia. Its beautiful blooms will greet the season in a vivid show of color. To learn more about poinsettias, see "New Looks for Poinsettias."

Entire State

• Garden gifts--Tools are welcome presents for gardeners. Excellent choices include watering cans, hand cultivators, gloves, spades, and bypass pruners. One of the nicest gifts is a rosebush. For plants or gift certificates, contact The Antique Rose Emporium at 1-800-441-0002 or www.antiqueroseemporium.com.

Panhandle

• Windowsill herbs--Certain herbs will thrive in a sunny window while providing you with fresh flavors and colors for salads and main dishes. Parsley, thyme, rosemary, and chives are longtime favorites for indoor growing. Plant them in well-drained soil, and place in bright light near a window. Regular harvests keep the plants compact and productive.

Central, East, and South

• Leafy greens--Mustard, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, lettuce, turnips, and arugula thrive in our winters. Many of these can be purchased as transplants, and all of them can be started from seeds now. Choose a sunny site, and water well during dry periods.

Central, West, and South

• Citrus--For a handsome addition to the landscape that offers both fragrant flowers and tasty fruit, plant citrus. Satsumas and kumquats are the most cold-hardy types and also can be grown in large containers. 'Meyer' lemons and 'Mexican' limes require some protection from freezing weather for a few days each winter.

South

• Tropical color--These plants provide year-round color in South Texas. Now is the ideal time to set out showy vines such as cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis), bougainvillea, Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia littoralis), coral vine (Antigonon leptopus), butterfly vine (Mascagnia macroptera), and sky flower (Thunbergia grandiflora).

North

• Hollies--These are among the most useful landscape plants in our area. Use en masse or as hedges or specimens. The color from their showy berries is a definite bonus. Among the best choices for use as large shrubs or small trees are 'Nellie R. Stevens,' 'Savannah,' Burford, and yaupon hollies.