A recent introduction to the nursery trade, Dystilium hybrids are noted for their soft habit and tough performance. Native to China and Japan, these members of the witch hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, make an ideal alternative to landscape classics such as…
Fiddle leaf (or commonly, 'Fiddleleaf') figs (Ficus lyrata) have been riding a wave of popularity that shows no sign of slowing down. Why? They're reasonably easy to care for (see our specific tips below), sport large, showy leaves (shaped like a fiddle,…
Originally published in July 2016 Why don’t more commercial growers grow perennial milkweed? Milkweed seeds require vernalization (a period of exposure to cold before they are planted outside, or started in a greenhouse) for 3-6 weeks to germinate properly. Milkweed…
All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. While both have specially evolved tissues for storing water (their secret to thriving in such naturally arid, punishing conditions) only cacti have areoles, or raised, rounded areas from which spines…
Texas gardeners dealing with shade know that finding tough perennials that look great in shaded gardens can be difficult. If you find yourself with maturing trees and increasing amounts of shade, don’t despair: transform the space with some of our…
We can all do our part in the effort to conserve water, feed the birds and plant things that are native to Texas—and we can do this without giving up beauty and function in our gardens. Grasses are a perfect…
Whether you're an experienced water gardener or just considering starting, we have an exciting weekend coming up at NHG. We've completely revamped our aquatic plant assortment for 2016, expanding our offerings by over 200%. With both tropical & hardy water…
North Texans are used to dealing with mosquitoes every summer, but the concern has grown beyond a simple nuisance to a fear of mosquito-borne illnesses. There's no magic bullet for dealing with these insects. However, it is possible to effectively control…
We've lamented the difficulty of finding perennial milkweed species (Asclepias) before (read more here). They tend to be difficult to find in substantial quantities, slow to germinate from seed, and resentful of commercial growing conditions--rich soil, constant irrigation and a…
Our annual celebration of the flavor and diversity of herbs is April 23rd and 24th this year. Besides the culinary classics, we'll have a variety of herbs that are valued for therapeutic fragrance, essential oils, or nutritional/medicinal purposes. As a bonus,…
