It’s About Thyme
by CHRIS WINSLOW
Sometime between the last week of February and the first week of this month, spring announces its triumphant return.
Wow, am I happy… especially when I see all of those beautiful flowers that are appearing on our trees right now.
Along FM 1626, for example, the Mexican plums have begun to show off their amazing color. This native tree, growing wild along the roadside, blooms white, contrasting well with its black trunk and branches. And oh so sweet! A fragrance of oriental incense.
Another harbinger of spring is the redbud tree. Central Texas is loaded with both wild and landscaped specimens. Keep an eye out for their flowers, which are a shade of deep, reddish-purple.
Flowering quince is also putting on a show with its coral colored flowers. Quince (Chaenomeles), a member of the rose family and related to magnolias, is usually found in landscaped yards. (It isn’t native to central Texas.) It’s a low-growing, deciduous shrub that rarely grows larger than 4 to 5 feet.
Also at this time of year, the fruit trees start to blossom. Apples, peaches, plums and pears all add their special, fresh colors to the landscape.
Most noteworthy are the fruitless varieties of peaches and pears.
Of these, the most spectacular is the Double Peppermint Peach: fully double flowers of white and red both show on the same branches. Sometimes you even see white and red on the same flower.
Other natives are sure to follow. Texas Mountain Laurels and Mexican Buckeyes will probably flower next week.
Spring is also the time when our native trees begin to bud. Texas Live Oaks are finally shedding last year’s leaves and new ones are emerging. During this time, the oaks will also shed tons of gold colored pollen, hoping to produce acorns for future generations.
What a great time of year!
Many people at the nursery and the farmers market on Saturdays have been inquiring if I think it’s safe to plant a spring vegetable crop yet.
For tomatoes, peppers and other spring garden plants, it is still a risk. Our last average frost date is this coming Monday, March 15. But please remember, this is just an average. I lost all my tomatoes from a late frost last spring (April 7th). If you do plant, remember to protect.
Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a gardening question, send it to me via email: iathyme@yahoo.com. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
