"Frost Free" this winter

In East Texas the first frost usually doesn't come until closer to Thanksgiving. Then we have "Indian Summer" for a few weeks until Christmas. Now is the time to protect your garden against frost this winter. We all have our favorite plants and flowers that we love to see come back every year. When buying the plants, you should always check the care tags to make sure they are tolerant for the zone we live in. We are in zone 8a/8b. We sort of straddle the border of both zones. So your plants should be tolerant to 15 degrees if you plan to leave them outdoors  .Plant Zone Map  My favorites are Knock Out Roses.  Very hardy and bloom like crazy!

Here is an example of a hedge row of knock out roses. The next picture is an example of frost bitten/frozen plants.

It only takes a few hours to get your garden ready for the whole winter. Every yard has micro climates all around the area. Examine your yard, looking to see which way the sun rises and sets. Look for shady areas and full sun areas. Plants on the North side of the house need more protection than the South side. Pine straw, leaves, mulch and those kinds of things can be used to cover the roots and keep them from the cold. Some bedding plants will come back after the winter if you cover them good with a thick layer of these items. Sometimes this East Texas weather tricks our plants. During Indian Summer where the temps can get back in the 70's, our plants think it's spring. After this a frost comes and shocks them. The yard and plants need to be allowed to go into a dormant stage for winter. Sort of like hibernation. If your plants are in pots, they can be kept in the house until Spring. In front of a window, or a well lit room. If you see signs of frost, do not prune off immediately. Wait until Spring, after the weather warms up to see if there is any new growth. If you don't see any growth at that time, then you can prune it back.

This is what the mulch around the roots of shrubs should look like. A good thick covering. Here is a link to native Texas plants. Native East Texas Plants   It is easier to make the best of your garden if you have chosen the right plants to begin with. In the next 2 weeks we need to start winterizing. Put out the proper protection for your landscape, making sure all your plants are ready for the freezing weather ahead. Then sit back, relax through the winter enjoying your coffee or cocoa until Spring when the fun begins again.

Booo-quets

Halloween....that time of year when adults get to dress up as the favorite character they always wanted to grow up and be. Of course, here we get to create beautiful Boo-quets to fill any table for your party.

One of my favorites is the Spider Bouquet. So much fun to create and looks so cute on a table by your favorite snacks.

Our Boooo-quets can add some giggles to your Halloween Party. Give us a call and let us help you.

Friday Night Lights

Who hasn't seen an episode of this show? The show exemplifies the southern tradition of "Homecoming" and Friday Night Lights. We have homecoming for church, homecoming for schools, reunions etc. Obviously, we love to revel in the nostalgia of what was. In the south, we do everything big and celebrate every occasion and we love our Friday night football games. Our girls start early dreaming of being one of the "big girls" wearing a full length mum and going to the Homecoming dance.

We recently acquired the cutest ceramic boots that we can do arrangements in for the drill team or majorettes. This is an example of a Tyler Junior College Apache Belle drill team boot. It is decked out with trinkets, streamers and school colors. We can personalize it with your girls name. These are really nice keepsake containers that the "Belle" can treasure. We also did a boot for the local High Schools. The kids love it. Recently I was interviewed by The Tyler Morning Telegraph about the tradition of Homecoming Mums. As I stated in that article, "when the tradition started it was about supporting your school. Now it has evolved into a fashionista kind of experience. With every mum being larger and better than everyone else's." History tells us that the first homecoming was held at Baylor University in 1909. With every year being bigger and better than the last. As for the guys, they have boutonnieres, or garters. These are worn around the upper arm over their shirt. They consist of streamers, trinkets, cowbells, etc. Very similar to a mum, but smaller. So, come join us for a football game that is an "experience." Register to win 1 doz roses arranged at winner@theflowerboxtyler.com (drawing held each Friday)

Fall (Almost)

Autumn, that beautiful time of year when the seasons in Texas "change"  We go from 100 degrees, to 85 to 90 degrees.  HaHa  We as Texans can't wait for that first frost, even though it might be in November.  The East Texas State Fair is just around the corner, and pumpkin patches are starting to open.  Also, it's time to think of  fall decorations.  There are so many naturally beautiful things growing around us.  Recently I saw some "gourd vases"  They are so cute and wonderful.  Cut off the tops in what size you would like, empty the contents, add some florist water tubes and flowers.  Voila, a beautiful centerpiece for your table.

Use your candlesticks in your new fall displays.  Every pumpkin patch has small gourds or pumpkins fairly inexpensively.  Since they will not be cut opened, they should last the whole season.  In this area, we have a bountiful supply of leaves, dried vines etc. that could be gathered to compliment the "candlestick" display.

Include a nice bright pot of daisies as the temperature outside starts turning cooler.  This will bring the warmth of the sunshine inside.  Look around, explore, create and make your home ready for all the activities of fall with wonderful flowers of all vaireties and colors.  After the dog days of summer, it can be refreshing to bring bold, bright colors into your home.  Also, natural ornamentation is the most beautiful for fall.  The simpler the better.  Let your imagination go, and reuse what you have along with some new fun items to compliment.

Bluebonnets

Bluebonnet season is here. The true bluebonnet pastures are west of Tyler, but we do have some beautiful landscapes here. I never saw many people have success with them years ago. Now, lots of homes have them in their yards during the Azalea Trail. There is a home one block of the shop that has a yard full of Azaleas and bluebonnets. It is an old victorian style home. As you drive by, you can almost see a carriage coming from around back.
The bluebonnet was voted in as our state flower in 1901. There are actually 5 different kinds growing in the state. As the picture above shows, they cover the ground in a beautiful field of blue. Usually there are some other wild flowers mixed in. As in this picture, there are some Indian Paint Brush. The flower actually resembles the bonnets pioneer women wore to sheild the sun. They are an annual plant. This means that the plant dies each year, but returns from seed the following year.
They are a beautiful plant, and if you have time you should take a drive towards the southwest and see the fields. There are a few places here in Tyler to see them. Mostly on the Azalea trail. A couple of places I personally know about are at the corner of Front & Fannin downtown, and out Rhones Quarter Rd south of town. Both homes have some beautiful plants.

It's time once again for Dogwood Trees to bloom. They are absolutely beautiful with the other blooming flowers in east Texas. Dogwood trees always seem so fragile and delicate to me. Actually, they are one of the strongest hard wood trees around here. In pioneer days, they used them for a lot of household purposes. I can remember my Grandmother reminicing about her mother using the branches for a broom in the house to keep the sand fresh.
There is a legend of the Dogwood Tree in Christianity. It states that the Roman soldiers used the trees to make the crosses for the crucifictions, at that time they grew tall and stately. When Jesus was crucified, He felt the shame and humiliation of the tree. He told the trees that they would now grow short and gnarled so that the soldiers would not use them for that terrible purpose again.
Now days, Dogwood Trees are one of the most widely used in landscaping design. With their small stature and abundant blooms, they add height to an outdoor arrangement. They generally grow to a height of 20-30 feet over many many years. A typical lifespan is about 30 years. At that time, the bark is usually gnarled and the blooms are sparse. They like to be in the shadows of the larger oaks and other trees. Dogwoods are easy to grow, requiring little maintenance. They always treat their owners with a beautiful display of blooms in early spring. I have two white and one pink in my yard, and my neighbor has a pink. This time of year with the other blooming plants, the dogwoods add much character to the yard. I'm always excited in spring to check my trees and see if the blooms are getting ready. I'm not much of a winter person, so when I see the first signs of spring it's exciting. Take a drive down Paluxy and see all the Dogwood Trees blooming on either side of the road. They are beautiful!

Azalea And Spring Flower Trail Kicking Off Friday

Azalea And Spring Flower Trail Kicking OffFriday Once again it is time for the Azalea Trail. If you have never driven or walked this trail, you should take time this year to do so. The weather is supposed to be the best we have had in the past few years. The atmosphere is so alive with history and charm. The brick streets are teaming with tourists and cameras. Azalea Belles are on the corners waving at passers by. They are quite lovely in their period costumes complete with parasols. In fact, we have an Azalea Belle among our staff this year. If you take the historic home tour, their are guides in each home to tell you the history of the home. Tyler is actually quite rich with a diverse and amazing history. So take a few minutes in the next few weeks to take an adventure on the Azalea Trail. There is a link on this page to a recent article in the Tyler Paper. The people on the trail are so giving of their time and resources to make this event so wonderful. You will not be disappointed with the beauty of all the blooms.