NEW TO THE GARDEN: VARIEGATED ERYTHRINA

I was going to try a 3 for Thursday, but this post contains 4 pictures of one of my favorite new plants.

There are 2 kinds of people on Earth; those who LOVE variegated plants and those who don't.

I seem to be drawn to them like a magnet. I found this one at Another Place in Time on 11th Street and it just about knocked me over when I saw it. I have a lot of self-control since my garden is already FULL of plants. But the more I stared, the more I thought....WOW!

It feels more like I'm taking a picture of some type of Zebra...a feeling akin to being on some safari..than it does to feeling like I'm standing by JUST a plant.  It also goes by the name Indian Coral Tree and Sunshine Tree.

I'm told it's handled just like Plumeria during the winter...just let it dry out and put it away while it's dormant.

I have a number of Plumeria that I store like this, so I think we'll make it.

Some of the garden regulars have already moved in and set up camp.

Does anyone grow this plant? I'd love to know if it can root from cuttings like Plumeria.

Well, that's it from Tropical Texana.

And remember....if you see a 'ZEBRA' growing in someone's front yard here in Houston, it just might be our garden!  /////\\\\\\   :0)

DANGER: AGAVE COLLECTION AHEAD

(Note: no Agaves were harmed in the making of this photo)

Not all agaves are suited for hot, humid Houston. Some will rot, some will freeze, and some are from the higher mountains of Mexico and don't like the lowlands.

These agaves are mostly new and have not been through a Houston winter.

Agave celsii is a smmooooth agave. I've tried to find one locally for 3 years.

I got this one as a Father's Day gift from a Wal-mart in Katy!

Agave desmettiana variegata

I bought this one because it was much more heavily variegated than any I'd seen. Most have only a thin yellowish band along the leaf. Also, one of the pups is pure yellow. Worth watching!

Agave geminiflora

This picture does not capture it's great form. The leaves have smooth edges and feel like green pencils that are a bit flattened (convex). It will develop some nice threads along the leaves as it grows larger.

Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' (?)

Calamar is the most popular version, so I'm guessing this is what I bought.

It will tolerate shade a bit more than other agaves. It is slow growing and the leaves are VERY brittle.

I broke off two when I planted it. No spikes or needles.

Another unusual agave.

Are there any agaves I don't have? Of course! All collectors have a wish list. But for now, I'm happy with growing these new editions to Tropical Texana. BTW: All made it through endless days of rain without a sign of rot. They love our current heat wave. Glad someone does.  :-(

NEW TO THE GARDEN: FISH AND PALMS

Not fish and chips! OK, my son loves fish and so do I. But they die. Often.We don't really pamper our outdoor fish, so the list of what will make it is slim.This week we are trying these...uh..I can't ever remember their names. But they are NOT goldfish. They are MUCH tougher. I once had a bog pond in an old washtub and during a drought it basically had only muck in the bottom with alittle water. As I closed out that chapter of the garden and dumped the muck,out wriggled two of these same type of fish. They had lived in muck for months.I was impressed.
These guys are all going to be happy. They each get to live in one of my rain catchment tubs or...the pond. All have mosquito larvae to the max so dinner is served. My wife is relieved to hear the plan for the tubs of water all over the yard. (I'm saving up for the drought....but it keeps raining)

Also new to the garden is this gorgeous palm. I got it for only $5.00 at Lowe's. It
was out in full sun and faced a certain death. It's a native needle palm and I've
never seen one for sale. It loves full to moderate shade. It will love Tropical Texana.






I'll divide up the palm pups once I figure out why it's called NEEDLE PALM. Hmmm....