April To Do List • Finish warm season vegetable plantings including melons, okra, southern peas, corn, squash, beans, cucumbers,

eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes.

• Plant warm season flowers including periwinkles, cosmos, portulaca, copper leaf, marigolds, zinnias, lantana,

caladiums, coleus, begonias, impatiens, and nicotiana. Plant roses form 2 gallon and larger containers.

• Prune spring-blooming vines and shrubs immediately after bloom.

• Plant trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers.

• Turfgrasses to be planted now include St. Augustine, zoysia, buffalo grass, Bermuda and hybrid bermudas.

• Prick-prune hedges to be wider at the bottom fir better light thicker growth.

• Fertilize summer-flowering shrubs and apply foliar fertilizers on all foliage. Apply root stimulator to newly

planted trees and shrubs. Fertile shade trees, evergreen shrubs, and ground covers, with high nitrogen plant

food. Use high-phosphate plant food for flowering and fruiting plants. Feed roses with specialty rose food,

monthly.

• Apply diatomaceous earth for snails, slugs, pill bugs, ticks, fleas and chiggers

• Continue fruit sprayings at ten-day intervals.

• Mow weekly and leave clippings on the lawn.

• Repot overgrown houseplants using light-weight highly organic potting soil. Use next larger pot size, making sure

it has a drain hole. Loosen outer roots in the soil ball as you repot.

• Trim leggy or stringy houseplants back by as much as 50 to 80%. Then place in adequate light to encourage

regrowth.

• Remove lower limbs on shade trees to allow more sunlight to get to the lawn.

At Mike’s we love butterflies too, and so we have made sure you have a large

variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials for you to choose from when you come in

to select your plants that will attract butterflies to your own special garden.

ARBOR DAY IS APRIL 27TH!!!!

Plant a tree in honor of our earth and improve yours and your

neighbor’s quality of life.

IRIS

Iris, is a popular plant with large beautifully colored flowers. The name iris comes from the Greek word rainbow. The

unusual shape of the iris sets it apart from other flowers and makes it easy to recognize. It has three sets of three petal-

like parts. The lower set called, the falls, flares out and hangs down. The

upper segments curve up and into a dome. They are known as standards.

Three curved style branches cover the stamens in the center.

The colors range through all shades. They appear in many

combinations. The plant may grow from 6 inches (15 centimeters) to

over 6 feet (2meters) tall. The flowers vary from 1 inch (2.5

centimeters) to over 1 foot (30 centimeters) across. The leaves rise

directly from rhizomes (under- ground stems). Some iris rhizomes

contain a poison and eating them can cause severe stomach to upset.

Irises grow throughout the temperature regions. These perennial

plants bloom from April through July. They may need to be planted in

spring before blooming, or in autumn. The plants with rhizomes

give the best flowers if they are replanted about every four years.

The most common garden irises are the tall bearded varieties. There are

thousands of different kinds. The iris needs sun and average soil. The bearded iris

also needs well-drained soil, but beardless iris does well in moist soil.

The worst insect enemy of the iris is the borer. Its larvae eat their way through the leaves and roots, and often cause

soft rot. This causes the leaves to turn yellow and the root to rot. Soft rot often follows winter injury to the plant. When

either trouble occurs, the plant should be dug up and the roots cleaned before replanting in fresh soil. Old plantings

must be dug and cleaned to get rid of borers.

The dried rhizome of certain bearded irises is called orrisroot. It is used in perfumes, powders, and medicines. Iris

growing has become an important specialty. The American Iris Society has promoted this work in the United States. The

iris in the state flower of Tennessee.

Fleur-de lis is a name sometimes used for the iris. It is French for flower of the lily. Fleur de-lis is also the name of a

design that represents the white iris. It appeared as an emblem on the scepter of Egyptian rulers in 1500 B.C. and was

carved on the brow of the Sphinx. It also became the emblem of the kings of France in the 1100” s King Charles V of

France adopted three golden fleur -de-lis id a blue field ad his coat of arms in the 1300’s. The design is also a symbol for

the North on the compass. Irises make up the iris family Iridaceae.

REDBUD

Redbud trees are small, ornamental trees that are favorites in Texas gardens. Their beautiful lilac colored

flowers bloom in early spring and stay on trees for a good long time, giving the landscape a beautiful flowery feel.

Three varieties are adapted to Texas gardens- and each has a specific range. Be sure to select the variety that is

appropriate for your part of the state.

Eastern Redbud has large, dull green leaves, sometimes up to 5 inches long and wide. Eastern Redbud sometimes

reaches as tall as 40 feet. It grows in east Texas where there is ample rain and sandy soils. It also will thrive in heavy

black clay soil of the Blackland Prairie.

Mexican Redbud is a smaller tree that reaches about 25 feet in height. Its leaves are heart shaped with wavy edges. It

often grows as a multitrunked tree and is sometimes found in the edge of the Trans-Pecos on alkaline soil. In its native

range, it gets 12-20 inches of rain per year.

The Texas Redbud is another smaller tree, often with multi-trunks. It grows in the thin, limestone soils of central Texas

and the Hill Country. Its leaves are thicker, smaller and glossier than those of the Easter Redbud. This variety is very

drought-tolerant and adapted to areas of little rain.

All varieties are easy to grow and rarely bothered by pests. The flowers bloom on bare branches and are replaced by

leaves. Seed pods develop in the late summer and sometimes stay on the trees through the winter.

In Mexico, the flowers are pickled and used in salads. The seeds provide forage for wildlife. Redbud will grow as an

understory tree when the taller trees are deciduous to allow for sunlight in the early bloom season.

It is possible to grow redbud trees from seed. Gather the seed in late August. They are hard-shelled and must be

treated before planting. Some scarify with sulfuric acid, others with boiling water. Experiment with soaking in seaweed

to encourage sprouting.

Although set rules for landscape design are rarely successful the following guidelines can be helpful as you utilize

perennials and other color plants into your plans. MASSES TATHER THAN SPOTS… the eye can more easily relate to

masses rather than a lot of individual different plants. One way to arrange plants in this manner is with “drifts” or

elongated masses. CONSIDER FOLIAGE TEXTURE…texture is the relative size of the foliage, flowers and stems of plants.

Think of coarse textured plants as ones like bananas and other large leafed species compared to ferns, mosses etc.

Contrast in texture is a way to add richness and interest to a landscape. CONSIDER FLOWER SHAPE…spike flowers like

salvias and red yuccas are more interesting, when contrasted with ray flowers like daises or purple coneflowers.

CONSIDER FOLIAGE AND FLOWER COLORS…Flower colors are obvious but sometimes we overlook opportunities with

foliage colors. Artemisia, setcresea, certain grasses and herbs like lamb’s ear offer distinctive foliage that can

significantly impact landscape color themes. KNOW HEIGHT AND SPREAD…

This is really important because it affects spacing of plants. Too far apart and the effect is spotty and too close together

the plants may smother each other. Plants tend to vary in their size according to your location and growing conditions.

As you become more familiar with a larger palette or perennials you will find them a fascinating and practical way to

enrich your gardens.

Dr. William C. Welch

Professor and Extension

Horticulturist A&M University

FINGERTIP PLANTING Wondering how deep to plant seeds? Try the ‘fingertip method” by poking a hole…

The depth of the fingernail on your index finger for lettuce, Spanish onions, and radishes.

The depth of your knuckle for cabbage, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and squash.

The depth of your second knuckle for bush or pole beans and corn.

The Health Food Garden From, Today’s Garden, a publication of the National Garden Bureau Downers Grove. IL

Whether you realize it or not, if you grow vegetables in your garden that you plan on eating.

Studies have shown that fresh-grown produce can be much higher in vitamins and minerals than store bought produce.

Part of the reason for this is that nutritional content declines over time, and when you pick your produce from the

garden just before you eat it, the vegetables retain higher levels of nutrients. Take the tomato, for instance. A fresh

picked, vine ripened tomato can have up to three times the ascorbic acid (vitamin c) content of a super market tomato,

depending on how it was grown. “The fresher the better” really is true. Another advantage of garden-fresh vegetables is

the absence or at least the knowledge of what pesticides may have been applied. When produce comes from your

garden, you know exactly what has been used to control any pests of diseases.

Cool Your Cukes

If you do pick your produce from the garden advance of using it, be sure to refrigerate it right away. At room

temperature (70°F), vegetables lose up to 50 percent of their vitamin C content after 24 hours. Refrigeration at 43°F

slows that loss down to about 10 percent over 10 days.

Mineral or Vitamin: Sources:

Calcium: For strong bones and maintaining blood pH balance Copper: Fir elasticity of blood vessels, strength of connective tissues, health of cardiovascular system Iron: Carries oxygen to the cells Magnesium: Essential for nervous system

Parsley, broccoli, loose-leaf lettuce, celery, green beans, cauliflower Most vegetables if grown in a properly mineralized soil Parsley, spinach, lettuce, peas, broccoli, beans, tomatoes Spinach, beets, greens, broccoli, parsley, squash, celery, cucumber, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers Beans, peas, lentils

Manganese: Needed to metabolize proteins and fats Potassium: Maintains fluid level in cells Selenium: A major anti-oxidant Vitamin A: Anti-oxidant, strengthens immune system

Spinach, celery, lettuce, parsley, zucchini, radishes, cauliflower, squash, tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant, beans, pepper, carrots, broccoli Corn, legumes, vegetables Carrots, spinach, red sweet pepper, butternut squash, parsley, lettuce, zucchini

TREE PRUNING: IS IT NEEDED? Having a tree in your yard doesn’t make pruning mandatory. Most trees can live their entire lives without

ever having to be “trimmed” or limbs removed for any reason other than damage or disease. When choosing a

tree to plant, make sure you like the natural shape it will take maturity and give it plenty of room at the

planting site to reach its full height and width without obstructions.

If you must trim a tree, now is the time to do it. As temperatures warm, insects become more active and

with them the chances of spreading tree diseases increases as they move from tree to tree. For large

complicated trim jobs, a tree professional should be consulted before anything is done. Mike’s Landscaping

Services not only plants trees, they trim and remove trees, and can grind the stump and remove any debris left

from the pruning job or stack it up for later pick up by the bulk trash truck. Mike has 30 years of experience.

For smaller pruning jobs you can handle yourself with tools available at Mike’s Garden Centers.

Fresher is Healthier Many people start the New Year with the resolutions to lose excess body fat. This year try a fresh new

approach- instead of focusing on improving the quality of food you eat. Most people will lose much of their

excess body fat simply by taking this step toward better health.

When you grow your own fruits and vegetables you can control the supplements and growing methods that

are used in the production of food that will end up

on your table, feeding your loved ones. You don't have to

have a garden set aside simply for vegetable production -

they will grow anywhere that's already growing something,

and in containers that make a mobile garden. It is

recommended that you eat a variety of vegetables daily —

at least five 1-cup servings. That means that you need

to have a number of choices or you will get bored very

quickly and shy away from v vegetables altogether. Try a

few new vegetables, sprinkled around in your flower or

garden beds. Try a new variety of an old favorite. Seeds

and transplants of vegetables for spring will be

available soon at Mike's. Onion sets and seed potatoes are

available now for planting.

Three servings of fruit a day is the minimum recommended

amount for good health. Bearing-size berry and grape vines can be purchased at Mike's and set out along a

fence or arbor for support. Choose from blackberries, red raspberries, dewberries, blue berries, and

boysenberries that ripen at different times of the season, for season-long berries. Some vines are thornless

and some are bush-type. Grape varieties include red & white, seedless & seeded, table & jam use. Start your

peaches, plums, figs, apples, apricots & pears or any combination, ready to produce fruit this year!

Food grown organically will taste better, have more nutrients, and less poisons and contaminants on their

surfaces as well as be fresher when consumed since it is usually grown close to market (or in your own

backyard)!

If you’re enjoying the redbuds and fruit trees in bloom, consider planting one or two of your own.

The Texas redbud is native to our part of the state, and it’s pinkish-red flowers are putting on a show right now. The

Mexican redbud is another good choice for the Dallas/Fort Worth area, although it’s native farther west. The leaves are

much smaller than those of the Texas redbud, and they are crinkled around the edges. Both varieties are usually

multitrunked. Plant redbuds in full or partial sun.

Pear trees also will grow in full or partial sun. Their glossy leaves and white blossoms make them beautiful additions to

the landscape. ‘Warren’, ‘Ayres’ and ‘Magness’ are highly recommended to the metroplex area. All of these produce

nice dessert-quality fruit. Pears cross-pollinate, so plant more than one tree for a good crop.

Peaches are well-adapted to most parts of Texas. And you only have to plant one of these to self-pollinating trees to

get a nice harvest. “Springgold’ (small cling peaches), ‘Harvestor’ (medium to large fruit) and ‘Redskin’ 9large freestone

peaches) are recommended varieties for this area.

Plant at least two varieties of plums to ensure pollination. For large plums, choose ‘Bruce’, which produces plums with

red skin and flesh; “Morris’ with plums of purple skin and flesh; or ‘Ozark Premier’, which produces fruit with red and

cream streaked skin and yellow flesh; ‘Methley’ produces medium sized fruit with purple skin and flesh.

Come to Mike’s for all your flowering trees!!

PEACH TREES

Bounty Peach- A fine canning and freezing peach, with excellent flavor and texture.

The vigorous tree produces great big yellow- fleshed fruits, which are easy to peel and pit. Self-pollinating but

yields bigger crops when planted near a different peach variety with a similar bloom time.

Sentinel Peach- Large yellow semi-freestone with red skin. Self-Fruitful No Pollinator

Required. Ripens early June. 850 CH

Ranger Peach- One of the best late-blooming/ frost hardy

peaches for cold climates. Medium-sized, full- flavored, high quality yellow freestone. Fresh// can/ freeze.

Red Haven Peach- All-purpose peach. Luscious, top-quality fruit that is great

for a fresh snack or canning and freezing. Large peaches with fuzzless skin over firm, creamy textures yellow

flesh. Tree is heavy bearing and easy to grow and maintain. Blooms late to avoid spring frosts. Branches have

a heavy spreading nature.

Harvestor Peach- Self-fertile. You will get fruit with only one

tree. However, adding an additional Harvestor Peach Tree will drastically increase the size of your crop.

Elberta Peach- One of the most popular peach trees, Notorious for its sweet,

succulent fruit with the tell-tale blush covering its skin when perfectly ripe. Cross pollinate with a red-haven,

Elberta peach trees grow rapidly and mature quickly to a height of 15 feet.

Early Alberta Peach- This is an early ripening version of the world famous Elberta peach.

It's rich, sweet, yellow flesh and golden yellow blushed red skin make the Early Elberta peach the best there is.

This large peach tree ripens in early July, and requires 750 CH

Hale Haven Peach- Noted for its high-yielding properties and exceptional

fruit quality. The peaches produce a tough-skinned therefore preventing bruising. One of the finest for home

use and roadside market. Excellent for canning and freezing. Self-fertile.

Redskin Peach- The Redskin Peach Tree gets high marks all-around! It’s a descendent of two favored varieties, the Red Haven and Elberta peach trees, and combines the best of both into one premium fruit producer. Its peaches are medium to large-sized with velvety, crimson-colored skin and vibrant, yellow flesh. Redskin A top choice fresh market peach, these tasty treats are fully

freestone with a firm, juicy texture that packs a sweet, tangy punch! These peaches maintain their flavor whether canned, frozen, baked or preserved

Loring Peach- This peach is a very attractive, large yellow peach with a

hint on red blush. It has very firm, melting yellow flesh with excellent flavor. It is freestone and ripens in mid-

season about midway between Redhaven and Elberta. It has gained a good reputation as one of the better

eating peaches.

Belle of Georgia Peach- An old-time favorite that produces brilliant red

flowers each spring and large fruit in August. The peaches are very firm and highly flavored, with creamy shite

freestone flesh tinged with red, this fruit is widely used for desserts and canning.

Red Globe Peach- Is a beautiful, large freestone peach that is firm

and wonderfully sweet. It is great for fresh eating, canning and making ice cream and pies. The Red Globe

peach tree’s consistent crops make this a nice addition to your orchard.

Ruston Red Peach- Reddish Freestone, consistent producer, very good

with yellow flesh. Highly ornamental tree with large, dark red flowers.

J.H. Hale Peach- Old variety, still one of the best. Very large, firm, superb

flavor. Fresh/canned. Excellent frost hardiness. Another nectarine or peach needed to pollinize.

Contender Peach- Consistently yields large crops of sweet, juicy,

medium-to-large fruit. Also features lovely pink flowers that bloom and attract bees in spring. Developed in

Raleigh, North Carolina, introduced in 1988. Disease-resistant to bacterial spot.

Dixie Red Peach- Sweet, yellow fleshed cling. The Dixie Red peach tree produces a large red-skinned, freestone peach with a delectable yellow flesh. Dixie Red is a vigorous, early season variety with strong resistance to the dreaded leaf curl and best-suited to regions with winter chilling of 950 hours.

Redskin Elberta Peach- Cross of Redhaven and Elberta.

Excellent quality all-purpose yellow freestone. They are self-fruitful and produce readily. Frost hardy.

Spring Gold Peach- A good-sized, delicious fruit ripening in late spring. Great

eaten fresh. Reaches 10 to 15 feet tall.

Sure Crop Peach- Hardy tree, winter-

tolerant fruit buds, and relatively late bloom. Medium size; asymmetrical fruit. Quality fair to good -- but

Surecrop crops when most others fail!! Ripens about 2 weeks before Redhaven. Productive.

Denman Peach- Yellow, sweet, freestone. Ripens mid-July. 800 Chill

hours.

PLUMS

Tip: If you want to keep birds from eating all your delicious plums, plant mulberries close by. They’re

the one birds prefer to plums.

Burbank Plum- The most popular variety of plum. It’s hardy and bears early and

sets heavy crops. The fruit is great to eat fresh of can and it makes great jams and jellies.

Scarlett Beauty- Is a medium sized red skinned, red streaked amber fleshed plum. Reported to be self-fertile.

150 chill hours. Fruit ripens in May. Zone 9.

Santa Rosa Plum- The Santa Rosa hardy. The tree requires 400 chill hours and

works well as a pollinizer for other plum trees that need cross-pollination. Though replaced by many

commercial growers with more bacteria-resistant varieties, "Santa Rosa" is still a favorite among home

gardeners and is often found at farmer’s markets.

Methley Plum- Small, upright and spreading tree. It produces heavy annual crops

of juicy, sweet, red purple fruit that ripens from late May to early July, depending on the location. Good to eat

fresh of for jelly. Self-fertile.

Ozark Premier Plum- Giant, sweet and juicy plums. Fruit is firm and excellent for

cooking, canning, and fresh-eating. Bears young. Offspring of Burbank x Methley. Heat-tolerant. Semi-

freestone.

Morris Plum- This plum tree ripens a large plum that tends to grow in large clusters

on a grafted, semi-dwarf tree. The Morris produces an abundance of reddish-black skinned fruit. Morris plums

store well and have a crisp, firm flesh. These plums have great flavor and high sugar content. Increasingly

popular, an excellent variety. Cross pollination is advisable. Ripens late June to early July. 800 chilling hours.

Bruce Plum- One of the toughest Plum trees. The flavor is tops! A frost-hardy tree,

ideal for low frost prone areas. Semi-dwarf, weeping habit. Light red fruit with a sweet mellow flavor. Needs a

pollinator. Fruit ripens mid-June. 500 CH

Allred Plum- Self Pollinating Japanese plum. Red-skinned plum with juicy, red

flesh. Has a sweet/tart flavor. Ripens early. Leaves are red making it an attractive lawn tree.

Scarlet Beauty Plum- A very low chill Japanese-style plum with red flesh

and excellent flavor. Developed by the nurseryman and plant breeder Ronald Lambert of Wauchula, FL, a

close friend of Dr. Dunstan. Self-pollinating. Needs only 150 chill hours, excellent for south Florida, Zones 9-

10.

APPLES

Red Delicious Apple- Red Delicious apples are bright to deep red in color, oftentimes

speckled with faint white lenticels (spots). Its creamy white flesh is slightly crisp and dense offering a mildly

sweet flavor and slightly flora aroma.

Yellow Delicious Apple- The large, golden fruit of the yellow delicious

apple tree ripens late, developing a fine, sweet flavor. While they are best known as fresh eating apples, yellow

delicious also work well for pies, applesauce and preserves. They also store well, keeping 3–6 months if

refrigerated. When planting these trees, be sure to include other apple varieties such as red delicious, red

Jonathan or early harvest to ensure pollination.

Granny Smith Apple- Originated in Australia in 1868 when Maria Ann (Granny) Smith found a seedling growing by a creek on her property. This was the same place where she would toss French crab apples grown in Tasmania. The seedling bore light-green-colored apples that Granny Smith propagated. She found the new apple to be great for both cooking and snacking. Granny Smith is one of the most well-known apple varieties around, known for its bright green color and tart flavor.

Jonathon Apple- The Jonathan apple is medium sized and covered in a thin red skin, blushed with yellow to green undertones. Fruit from trees that have limited sun exposure during the ripening process will often have vertical red striping and subtle lenticels (spots) on the skin. Trees that are exposed to more sun will take on a deeper red to purple hue. The fine textured flesh of the Jonathon apple is creamy yellow in color with a crisp bite and lots of juice. Its flavor is mildly sweet with a tart tang and subtle hints of spice.

Honey Crisp Apple- Its sweetness, firmness, and tartness make it an ideal apple for eating raw. It has much larger cells than most apples, which rupture when bitten to fill the mouth with juice. The Honeycrisp also retains its pigment well and boasts a relatively long shelf life when stored in cool, dry conditions.

Gala Apple- Has mild sweet flavor and long availability window, this apple is one of today’s most popular varieties. Galas are among the top 3 apple varieties grown in Washington State.

Fuji Apple- Fuji apples were developed in the late 1930s by growers at the Tohoku Research Station in Fujisaki, Japan. Fuji apples are a cross between two classic American apple varieties – Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Janet. Fuji apples were introduced to the United States in the 1960s. Since then, the apple has grown into one of today’s most popular varieties. Fans of sweet apples adore it because with Brix, or sugar levels, of 15-18, it is the sweetest apple around! Fuji apples are also great storing apples, and because of that, are available year-round.

Pink Lady Apple- One of the best-known modern apples. Pink Lady apples are

elongated and have an asymmetrical shape. The skin is a vivid green covered in a pinkish blush which

becomes a deeper shade of red where the apple was exposed to more sun. Pink Lady apples have a crunchy

texture and a tart taste with a sweet finish. The white flesh is juicy and crisp and offers a “fizz-like” burst of

flavor.

Mollies Delicious Apple- A very good to excellent early apple ripening. Fruits are large to very large, conical in shape with a pinkish red color. Has an exceptionally pleasing aftertaste. This quality can be maintained in storage for at least 10 weeks under refrigeration.

Anna Apple- Anna is a Golden Delicious-style apple, developed in Israel specifically for cultivation in "low-chill" areas where winter temperatures rarely drop to freezing. Most apple varieties require around 800 hours or more of winter temperatures in the range from about 6C / 45F down to freezing, in order to become properly dormant, which is an essential part of their annual cycle - this is the "chill requirement". Anna has an exceptionally low chill requirement and will thrive even in climates where temperatures dip towards freezing for only 300 hours or so each winter. This makes it ideally suited to climates such as southern California and southern Texas which are in USDA zones 8-10. Anna is likely to flower in February in zones 9 or above. It is often paired with Dorsett Golden, another low-chill apple variety, however Dorsett Golden flowers later, and the flowering times do not always overlap. Anna is a very early-season apple, ripening in late June / early July. It bears fruit early in the life of the tree.

Dixie Red- This Dixie Red apple tree will come in a 5-gallon pot ready for you to plant in your own yard. Dixie Red apples are a sweet and crisp apple perfect for eating. Very similar in taste to the Red Delicious but without the mealy texture. This is one apple you cannot buy at the grocery store. They are ready to harvest at the beginning of October.

PEARS

Ayers Pear- Ayers is an old southern favorite. The fruit are yellow with a red blush. The flesh is smooth and melting with a very sweet flavor. The tree is vigorous, upright and fire blight resistant. The blooms are partially self-pollinating, but better crops will develop pollinating with another high chill variety like Bartlett or Blake's Pride.

Bartlett Pear- The #1 pear worldwide! First introduced in 1797, this multi-purpose pear is a long-standing favorite of orchard growers and fruit gardeners alike. Starts bearing at a young age and is very productive. Fruit features a smooth, firm texture and a juicy, spicy taste. Harvest in late August.

Kieffer Pear- Kieffer pear is a hardy tree. It grows rapidly, lives long, is disease-resistant and bears a large crop. The Kieffer pear is the most widely planted pears in the South. The golden yellow fruit has white flesh that is crisp and coarse in texture—excellent for canning, baking, preserves and pear honey. The tree produces fruit late September to October.

Moonglow Pear- Big, bold, blushed fruit. This beautiful, Bartlett-type pear is soft and juicy without being mushy. The tree is disease-resistant to fire blight and will bear fruit for years. A strong pollinator for other pear varieties. Harvest in mid-August.

Orient Pear- Orient is one of those old fashion hard pears. Large round fruit with a beautiful firm white flesh. Great for canning and making pear butters. The trees are highly Fire Blight resistant. Fruit ripens late July to early August.

Le Conte Pear- The Le Conte pear is a deciduous pear tree growing to 8m. It is not frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. The fruit is edible raw or cooked. The flesh resembles that of the Asian pear. The fruit can be eaten as soon as it is picked and can store for several days to several months. It is usually cooked in pies and preserves. The fruit is up to 8cm long and 5cm wide.

20th Century Pear- The 20th Century Asian pear is sweet, juicy, very delicious, and crisp. It combines the flavor and sweetness of pears with the crunchiness of crisp apples. They are round in shape, with a golden color skin, and white flesh. The 20th Century Asian Pair is an expensive fruit in the market, often covered with a protective white film. They are easy to grow, and they produce fruit heavily at a young age. Juicy, sweet, mild flavored fruit is crisp like an apple. Keeps well. Easy to grow, heavy bearing small tree.

Pineapple Pear- The Pineapple Pear Tree features a large golden-russet

colored pear that has a sweet-tart pineapple flavor. The tree is very productive and bears at an early age.

The Pineapple Pear is self-fertile but does much better with a pollinator. The delicious fruits ripen in August.

200 CH

D’Anjou Pear- D’Anjou pears are medium in size, averaging eight

centimeters in diameter, and are short, squat, and egg-shaped with a wide base that gradually tapers to a

rounded top with a thick, dark-brown stem. The skin is bright green, smooth, firm, and is covered in lenticels

or pores and some rose blush on the side most exposed to the sun. The flesh is white to cream-colored,

dense, and buttery with a slightly gritty texture. When ripe, Anjou pears are juicy and soft with subtle, sweet

flavors and notes of lemon and lime.

APRICOTS

Early Golden Apricot- Highly flavored, early-season fruit. Take pleasure in the ornamental beauty of spring with masses of pinkish white blossoms followed by smooth, golden, fruit in summer. Flavorful choice for eating fresh, baking, canning, and drying.

Moorpark Apricot- is known for its juicy, sweet apricots. Great for fresh eating, canning or drying. Harvest time spans from early July to early August, but the fruit does not ripen all at once. The fast-growing Moorpark apricot tree is self-fertile but planting two varieties is recommended for a better crop. Beyond bearing fruit, the tree is also considered an attractive landscape tree, with its spring bloom of whitish-pink flowers. Grows to a height of 15–20′ and a spread of 15–20′ at maturity. The Moorpark apricot grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soil. It is not drought-tolerant.

Royal Apricot- All-purpose freestone. Sweet, aromatic, flavorful - the long-time. Early bloom. Self-fruitful. Chilling requirement 400 hours or less. Tilton Apricot- An all-time favorite for flavor, offering large, firm fruit, golden in color with a red blush. Tilton is excellent eaten fresh and considered the best for freezing, drying and canning. Self-fertile/mid-season. An

excellent pollinizer for other varieties. This vigorous, adaptable tree is hardy and resistant to late frosts. Recommended winter chill: 600 hours below 45°F.

Pluot Apricot- Pluots have the initial appearance of a mottled plum. Their colorings range from red-skinned and pale amber-skinned to ruby-fleshed and blazing gold fleshed. The skin is taut and thin, clinging tightly to the fruit's flesh. Their skin breaths and excretes a film or coating that sits as a residue on the fruit. Most pluot varieties are extremely sweet, often spicy, low-acid fruits with a juicy, chin-dripping tender firm flesh, qualities that the fruit was developed to achieve. When multiple variates of pluots are planted in the same orchard scattered pollination between trees will occur, often times this imparts an enriched flavor to the fruits.

Plumcot Apricot- The Plumcot Apricot trees ripens in early June, requiring roughly 300 chill hours to produce fruit (13 days of temperatures below 45 degrees F.)Luther Burbank in the 1920's successfully crossed the plum with the apricot to form the hybrid, "plumcot". The Plumcot is round, large as an apricot and delicious when taken straight off the tree for fresh eating in early June. The plumcot is salt water tolerant and apricots have flourished for centuries in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.

Tilton Apricot- Tilton Apricot Tree produces exquisitely sweet, medium sized, heart-shaped, golden yellow fruit with a dark-red blush on vigorous, productive trees. This is one of the best varieties for canning though it is delicious fresh as well. Apricots generally require about 600 chill hours below 45º F.

FIGS

Celeste Fig- The Celeste fig is small, brown to purple colored, and

adapted to all areas of Texas. Celeste is the most cold hardy of all Texas fig varieties. The tree is large, vigorous,

and very productive. The main crop ripens in mid-June. Celeste has a tight closed eye which inhibits the entry

of the dried fruit beetle. Celeste has excellent fresh desert quality with a rich sweet flavor. Do not prune mature

Celeste trees heavily since this can reduce the crop.

Italian Black Fig- The Italian fig is similar to the Brown

Turkey but larger. The Italian Everbearing is a large reddish-brown fig with pink sweet flesh. It is a very prolific

bearer and will set a new crop after the previous one. The Italian Everbearing Fig Tree grows primarily as a bush.

LSU Gold Fig- LSU Gold is a large yellow fig with light red to

pink pulp. Because the fruit has an open eye when mature it should be picked as soon as it reaches maturity

because fruit spoilage may occur during ripening in high moisture periods. LSU Gold has good quality for eating

fresh and preserves.

LSU Purple Fig- LSU Purple is medium-size, long,

turbinate, glossy reddish to dark purple fig that has light amber to light strawberry-colored pulp and a closed eye.

A heavy main crop is produced in July followed by a later crop that often last into December. The mild flavor is

good, and the fruit has a high sugar content.

Texas Everbearing Fig- Texas Everbearing is a medium sized fig

adapted to Central and East Texas. It is the common variety in Central Texas. The tree is vigorous, very large,

and productive. The early crop ripens in May-June and continues to ripen into August. The fruit has a short,

plump stem and moderately closed eye which reduces souring on the tree. The fruit is nearly seedless and has

a mild sweet flavor. Early crop fruit is very large, sometime 2 inches in diameter.

Black Mission Fig- The Black Mission Fig

Tree is one of the most popular figs. These fig trees produce a medium to large, pear shaped, purplish-

black fig. Once you plant and harvest this fig tree you will notice its flesh is strawberry colored and exudes

excellent flavor. Many experts consider the Black Mission Fig Tree to be the best all-around variety for the

south. Figs ripen Summer to Fall.

Brown Turkey Fig- A classic, all-purpose fig. Fruit is delicious fresh

and in preserves. Dried figs make tasty snacks all year long. Tree needs protection when temperatures drop

below 10ºF. Needs minimal pruning. May yield 2 distinct crops in locations with a long, warm growing season.

Grows well in containers! Heat-tolerant. Ripens in June. Self-pollinating.

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*BLOODGOOD* 1G

A fresh, richly-hued focal point of any landscape, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree is known for standing out with amazing color. Landscape designers love to use its vibrant silhouette because it pops well against green grass, flower beds and more. But what sets our Japanese Maple apart from the rest? For starters, its foliage stays scarlet for most of the year, rather than just a few weeks like many other varieties. And its small tree that you can plant near your home, patio or tight places. Trim the Bloodgood Japanese Maple to your desired height or let it grow to its full 15 feet. The roots are well-behaved; Japanese Maples are perfect for accenting corners or crevices

near foundation walls. They also work great for small yards, entryways, accents or as property dividers. Best of all, Bloodgood’s are versatile and will grow in partial shade or full sun. So, you don't have to worry about tall shade trees nearby or shade from close structures.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Tamukeyama* 1G

Incredible red foliage, cold hardy strength and a silhouette that holds its color well throughout the season - the Tamukeyama is second to none. It's the Japanese Maple that stands the test of time. Dating back more than three hundred years, the Tamukeyama Japanese Maple has long perfected its tradition of spectacular beauty. A wonderful specimen, it's easy to grow in a variety of soil conditions in either full sun or part shade. And the relatively compact mature size of 8 feet makes the Tamukeyama a versatile tree suitable for a number of planting options. Growing wider than it does tall, the branches swoop down to form a dome filled with colorful foliage on display all four seasons. So, a sea of beauty awaits your landscape. Winning on all three counts, the well-defined leaves of the Tamukeyama are

exceptional for their shape, texture and especially their color. The purplish-red foliage that emerges in the spring is accented by tiny crimson flowers that will draw admirers in for a closer look. Summer won't dampen the brilliant color that will last the length of the season. As autumn beckons, the leaves red hues deepen, illuminating the planting area with incredible fall color.

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*Crimson Queen* 1G

‘Crimson Queen’ is by far one of the most popular of the family of Japanese Maples. Lace-leaf and weeping with deep red color that holds well throughout the summer even in conditions of extreme heat, ‘Crimson Queen’ is a great addition to any landscape. This beautiful dwarf tree does well in zones 5 through 8. Although partial shade is often recommended for this tree, mine are in full sun and do quite well.

Spring color is very, very red and as the summer goes on the color deepens to more of a scarlet red. The fall color, right before leaf drop is striking red. The photo to the left was taken in August after weeks of extreme heat and the tree still has good red color. New growth comes out with a beautiful red color so early in the spring the tree is very eye catching with its vivid red color.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*GARNET* 1G

The outstanding features of this cultivar are its shape, color, and vigor. The leaf color is a rich red-orange color similar to the gemstone, 'Garnet'. In the shade this cultivar stays green but in a sunny location the red-orange color quickly comes out and stays well into the summer. 'Garnet' is a vigorous grower, eventually reaching 8-10 ft. in height and width. The leaves are large for a dissectum. It has the pendulous spreading habit of dissectums. As

'Garnet' matures it forms a beautiful, cascading, "mound shaped"

specimen. 'Garnet' is becoming a popular landscape plant because of its durability and color retention qualities.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Orido Nishiki* 7G

Breath taking. This is an upright variety and considered one of the

best variegated upright varieties and I have to agree. Being among

the upright varieties of Japanese maples it has the ability to reach

15′ to 20′ high, but if that doesn’t work for you, you can easily

keep it trimmed to a lower height. Keep in mind, the more you

trim trees like this when they are small the more densely they

branch and the more foliage you see. With Orido Nishiki that’s a

huge benefit because the foliage is spectacular. The new growth

emerges with an array of colors!

Many Japanese maples change colors as the season progress, but

this tree comes out of the gate with a multitude of colors ranging

from pink, green, red, cream and almost pure white. As the season

goes on and more new growth appears the fireworks continue to

explode.

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* Inaba Shidare* 1G

Among all the Japanese Maples, Inaba-shidare is one of the best

and most visually stunning. Compact enough for any garden, it is

and covered with gorgeous red, lacy leaves that cascade down

from its upright-growing trunk. New foliage comes in the spring as

a deep reddish-purple that can appear almost black. Throughout

spring and summer, the leaves undergo changes into a much more

vivid red color, and finally in autumn burst into a bright fiery

crimson.

Inaba-shidare is a vigorously growing shrub that can reach its full

height and width within ten to 15 years. This fast rate of growth

will help it establish itself in your landscape design much faster

than many similar varieties, and it will then bring you years of

absolute visual delight. Growing to roughly ten feet tall with a

crown of 15 feet in diameter at maturity, the Inaba Shidare

Japanese Maple is a perfect choice for gardens that have a large

space that needs to be filled. The leaves of the Inaba Shidare are of

the red lace type; instead of being solid palmate shaped leaves they

have seven to nine points that are separated at the base and appear

almost lace-like or feathery. Unlike other Japanese Maples, whose

new foliage appears in the spring as a light green color, it produces

deep red, almost purple foliage that turns into a deep red over the

summer and then to a final brighter shade in the fall.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Viridis* 1G

Perfect Green Plant with Fall Interest. Light Weeping Foliage

The Weeping Japanese Maple has unique wispy green

foliage. It's airy and light and tends to have a glowing effect

when the sun shines upon it. Varying shades of green flow

elegantly with each breeze. Referred to as Viridis, it can reach

8 feet tall at maturity and has a spread of nearly 10 feet. As a

slow grower, it's easy to maintain the height and shape that you

prefer. Expect this plant to flourish for 60 years or more with

very minimal care.

Spectacular Summer and Fall Color. As fall approaches,

the bright green foliage transforms into a series of colors. First,

the leaves turn a bright golden yellow color, then orange. Mid-

season, you'll experience darker reddish hues for an impressive

autumn encore.

Versatile Beauty. The Weeping Japanese Maple fits nicely

into tight spaces where other trees might be too large. It's a

great choice to plant as an understudy amongst tall trees in

your garden. Many growers like to pair it with Red Japanese

Maples because of the rich contrast of color. Its low mound of

cascading leaves atop elegant draping branches creates graceful

arches and brings depth and elegance to any setting. It makes

an outstanding accent tree, particularly when lit up at night or

situated next to a pond or water fountain.

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*Tamukeyama* 7G

'Tamukeyama' is one of the older Japanese maple cultivars with

records dating back to the year 1710. This beautiful tree has

outstanding foliage color throughout the

seasons. Tamukeyama's new foliage is a deep crimson-red

when unfolding but soon turns to a dark-purple red. It is an

excellent shade of dark red that holds until late summer. Its fall

color is a bright scarlet. Experts claim that in the state of

Oregon 'Tamukeyama' holds its deep color better than any other

cultivar. Growers throughout the United States say that this

cultivar does well in both heat and humidity. This hardy plant

has a strong cascading form. Tamukeyama reaches 5 to 7 feet in

height in ten years. This cultivar is considered by many to be

the best, and the connoisseur’s choice in red dissectums.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Shishigashira* 7G

'Shishigashira' is unlike any other Japanese maple in the

world. This slow growing maple has somewhat glossy leaves

that are curled and/or kinked up. One of its outstanding features

is its compact arrangement of leaves the leaves are a deep green

that lasts into the fall. The leaves are of a heavy substance that

is firm to the touch. 'Shishigashira' holds its leaf color very well

even in the hot sun. In the fall this tree is a striking combination

of gold suffused with rose and crimson tones. After most other

maples begin to lose their color, 'Shishigashira' bursts into its

glamorous color. 'Shishigashira' is also unique in that it can

grow up to 15 feet tall, yet it is one of the best bonsai trees in

the world. This unique cultivar always attracts attention. It has

been in cultivation and published in Japanese literature books

since the 1880's. The name 'Shishigashira' means "Lion's Head"

or "Lion's Mane."

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*Emperor One* 7G

The reigning monarch of Japanese maples! Japanese Maples are

easily one of the most beautiful trees that you can buy to

enhance your landscape and Emperor One is the cream of the

crop!

This exceptionally ornamental tree has gorgeous color that

ranges throughout the year from rich plum purple to brilliant

crimson red. ‘Red Emperor’ as it is sometimes called, is later to

leaf out in the spring than other species of Japanese Maples.

This means that it isn’t as susceptible to surprise spring frost

damage as others.

One of the great qualities of Emperor One is its beautiful

leaves. They are exquisitely shaped and colored, but what

makes them stand out is their almost translucent quality.

The Emperor One Japanese Maple is a strong grower to 15 feet

tall and wide but can be pruned to any size. It will also thrive in

a big container which will keep it naturally small. (If you want

to keep it really small, you can prune it as an Emperor One

Japanese Maple bonsai!)

Emperor One Japanese Maple holds its color in the shade, so

put it by the front door or use it as a foundation planting.

Uplight it for a truly striking garden statement. Your yard will

look like you paid a king’s ransom for it (but we’ll keep your

secret!).

* Landscaper’s favorite * Holds color in the shade *

Translucent leaves with outstanding color * Three seasons of

color.

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*Orange Flame* 15G

The Orange Flame Japanese maple is an upright, strong grower,

with a deeply lobed leaf. In Spring new leaves emerge orange

and then turn a pleasing light green in the summer. In summer

the new second growth lights up like a flame - hence the name

Orange Flame. Added bonus is that the winter bark color is also

orange on newer growth! Orange Flame has great fall color

which is bright red, along with oranges and yellows. Hardy.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Beni Shien* 15G

A compact, vase-shaped deciduous tree with brown-red leaves

that are rather small with narrow lobes. By late summer new

shoots provide a "smokey" appearance in contrast to bronze-

green older growth which can also be variegated with creamy-

white edges. Fall color is bright gold to orange. Prefers full sun

in well-drained soil. 8' tall x 4' wide in 10 years.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*O isami* 15G

‘O-isami’ is an upright, large-leaved cultivar with an open rounded crown. It typically grows to 10' tall and 6' wide over the first 10 years, eventually maturing over time to 25-30' tall. Orbicular leaves (to 6" long and 7" wide) have 9-11 ovate-lanceolate lobes. Leaves emerge light green in spring, mature to a rich green by summer and finally turn bright shades of yellow, orange and red in fall. Each leaf measures about 4-5" across.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Karasugawa* 30G

This maple is one of the most spectacular of the variegated Japanese maples. New leaves are bright pink; as they age the pink may become white, pink tinted and later still, becomes green with large white to pinkish streaks. In fall, the variegated portions become rose-red while the green turns dark greenish-purple. Unfortunately, this selection is one of the most tender; zone 7a is the recommended cut-off. Protect from hot afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. Overall, it is a finicky selection, but well worth the effort. It can reach to 4 m.

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*Garnet* 45G

The outstanding features of this cultivar are its shape, color, and vigor. The leaf color is a rich red-orange color similar to the gemstone, 'Garnet'. In the shade this cultivar stays green but in a sunny location the red-orange color quickly comes out and stays well into the summer. 'Garnet' is a vigorous grower, eventually reaching 8-10 ft. in height and width. The leaves are large for a dissectum. It has the pendulous spreading habit of dissectums. As 'Garnet' matures it forms a beautiful, cascading, "mound shaped" specimen. 'Garnet' is becoming a popular landscape plant because of its durability and color retention qualities. Moderately deer resistant. Deciduous.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*SANGO KAKU* 45G

'Sango Kaku's' bright coral colored bark is one of many outstanding features of this maple. Its Japanese name means "Coral Tower". At times the bark color becomes almost fluorescent. This highly sought after cultivar is always in high demand because of its striking and unique coloration. The colors seem to brighten in the fall and intensify even more as when winter approaches. The leaf color is a striking light green which looks even brighter set upon the beautiful coral colored bark. The leaves have a strong reddish tinge which tends to fade out as the leaves mature. As summer approaches the thin-textured leaves turn an even lighter shade of green. The leaves turn a yellow-golden color in the fall. 'Sango Kaku' is quite "showy" almost every fall. This upright-growing tree gradually spreads at the top as it ages. 'Sango Kaku' grows rapidly for the first few years then takes on a branching out and thickening habit of growth. When 'Sango Kaku' is planted near contrasting colors it makes a striking color combination for winter accent. Recommended by the United States Arboretum.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*Inaba Shidare* 45G

One of the quickest and easiest ways to raise the curb appeal (and the value) of your home is to add beautiful and interesting new landscaping. Inaba Shidare Japanese Maple Tree (Acer pd. 'Inaba Shidare') is definitely beautiful and interesting. This stunner is an exceptional ornamental tree, both in color and form. This is a weeping lace leaf maple, which means it has delicate-looking leaves on gracefully cascading branches. Don’t let the airy disposition of Inaba Shidare fool you, though. This is a strong grower. It grows upright and straight, even though its branches droop appealingly. It explodes in the spring with leaves that are such a deep scarlet they almost appear black. After that they only get more brilliant through the year. When fall finally comes, the cold weather makes the leaves a bright fiery red rivalling all other fall foliage. The Inaba Shidare Japanese Maple growth rate is outstanding. They will grow fast – 1-2 feet a year for the first few years. The tree will double in size in 5 years! Inaba Shidare Japanese Maples can grow 15 feet tall and wide.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*ORANGE FLAME* 2G

The Orange Flame Japanese maple is an upright, strong grower, with a deeply lobed leaf. In Spring new leaves emerge orange and then turn a pleasing light green in the summer. In summer the new second growth lights up like a

flame - hence the name Orange Flame. Added bonus is that the winter bark color is also orange on newer growth! Orange Flame has great fall color which is bright red, along with oranges and yellows. Hardy. Grows 12' x 8' in ten years.

JAPANESE MAPLE

*EMERALD LACE* 2G

'Emerald Lace' has an extremely finely dissected leaf that makes it stand out among weeping lace leaf types. The overall habit is mounding and spreading, often making this tree have a unique shape that gets wider than tall. We expect 'Emerald Lace' to get 3-4 ft in height by 6-8ft in width in 15 years. Fall color on 'Emerald Lace' is a bright red to deep maroon. 'Emerald Lace' is extremely heat tolerant, cold tolerant, and a good vigorous grower.

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*PEACHES & CREAM* 2G

Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream' emerges in the spring with one of the more brilliantly unique color patterns found in the acer world. This amazing leaf on this Japanese maple is highlighted by bright green veins that make sharp contrast to the elegant shades of pink-to-rose over a cream background. 'Peaches and Cream' is a small upright Japanese maple that may reach 10 feet in height. Evening shade is recommended with this cultivar to achieve best coloration. The multi-colored reticulated leaves make a stunning addition to any garden and are bound to catch the eye!