Join us for a practical, timely class on caring for your trees in the unique climate of Dallas. We’ll cover what you need to know for late-winter and early-spring tree maintenance, including how to prune safely (and what not to prune right now), how to identify and manage freeze damage, and best practices for fertilizing, mulching, and planting before the warm season arrives. With ongoing confusion around oak pruning restrictions and the growing issue of topping crape myrtles, this session will offer clear, research‑based guidance to help you keep your trees healthy and resilient all year long. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners, and anyone looking to improve their landscape stewardship skills.
Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills 11001 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75229 Community Hall, South Church Building
11 AM, Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Note: To find the class, please park in the west parking lot and enter the south church building through the courtyard terrace.
The class will be taught by Anne LeSenne, M.S., Horticulture Extension Agent, Master Beekeeper, Master Arborist
Dallas County | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Administrative Offices: 6820 LBJ FWY Suite 3200, Dallas, TX 75240
Are you ready to bid farewell to January and move into the next month of the year? If so, welcome to the first phase of our patriotic journey with a salute to the “month of love”. It seems very fitting to celebrate the occasion by recognizing Valentine’s Day, February 14th as the perfect time to focus on the vibrant, romantic color of red flowers. And what could be more appropriate than geraniums and Gerber daisies to get us started?
As we experience a seasonal “rebirth of nature”, consider the intensity of hues ranging from deep crimson, scarlet and ruby to cherry, maroon and burgundy found in red flowers. Our first arrangement allows blue hydrangeas to make a quiet appearance while the brilliance of red geraniums establishes boldness. Also irresistible are the Harmony Double Scarlet Anemone’s with white eyes encircling a black center. The regal look of Gerber daisies unifies the composition.
*February’s featured flavor is the Southern classic known as Red Velvet Cake. Embraced for its deep red color and velvety soft crumb, this moist and tender cake is embellished with a delicate touch of red rose petals. It’s time to indulge!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Join us for a month-by-month gardening journey starting February 4th then concluding with a big finale on July 4, 2026. We’ll visit gardens displaying a vibrant tapestry of red, white and blue flowers and more while pausing occasionally to savor some edible delicacies along the way. This promises to be a unique adventure which will inspire you to embrace the spirit of patriotism in your garden. Look for fresh new ways to let your creativity bloom!
From “patriotic pots” created by Dallas County Master Gardeners to dazzling “in-ground” vignettes that reflect the colors and symbols of our nation, we hope to fill you with a sense of pride for our great country. So, grab your favorite gardening gloves and let’s have some fun celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary garden-style!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower” -Albert Camus
November 25, 2025
This very descriptive, seasonal quote comes from the French novelist, essayist, and playwright who in 1957 received the Nobel Prize for Literature
In just a few days, it will be time to gather around the table with family and friends to celebrate the harvest. Thanksgiving is truly a time-honored gift from the brave and courageous Pilgrims. Their profound joy, amidst countless struggles throughout the journey, led them to pause and give thanks for this bountiful new land that had become their new home. As we join them in reflecting back over 400 years ago, may your hearts be filled with gratitude for our homes and those who grace it with their special place in our lives. Starting with a brisk and refreshing walk through the garden, let’s take time to soak in the brilliant display of foliage along the way. Open your eyes to Autumn’s glow radiating throughout the landscape. Take in the mesmerizing display of stunning fall colors. Listen closely as the natural world speaks a magical language of joyful change. And finally, as you “gather together” for this special occasion, may your harvest tables be filled with wonderful memories and cherished traditions for all to embrace. Happy Thanksgiving to our readers and garden friends! We are grateful for your encouraging words and ongoing support!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2025
On Tuesday, November 18, The Jammin’ Crew at Raincatchers will be selling a limited selection of jams and jellies at Raincatchers Garden at Midway Hills, 11001 Midway Rd., Dallas, 75229.
You will find us at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall on the back side of the church.
These delicious treats are $7.00 for an 8oz jar. CASH or CHECK ONLY.
Raincatcher’s Jams and Jelliesfor sale:
CARROT CAKE JAM -a new flavor -Pineapple, fresh pears & carrots-tastes like fall
If you’re like me, a baby boomer who graduated from high school in 1967, the title above might suggest something other than what I’m going to write about. Yes, the song “Purple Haze” written by Jimi Hendrix came to mind one hazy, overcast afternoon as I was taking photos and working in my garden. I don’t remember the words and really never fully understood the reason for the title but it wasn’t difficult to find the answer.
Jimi Hendrix, a brilliant guitarist, wrote the song on December 26, 1966, while backstage at a club in London. The inspiration came from a vivid dream he had after reading a science fiction novel. In the dream, Hendrix finds himself walking under the sea when a purple haze surrounded and engulfed him. And from that experience his iconic song “Purple Haze” (later discovered to be to be about a woman he loved) changed rock music forever.
Putting this into perspective as it relates to that quite afternoon in the garden, my own sensory moment of feeling “engulfed” by the color purple had nothing to do with walking underwater. It was the sheer beauty of being surrounded by a sea of purple flowers in full bloom. Honeybees, by the hundreds, were so busy visiting the blossoms that I quietly paused just to listen to the familiar buzzing sound bees make when foraging for nectar and pollen. I was reminded, once again, how time spent in the garden brings unexpected joys.
Hopefully, you will appreciate my “Purple Haze” experience and the lovely flowers in varying shades of purple and blue that gave me the opportunity to share it with you!
Here are some of the flowers and plants featured in the video. You’ll see a selection of many within the purple/blue range that have been growing in my garden over the past five to six months:
Ageratum
American Beauty Berry
Angelonia
Anise Hyssop
Aster
Basil (African Blue, Balsamic Blooms, Cardinal, Red Rubin)
Blue Borage (a favorite of honeybees)
Butterfly Bush
Celosia
Clary Sage
Eggplant Blossoms
Foxglove
Impatience
Lavender
Pentas
Perilla
Petunias
Periwinkles
Phlox
Rose of Sharon (Blue Satin)
Sage (in bloom)
Veronica
Wisteria
Zinnias
Why, you might ask, designate so much garden space for flowers in the blue/purple spectrum?
*I’ll offer a few answers, but, most importantly, is that honeybees are highly attracted to these colors and see them more clearly than other hues. Flowers in this range signal to the honeybees higher nectar production. For this reason alone, gardeners focused on pollinator-friendly flowers should try to include blue and purple flowers in the landscape whenever possible.
*Looking a little deeper into the psychology of color, studies have shown that blue lowers cortisol while purple stimulates creativity and inner calm. In our gardens, these colors not only provide beauty but help to nurture our mental well-being.
*And finally, from a landscaping perspective, click on the link to Longfield Gardens for an in-depth guide on using purple in your flower garden. You will be inspired to get started!
Dig a hole through time and you will hit a fig tree’s roots. Figs are one of the oldest cultivated plants.
Figs are interesting little fruits but not in the traditional sense. The structure of the fig is a called a syconium, a fleshy sac lined with tiny flowers inside. When you eat a fig, you’re technically eating hundreds of tiny inverted flowers that bloomed inside the syconium.
The word “fig” comes from the Latin ficus
There are over 700 species of fig trees worldwide
Figs grown in the USA are self pollinating but in other countries pollination is provided by fig wasps which crawl into the fig, complete their mission and then die inside the fruit.
Figs conatin fiber, copper, potassium, maganese, vitamin K and other nutrients
Plant your fig tree in full sun in soil with good drainage, mulch regularly and monitor moisture needs
My experience with growing figs started with a fig tree propagated by Master Gardener, Jim Dempsey. It was planted in my backyard about 10 years ago. Every year I have looked up into my trees large, deeply lobed leaves longing for figs. The winter storm of 2021 nicknamed “Snowmagdeddon” caused the tree to die back and it would be several more years of waiting and hoping as it recuperated.
Finally this year my family tasted the fruit! About 12 pounds of figs were harvested from our Celeste fig tree. We let it grow to a height of over 20 feet. Rather than try to protect the tree from birds with a net or other artificial means, we let the birds eat the fruit in the branches way up high leaving the rest for us. There’s nothing like the taste of a fig eaten at peak ripeness from your own backyard tree.
Our Celeste Fig Tree, note the neighbor’s two story chimney for height comparison.
Another personal story: My son and wife and three little children moved to a new house last year. They have a “Texas Everbearing” fig tree. To my great delight, my grandchildren are eating figs from thier own tree. Imagine me walking into their kitchen and seeing figs on their high chair plates. Surely this is tender hearted beauty!
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
Surprise Lily-The interesting thing about the name of this lily is that I was the one met with a surprise – in my own back yard!
Just a few days ago, with the temperature hovering around 93 degrees, I decided to run the sprinkler system in my raised edible bed. It was a hot afternoon and overspray from the system felt good hitting me in the face, so I sat down on a bench and waited for it to complete the cycle. Interestingly, something in the blue blooming salvia bed just to my right side kept catching my eye. Curious to figure out “why” a single, and very lovely, pale pink flower was peeking out at me, I got up, walked a few steps and stared in amazement.
Gently pushing back some of the ‘black and blue’ salvias that had been growing in that spot for over 5 years, was the most unexpected sight. Droplets from the sprinkler that had just watered that area were gracefully clinging to the petals and seemed to be inviting me to come closer and take a look. What was this mysterious plant that I had never even noticed in the 19 years we’ve lived here?
After taking a few photos with my iPhone and then doing a quick plant search, the answer was revealed to me. I was pleased to learn that the botanical name Lycoris, is from plants in the Amaryllis family. Some of their common names, however (resurrection flower, surprise lily and magic lily) refer to the trumpet-shaped blooms that resemble lilies. Also known as ‘naked ladies’ for the absence of leaves, these striking lilies start blooming around the end of July. She almost looked like a flamingo standing stiff-legged in my garden bed. I wanted to learn more about her!
Lycoris includes around 20 different species found in China, Japan and a few other Asian countries. However, the tall, pink flowered Lycoris x squamigera is the most common in American gardens. If you are interested in growing this lovely, delicate pink lady, here are a few tips to get started:
*The surprise lily is a perennial bulb in the Amaryllis family and is the hardiest of all the plants in the Lycoris species.
*Bulbs are about 3 inches in diameter with long necks that can persist for many years once established.
*Lycoris prefer full sun to partial shade.
*When planting, bury bulbs to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, spacing them 6 inches apart.
*They grow best in well-drained, fertile soils.
*Foliage emerges in late winter to early spring. Silvery gray greenish strap-like leaves measure 12 inches long and 1 inch wide. They grow in clumps.
*Foliage dies away in late spring followed by the late summer “surprise” lily that emerges like magic and produces 5-7 four-inch pale pink trumpet-like blooms atop the 2-foot tall stalks.
*Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the fragrant flowers.
Now that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable lady, I’ll be especially watchful next spring while awaiting her return!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Travel with me for a few minutes and you’ll understand why!
A long, long time ago (over 1,000 years or more) in a far away land (China) a lovely little ornamental tree was discovered. It was given the name “Pai Jih Hung” meaning hundred days red for its beautiful color and long bloom season. While another name sometimes used is “monkey tree”, monkeys could not climb the smooth, slippery trunks but, perhaps, they never stopped trying. Today we know it as the very familiar “Crape Myrtle”! (Lagerstroemia indica)
A lovely white crape myrtle at Raincatcher’s Garden is allowed to grow naturally
Over time, Crape Myrtles made their way to England and then around 1790 they were introduced to the United States. Cultivation has continued for over two centuries. The oldest known crape myrtle was planted in 1790 and is still blooming in Charleston, South Carolina.
And what about the spelling? Is it crepe or crape? Depending on the source, you’ll find it spelled either way. So, let’s move forward with “crape”. And the next question to answer is in regard to the meaning behind the name. There are more explanations than you can imagine but here is one that seems to offer a nice horticultural fit: the shedding bark is as thin as crepe paper and as crispy and curled as French crepes. Beyond that, the internet offers a lengthy list of botanical research that you might want to explore. For now, let’s just enjoy the beauty of these colorful trees that can be found blooming in the metroplex and throughout the southern United States.
From vibrant, fiery reds to a wide spectrum of pinks and luscious lavenders, crape myrtle flowers add a stunning splash of color to landscapes during the summer months. (All photos were taken within the metroplex over the previous two-week period.) Numerous stops along the way included everything from residential yards to churches, schools, and commercial sites.
Driving along the North Dallas Tollway, colorful blooms draping over unattractive concrete walls transformed the otherwise dull and drab roadway into something spectacular. (FYI…my husband was driving while I quickly snapped as many pictures as possible!) Crowded parking lots at grocery stores, restaurants, banks and drive-throughs seemed to share in the showy parade of magnificent color!
So, please enjoy my ‘necessary distraction’ of photos featuring a vast and diverse display of crape myrtles dotting the metroplex. These lovely trees provide interest and appeal whether used as a single specimen, in groupings of three, defining driveways or providing a privacy screen outside fences. They are especially striking when featured flanking stone walkways and steps in expansive landscapes.
From tiny bungalows to homes with rambling landscapes covering several acres, crape myrtles are ready to grace the south with their glory. Let’s celebrate this beautiful explosion of color gifted to us seasonally by the elegance of crape myrtle trees!
A few observations to share:
*Symbolism – While their crinkled flowers have a rich history, they are typically associated with marriage, chastity, good luck and prosperity.
*Placement – Crape myrtles thrive when planted in full sun and with ample space to grow and develop a large canopy. (However, as you can see from several photos, it is very common to see them planted in groupings of “three” which eventually become one giant canopy).
*Most used color – White, then pink, followed by lavender and finally that vibrant watermelon red. (My personal favorite, for now, is lavender)
*Most creative display – Crapes and Cactus! Not something that I would think to use together but in this setting it created an intriguing touch of drama. Very effective!
WHITE
Never mind all the wires, this cascading line of white crape myrtles is an eye-catcherSentinels on Guard! Attention, Salute!Three-In-A-Row For Drive-Up Drama! A single trunk spectacleA burgandy-leaved white crape myrtle adds bold color to the Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills
PINK
Nestled in the corner of a wooded lot, this pale pink crape myrtle adds a little sparkle to the backdrop of greeneryPretty in Pink Along the FenceDeep Pink Crape Myrtle in a Shopping CenterA Welcoming Entrance of Three Crape Mayrtles at Grace Bible Church
LAVENDER
A Manicured Evergreen Hedge Provides Structure For This Grouping Of Lavender Crape Myrtle’sKeep Your Eyes On The Wheel When Sneaking A Peek At This Lavender Crape Myrtle In The Median On Midway RoadThis Lavender Crape Myrtle at the Entrance to a Local Children’s School is My Favorite ‘Canopy’ Photo“Stop And Stare” – This Stunning Lavender Crape Myrtle Is Electrifying Against The Azure Blue SkyA Drool Worthy Lavender Crape Myrtle In Bluffview
RED
Hopefully, Whoever Builds On This Vacant Lot Will Include This Lonely Red Crape Myrtle In Their PlansWelcome To The SMU Campus!Red, White and Blue, We Celebrate You.Just A Quick Stop Was Made To Capture This Pretty Grouping Of Red Crape Myrtle’s On Inwood RoadMesmerizing!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Starla and I decided to post a few of our favorite things from past plant sales. Save May 1, 2025 for an extradoinoary plant shopping experience at The Raincatcher’s annual plant sale.
Location: Midway Hills Christian Church ,11001 Midway Road,Dallas, Texas 75229
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
10 AM – 3 PM
Great selection of annuals, perennials, herbs and veggies, succulents and sedums, tropicals and house plants, shrubs and trees, groundcovers, bulbs and irises grown by the intrepid Raincatchers volunteers.
Bears Breeches-the green leafy plant by the japanese maple, a Starla purchase from The Raincatcher’s plant sale.Phlox, John Fanick purchased several years ago-now a hedge of beauty.Scented Rose Geranium-we will have these again this yearVariegated Artemesia, lovely fillerYucca in bloom, this has trippled in size since purchased.This palm and the pot cost $8. It has flourished.
All proceeds go to Dallas County Master Gardener projects.
Thank you for supporting Raincatchers’ Garden.
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Ann Lamb and Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardeners class of 2005 and 2008
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 