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September 18, 2024

Summer’s official calendar date began on Sunday, June 21, 2024. The high that day was 95 degrees F. It was only the beginning of a miserably hot, humid summer. But now, exactly three months later, we have been rescued from the blast of heat that seemed to overstay its welcome. Once again, according to the calendar date of September 22, 2024, we have almost made it to the end of summer and will finally have some relief.

For all the bloomers and plant warriors that never gave up the fight, we celebrate you for gifting us with those bold and long lasting splashes of summer color. Our gardens were decorated with your presence. Throughout the months of June, July, August and September, early morning trips to the garden gave us a plentiful supply of dainty blossoms and gorgeous flowers, amazing vegetables and tasty culinary herbs.

Freshly harvested and carefully snipped, you filled our vases with stunning natural beauty. Charcuterie boards and chilled summer soups garnished with tiny treasures from the garden created an irresistible “feast for the eyes”. Your perseverance was remarkable. Thank you for giving us a summer filled with stunning landscapes, spectacular flowers, and fresh, flavorful edibles. Most of all we our honored that you leave us with the everlasting promise of returning next year!

*All photos in the attached video were taken from June 21, 2024, through September 18, 2024.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

September 6, 2024

Master Gardeners are really gracious about sharing plants! Have you ever, at some point in your garden journey, heard about a particular plant but couldn’t seem to find it? Or have you visited a friend’s garden and then dreamed about creating a similar look? Consider this, your greatest resource might be a master gardener!

At the Raincatcher’s Garden plant sale this past May, I just happened to mention something about a certain plant that would be a nice addition to my garden. Finding it had been problematic. Fortunately, another master gardener overheard my comments and spoke up. Master Gardener Linda Seidel smiled and told me that she had an abundance of it in her garden. And, at that very moment, she offered to make a quick trip to her house, dig some up and bring it back to me.

You may be wondering, why all the fuss about a plant? Well, it was the plant’s name that first piqued my interest a few years ago. If your last name was Alexander, wouldn’t you want the wildflower Golden Alexander growing in your garden, as well? Even the description sounds enticing – “a tough native that lights up the spring garden with its bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators.”

They were planted in an area of my garden that receives morning to mid-day sun and afternoon dappled shade. And then, a few months later, something unfortunate happened. Our weekly yard crew had a new person working with them. His job was to help with pulling weeds. And, as you’ve probably guessed by now, he unknowingly pulled up all three of my carefully managed Golden Alexander plants. The crew was already on their way to the next job before I even noticed. 

Disappointed and somewhat embarrassed by the mistake, I sent a text to Linda explaining the situation. She assured me that it would be no problem to replace them. I was so relieved at her response and can happily say that I am now the proud owner of three new plants. As you can see from the photo, they have been planted, labeled and identified. Yard guys, beware, these plants are not to be removed!

Golden Alexander is an herbaceous, short-lived perennial in the carrot family. It has a yellow flat top cluster flower, similar to the lacy, umbrella-shaped flowers on dill, wild parsnip and Queen Anne’s Lace. The flowers are attractive to a variety of butterflies, native bees, bumble bees and honeybees. It serves as the primary larval host for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

General Information

Botanical Name – Zizia aurea

Common Name – Golden Alexanders

Family – Apiaceae

USDA Zone – 3 thru 8

Light Requirement – Full Sun to Part Shade

Height and Spread – 1.5-3ft x 1.5-2ft

Flower Color – Yellow

Soil Type – Loamy, clay

Bloom Time – April – June

 Linda Seidel shares growing information below:

“Everyone needs a Golden Alexander,” a volunteer told me at a Native Plant Society of Texas plant sale. I’d never heard of the plant, but if everyone needs one, I’ll take one. I planted it near the top of my hillside pollinator garden where it would get morning sun and dappled shade of a crabapple tree in the afternoon. It does fine in my mostly clay soil which drains well on the hillside. It doesn’t seem to need fertilizer. It gets watered twice a week along with the rest of the garden. I would not say it is a drought tolerant plant, but even with our super-hot summer days the foliage has not burned since it is shaded in the afternoon. It provides a lovely dark green, soft textured background in the garden. Pollinators love the yellow flower clusters. Birds love the seeds. And speaking of seeds, Golden Alexander spreads its seeds prolifically. If you don’t want lots of little Golden Alexanders next spring, spend some time deadheading, before the seed heads have a chance to pop open. I now know why the plant sale volunteer told me I only needed one Golden Alexander!

Next May at the 2025 Raincatcher’s Garden Plant Sale, we plan to have Golden Alexander plants potted and ready for purchase. Come take a look!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Are you looking for a plant sale this fall? Texas Discovery Gardens Pollinator Plant Sale is Friday, September 13-Sunday, September 15.

It may sound like the title of a new song, but this dazzler of an eggplant has started coming on strong in my summer garden. Over a half dozen online sources describe Summer Emerald as “living up to its reputation as one of the best-tasting eggplants–firm texture, few seeds, sweet and tasty flesh–perfect for broiling or grilling.” My one little transplant was purchased a few months ago at a local garden center. At the time, I really wasn’t familiar with this variety but was intrigued by the name. Isn’t that a good reason to try something new? 

Eggplant ‘Summer Emerald’ growing in my raised bed

Once those petite little fruits (1” x 8”), with lime-green skin that is never bitter, started making their debut in my garden, I was impressed and ready to crank up the grill. A simple lengthwise cut down the center followed by a light brushing of olive oil was all the preparation needed. As suggested, It only took a few minutes for these dainty little eggplants to cook. We enjoyed our perfectly grilled eggplants alongside a light summer salad. Finally, I must confess that I had never tasted a lime green, grilled eggplant before, but it was so incredibly delicious that the grill will be fired up again for this one!

‘Summer Emerald’ Eggplant harvested from my garden

Left, ‘Summer Emerald’ eggplant cut down the center and ready to be prepped, Right, brushed with Texas Hill Country Blood Orange Olive Oil, Bottom Grilled in Stove Top Skillet 

Perfectly grilled eggplant garnished with freshly clipped lemon thyme, a light dusting of cracked black pepper and a sprinkling of fine gray sea salt

Lemon Thyme in my raised bed

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Returning from a 5-day trip to Park City, Utah last week, my husband and I weren’t too happy about the Dallas forecast. Discouragement at having to return during the height of summer heat left us agonizing over the cool, crisp air that had filled our time in the mountains.

Upon arrival at the Salt Lake City airport, our wonderful Dallas friends greeted us and immediately suggested a leisurely lunch at The Grand America Hotel near downtown. As promised, lunch on the patio of the Garden Café was a welcoming introduction to our incredible stay. Shortly after lunch, we made our way out to the hotel’s world class gardens which were beautifully dressed in their finest summer attire. A spectacular display of brilliant and colorful blooms filled every inch of garden space. The natural beauty of flowers and plants so artistically arranged was mesmerizing.

Following a relaxing pause as we strolled through the gardens, a short 30 minute drive took us to our final destination, Park City, Utah. At just over 7,500 feet above sea level, this little Wasatch Mountain town is filled with stunning panoramic views. (This was our 8^th consecutive summer to spend time with our friends who enjoy renting a condominium in Park City each year for their summer escape from the blast of Texas heat).

Early the first morning, our hosts took us to a roadside market stand that they hoped would have fresh peaches. Unlike Texas, Utah peaches were just beginning to ripen and become available for purchase along with tables of juicy, red tomatoes and freshly picked summer corn.

Driving around town, individual yards, city parks and medians throughout the Park City landscape were in full bloom. Zinnias, marigolds, cannas,  petunias, geraniums, blue salvia, hollyhocks and goldenrod offered a sprinkling of confetti-like color for everyone to enjoy.

August temperatures in the area hovered around the mid 50’s at night with daytime highs in the upper 80’s with the absence of humidity! Plants and humans alike were soaking up the dreamy climate and the refreshing mountain air. Spending time outdoors couldn’t be more enjoyable in this kind of environment. Hope you will take time to enjoy a visual feast of our mountaintop adventure. Wish we were still there but our invitation to come back in 2025 has already been accepted!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008