Tag Archives: Dallas County Master Gardener

Jerusalem Sage, (Phlomis fruticosa)

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

April 21, 2026

A few years ago, the Edible Landscape team at Raincatcher’s Garden made the decision to add a colorful new ornamental plant to the Sensory Garden. We were drawn to its woolly, lance-shaped leaves with a silvery-gray color and felt-like, fuzzy texture which would lend a unique tactile element to the “touch” component of our garden. But it was the whorls of buttery-yellow flower spikes that intrigued us most. Their “tiering” formation of spherical clusters promised to give us a dramatic floral display for the springtime garden. It fulfilled its promise!

Jerusalem Sage is a stunning evergreen shrub native to the rocky, Mediterranean region. Historically, it was known as the lamp wick plant. After harvesting, the soft, gray-green leaves were carefully rolled and placed directly into olive oil to act as a wick. The fine, tiny hairs on the leaves served to absorb the oil and maintain a continuous flame. Interestingly, the plant’s genus name, Phlomis, is derived from the Greek word for “flame”, giving it a direct reference to its historical use.

Were the leaves rolled “lengthwise” or “bottom-to-top? We may never know!

 The Jerusalem Sage in my home garden was planted in May of 2024. Now, two years later, it has grown into a dense, mounding shrub with a unique architectural-type form. Current size is about 3 to 4 feet in height and width. Our plant is thriving in an area that receives around 6+ hours of morning to mid-day sun. The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

A very busy bumblebee

If you are looking for a plant well-suited for a Mediterranean-style garden, consider the durability and structural integrity of Jerusalem Sage. Here are a few specifics to get you started:

Genus Name                                        Phlomis fruticosa

Common Name                                   Jerusalem Sage

Plant Type                                            Perennial, Shrub

Height                                                   2 to 4 feet

Width                                                    3 to 5 feet

Flower Color                                        Yellow

Foliage Color                                        Gray/Silver

Zones                                                     8, 9, 10

Propagation                                          Division, Seed, Stem Cuttings

Jerusalem Sage is a member of the mint family that requires minimal care. Plant it in a location with similar conditions to the Mediterranean area, a sunny spot with well-draining soil. It is a tough, low-maintenance plant that, once established, is drought tolerant. It doesn’t require fertilizers and will do fine with a scattering of compost around the base of the plant in early spring. 

Dazzle your guests with the simplicity of Jerusalem Sage blossoms in an artistic arrangement!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Raincatcher’s Garden Annual Plant Sale May 2, 2026

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Raincatcher’s Garden Annual Plant Sale

Location: Midway Hills Christian Church ,11001 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas 75229

Saturday, May 2nd, 2026

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.

All proceeds go to Dallas County Master Gardener projects.

Thank you for supporting Raincatchers’ Garden.

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Here Comes the Bride…Elegant and Graceful, Spirarea x vanhouttei ‘Bridal Wreath’

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

March 14, 2026

Reading the title, you may be reminiscing about a recent wedding or one that is scheduled for this spring. Imagine a stunning display of cascading branches covered in double-white flowers welcoming you to the wedding venue in glorious style. Your senses delight in the romance of the moment. 

While it may sound like a blissful and lovely setting for the bride and groom, this calls for a different type of celebration. It is mid-March in Dallas (Zone 8) and this beautiful bride is ready to make her appearance. Please meet…

Spirea ‘Bridal Wreath’

Spirarea x vanhouttei ‘Bridal Wreath’

This is our Spirea ‘Bridal Wreath’ bush gracing us with her beauty, and growing in our gravel driveway, for the 20th consecutive year. However, the abundance of white blooms is the most brilliant we’ve ever experienced. With a generous spread of 5’ tall x 10’ across, she certainly makes a spectacular presence. 

A lovely China vase hand painted by my late grandmother was the perfect whisper of nostalgia for displaying the arching branches of ‘Bridal Wreath’ Spirea. It was a wedding gift from 1970.

This “melt-your-heart” moment for me was sharing the story of ‘Bridal Wreath’ with my 10-year old granddaughter, Sadie. Without hesitation she asked if we could please make a wreath for her to wear to the Daddy/Daughter Dinner and Dance that night.  It felt as if this experience had magically happened “for such a time as this”.  A treasured memory was created as together we imagined Sadie wearing a ‘Bridal Wreath’ to her own wedding someday!       

Growing spirea is a somewhat effortless endeavor that you can read about here. FYI…Our spirea only receives mid-morning to late afternoon filtered sun and still gives us a show-stopping three week “sold out” performance!

 One of our local garden centers is offering spirea, as of today, for a very reasonable price. Don’t miss the opportunity to let ‘Bridal Wreath’ fill your yard with an electrifying touch of spring color!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

More about Spirea!

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Shout Out to Workers at Raincatcher’s  Garden of Midway Hills 

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

The Awards meeting for Dallas County Master Gardeners this year reminded me of how blessed I am to be a part of  this organization and especially Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills.   The board in charge of this event, created an opportunity to celebrate the amazing things that Master Gardeners have done over many years.  The variety of projects, the people served, and the information shared is truly something of which to be proud.  

So many of our volunteers were honored for their service and commitment to Dallas County Master Gardeners.   Thank you for your enduring hard work and consistency.  

Mary Kay Estep was a delightful MC, Cynthia presented a lifetime achievement award, and then a roll call of familiar names filled the screens, many who have graced Raincatcher’s since 2014, and even some before that at Joe Field Road.   Many master gardeners have spent time helping at Raincatcher’s during Special Events, meetings, and supporting the fundraising efforts.   Thank you for your support and volunteering efforts.  It has been a group effort that has allowed us to obtain goals that were beyond our expectations.  

 We have Class Captains, those who have stayed strong for over 25 years, several who consistently have over 100 hours every year, and those who have amassed an incredible number of hours during their time as Master Gardeners.   We have past presidents, board members, project leaders, and those who show up week after week to garden at our project.  The vegetable group meets Monday mornings others meet on Tuesday morning to work in a variety of areas – rain garden, pollinator garden, compost area, edible landscape, color wheel, and the courtyard.  There are many choices depending on your interests and abilities.  

This meeting, unlike the educational content that we are grateful to hear monthly, was filled with reflection, pride, and a sense of family of Master gardeners.   Raincatcher’s has a very special place in the heart of many, and I am honored to be a part of this family.  

Here are some pictures from the Ceremony – not a complete list, but a representation of the family that Raincatcher’s has become.  And for new master gardeners, or those that haven’t found a place to belong, we would love for you to be a part of this community. 

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener,  click on this link for more information.   

Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011

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March Madness and Gardening

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Are you experiencing a touch of March Madness around your house? Having played basketball in high school and college, my husband follows it with such a high level of intensity that I sometimes have to “leave the room”. Considering the frustration from a gardening perspective, I’m beginning to see some similarities. 

Let’s review the facts:

*The tournament features 68 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball teams in an intense, single-elimination format culminating in a championship game that determines the national champion.

*It is a cultural phenomenon known for unpredictable upsets.

*It is one of the most anticipated events on the sports calendar, showcasing the amazing talents of collegiate athletes.

If you are wondering how that relates to gardening, smile first, then consider a gardener’s approach to spring planting:

*Beginning in early March, garden centers tempt us with an ocean of plants in every color, size, shape and texture imaginable. I’m sure the number far exceeds 68 participants.

*As seasoned gardeners, we understand the criteria for planting in Zone 8, and yet, we sometimes select material that either outperforms or overwhelming disappoints based on our very emotional decisions.

*Springtime for gardeners is our moment of anticipation. We’ve spent the cold, winter months studying seed packets, diligently reading instructions and carefully evaluating the possibilities. Why, because we hope to select the best performers in each “bracket”!

And so now, we have finally arrived at the most anticipated event on a gardener’s calendar; spring planting! Yes, some of our selections will have to be eliminated but, ultimately, the champions will reward us with their impressive performance. Wanna make a bet on that?

As we leave winter behind and begin the transition into spring, here are two red, white and blue flowerpot creations to welcome in some “March Gladness”!

Red: Geraniums ‘Santana’ (An interspecific, heat tolerant variety) White: Alyssum ‘Sweet White’ Blue: Pansies

Red: Gerbera Daisies White: Impatience Blue: Campanula ‘Bluebells’

In-ground Composition

Red: Ranunculus, Salvia ‘Radio Red’ White: Candytuft Blue: Mystic Blue Salvia and a salute to our state flower, Texas bluebonnets!

Throughout the next five months, look for fun ideas using some of the flowers listed below to create your own version of a patriotic garden display. (We would also like to include some of your own red, white and blue flower displays. Please send pictures no later than June 15th for the July 4th Grand Finale!)

Red Bloomers: Amaryllis, Azaleas, Bee Balm, Begonias, Camellias, Dianthus, Geraniums (Interspecific, Ivy and Zonal), Gerbera Daisies, Hibiscus (Hardy and Tropical), Hollyhocks, Nasturtiums (Alaska Red), Pentas, Peonies, Periwinkles, Petunias, Pineapple Sage, Roses, Salvia, Snapdragons, Turk’s Cap, Verbena, Yarrow (Firefly Red Pop), Zinnias

White Bloomers: Amaryllis, Alyssum, Angelonia, Azaleas, Bachelor’s Buttons, Bee Balm, Begonias, Campanulas, Camellias, Candytuft, Dianthus, Geraniums (Interspecific, Ivy and Zonal), Gerbera and Shasta Daisies, Hibiscus (Hardy and Tropical), Irises, Lilies, Moonflowers, Pentas, Peonies, Periwinkles, Roses, Salvia, Snapdragons, Verbena, Yarrow, Zinnias

Blue Bloomers: Agapanthus (Blue Globe), Ageratum, Angelonia, Bachelor’s Buttons, Blue Daze (Dwarf Morning Glory), Campanulas (Bluebells) Hydrangeas, Irises, Larkspur, Lavender, Morning Glory, Nepitella, Savia (Black and Blue, Mystic Spires), Veronica (Skyward Blue)

Our recipe for the month is a garden-inspired celebration of late winter to early spring selections. It’s easy to assemble and can be personalized according to your preferences. Substitutes might include grapefruit, navel oranges or mango as a fruit option. Walnuts, pecans or pumpkin seeds instead of pistachios. Goat cheese crumbles could replace the feta and, maybe, why not toss in some blueberries for a touch of blue!

Roasted Beet Salad with Blood Oranges and Crunchy Pistachios

(Harvested from my garden: Lettuce ‘Romaine Green’, Spinach ‘Space’, Bull’s Blood Beets, Salad Burnet)

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Texas Super Star Plants

Native Plant Society of Texas

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Snuggle Up and Enjoy!

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 29, 2026

Recently, our local temperatures dropped into the mid-twenties overnight but a few of my herbs didn’t seem to notice. (FYI…This article was originally written on January 18th. As of Sunday, January 25th, our temperatures dropped down into the teens. It was a good time to make both recipes again). With a desire for something fresh from the winter garden, our evening meal would soon include a generous amount of chopped thyme and oregano to satisfy the craving. It was the perfect time to cozy up by the fireplace and indulge!

Just a few weeks before Christmas I stumbled across two vintage recipes from our very early years of marriage. In 1970, for a very practical wedding gift, my best friends mother had personalized a small, wooden box that would eventually contain treasured recipes from family and friends. Decoupaged with old magazine cut-outs and hand-painted “notations”, I experienced a heart-warming moment of pure bliss flipping through the tattered and worn recipe cards used throughout our 55+ years of marriage.

The original recipes didn’t call for freshly snipped herbs from the garden but that was going to change. After years of traveling down a long culinary path of failures and successes, I felt confident about adding a complimentary herbal component to each one. In her 2009 book “What Can I Do with My Herbs?”, author Judy Barrett offers the following:

“Because of the diversity and mysterious nature of herbs, many people are a little bit afraid of them. And, for some bizarre reason, we are more afraid of fresh herbs than we are of those little jars of dried stuff at the grocery store. But we need not be afraid. Herbs are our friends!”

Her book has helped me considerably over the years to power through my fears and be more intentional about growing herbs that can be used throughout the seasons. And so, here are two of those timeless, old recipes updated and transformed by the simple addition of freshly gathered herbs from my winter garden. ENJOY!

FYI…the standard recommended ratio for substituting fresh herbs for dried is:

Standard Herbs (Basil, Marjoram, Oregano and Thyme)

*Ratio: 3:1 (Fresh, Dried) Example: 1 tablespoon fresh =1 teaspoon dried.

Delicate Herbs (Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel and Mint)

*Ratio:  Often 1:1 or 2:1 *Example: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley = 1 tablespoon dried parsley (or slightly less dried)

Strong Herb (Rosemary, Sage, Bay Leaves)

*Ratio: Can be 4:1 *Example 1 tablespoon fresh=¼ teaspoon dried.

Don’t be afraid to “taste and adjust”, adding more as needed as potency varies by age and herb.

Ham and Cheese Delight

Breakfast Bread

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Say Cheese!

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 12, 2026

Harvested from my garden on January 4, 2026

Here’s something that we hope will make you smile-a yellow cauliflower, named for its resemblance to the yellow-orange color of cheddar cheese. Developed for its appealing color, this cauliflower contains high levels of beta-carotene and is richer in Vitamin A than white varieties. From a flavor perspective, it offers a slightly sweeter, nuttier taste and retains its vibrant color even after cooking. 

If you’re ready to elevate the taste of cauliflower and enjoy it as simple side or an elegant main dish, here’s a recipe that will deliver a palate pleasing experience. 

From this…

to this!

Let’s see some smiles!!!

Cauliflower Cheese Gratin Recipe

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Winter Garden

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Dallas Garden Buzz

January 1, 2026

 Winter is officially here! The winter solstice has come, leaves have finally turned and fallen, and the Frost Weed has frosted. Never mind that we are alternating between sweaters and shorts. It is winter in the garden. Many older gardening books speak of closing down or putting a garden to bed for this season, but like children waiting to see the New Year arrive at midnight, our landscapes are not truly snoozing. 

Our deciduous trees stopped producing chlorophyll. This let us see and enjoy their yellow carotene colors that were previously hidden, instead of just greens. The gorgeous reds and pinks seen across Dallas this year remind us that our autumn was dry, sunny, and certainly stayed above freezing, the conditions needed for the productions of anthocyanins. The mix of colors this year was constantly changing and quite stunning. 

But now these trees are bare (my sister refers to them as stick trees) and this slimmed down profile helps to protect them and their branches from wind, snow, and ice.  But those lovely leaves still have so much to offer, in one form or another across just about every landscape.

One use involves shredding leaves. This allows us to add that temperature modulating 3–6-inch layer of mulch around our trees and shrubs, or 2-3 for our flowers. That blanket is really appreciated by any newly planted perennials as they settle into their new homes. Extra shreds are perfect for composting. Whole leaves between rows in the vegetable garden keep our feet dry and relatively mud free, while they discourage pesky weeds.

But consider the advantages of doing nothing at all in much of your flower beds and lawns, leaving even a small section of your landscape undisturbed, with plant stems untrimmed and fallen leaves where they fall this winter. Those stems and leaf litter house the insects that will populate, pollinate, and protect our plants next spring. Leaf blowers, rakes, snippers, shredders, and compost heat destroy the habitat our beneficials need this season.

Not all our garden friends headed further south with the monarchs and hummingbirds. They have deployed many clever techniques to survive until spring and summer. Some insects are sheltering in stems, others have headed underground, and some have taken the ‘get small’ approach by wintering as eggs.   Cleaver swallowtail butterflies produced their own antifreeze, turning sugars to glycol as an added layer of protection for chrysalis wintering in their cocoons. Despite appearances, life has not deserted our landscapes.

And in our pollinator gardens most especially, we want those insects to survive, to continue to play their garden roles.  A fascinating study of the effects of removing autumn leaves can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004565. To support our diminishing populations of butterflies, bees, beneficial of all kinds, please consider how you can support them as they winter in our yards and gardens. While I don’t want to offer my house as a winter vacation getaway for arthropods and arachnids, I do want them year-round in my landscape outside.  

Mary Freede, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

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My Favorite Herb…And a Good Companion

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 18, 2025

Here’s a hint – with its strong lemony scent and flavor, you’ll find many uses for it in the kitchen. You may have already guessed just by looking at the photo but, yes, the answer is Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla). For over 30 years it has been my very favorite herb. I’ve used it countless times for breads, cakes, cookies, puddings, in savory dishes and beverages. From early spring when it emerges from the ground and sends up those first “shoots”, a fresh sprig goes into my daily glass of green tea. The ritual continues until at least November or whenever our first freeze of the season arrives.

Lemon Verbena Tea Garnished With Freshly Cut Lemon Verbena

Why should lemon verbena be growing in your garden? To start, lemon verbena is considered by some to be the queen of aromatic herbs, myself included. One whiff of its sweet lemony aroma explains why Southern ladies suffering from the “vapors” mopped their brows with a decoction made from its leaves. For this reason, it is sometimes called the Scarlett O’Hara herbs. Growing in our Zone 8 climate, you can expect lemon verbena to easily reach 4 to 5 feet in height when planted in full sun and in good garden soil. Consider placing it toward the back of your garden bed where it will become a nice informal shrub. Also, keep in mind that it tends to ramble off in different directions but can easily be trimmed to the shape you desire. Lemon verbena is a woody perennial that will start losing its slender, elongated leaves in late fall. If heavily mulched, it will survive a moderate winter. However, in the northern part of Texas, it may succumb to temperatures lower than 25° F. Over the years, I’ve lost at least five or more lemon verbena plants during a hard freeze. But once spring arrives, most local garden centers have it in stock. And, thankfully, it is a relatively quick growing plant.

Lemon Verbena Growing Gracefully in My Garden

Recently, I discovered a recipe in one of my 1995 herbal cookbooks that gave me a new appreciation for using lemon verbena with another well-loved herb, Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). In the summer section of ‘Today’s Herbal Kitchen’ published by the Memphis, Tennessee Herb Society, the recipe that caught my eye was Anise Hyssop Lemon Cake with Lemon Sauce.

Anise Hyssop is a pollinator-friendly plant whose blossoms are filled with honeybees

Reading through the short list of ingredients, I learned that anise hyssop was called for in the cake along with lemon verbena leaves in the sauce. Hooray! With both herbs growing in my summer garden, it was time to start baking.

Freshly snipped anise hyssop flowers ready to be chopped and mixed into the cake batter

Once out of the oven, and allowed to cool, it was time to slowly pour the luscious, warm lemon sauce over the top. I tried to imagine how the minty, licorice flavors of the cake would blend with the citrusy, floral taste of the sauce. Should I wait for my husband to come home from work before tasting? After carefully slicing the cake for the “photo shoot”, I yielded to temptation and willfully gave in to that first bite. It was a divine experience. My taste buds were rejoicing at the thought of this wonderfully harmonious combination. A new discovery is usually very satisfying and, in the case of anise hyssop and lemon verbena, I’ve determined that for as long as herbs are growing in my garden, these two “companions” will be there.

Anise Hyssop Lemon Cake with Lemon Verbena Sauce

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Dallas County Master Gardener School and Moon Flowers

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 16, 2025

Moonflower in my garden. Smells delighful, blooms at night!

Do you remember the book, All I Ever Really Needed to Know I learned in Kindergarten?

That’s how I feel about the Master Gardener training I recieved in 2005. Although I was raised in a backyard full of horticulture and minored in horticulture at Texas Tech, the Dallas County Master Gardener School and my experiences working in gardens for 20 years with other Master Gardeners have been my grounding influence. Myabe you have been thinking about expanding your understanding of gardening in Texas, if so-see below.

  1. Applications Available NOW for Dallas County Master Gardener School
    What: Dallas County Master Gardener School
    When: Every Thursday starting January 8, 2026 through April 23, 2026 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM
    Where: Dallas County Roads & Bridges Building / District 1 (aka “R&B1”), located at 715 Rowlett Road, Garland, TX 75043

    2. Use this link to apply: https://forms.gle/D1aTXZQLL1cK6kwD8
    Save and share this flyer with friends who might be interested!

Applications accepted until September 26th for the 2026 class starting in January 2026.

Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

And if you want to know more about Moon flower, click here.

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