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.
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
Passion vine has been tumbling over my mailbox for years. This summer I experienced the life cycle of the gulf fritillary from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
This fascinating journey captivated me for weeks. On July 25th, caterpillars were covering the leaves and blooms of the passion vine. They looked menacing with their reddish-brown spiked bodies.
But there was one who was unlike the others – It had spikes, but had a white milky covering, and it was hanging in a definite “J” shape from my recently-bloomed color guard yucca stalk.
Excited, I ran to get my phone for a time lapse video, but the location and time that it would take to capture, encouraged a different approach. Pictures were snapped before running errands. Alas, upon returning the caterpillar had created the chrysalis and was unassumingly hanging on part of the stalk right at eye level. Had the caterpillar not been seen, it would have been difficult to recognize the chrysalis, as it looked like the material of the spent stalk. It was unnoticeable, unless it was seen in progress. Upon closer examination, the caterpillar shape was recognizable, and the lower portion was where wings formed.
Every morning began with observations – here are some of them:
1. Check on the chrysalis – no real change for about a week – information suggested that it would remain 5-8 days before emerging. Search for more.
2. Look for caterpillars– spiky, reddish brown color, they came in all sizes from very small to about 1 -2 inches long. They were in every part of the passion vine — plain sight, under the leaves, on the stems, and even in the flowers, but were voracious eaters.
3. Observe the native passion vine being ravaged by the very hungry caterpillars. -As a host plant, its lush vegetation, quicky changed to a sickly mass of stems, stripped leaves and decimated flowers. Nothing to do but watch, the plant would soon regrow.
4. Watch gulf fritillary butterflies deposit eggs on the leaves, quickly flitting away to find another spot to do it again.
5. Cringe as Wasps swoop in and sting vulnerable caterpillars. It was disheartening to view but realized that this is part of the natural process.
The observations of the chrysalis were routine until Saturday morning, August 2nd; – there was a gulf fritillary butterfly with his legs clinging to the chrysalis from which he had just emerged. Not moving much, just drying his wings and hanging out. After a few minutes it began to slowly fly to another stalk, then paused–It’s hard work coming out! After several minutes, there was more movement, brief flights, and then it disappeared into the flurry of other butterflies. The short-lived journey of this Gulf fritillary began (14-24 days).
During my daily walk around, it was noted that two eggs were deposited on the painted wood of my mailbox. The contrasting pale yellow color made it easy to observe. With a magnifying glass and ruler in hand., I peered closer at the eggs. For over a week the tiny egg remained unchanged, but then the color turned to a reddish-brown, becoming the smallest of caterpillars (3 mm) in search of passion vine to devour. They didn’t have far to travel as the native passion vine encircled the mailbox.
Eggs!Tiny caterpillar that emerged with Starla’s manicured nail for perspective.
Checking on the cats became a morning pattern, and I was not disappointed when stumbling on another gulf fritillary emerging. This one was located on a coneflower stem. The wings were still droopy indicating that it had very recently exited the chrysalis and needed to dry. As I watched, another gulf fritillary came, flitted his wings slowly and covered him as he hung to the chrysalis. This behavior mesmerized me. Was it protecting him while his wings were drying out? After a short while, maybe 10-15 minutes, they were in flight and yet another chrysalis was abandoned.
There’s so much I don’t know about this process but seeing it up close and personal reminded me that the wonder of God’s creation is incredibly complex and so beautiful. With our busy schedules this is a good reminder to take time to enjoy nature that is all around and let that inspire and encourage us.
Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011
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
My photographic adventure into the bloom-filled world of crape myrtle’s was joyful. They can be enjoyed, literally, everywhere you look. Hopefully, you will grow in your appreciation of these wonderful southern icons as much as I have over the past three weeks. Take time to admire their beauty while driving around the neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers and roadways of Dallas. May you be blessed with a moment of happiness while viewing my ‘Grand Finale’ of panoramic crape myrtle treasures!
Lush greenery and blooming white crape myrtle trees along turtle creekPretty In Pink Puts A Smile On Your Face A Border Of Fiery, Red Crape Myrtle’s – Van Alystene, TXMy Favorite ‘Canopy’ Photo Was Of This Big, Beautiful Lavender Crape Myrtle On The Children’s Playground At A Local Day SchoolAn intriguing combination – from two different environments
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Crape Myrtles are not native plants, but we take our opinion from the bumper sticker, “Not a native Texan but got here as fast as I could.” Crape Myrtles fit in with Texas water wise goals and some say that crape myrtles are a beneficial nectar and pollen source for honeybees, especially the lavender flowered varieties. The flowers, the fall color, the beautiful bark enhance Texas landscapes and many Texas gardeners, like me, embrace them.
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
The famous words refer of course not to a person but to the V8 Ford. Just out for a bit of fast driving–those were different days–gas was so cheap and all and the roads less crowded. But now the lesson. The Ford going as fast as it can is passed by Madeline in a Coupe deVille!!
Let’s leave it there for a bit.We need to get back to gardening
In your work at the Master Gardener projects do you get the feeling you must work hard non stop. Do you feel like you couldn’t possibly enter hours for volunteering which weren’t totally filled with your hard best effort?
Lisa collecting seedsVolunteer hard at work in The Raincatcher’s Vegetable GardenJoe and Jon constructing the Raincatcher’s pergola
Do you ever feel that no matter how hard you are working its not quite good enough and maybe others are working harder–or better?
Do you ever feel that even though you do feel you are working hard that what still needs doing seems endless?
Master Gardeners hard at work, tending to the compost.Dedication, hard work and nurturing!Garden labor makes a difference.
Is there ever a feeling of discouragement that creeps in before you even start to work ?
Sometimes we need to take a step back and do a little thinking.
We all need to find fun and joy in your garden work or honestly what is the point?
We need to work hard–yes! But we also need to take little breaks. Sure we need to rest or backs–and knees –and hips–we could go on and on. But also to rest our minds and spirits. We need to take time to connect with our friends–and maybe make some new ones. We need to look around and forget about the weeds for a few minutes and see the beauty and the good things.
Alot needs doing–it does but chances are those things aren’t going anywhere–take time to think about what has been done. Realize and appreciate that our work makes a difference to the garden–to others–and to ourselves.
The physical breaks are essential. The mental ones are too.
Sharing the joy of new plants.Lunchtime at the garden!Master Gardeners taking a well deserved break!
Without breaks–without connection to others–without appreciate and joy the whole point of gardening is lost.
With these breaks we can keep going while avoiding unnecessary injury or worse yet–burnout.
We all know people that it has happened to. Let’s not let it happen to us
Naturally we must end by going back to the V8 Ford.
Remember what happened–a little break–a little water–and ” she caught Madeline at the top of the hill”
Now we cant go too far with this lesson.
Madeline sounds like a bad girl who isn’t going to change so the catching may be a waste–all the Ford’s hard work too.
But we can change we can take time to rest-recharge–rethink-and keep the joy in gardening and in our lives.
Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
It happens every season. Our gardens give us a show-stopping presentation and then, poof, it’s over! So, what’s a good way to prepare for the transition? My advice, let the garden inspire you.
How about an artful arrangement of garden gifts for a dinner party buffet centerpiece?
A simple white ceramic pitcher was the perfect vessel for displaying the following “end of season” blossoms and greenery. Once completed, it had become a tapestry of seasonal beauty.
Cilantro in its “bolting” stage, curly and flat-leaf parsley, radish leaves, beet leaves, cornflower (bachelor’s buttons) and lots of blooming oregano stems for “filler”. A sprinkling of German Chamomile lightened the look. Guests were mesmerized by the natural beauty that a “fresh from the garden” look offered. Some couldn’t resist sampling a few sprigs!
A few days following our buffet dinner, the delightful arrangement was carried outside to be composted. As one master gardener remarked, “this is liquid gold for the compost bin!” I agree!
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Location: The Raincatcher’s Garden at 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.
All proceeds go to Dallas County Master Gardener projects.
Music in shops–usually just more noise to be ignored—but then, just every now and again a line from a song provides a useful and welcome bit of advice. A helpful insight for the volunteer gardener.
It can happen that for this volunteer a sneaking feeling that all is not well–a creeping feeling of discontent appears and can grow and affect every hour in the garden. A feeling that the task is too big just too much. And the reward–where is it??? Why aren’t there more volunteers? Does anyone see what I am doing–much less care or appreciate it??
Sadly once this happens –if nothing changes–the next step can be a vanished volunteer.
What needs to change?
The basic situation isn’t going to change. Garden work can be hard and it can be repetitive. Weeds come back without fail. Treasured flowers and veg can seemingly fail for no apparent reason. Add in garden tours to be led, fundraisers, plant sales,and extra work days- all need volunteers and they seem to come around way too often.
So what to do. Everyone has heard it but now its time to believe it. The situation is the same–the response to it that’s different-it can change–a lot–and for the better.
Take a step back and think clearly don’t just react. Remember respond don’t react.
Maybe part of it is listening to a lot of talk of self care. One thing often mentioned is just saying no to requests for help. And of course no one can say yes to everything.
We must take time for ourselves and our own homes and gardens.
But don’t lose sight of the personal benefits of helping either. There are friendships and connections–yes we may have to work on them but its valuable work.
We all want our communities to be better–greener–safer for plants wildlife –and ourselves.
Plant sales and garden tours–well those aren’t just things to get through–they can make a difference. If just a few people learn about plants that will grow and provide help for the bees and butterflies–isn’t that valuable.. If people learn that insects are the foundation of life on earth and they can help protect them, that is your time well spent. If you help a child develop a love for living things not a fear–well what could be better–that is the highest form of self care.
Starla’s niece with cicadaLinda teaching the butterfly life cycleIntroduction to an insectStarla’s son long ago with butterfly
Can you save the earth? No you cannot–but can you make your part of the world a little better? Yes, you can and you make yourself a little better with the time and effort.
We can’t wait for all the others who should be there helping.. Those others that should be appreciating us more. Give them time!! But for now–
We ARE THE PEOPLE WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR
Many hands make light workVolunteers planting a treeOn their knees, hard at workEnthusaiastic Raincatcher’s volunteers
Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Join us at the garden, 11001 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas 75229 on the grounds of Midway Hills Christain Church. Our work days are Monday mornings and Tuesday mornings. This is a Dallas County Master Gardener approved project.
This bit of wisdom came by way of what seems an unexpected source. It was a great many years ago now–in a cartoon a FELIX THE CAT cartoon that was most likely old even then. Thinking back it was a strange cartoon not really designed for children at all. But that hardly matters at all.
Wisdom comes in many ways and forms and can make a lasting impression–so maybe it was a good thing for children–after all wisdom is useful to everyone. Once its firmly in one’s mind it can be called upon when most needed.
It turns out it’s needed now–by gardeners at least. This can be a discouraging time in the garden. Sure its great to have lots of perennials and if you try to remember–they were lovely pretty and then there were bees and butterflies. And the summer and fall were sure improved by the blooming annuals. Oh but now –just how many dead stalks did all that beauty leave behind–sadly alot!! And no way are they lovely now in fact they are awful.
It’s time for the big cutback!!! This just isn’t a happy thought. Let’s face it –its a very unhappy thought. It can seem overwhelming when you look at the whole thing–just too much hard to face.
All gardeners know it has to be done. The health and beauty of the plants require it and there is an absolute need to tidy things up. All the hoped for winter beauty of seed heads and such–its done stalks are falling over and there just isn’t anything pretty about it.
Don’t despair–this is where the wisdom of FELIX THE CAT comes in.
Take a step back from the whole situation. It all doesn’t have to be done at once–more than likely it just can’t be. Just get started–get out the clippers and loppers and sturdy gloves–make it as pleasant for yourself as possible.
Then remember INCH BT INCH. It will get done. You will be happy and justifiably proud of your accomplishment.
Cutting back lots and lots of dead stems just isn’t fun.. That doesn’t mean you can’t get some pleasure from the process.
Take breaks look at what you have done congratulate yourself!!
Look for signs of life among the dead stalks. Remember how valuable your work is. The Spring annuals and the bulbs can’t possibly look good if the garden isn’t ready for them.
Keep saying to yourself inch by inch–and yard by yard–will happen!!
So many dead stems that have to go-It’s a bit discouraging, no way around it.And still more to go!This grass is showing signs of lifeYes, there are weeds but then a baby poppy.Look the Narcissus arae returning.A stem can look very dead but a little plant can be growing from the roots, remember our plant sale is coming.This didn’t look promising but now there are tiny plants. Let’s see what happens.Wonderful baby Larkspur!
Susan Thornbury, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
The first week of January was warm—high temperature in the 60’s, maybe even higher. But, this is Texas. Give it a little time and the weather will change.
Weather reports started warning of incoming weather –COLD TO VERY COLD.
And, our tomatoes are still blooming and setting fruit, but not ripening. What should we do? In the past, we’ve harvested the green tomatoes and put them in a cool dark place (under the bed was one suggestion) or we could just let them freeze and use them in the compost bin.
We had five plants. I remembered one year Dorothy Shockley, a fellow Master Gardener at Raincatcher’s RED Garden had inviterd us to her home to take care of that year’s abundant crop of green tomatoes. She had a recipe for B&B CHOW CHOW (also know n as Cool Point Relish in Louisiana). It was the same pickled green tomatoes I had eaten with my fried catfish years ago, but never knew how to make it. Dorothy shared her recipe and I dug it out of my files.
When Roger & I started picking, we didn’t know if we would have enough green tomatoes to make a batch. Not to worry—we had 10 pounds of varying sizes, some beginning to blush, but most were green rocks.
Cindy and green tomatoes!
We went to the store to purchase the rest of the ingredients: onions, jalapenos, white vinegar, more sugar, canning lids. I already had jars and rings in the pantry.
After a couple of false starts at preparation (I’m not as young as I used to be) we got our batch of chow-chow jarred and ready to refrigerate .We even saved the excess picking solution per Dorothy’s recommendation to use with cucumbers and other salad ingredients.
Personally I like this solution better than lemonade.
Bon Appetite!
Cindy Bicking, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2006
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 