by Happy Gardener | Oct 13, 2025 | Butterflies, hummingbirds, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Pollinators, Xeriscape Solutions
If you’re looking for a beautiful, drought-tough, pollinator-magnet shrub that thrives in the heat of South Texas, growing Mexicali Rose Fairy Duster might be your next favorite discovery! This semi-evergreen, compact shrub is a standout choice for San Antonio...
by Happy Gardener | Oct 9, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Color, Native Perennials, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers
As summer fades and most blooms begin to tire, Texas Fall Aster bursts into color, transforming landscapes with clouds of violet-lavender flowers. This tough, Texas-native perennial is a pollinator magnet, a drought-tolerant Texas SuperStar®, and a must-have for every...
by Happy Gardener | Oct 9, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, hummingbirds, Pollinator Perennials, Pollinators, Texas Perennials
If you’re looking for a resilient, colorful, and pollinator-friendly plant for your San Antonio landscape, Giant Mexican Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus penduliflorus) deserves a top spot on your list. This Mexico native perennial adds a burst of red beauty to any garden...
by Happy Gardener | Sep 15, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Color, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips
As the long, hot San Antonio summer begins to ease, fall offers a golden opportunity for gardeners. One of the most cheerful and useful plants you can plant in autumn is the marigold. Planting fall marigolds in San Antonio isn’t just about color—it’s about timing,...
by Happy Gardener | Sep 15, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Color, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Texas Perennials
If you’re looking for a show-stopping plant that thrives in San Antonio’s hot, dry climate, growing Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) should be at the top of your list. This striking perennial brings waves of purple-and-white or purple-and-lavender blooms to your...
by Happy Gardener | Sep 10, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Fall Color, Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Spring Annuals
If you’re looking to add bold color and pollinator-friendly flowers to your fall garden, planting fall snapdragons is one of the best choices for San Antonio and south central Texas. These cheerful, spiky-bloomed flowers are tough enough for our region’s climate, yet...
by Happy Gardener | Sep 3, 2025 | Fall Garden, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Spring Garden, Turf & Lawn, Weed Control
Keeping a lawn healthy in San Antonio means staying ahead of weeds before they take over. One of the best tools you can use is a weed pre emergent. This type of product stops new weeds from sprouting, giving your grass and landscape plants the best chance to thrive....
by Happy Gardener | Sep 2, 2025 | Groundcovers & Grasses, Soil & Compost
Ornamental grasses are more than just attractive, they also help water soak into the soil more effectively. Here’s a quick look at how planting ornamental grass in your landscape can make a big difference. Planting Ornamental Grass for Improved Water Absorption Root...
by Happy Gardener | Aug 27, 2025 | Cactus & Succulents, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Xeriscape Solutions
Soft-leaf yucca (Yucca recurvifolia) is an excellent choice for gardeners in San Antonio, Texas. You get to enjoy the striking structure and form of yucca without any poky parts. Let’s explore what you need to know about planting and nurturing this unique plant in...
by Happy Gardener | Aug 25, 2025 | Edibles, Fall Garden, Fruit, Berries, Nuts, Seasonal & Gardening Tips
If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting juicy, sun-ripened berries right from your backyard, you’re in luck. Growing berries in San Antonio is not only possible, it’s rewarding and easier than you might think. Thanks to the region’s long growing season...
by Happy Gardener | Aug 18, 2025 | Cactus & Succulents, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Xeriscape Solutions
If you’re looking to enhance your garden with the stunning Hesperaloe parviflora, also called “false yucca”, and commonly known as “red yucca”, you’re in for a treat! This resilient plant thrives in San Antonio, Texas. We’ll highlight some basic growing...
by Happy Gardener | Jul 31, 2025 | Soil & Compost, Soil Amendments, Soil Building
Starting a vegetable garden? One crucial step is to prioritize is building healthy garden soil. The level of your gardening success lies in the quality of the soil. It directly impacts plant growth, nutrient availability, and overall garden health. Why Healthy Soil...
by Happy Gardener | Jul 29, 2025 | Edibles, Fruit, Berries, Nuts, Native Shrubs, Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers
Right about now, Beautyberry shrubs are developing their signature clusters of magenta/purple berries that cluster along the stems in an ombre pattern. This is truly a remarkable sight and gives you a good idea where these deciduous shrubs got their names from. Today...
by Happy Gardener | Jul 24, 2025 | Cactus & Succulents
Planting agave, cactus, and other desert specimens can offer a world of textural and structural interest into your landscapes. Their low water usage is a highly desirable trait for our area that sees more than its fair share of droughty summers. But San Antonio...
by Happy Gardener | Jul 9, 2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Pollinator Perennials, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Summer Garden
If your gardens are lacking pizzazz, color, and drama, don’t worry, we’ve got just the plants to bring the heat! Meet our chosen selections of Pride of Barbados varieties, and get ready for these bold and blooming beauties to turn your San Antonio landscape into a...
by Happy Gardener | Jul 2, 2025 | Flowering Trees, Pests & Diseases, Trees & Shrubs
What is Crape Myrtle Bark Scale? Crape myrtle bark scale is a pesky pest that primarily targets crape myrtles, causing unsightly damage and stress to these beloved trees. This scale insect feeds on the sap of the bark, leading to a range of issues including leaf drop,...
by Happy Gardener | Jun 23, 2025 | Butterflies, Ornamental Shrubs, Pollinators, Trees & Shrubs
Are you ready to transform your Texas garden into a butterfly paradise? Look no further than the buddleia davidii, also known as the butterfly bush! This vibrant, easy-to-grow shrub is a favorite among pollinators and gardeners alike. And the best part? There are now...
by Happy Gardener | Jun 21, 2025 | Pests & Diseases, Pollinators
Have you noticed perfectly semi-circular or circular cuts in the leaves of your favorite plants? Don’t be alarmed! You’ve likely encountered the work of leaf cutter bees, fascinating and beneficial insects that play a vital role in pollination. Forget...
by Happy Gardener | Jun 18, 2025 | Butterflies, hummingbirds, Pollinators
So, you want a garden buzzing with life? A vibrant haven where butterflies flutter, bees hum, and maybe even a hummingbird or two zip by? The secret lies in understanding what attracts pollinators to flowers! It’s not just about planting any pretty bloom;...
by Happy Gardener | Jun 17, 2025 | Pests & Diseases
Ah, San Antonio. A city of vibrant culture, delicious food, and…relentless mosquitoes? If you’re tired of swatting away these uninvited guests every time you step outside, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the best options for mosquito...
