Buchanan's Native Plants Blog https://buchanansplants.com/blog/ Houston's favorite garden center devoted to Texas native plants and organic gardening. Wed, 20 May 2026 13:55:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 10 Drought-Tolerant Texas Native Plants for Houston https://buchanansplants.com/native-plants/10-drought-tolerant-native-plants-for-houston/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:35:00 +0000 https://bnp2021.local/?p=32082 Looking for plants that are suited for our hot summers that don’t require much watering? Here is our list of ten drought-tolerant Texas native plants for Houston.

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]]> 5 Hardy Native Shrubs for Houston https://buchanansplants.com/native-plants/5-hardy-native-shrubs-for-houston/ Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:14:10 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=64150 After a hard freeze, we often see damage to plants that had survived normal winter weather. When that happens, it’s useful to look around your neighborhood and other landscapes to see what shrubs not only survived, but also look good.

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]]> A Garden Lit by Moonlight https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/a-garden-lit-by-moonlight/ Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:34:45 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15626 Creating a moon garden is a wonderful way to to enjoy your garden after the sun goes down, which is often when we finally have the time to relax.

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]]> How To Repel Mosquitos in Your Garden https://buchanansplants.com/gardening-with-scott/how-to-repel-mosquitos-in-your-garden/ Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:55:45 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=59883 With the Houston summer comes every gardener's nemesis: mosquitos. You've tried spraying and putting up traps, but it's not enough. You wonder if there are more natural ways to ensure these pesky bugs don't come for you while you're planting and tending to your yard.

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]]> Top 5 Plants to Grow in Houston’s Heat https://buchanansplants.com/gardening-with-scott/top-5-plants-to-grow-in-houstons-heat/ Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:28:37 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=59426 Summer is well on its way, and you're going to need something that can tolerate the brutal sun. Got a spot with plenty of light? Here are the top 5 plants to grow in Houston's heat.

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]]> COMPOSTING 101 https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/composting-101/ Thu, 21 Apr 2022 21:40:35 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=59328 Composting is an easy way yo turn everyday green waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment! Cut down on home waste and save money on gardening materials by starting a compost pile. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help! Let’s walk through three methods.

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]]> How To Care for Roses in Houston https://buchanansplants.com/gardening-with-scott/how-to-care-for-roses-in-houston/ Fri, 25 Mar 2022 21:55:19 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=58976 Wondering how to keep your roses alive and beautiful? Do not worry! Growing them does not have to be a thorn in your side.

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]]> Our 5 Favorite Spring Veggies to Grow in Houston https://buchanansplants.com/gardening-with-scott/our-5-favorite-spring-veggies-to-grow-in-houston/ Tue, 01 Mar 2022 15:32:34 +0000 https://buchanansplants.com/?p=58636 Spring veggies are a must have in the garden! Let's walk through our picks.

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]]> Hummingbirds Arrive in Houston! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/hummingbirds-arrive-in-houston/ Mon, 05 Aug 2019 22:49:37 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15780 Houston this month! Hummingbirds typically make their way through Houston for a short period in spring during their northern migration.

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]]> Get Ready for a Fabulous Fall Garden! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/fall-gardening/ Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:00:53 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15917 August: Yep, it’s hot and humid. It’s also probably not when gardening is front and center on your mind. But experienced gardeners know that August is the perfect time to start planning and plotting for the fall garden.

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]]> Pollinators and the Plants They Love https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/pollinators-and-the-plants-they-love/ Mon, 22 Jul 2019 15:00:22 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15304 When choosing plants for your garden, it’s always important to consider the pollinators. Providing nectar and pollen in your garden for a variety of pollinators is not only a responsible thing to do, but it can also be beautiful!

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]]> Time to Plant Fall Tomatoes! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/time-to-plant-fall-tomatoes/ Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:00:22 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15199 Yes, we know it’s a bit warm outside; but that doesn’t mean our Houston veggie gardens are put to bed for the summer. Now is the time to get your second crop of tomatoes in the ground for fall harvest.

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]]> Beautyberry: A Texas Native Showstopper! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/beautyberry-a-texas-native-showstopper/ Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:54:10 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=17017 You might have noticed that with the arrival of fall that one of our very best Texas native plants has started putting on its best show. American beautyberry, Callicarpa sp, is best known for its fantastic display of fall berries; most often in a stunning shade of purple.

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]]> Want Fall Color? Try These Maples for Your Houston Landscape. https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/want-fall-color-try-these-maples-for-your-houston-landscape/ Tue, 24 Sep 2013 14:18:39 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=16861 It’s hard to beat the fall color show put on by Red Maples, or the season-long color of many Japanese Maples. But growing maples in our hot and humid Houston climate can be a bit of a challenge.

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]]> The Best Screening Shrubs for Houston https://buchanansplants.com/trees-shrubs/the-best-screening-shrubs-for-houston/ Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:10:36 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=16732 You know the phrase “good fences make good neighbors”? Well, we couldn’t agree more! But what do you do when there is no fence or the fence is unsightly? Privacy screening shrubs to the rescue! Here at Buchanan’s, we think that living plants can make the best fences. Now through fall and winter is an […]

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]]> Growing Figs in Houston https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/growing-figs-in-houston/ Sun, 08 Sep 2013 23:05:41 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=16531 When it comes to growing fruit in Texas, you can’t get any easier than figs! Common figs, of the species, Ficus carica, are unique in that they do not require pollinators for the fruit to develop. What you’re actually eating when you enjoy a fig is modified stem tissue, instead of mature ovary tissue (such […]

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]]> 10 Best House Plants for a Healthy Home https://buchanansplants.com/indoor-gardening/10-best-house-plants-for-a-healthy-home/ Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:42:19 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=16371 Life these days doesn’t seem to be getting less complicated or stressful. Technology, while it can make some task easier, seems to also bring more work home for us and keep us “on call” 24/7. Kid activity schedules seem to get fuller and more hectic; we often don’t make time for ourselves. Here at Buchanan’s […]

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]]> Grow Your Own Citrus in Houston https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/grow-your-own-citrus-in-houston/ Mon, 19 Aug 2013 19:23:11 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=16068 Now that fall is right around the corner, it’s a great time to start thinking about getting more produce from your garden. So, if you’re thinking about trying citrus, now is a great time to get started. We’re lucky enough here in Houston to have a climate that allows us to grow a variety of […]

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]]> Esperanza Beats the Heat! https://buchanansplants.com/native-plants/esperanza/ Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:17:40 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=15028 Esperanza, also called Yellow Bells or Yellow Trumpet Flower, is native to Texas and found growing wild on rocky slopes near San Antonio and in the Trans-Pecos region. The large tubular flowers offer a striking contrast against the dark glossy foliage and are irresistible to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

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]]> Gingers for your Houston Garden https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/gingers-for-your-houston-garden/ Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:14:20 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=14857 Gingers are a real treasure here in Houston summer gardens. Gingers we grow here can range from large specimen plants to short ground covers and offer up a variety of bloom colors and fragrance. While there are too many types of ginger for us to highlight here, we thought we’d share a few of our […]

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]]> Leopard Plant: Striking Foliage for the Shade Garden https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/leopard-plant-striking-foliage-for-the-shade-garden/ Mon, 24 Jun 2013 14:57:42 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=14697 In our hot Houston climate, it’s important to plant shade trees to cool our homes and landscapes. But once those shade trees develop, we may find ourselves struggling to maintain sun-loving plants in a now-shady garden. It can sometimes feel like there aren’t as many options available to us for the shade garden, but here […]

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]]> Plumbago: A butterfly oasis in blue! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/plumbago-a-butterfly-oasis-in-blue/ Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:25:05 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=14368 If you love the color blue…and you love butterflies, then we have the perfect plant for you! Plumbago auriculata, also known commonly as Blue Plumbago, Cape Plumbago, Cape Leadwort and Skyflower, is a root-hardy perennial in our Houston gardens. This small rambling shrub offers up a bounty of blue flower clusters irresistible to both butterflies […]

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]]> Feed your soil and your plants! https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/feed-your-soil-and-your-plants/ Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:35:51 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=14226 Now is the time to fertilize your vegetable garden and container plantings. If you haven’t fed your lawn, now is a good time to do so as well. Here at Buchanan’s, we prefer organic fertilizers that not only feed your plants, but also feed the soil. You might wonder why we feel it’s important to […]

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]]> Summer Vegetable Gardening https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/summer-vegetable-gardening/ Tue, 28 May 2013 18:27:10 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=14121 What to plant now By now, you’re probably starting to enjoy harvests of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more from your veggie garden. Did you know that you can seed another round of summer vegetables into the garden in June? Large-seeded varieties like squash, zucchini, pumpkins, eggplant, beans, okra, and cucumbers love warm temperatures and will […]

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]]> Tillandsia: Creative Ideas and Tips https://buchanansplants.com/indoor-gardening/tillandsia-creative-ideas-and-tips/ Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:13:50 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=5243 Tillandsia. You know, those little spiky plants you find glued to seashells and driftwood. Ever wonder how they survive without any soil? Turns out they are epiphytes – which means they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. They’re the largest genus of the bromeliad family, native to the southern parts of the US, Central […]

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]]> Fall Vegetable Gardening Tips https://buchanansplants.com/container-gardens/fall-vegetable-gardening-tips/ Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:01:33 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=4170 While it may be hot and steamy outside right now, for vegetable gardeners, fall is just around the corner. Whether you already have a vegetable garden or want one, now is the time to plan for fall. Here are some helpful tips for Houston area gardeners.

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]]> 4 Easy Ways You Can Help Pollinators https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/4-easy-ways-you-can-help-pollinators/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:17:33 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=3983 Where would we be without pollinators? It's important to recognize the vital role they play in our ecosystem. Pollinators are the birds, bees, insects, and animals that move pollen from flower to flower and that's how plants produce fruit and seeds.

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]]> Going Native: Our Top 10 Native Plants for Houston https://buchanansplants.com/native-plants/going-native-our-top-10-native-plants-for-houston/ Thu, 26 May 2011 14:25:53 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=3371 Native plants. The term has different meanings for different gardeners. There are Texas natives, US natives and those plants that act like natives. All in all, what most of us want in our garden are low maintenance plants that are attractive and functional. Plants that are not invasive and are a benefit to wildlife. When […]

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]]> Fungus Prevention and Treatment in Houston Area Gardens https://buchanansplants.com/plant-care/fungus-prevention-and-treatment-in-houston-area-gardens/ Thu, 19 May 2011 15:44:47 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=3281 Gardening in Houston is challenging… especially with our high humidity, which can lead to a host of fungal problems in our gardens. Methods of prevention and treatment have changed over the years with continued research. Today we are seeking methods that are greener and better for the environment. The primary fungal issues we face is […]

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]]> Tips for Drought Tolerant Herbs https://buchanansplants.com/container-gardens/tips-for-drought-tolerant-herbs/ Thu, 12 May 2011 15:15:13 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=3169 Water conservation is on everyone’s mind this spring. For most of us, it has been months since we’ve had any rain in Houston. Local gardeners are challenged to get creative with their containers and garden beds. Water is a limited resource and expensive, so here are some tips to help you enjoy your garden while […]

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]]> The Nose Knows https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/the-nose-knows/ Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:13:45 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=2794 Gardeners smile when flowers are blooming in their garden beds. But it is the nose that delights in the sweet fragrances of the garden. With virtually year round gardening available to us in Houston, don’t forget the importance of adding fragrance in your garden. Our sense of smell is our most primal sense and it […]

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]]> Avoid Getting Tangled: Choosing the Right Vines https://buchanansplants.com/perennials/avoid-getting-tangled-choosing-the-right-vines/ Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:06:26 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=2656 Vines are often overlooked by new gardeners when designing a garden space. Incorporating well-placed vines into your landscape, can not only add visual interest, it creates vertical walls that help frame your space. Choosing the right vines for the right place will give your garden an added dimension of interest as well as preserve the beauty of your garden design. Think vertical.

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]]> Creating a Butterfly Habitat Garden in Houston https://buchanansplants.com/at-the-nursery/creating-a-butterfly-habitat-garden-in-houston/ Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:18:42 +0000 http://buchanansnativeplants.com/?p=2383 In Harris County, butterflies (Scientific Order: Lepidoptera) can be seen almost year-round. About a hundred different species of butterflies regularly occur in Houston and surrounding Southeast Texas neighborhoods. From swallowtails to monarchs, these butterflies dance about our gardens in a visual symphony that is joyful to watch. The life cycle of a butterfly occurs in […]

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