What is the difference between an annual and a perennial?

Annuals are plants that bloom, set seed, and die in a single growing season. Perennials, on the other hand, are plants that return year after year–some may only come back for two or three years while others will keep returning for decades. Some perennials are evergreen, but most go dormant in the Fall and return in the Spring from the roots.

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Hollies are one of the most versatile plants in the North Texas landscape! Hollies come in a wide array of sizes and textures, and they are adaptable to a range of different sun exposures, making them truly a “go-to” plant for challenging areas where other plants may be difficult to grow. This handout will demonstrate how to properly install and care for these wonderful plants, and help you decide which holly is just right for your landscape needs.

Selecting and Planting a Holly
First, select the variety of holly based upon your sun exposure. The majority of the…

Click here to download the Holly Guide pdf.

Plants have been grown inside our homes for centuries! There is historical evidence of plants being grown inside for the past three thousand years in China, and indoor plants have been a sign of wealth historically. In the past few decades, houseplants have become commonplace, and we can all now enjoy healthy plants inside our homes.

There are benefits to having live plants in the home. Having several healthy and growing houseplants in a room will, as all plants do, take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Many of our most popular house- plants were also found by NASA…

Indian hawthorn add huge splashes of color in the spring to North Texas landscapes! Beautiful, colorful shows of pinks and whites dominate sunny areas on easily maintained evergreen shrubs. There are many types of Indian hawthorn, and this handout will help you select, install, and maintain the best looking Indian hawthorn in your landscape!

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Click here to download the Japanese Maple Chart

I. What Is My Lawn For?

• Decide – Every lawn area is different! Is this lawn area for high show, utility, or simply to keep the mud away? The lengths one is or should be prepared to go to maintain a lawn DO differ based on what the purpose of the area is for.
• “Keeping The Mud Away” – This category normally represents acreage or large lots where some of the yard away from the home is mowed simply to keep it in check, but is not a feature or used area. This normally isn’t your…

PLANT:

• Annuals & Perennials – Supertunia, begonia, impatiens, coleus, penta, alyssum, marigold, sweet potato vine, zinnia, caladium, dianthus, lantana, pincushion, salvia, blackfoot daisy, coral bells, verbena, etc.
• Edibles – Tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, beans, corn, okra, eggplant, melons, strawberries, herbs, fruit trees, pecans, grapevines and berry bushes.
• Trees, shrubs, vines, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, including St. Augustine, Bermuda & Zoysia sod.
• In all new plantings, use Covington’s Soil Builder containing compost, greensand & expanded shale (holds 38% of its weight in water) to break up clay, add nutrients, retain moisture & revitalize microbial activity.
• Also use our Covington’s…

PLANT:

• Annuals & Tropicals – Vinca, angelonia, marigolds, pentas, lantana, blue daze, zinnias, moss rose, sweet potato vine, ornamental peppers, hibiscus, bougainvillea, mandevilla, esparanza, coleus, caladiums and more.
• Perennials – Pincushion, salvia, coreopsis, daylily, rudbeckia, blackfoot daisy, Mexican petunia, skullcap, coneflower, hardy hibiscus, butterfly bush, Turk’s cap, sedum, coral bells, oxalis, ferns, hostas and
• Trees, palms, shrubs, vines, ornamental grasses & groundcovers (handwatering a must in summer).
• Choose Crape Myrtles now while in bloom for color you want (dwarf shrub & tree-form available).
• Bermuda seed or sod, St. Augustine & Zoysia sod –Water daily first few weeks while…

This is a Great Time to Plant!

PLANT:

• Trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, etc. now so they can get well established by next summer’s heat.
• Annuals & Perennials –Pansies, violas, ornamental cabbage/kale, cyclamen, snapdragons, salvias, skullcap, Heuchera (coral bells), and more. Dig, divide & replant spring blooming perennials.
• Spring-flowering bulbs including daffodils and narcissus can be planted now. Tulips & hyacinths that have been refrigerated for at least 45 days at 45º can be planted after mid-December.
• Fruit and pecan trees, grapes and berries.

PRUNE:

• Peach & Plum trees to 8-9 ft. by removing…