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...

The Many Benefits of Beautyberry

by Happy Gardener | 07/29/2025 | Native/Xeriscape/Wildflowers, Trees & Shrubs | 2 Comments

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...

Evaluating Planting Agave, Cactus and Other Desert Specimens

by Happy Gardener | 07/24/2025 | Cactus & Succulents | 0 Comments

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...

Pride of Barbados Varieties for San Antonio, Texas Gardens

by Happy Gardener | 07/09/2025 | Annuals & Perennials, Seasonal & Gardening Tips, Summer Garden | 2 Comments

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...

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Treatment: The Time is Now

by Happy Gardener | 07/02/2025 | Pests & Diseases, Trees & Shrubs | 0 Comments

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,...

Buddleia davidii: How to Grow a Butterfly Bush

by Happy Gardener | 06/23/2025 | Butterflies, Pollinators, Trees & Shrubs | 0 Comments

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...