I can’t believe we are already in mid-September!  The warm temperatures have fooled me into thinking it is still summer, but the days are getting shorter and we are headed into fall.  Fall is a great time to start thinking about landscaping plans in Central Texas.  We recommend planting trees and shrubs in the fall time, so they have the cooler months to really develop a good root system before the summer heat comes back.  If you are looking for some ideas for your landscape, let me introduce you to one of my favorite resources for plant recommendations, Texas Superstar®.

The Texas Superstar® program is a collaborative effort between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research, Texas Department of Agriculture, and the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to find the best plants that will perform well for Texas consumers.  A team of researchers and Extension Specialists conduct field trials and research plots all over the State of Texas to find out which plants will do well for consumers in any region of the state.  An Executive Board made up of horticulturalists study the research and make recommendations for the toughest, most reliable, and best-looking plants for Texas consumers.

The Texas Superstar® program has a great website with a list of plants recommended for Texas gardeners.  I have grown some of the plants on this list, and I can tell you they do great!  Some of my favorite shrubs are on the list like the Lynn’s Legacy Cenzino, a selection of the popular Texas sage that can bloom more frequently than other selections.  Three of my favorite trees are Texas Superstar® recommendations, the Lacey Oak, Chinkapin Oak, and Chinese Pistache.  All three do really well in our area!

If you plan to plant some trees or shrubs this year, be sure to check out the Texas Superstar® website for some good ideas at http://texassuperstar.com/.  For more information about plant recommendations or proper planting tips, please contact Kate Whitney, County Extension Agent for Horticulture, at 512-943-3300.