“At least we aren’t Florida…” wonder how many times that gets said per day throughout the country lol
People in Florida love their crap Myrtles too (misspelling intentional). And our state tree (Sabal palm) isn’t even classified as a tree. That and the state bird debacle we got going on… people just should stop moving here.
As a former Florida resident I completely know where you are coming from! I do wistfully wish I still lived there but seeing how much has grown and what is going to happen in the coming years, I'm glad I'm gone!
Humans and their word games! lol Having a favorite state anything is a bit like naming your favorite child. Why go there? I'm all for people telling me about the native plants in their state or local. And also, about their concerns of invasive plants and animals. But naming favorites is only asking for a defensive posture and war of words. All of this said, I did like seeing your pics and info.
I have a feeling certain interest groups who can pay money or know the right people to hob-knob with in the lege are how these things even become "things".
Misti, please know I understand. Our state and all states have their lists. ... You know, if you can't beat them, why not join them? I enjoyed your post earlier this spring on ephemeral plants. If Texas does not have a state ephemeral, why not suggest one! It would be a great way to make more people aware of them and their fragility.
i love cenizo, mountain laurel, so fragrant, agarita, especially wondeful visually when abloom and fruiting, beautyberry, hearty understories,all. and shrubs. yes, crape myrtle is a tree with a rather gorgeous trunk, especially unpruned, an interesting way of losing it’s bark, and though not a native, it has found a niche and is not really invasive, in my view. animals, humans included, have always been purveyors of seed…bringing new things to areas. overwhelming invasives need to be contained, no doubt there. texas has a wealth of understory plants that are a delight to have in one’s garden. i also love mockingbirds, blue jays and boattail grackles, wrens, cardinals, roseate spoonbills, texas is a thruway for birds…the whooping crane is rather grand. once had a group of at least three fly over me on a side road on northbeach in corpus christi…years ago but one of those transcendant moments.
*cenizo
lol thanks for catching that typo! I went through it a few times. sometimes my eyes don't get it all.
I pride myself on a sharp eye, but I've submitted more typos in my briefs than I could count.
Very well researched and very interesting opinion piece on finding a new state shrub for Texas.
Thank you, Janisse!
“At least we aren’t Florida…” wonder how many times that gets said per day throughout the country lol
People in Florida love their crap Myrtles too (misspelling intentional). And our state tree (Sabal palm) isn’t even classified as a tree. That and the state bird debacle we got going on… people just should stop moving here.
Fun article - thank you!
As a former Florida resident I completely know where you are coming from! I do wistfully wish I still lived there but seeing how much has grown and what is going to happen in the coming years, I'm glad I'm gone!
Humans and their word games! lol Having a favorite state anything is a bit like naming your favorite child. Why go there? I'm all for people telling me about the native plants in their state or local. And also, about their concerns of invasive plants and animals. But naming favorites is only asking for a defensive posture and war of words. All of this said, I did like seeing your pics and info.
I have a feeling certain interest groups who can pay money or know the right people to hob-knob with in the lege are how these things even become "things".
Thanks for your comment!
Misti, please know I understand. Our state and all states have their lists. ... You know, if you can't beat them, why not join them? I enjoyed your post earlier this spring on ephemeral plants. If Texas does not have a state ephemeral, why not suggest one! It would be a great way to make more people aware of them and their fragility.
Great alternative suggestions, Misti!
i love cenizo, mountain laurel, so fragrant, agarita, especially wondeful visually when abloom and fruiting, beautyberry, hearty understories,all. and shrubs. yes, crape myrtle is a tree with a rather gorgeous trunk, especially unpruned, an interesting way of losing it’s bark, and though not a native, it has found a niche and is not really invasive, in my view. animals, humans included, have always been purveyors of seed…bringing new things to areas. overwhelming invasives need to be contained, no doubt there. texas has a wealth of understory plants that are a delight to have in one’s garden. i also love mockingbirds, blue jays and boattail grackles, wrens, cardinals, roseate spoonbills, texas is a thruway for birds…the whooping crane is rather grand. once had a group of at least three fly over me on a side road on northbeach in corpus christi…years ago but one of those transcendant moments.
Whooping cranes would be a spectacular bird to represent Texas!
aye, were we in a different era. i doubt the powers that be now would care. whooping cranes are elegant and still endangered.
I’d vote for agarita or mountain laurel! Their blooms represent the start of spring for me
I love beautyberry, too. So many good choices. Thanks for responding to a rant with some practical choices!