Houston Spring 2010

Spring is my favorite time of year to visit TreeSearch farms.    The Viburnums, Magnolias, Callary pear, Mexican plum, Red buds and apple trees all look astonishing this spring.  Heidi Sheesley says it is from Houston’s few weeks of exceptionally  cold weather. Jenscapes Inc. would like to thank Michael P. Dumont for some of his fabulous [...]



Natural Waterfall by Heights Artist, Jeff River Law

I love Wednesdays at Indian Summer Lodge in the Heights. Its a full day for me with Artist, Jeff River Law  collaborating about our landscape projects. River took me on one of his jobs in Memorial yesterday to tweek the sound of his newest creation. River specializes in many things and one is  the design [...]



Freeze Damaged Bird of Paradise and Crepe Myrtle Pruning

Jen My bird of paradise leaves are brown with green stalks from the snow last year. Should I cut them back to stimulate new growth? If so how far? Is it time to prune my crepe myrtles? Paul H., Bellaire, Texas   Hi Paul, You can do either two things with your bird of paradise: [...]



Jeff Law’s 2009-2010 Houston Freeze Data for Xeriscape plants in Houston

Jen, Aren’t you big into native plants?  How do they fair in a Houston freeze? Jon Yes, I love the  indigenous plants.  I think all natives did well. During this time of the year they are not blooming so they just look dead.    Interesting you asked Jon,  I was just in the car with my mentor and friend Jeff Law, [...]



“Colors are Gruel” Jeff Law’s Indian Summer Lodge, Heights, Texas

“Colors are gruel , porridge and mushroom these days seeming to reflect the interior of the people choosing them………………After all, our exteriors are our interiors turned inside out. “     Jeff Law   The other day I had the most inspiring afternoon with award winning artist, landscaper, and designer Jeff Law.  Jeff  produces “feel-good”gardens.  He has over 30 bamboo [...]



Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms Fruit Tree Sale

Last week I went to TreeSearch Farms and I saw Heidi Sheesley.   It was my lucky day, Heidi had a ripened Dragon Fruit from her Dragon Cactus or Pitaya and offered me a taste.    WOW!  I have never had anything like it and I couldn’t believe it came from a cactus!   The fruit tastes like a grape/kiwi.  It [...]



Bougainvillea Looper Caterpillar

Hi Jen, Can you tell me what might be eating my Bougainvillea folliage?    Thank you, David Vincente     David, It sounds like its the bougainvillea looper.   The caterpiller is a green or brown and about 1 inch long.   It feeds primarily at night, which is why you may see the damage but fail [...]



Rye Seed and St. Augustine how does that work?

“Dumb Question!     What happens to the St Augustine grass we currently have?  Will it return?” Yolanda Ramirez Hi Yolanda, Not a dumb question….Many of my clients have asked the same question and yes it will return. Keep in mind that there are two kinds of Rye, both annual and perennial. The difference is in the [...]



Caring for your drought tolerant Zoysia

Hi Jen, How do I  care for my new zoysia? Carlos Carlos, Water your new sod everyday for the first 10 days then every other day for 10 days.  If it rains you can skip those days.  Water as needed when you first observe wilting, and water longer and less often to promote deep rooting of [...]



Houston AIA Tour October 10th -11th

If you enjoy home tours, the AIA fall tour is usually one of the best. For the second year Jenscapes is landscaping a house that is on the tour designed by Architect,  James M. Evans, founder and principal architect of Collaborative Designworks in Houston,  Texas .   The annual program provides design enthusiasts and the general [...]