July 2021
Build a Drought Tolerant Garden From the Ground Up
With approximately 250 days between the last and first frost in Texas, Gulf Coast gardeners enjoy a longer growing season than most. Unfortunately, that benefit goes hand in hand with the hot and humid Texas weather, which can be tough on sensitive plants.

Rather than fight with nature, why not choose drought-tolerant plants? These tough plants can take the heat and look attractive nearly year-round, with bold colors, stunning foliage, exciting forms, and fragrant flowers.

Read more for a list of drought-tolerant plants suggested for the Texas Gulf Coast region.
Name That Flower
This semi-evergreen, native shrub is a favorite among Houston area growers for its large clusters of golden flowers that bloom all summer. Considered a fast grower, it can reach 6-7 feet tall and wide in only a few years. It thrives in zones 9-11 and grows wild along rocky slopes around San Antonio, northern Mexico, and Arizona. 

Gardeners will be happy to know that this shrub is both pest resistant and deer resistant, as well as a favorite nectar source of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Drought tolerant and heat resistant, it flourishes in borders and containers and blooms continuously if its fruit is removed.
Are Insects Damaging Your Plants? 
Here's How to Protect Your Yard This Summer 
By James Holmes,
Harris County Master Gardener
 
Gardens and yards contain a variety of insects that may be harmful or beneficial. Destructive insects like aphids and grassshoppers tend to either suck juices or chew plants and fruits. Beneficial insects like ladybugs and the praying mantis typically feed on harmful insects. In an ideal environment, beneficial insects would keep pests under control. When that doesn't happen, it may be time to take an active role in pest management.
 
If you're tempted to go out and buy a bottle of insecticide, first consider that broad-spectrum insecticides will kill a wide range of insects – harmful and beneficial. Instead, pursue a more selective pest elimination method to reduce pest maintenance in the long-term.  
As the saying goes, "the best pesticide is a gardener's shadow." Integrated Pest Management (IPM) encourages gardeners to regularly inspect plants to catch pests early and minimize the use of more drastic control measures. For example, a sharp-eyed gardener can flick off or wash away harmful insects if caught early. Attracting birds and other wildlife to help control insect problems is another nature-friendly option. Local wildlife, like birds, need plenty of insects for feeding.

Familiarizing yourself with the appearance of local beneficial insects, both in their larval and adult stages, will help you gauge the ratio of insects in your yard to effectively target the problem. By using less destructive methods, such as frequent monitoring and a water spray, before gradually increasing to more powerful organic pesticides like neem oil or pyrethrin, you can be environmentally conscious while saving money. Remember to pay close attention to the directions when using pesticides on edibles because they can affect if and when it would be safe to consume.

To read more in detail on IPM, go to landscapeipm.tamu.edu.
Learn With Us!
The Science of Petrified Wood
By Christy Jones,
Education & Volunteer Coordinator Assistant

Did you know that Mercer’s Prehistoric Garden not only has a collection of ferns, voodoo lilies, and cycads, but it also has five impressive pieces of petrified wood collected in South Texas?

Petrified wood forms when mud, silt, ash, and other wet material cover logs, stumps, and other woody debris, protecting it from decay caused by oxygen and organisms. Over time, inorganic matter like iron, silica, and magnesium replaces the organic plant material, slowly changing it to stone, resulting in a petrified wood fossil.

Petrified wood often comes in shades of yellow, pink, copper, and gray, but it can contain more colors depending on its elements. Although South Texas is now arid, it was a lush tropical forest 100 million years ago. Petrified wood from this area is some of the most colorful in the United States. Although the age of Mercer’s petrified wood is unknown, similar petrified wood samples from Texas are estimated to be between 40 to 50 million years old.

One of the oldest petrified wood samples is approximately 218 million years old. But, under the right conditions, the petrification process can happen in as little as 100 years.
Upcoming Events

Tai Chi
Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join volunteer John Spencer during this one-hour beginner Tai Chi class. Registration required. Ages 12 or older.

Garden Cruisin’: Tour de 4
Fridays, July 9 and 23, at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.
Experience the gardens during a leisurely, one-hour cart tour. There is a maximum of four passengers per tour. Registration required. Ages 60 and older or anyone 12 or older with transportation needs.

Mercer Morning Club
Wednesdays, July 14 and 21, from 9 a.m. to noon
Children will discover the natural environment through interactive activities, hiking, scientific observation, and crafts. Volunteer opportunities available. Registration required. Ages 6–11.

Kids are Key to Tree ID
Thursday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Did you know that trees improve our lives in many ways? Join us to learn how to identify the most common trees found in Mercer’s West Side Arboretum and discover their benefits. Registration required. Meet at the Post Oak Pavilion. Ages 9–12.

Virtual Plumeria Sale
Saturday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Add a tropical twist to your garden this summer as you shop this online specialty plant sale featuring plumerias, gingers, and more! Early shopping is available for members of The Mercer Society on Friday, July 16, starting at 4 p.m. Shop here: themercersociety.square.site. Curbside plant pickup only the following week.

Story Time
Monday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m.
Parents and children enjoy story time in the natural setting of Mercer. Registration required. Ages 2–5.

Smokey’s Guide to Fire Ecology
Thursday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Learn about the importance of fire in forest ecology and how forest rangers use prescribed fires to improve the forest. Registration required. Meet at the Post Oak Pavilion in the West Side Arboretum. All ages.

Family Adventure Series: Geocaching
Wednesday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gather your family to search for temporary geocaches filled with kid-friendly treasures hidden among the winding garden trails at Mercer’s East Side Gardens. Multiple start times are available. Registration required. All ages.

Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, July 29, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Discover a variety of volunteer opportunities, from helping maintain the gardens, and plant propagation, to educational programs and serving as a Mercer Ambassador. This orientation will be off-site at the Timber Lane Community Center at 1904 Naplechase Crest Drive in Spring. Registration is required. Ages 16 or older, or 12-15 if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To register, visit www.hcp4.net/mercer/events.
For more information, call 713-274-4160. 
Please adhere to all park and program rules and consult CDC guidelines for COVID-related social distancing, group sizes, and face coverings.
A Message From
Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
Thank you for reading this edition of Leaflet. I hope you learned something new about the services, activities, and programs Mercer offers to the community.

Please stay tuned for our next issue to learn more about Mercer events, activities, and news!