January 1, 2025

Dinnerplate dahlias, like this Berry Spritz collection, can grow up to 10 inches across on four- to five-foot-tall plants. (photo courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com)

Dahlia combinations for gardens and bouquets

By Melinda Myers

Dahlias come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, making them easy to include in any garden, container, and bouquet. Grow them in their own dedicated space, mix them with other flowers, or plant a few at the end of the vegetable garden.

Consider including different varieties of dahlias for added interest and beauty in the garden and your arrangements. Select colors that you imagine will look great together in a vase. This will make it easy to create a lot of creative combinations on the fly.

Grow dahlias with flowers of different shapes and sizes to create more interesting arrangements. Dahlias offer many options and it’s one of the reasons they are such a popular cut flower. Longfield Gardens provides help and inspiration in Types of Dahlias: 8 Great Looks.

You’ll find the widest range of colors and styles with new varieties in the decorative dahlia group continually being released. Add a bit of elegance to the garden and bouquets with Mondriaan’s soft pink petals tinged with pastel yellow, apricot, and lavender. Decorative dahlias make great cut flowers, and their sturdy stems make them easy to grow with other flowers in gardens and containers.

Add interesting texture to your gardens and bouquets with anemone-flowered and collarette dahlias. The anemone-flowered dahlias have a cluster of tubular florets in the center surrounded by more traditional petals. The two different lengths of petals in the collarette varieties add to their charm.

Enjoy an abundant harvest of cut flowers when growing ball and pompon dahlias. These perfectly round flowers are packed with tightly rolled petals and are long-lived in arrangements. Their size makes them excellent additions to mixed bouquets helping to connect the various flowers for an impressive display.

The unique blossoms of waterlily dahlias have made it one of the most popular for cutting. The relatively flat flowers have tightly closed centers surrounded by several rows of flat or slightly curved petals.

Grow a few single dahlias for you and the pollinators to enjoy. The daisy-like flowers have a prominent center surrounded by a single row of petals. Their airy appearance complements a variety of late-season perennials in the garden and bouquets. Mix in a few peony-flowered varieties for a showier display. These also have a prominent center but are surrounded by two or more layers of petals.

Add a bit of excitement to any arrangement with cactus and semi-cactus varieties. Their tightly curled petals make them a standout in the garden and bouquets.

You’ll only need one or a few dinnerplate dahlia blooms to make a statement in a vase or arrangement. The large flowers can grow up to 10 inches across on four- to five-foot-tall plants. Tag team a pair of dinnerplate dahlias for the back of the border. Labyrinth and Tyrell have apricot flowers with pink and yellow accents that blend nicely with a wide range of colors in the garden.

If you feel overwhelmed by all the choices or can’t decide on the best combination, let the experts lend a hand. Consider purchasing one or more ready-to-plant dahlia combinations selected to look great in the garden and arrangements. The bumblebee collection includes pollinator-favorite Kelsey Sunshine collarette and the coral pink decorative Great Silence. Or for a big splash of purple try the Berry Spritz dinnerplate collection with lavender-pink, lilac, and eggplant purple blooms.

Take pictures of your favorite combinations and notes of what you want to try next year, and most importantly, enjoy the fantastic blooms. Fortunately, any flower combination is sure to brighten your day.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

Perfect Timing

Editor's Note: Gardening news is slow at the beginning of the year, and many gardeners are unable to work in their gardens during winter. We thought you might enjoy a change of pace during this slow season, so following is a gardening-themed short story presented for your enjoyment. — Michael Bracken, editor 

By Shari Held

Erin Fox eyed her great-great aunt’s house in dismay. Shutters were askew, the porch swing hung vertically from one chain, the steps sagged, and she’d be surprised if the house had been painted since the Civil War. The inside wasn’t much better. Erin had never met her aunt and deemed herself fortunate to inherit her property in Hill County. Now it felt more like a curse.

The disappointment must have shown on her face.

“Now, dear,” said Cissy, the Realtor Erin had hired to help her sell the house. “It’s not as bad as it looks. You’ll fix it up in no time.” Cissy patted Erin’s arm and led her to the garden. “With a little care, this could look amazing. And it’s planting season. Perfect timing.”

Erin squatted and surveyed the ground. A few green buds poked through the soil. She assumed they were flowers, but for all she knew, they were weeds. Most of the garden was a mass of dead vines, leaves, and stalks. Ugh.

She stood and brushed the dirt off her hands. “Cissy, I think I’d rather hire someone to remodel the interior. I don’t have much money to invest, and it seems to me that would be the practical approach.”

Cissy frowned. “No, Erin, it isn’t. Trust me. If you want to sell this property for good money, create curb appeal. The exterior of the home and the landscaping will drive interest. Create excitement. This won’t.”

Cissy’s words hit Erin like a slap in the face. She pursed her lips. She was tired from the three-hour drive from Houston, devastated by the condition of the property, and angry about being told what to do. She kicked at a stone. “Can you refer me to a reliable, but reasonably priced, remodeler for an estimate?”

“Of course. Nate Moore is one of the best. He won’t cheat you. He’ll tell you what you’re dealing with. Here’s his card. I need to go, but I’ll drop by tomorrow.”

Erin watched her go, then sat on the stoop, head in her arms until Nate showed up.

* * *

Fifty thousand dollars. Nate’s estimate far exceeded her budget. It might be possible to reduce it to thirty thousand if she moved here and did part of it herself. He agreed with Cissy — it made sense to first begin on the exterior and any repairs necessary for her to live in the house. Not what she had wanted to hear, but she could make it work. She was a freelance writer. She could give up her apartment and move here. Work on the house during the day and write at night.

With that decided, she ordered a book on DIY home repairs and a Texas Gardener Handbook. If she were going to do this, she’d do it right.

Meanwhile, she went inside and began cleaning the bedroom she’d make her own.

* * *

The next morning, Cissy brought two coffees and a bag of kolaches. “I brought both fruit and savory. Didn’t know your preference. Both pastries are wonderful.”

Erin smiled for the first time since she’d arrived. “Thank you.”

Cissy beamed. “Now, I hear you’ll move in while the work is being done, and that you’re going to start with the exterior.”

Erin nodded. The grapevine must work overtime here.

“You’ll want to use Marge’s Greenery for your plants. She’ll come out and see what’s salvageable and create a garden plan.” Cissy called Marge before Erin could swallow her bite of sausage-and-jalapeño kolache. “She’ll be here at two o’clock, give or take. I know you’re heading back to the city tomorrow. When do you plan to return for good?”

“In a week or so,” Erin said. “Nate’s going to paint my bedroom and finish the floors so it will be habitable by then.”

“Good. See you then.” Cissy waved and took off as quickly as she appeared.

Soon a gray-haired woman dressed in overalls and hiking boots showed up in a van with “Marge’s Greenery” painted on the side.

“Let’s see what we have here,” Marge said after introducing herself. She held a handful of plant markers. “Red is to pull, green is to pamper,” she said as she knelt and placed them accordingly. “You have starts of salvia, lavender, black-eyed Susan, and mint.” She wrote their names on the corresponding markers. “I’ll save you some daylilies, daisies, purple coneflower, and Mexican feathergrass. And I’d put rose bushes on either side of the steps. You want red, pink, or yellow?”

“Umm, red?”

“Red it is. It’s good to see you’re bringing the old house back to life. I think you’ll like living here. You need any help, just ask.”

“Well, I’m not really planning on staying¼” Erin was talking to thin air. Marge was in her van and waving goodbye.

Erin felt as if she’d been caught in a whirlwind since her arrival but was grateful for the help. She’d make clear she wasn’t staying when she returned.

* * *

Two weeks later, Erin pulled into the drive. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The house was a lovely pale gray with white trim. A floral wreath was hanging from a red door. The freshly painted shutters were all in place and the swing was hung and adorned with two plump pillows. Two rose bushes flanked the steps. And other flowers and herbs had been planted.

Erin walked up the steps and sat in the swing. An envelope was pinned to a pillow. It read: “Our gift to the new homeowner, compliments of the garden club.”

Tears of happiness filled Erin’s eyes. She felt welcomed and more a part of this community than she ever had while living in the city.

She couldn’t wait to see her garden grow. Some colorful metal garden statues — a rabbit or a cat — would look nice. Maybe she’d give a stray cat a home. Because that was what she realized this was. A home. Her home.

Shari Held spins tales of crime, mystery, romance, and horror. Her short stories have been published in dozens of magazines and anthologies, including Hoosier Noir, Yellow Mama, Homicide for the Holidays, and Murder 20/20, for which she served as co-editor. Visit her website — www.shariheld.com — for more information about her and her stories.

JANUARY

La Marque: Designing & Growing an Herb Garden, with Galveston County Master Gardeners Donna Merritt and Briana Etie, Sat., January 4. Included is tour of Master Gardeners herb garden, 9-11 a.m. Free. Discovery Garden in Carbide Park, 4102 Main St. (FM 519), La Marque. Register and details online: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture.

La Marque: Wedge Grafting, with Galveston County Master Gardener Hazel Lampton, 1-3 p.m., Sat., January 4. Class limited to 20 participants, must pre-register to attend. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For details and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/ or call 281-309-5065.

Houston: Topic TBD by Harris County Master Gardeners, Tuesday, January 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston. First Tuesday Monthly Lecture Series is free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series

Hempstead: All About Seeds presented by Waller County Master Gardener Melissa Shewbert. Thurs, January 9, 9:00 a.m., Start your spring garden planning by attending this seed presentation. Waller County Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead, 979-826-7651, https://txmg.org/wallermg.

Houston: Sustainable Plant Bed Installation, Using Organic and Eco-Friendly Practices, presented by Laura Neff 7-9 p.m., January 9, Houston Rose Society event. Free. St. Andrew’s Church 1819 Heights Blvd, Houston or online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82493328655?pwd=Bx1bhke5Bns0nTZjjFbnz9SIbSlQLE.1

Katy: Turf Grass by Harris County Master Gardeners. Thursday, January 9, 1:00 p.m. Katy Branch Library, 5414 Franz Rd., Katy. From watering to fertilizer, learn how to care for your turf. hcmga.tamu.edu

Online: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the 2025 Texas Fruit Conference on January 10. The one-day virtual event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. The cost is $50, and online registration is available at https://tx.ag/FruitConference. Three Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license continuing education units are available. The Texas Fruit Conference is an annual AgriLife Extension program devoted to increasing the sustainability of perennial fruit crops for new and established fruit growers, hobbyists and enthusiasts through research, education and social networking. For more information, contact Monte Nesbitt at monte.nesbitt@ag.tamu.edu.

Online: History of Genoa Friendship Gardens by Harris County Master Gardeners. Monday, January 13, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Unpaving a Parking Lot - A look at history, photos and purpose of GFG Demonstration Gardens. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register.

Cypress Basin: Cypress Basin Master Gardener classes to begin January 14. Visit https://txmg.org/cbmg/master-gardener-training-class-information/ for more information, or email cypressbasinmg@cbmga.org.

La Marque: Growing Tomatoes, Part 2 of 3, with Galveston County Master Gardener Ira Gervais., 9-11 a.m.., Sat., January 18. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For details and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/ or call 281-309-5065.

La Marque: Anyone Can Grow Roses, wit Galveston County Master Gardener John Jons, 1-3 p.m., Sat., January 18. Free. Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office located inside Carbide Park, 4102-B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque. For details and to register: https://galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/ or call 281-309-5065.

Online: History of Genoa Friendship Gardens by Harris County Master Gardeners. Tuesday, January 21, 11 a.m.-noon. Unpaving a Parking Lot - A look at history, photos and purpose of GFG Demonstration Gardens. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/events.

FEBRUARY

Hempstead: Waller County Master Gardener training begins February 1. Classes take place 8:00 am.m to noon, each Saturday, February 1 through March 15, and on Thursday, February 6, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit https://txmmg.org/wallermg, call 979-826-7651, or email waller.mg@tamu.edu.

Houston: Topic TBD by Harris County Master Gardeners. Tuesday, February 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston. First Tuesday Monthly Lecture Series is free and open to the public. hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series

Pasadena: Fruit Trees by Harris County Master Gardeners. Wednesday, February 5, 6:00 p.m. Pasadena Public Library, 4330 Fairmont Pkwy., Pasadena. Learn more about selecting and caring for fruit trees in Houston. hcmga.tamu.edu

Rosenberg: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Fort Bend County will host the 40th annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference on February 6 in Rosenberg. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building C, 4310 Texas 36 South, Rosenberg. The cost is $35 before Jan. 25, and $45 after. To register visit https://tx.ag/FBVegetable. For more information, contact Lorraine Niemeyer at Lorraine.niemeyer@ag.tamu.edu.

Online: Spring Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners. Monday, February 10, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Choose the best veggies, prepare soil, start seeds & use natural pest control for homegrown produce. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Houston Community College. Register in advance to receive link: hcc.idloom.events/gardening-series/register

Online: Spring Vegetable Gardening by Harris County Master Gardeners. Tuesday, February 18, 11 00 a.m.-noon. Choose the best veggies, prepare soil, start seeds & use natural pest control for homegrown produce. Free Virtual Lecture hosted by Harris County Public Library via Facebook Live. No reservation required: facebook.com/harriscountypl/event

Monthly Meetings

If you would like your organization's events included in "Monthly Meetings" or would like to make a change to a listed meeting, please contact us at Monthly Meetings. To ensure inclusion in this column, please provide complete details. 

FIRST WEEK

Jasper: The Jasper County Master Gardeners meet on the first Monday of each month at St. Michael's Catholic Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The evening begins with pot luck social and then guest presentations and/or educational class to conclude. Visit https://jasper.agrilife.org/jasper-master-gardeners/ to verify meeting date for any given month, as circumstances could require a change, and to find information on the speaker and topic scheduled for each meeting; Visit  https://mastergardener.tamu.edu/become/ to become a member.

Kaufman: The Kaufman County Master Gardener Association meets the first Monday of each month (second Monday, if the first is a holiday) at the First Christian Church (formerly, and still on Google Maps, Grace Christian Church) located at 504 S. Houston Street, Kaufman. An educational program begins at 10 a.m., followed by the business meeting. For topic and additional information, visit http://www.kcmga.org/ and check Events. Refreshments will be available. For more information or to ask about accommodations, call 469-376-4520, or email Jackie Robertson at jrobertson@ag.tamu.edu.

Houston: The Harris County Master Gardeners meet the first Tuesday of each month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. Announcements begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an educational lecture. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/lecture-series/. Location is subject to change for Holidays & Voting days.

Schulenberg: Schulenburg Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 11:30 a.m., September-May, at the Schulenburg First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 110 Upton Ave., Schulenburg.

Corpus Christi: The Coastal Bend Cactus and Succulent Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. The purpose is to stimulate an interest in cactus and succulent plants by providing a forum to foster and broaden knowledge of the plants. Join the society on Facebook: Coastal Bend Cactus & Succulent Society.

Dallas: Garden Masters, Inc., meet the first Wednesday of each month, Sept.- May, at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd., Dallas, 75230. The club hosts different speakers each month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come early and order lunch from the The Cafe, which features a healthy menu, fresh local produce and sustainably produced meats and fish (or call in advance to order 972-338-2233). For more information about Garden Masters Inc, email Marcia Borders at borderlineart1@gmail.com.

Kerrville: Hill Country Master Gardeners meet the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Hwy 27. For more information visit www.hillcountrymastergardeners.org.

Midland: The Permian Basin Master Gardeners (Ector/Midland counties) have monthly meetings at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the West Texas Food Bank, 1601 Westcliff Drive in Midland. For more information call 432-498-4071 or 432-686-4700.

Navasota: The Navasota Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 10:00 a.m., at the First Baptist Church Family Life Building, 500 E. Holland St., Navasota. If not meeting at the church, a change of meeting notice will be placed on the door of the Family Life Building. Guests are welcome. Members are from Grimes County and surrounding counties.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Garden Center meets on the first Wednesday of each month from September – May at 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston, San Antonio. Social and plant sale begins at 9:30 a.m. Program at 10 a.m. Open to the public. For more information visit www.sanantoniogardencenter.org.

Allen: The Allen Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, February through December, at the Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St., Allen. For more information, visit www.allengardenclub.org.

Atlanta: The Cass County Master Gardeners meet the first Thursday of each month at the Atlanta Memorial Hospital Conference Room, State Highway 77 @ S. Williams St., Atlanta. A business meeting is followed by an educational program. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, call 903-756-5391 or visit http://cass.agrilife.org. 

Fort Worth: The Native Plant Society of Texas - North Central Chapter meets the first Thursday of each month, excluding January and July, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m. Guest speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Members, friends, family, guests and the public are welcome. For a list of speakers and topics or more information, visit http://www.txnativeplants.org.

Hempstead: The Waller County Master Gardeners usually meet at 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Waller County AgriLife Extension Office, 846 6th St., Hempstead. For more information on the meeting schedule, visit http://txmg.org/wallermg or call 979-826-7651.

Gonzales: Gonzales Master Gardeners hold their monthly meeting at noon on the first Thursday of each month at 623 Fair Street, Gonzales. Bring a bag lunch, drinks provided. Contact AgriLife Extension Office at 830-672-8531 or visit http://gonzalesmastergardeners.org for more information.

New Braunfels: The Comal Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Southbank Clubhouse, 222 Southbank Blvd., New Braunfels.

Temple: Temple Garden Club, District V meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., the first Thursday of each month (September-May), at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N 3rd Street.

Tyler: Smith County Master Gardeners meet the first Thursday of each month at the Tyler Rose Garden & Center, 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler. Meetings are from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Featuring informative speakers, it’s a great way to earn CE hours and attendees can tour the Tyler Botanical Gardens while there.

SECOND WEEK

Austin: Austin Organic Gardeners Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except December) at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; club business begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation. For more information, visit www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Jacksonville: The Cherokee County Master Gardeners meet on the second Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at The First Methodist Church, 1031 TX-456 Loop, Jacksonville. For additional information, contact Kim Benton at kim.benton@ag.tamu.edu.

Cedar Park/Leander/Liberty Hill: The Hill Country Bloomers meet the second Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main Street, Cedar Park. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to socialize and swap plants and seeds. Meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of topics for the home gardener or landscaper. They host a plant sale in the spring and a garden tour in the late summer/early fall. Throughout the year they contribute time and expertise to local projects. Those with any level of experience are welcome. Non-members are invited to their first meeting at no cost. Membership and speaker info is available at https://hcbloomers.org/.

Glen Rose: The Glen Rose Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (September through May) at the Somervell County Community Center in Glen Rose. For additional information, email stringer030@yahoo.com.

Glen Rose: The Prairie Rose Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Somerville County Citizen Center, 209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose. For additional information, email prairierose.npsot@gmail.com. 

Harrison County: The Harrison County Master Gardeners meet at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, in the Harrison County Extension Office, 2005 Warren Drive, Marshall. Meetings are held in the AgriLife Extension meeting room. For more information, call 903-935-8413, or email hctxmastergardener@gmail.com.

Seguin/Marion: The Guadalupe Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the second Tuesday of the month except for July, August, and December. The Chapter alternates meetings. Seguin, First Presbyterian Church, January, March, May, September and November. Marion, St. John Lutheran Church, February, April, June and October. Meet-and-greet begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Program at 7:00 p.m., Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/guadalupe.

Quitman: The Quitman Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Quitman Library on E Goode Street, Quitman. It is a diverse group that welcomes all visitors. For more information, e-mail quitmangardenclub@gmail.com.

Denton: The Denton County Master Gardener Association meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. For complete details, visit http://dcmga.com/.

Humble: The Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, hosts a Lunch Bunch the second Wednesday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Take a sack lunch or order a box lunch from Starbucks when you call 281-443-8731 to reserve your spot. Master Gardeners and Masters Naturalists may earn CEU credits by attending.

Jacksboro: The Jacksboro Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month (except June, July and August) at the Concerned Citizens Center, 400 East Pine Street, Jacksboro. For more information, call Melinda at 940-567-6218.

Longview: The Gregg County Master Gardener Association holds a members-only meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at the AgriLife Extension office, 405 E. Marshall Avenue. For information, call 903-236-8429, visit www.txmg.org/gregg, or like them on Facebook at Gregg County Master Gardeners.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners host hour-long Lunch & Learn programs on various gardening topics on the second Wednesday of most months from 12 to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch, these programs are free and open to the public. They are held at the AgriLife Extension building, 210 E Live Oak, Seguin. For more information, visit GCMGTX.org.

Woodway: The McLennan County Master Gardeners meeting is held on the second Wednesday of each each month at noon at the Central Presbyterian Church, 9191 Woodway Dr., Woodway. For more information, call 254-757-5180.

Beaumont: The Jefferson County Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. (social) 7:00 (meeting) the second Thursday of each month except in July in the AgriLife Extension auditorium, 1225 Pearl 2nd floor (downtown Beaumont next to the Court House). For more information contact: 409-835-8461 or txmg.org/jcmg.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardners Herb Interest Study Group meets the second Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office: Learning Center, 1605 N. Main Street, Belton. 

Georgetown: The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street. Georgetown. For additional information, contract Kathy Henderson at kshend@verizon.net or visit http://www.npsot.org/wp/wilco.

Orange: The Orange County Master Gardeners Association holds their monthly meeting on the second Thursday of each month. A short program is presented. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the new Orange County Expo Center on Hwy 1442 in Orangefield. Enter the building in the front entrance, first door on the right, Texas AgriLife offices. Pot luck supper at 6 p.m. Visit http://txmg.org/orange for more information.

Pasadena: The Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners hold an educational program at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Genoa Friendship Garden Educational Building at 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Pasadena. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Herb Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels (corner of Funston & N. New Braunfels). For more information on programs, visit www.sanantonioherbs.org.

San Marcos: The Spring Lake Garden Club meets the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m., September-May, at McCoy's Building Supply Headquarters, 1350 IH-35, San Marcos. Contact Terri Boyd (512) 395-66644 x6134.

Smithville: The Smithville Community Gardens meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Smithville Recreation Center. 

Angleton: The Brazoria County Master Gardeners meet at 11 a.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Brazoria County Extension Office, 21017 County Road 171, Angleton. There is a general business meeting followed by a brief educational program each month. For further information call 979-864-1558, ext.110.

College Station: The A&M Garden Club meets on the second Friday of each month during the school year at 9:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 2201 Rio Grande Blvd., College Station. Expert speakers, plant sharing, and federated club projects help members learn about gardening in the Brazos Valley, floral design, conservation, and more. For more information, visit http://www.amgardenclub.com/.

Houston: The Spring Branch African Violet Club meets the second Saturday of each month,January through November, at 10:00 a.m. at the Copperfield Baptist Church, 8350 Highway 6 North, Houston. Call Karla at 281-748-8417 prior to attending to confirm meeting date and time.

Dallas: The Rainbow Garden Club of North Texas meets the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Meetings are held at member's homes and garden centers around the area. For more information, visit www.RainbowGardenClub.com.

THIRD WEEK

Arlington: The Arlington Men's Garden Club meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (except December) at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. For more information, contact Lance Jepson at LJepson@aol.com.

Cleburne: The Johnson County Master Gardeners meet on the third Monday of each month at Johnson. County Agricultural Office, 109 W. Chambers, Cleburne. Meeting times are at 6 p.m. An educational program precedes the business meeting.

New Braunfels: The Comal Master Gardeners meet at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month (except April and December,) at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. An educational program precedes the business meeting. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, call 830-620-3440 or visit comalmg.org. 

Texarkana: The Four Corners Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Southwest Center, 3222 W. 7th St. (U.S. 67), Texarkana. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Belinda McCoy at 903-424-7724 or blackmtngardens@yahoo.com.

Abilene: The Master Gardeners meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene. For more information, contact Big Country Master Gardeners Association at mgardeners@yahoo.com.

Alvarado: The Alvarado Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month during the months of September through May (excluding December). The meeting time is 1 p.m. and the locations vary for each meeting. The club hosts a different and exciting speaker each month that focuses on enriching the lives of all gardeners. Meetings are free and include a light lunch. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, please contact 817-680-4291. 

Corpus Christi: The Nueces Master Gardeners meet at noon the third Tuesday of each month, except December, at Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Dr., Corpus Christi. An educational program precedes the business meeting. For further information call 361 767-5217.

Kempner: The Browning Community Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of each month, August-May. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. and are held at the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department Training Room, 315 Pecan Street, Kempner. For more information about speakers, field trips and projects, visit www.bcgctx.org.

New Braunfels: The Lindheimer Chapter (Comal County) of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the third Tuesday of each month at  6:30 pm at the GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels. Meetings include an informative speaker and a Plant of the Month presentation. Meetings are free and visitors are welcome. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/w/lindheimer.  Note: there will be no meeting in June or December.

Rockport: Monthly meetings of the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners are held at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Aransas County Office, 892 Airport Rd., Rockport. For additional information, e-mail aransas-tx@tamu.edu or call 361-790-0103.

Sugar Land: The Sugar Land Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through November and January through April at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. The club hosts a different speaker each month. For more information, visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.

Belton: The Bell County Master Gardeners Herb Interest Study Group meets the third Wednesday of each month (January to November) at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1601 N. Main Street, Belton, in the Kitchen Classroom. Socialize from 10-10:30 a.m. Study Begins promptly at 10:30-Noon.

Denton: The Denton Organic Society, a group devoted to sharing information and educating the public regarding organic principles, meets the third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Avenue. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a social at 6:30. For more information, call 940-382-8551.

Glen Rose: The Somervell County Master Gardeners meet at 10 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month at the Somervell County AgriLife Extension office, 1405 Texas Drive, Glen Rose. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 254-897-2809 or visit www.somervellmastergardeners.org.

Granbury: The Lake Granbury Master Gardeners meet at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Reunion Grounds, 641 Reunion Ct., Granbury, Granbury. The public is invited to attend. There is an educational program each month preceding the business meeting. For information on topics call 817-579-3280 or visit http://www.hoodcountymastergardeners.org/.

Waco: The McLennan County Master Gardeners host Lunch with the Masters on the third Wednesday of each month at noon at MCC’s Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC), 7601 Steinbeck Bend Dr., Waco. These educational programs are free and open to the public. Attendees bring their own lunch. For more information, call 254-757-5180.

Brownwood: Brownwood Garden Club meets the third Thursday of each month, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. The club meetings are at Southside Baptist Church, 1219 Indian Creek Road, with refreshments and a speaker presentation. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email boeblingen@centex.net or call 817-454-8175.

Hallettsville: The Hallettsville Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month from September through May, at the First United Methodist Church Annex, corner of S. Glendale and East Fourth streets behind the church in Hallettsville. Each month, the club hosts speakers that provide informative programs on a wide range of gardening subjects, and refreshments are provided by member hostesses afterwards. Visitors are welcome! Please email Sharon Harrigan at sharonspetals@gmail.com for more information.

Houston: The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter meets at 6:45 pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway, Houston. For more information about meeting presentations and native plants, visit https://npsot.org/wp/houston/. 

Mineola: The Fannie Marchman Garden Club meets at the Mineola Civic Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month from September through May. For additional information, find them on Facebook or email FannieMarchmanGardenClub@gmail.com.

Ft. Worth: The North Texas Daylily Society is affiliated with the American Daylily Society and is located in AHS Region 6. Club meetings are held in the Camellia Room located inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, on the third Thursday of each month (excluding June and July). Throughout the year NTDS hosts guest speakers, special interest programs, an annual daylily show, an annual daylily sale, and social activities and outings. For more information visit, their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northtexasdaylilysociety.

San Antonio: The Bexar County Master Gardeners (BCMG) meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., Suite 208, San Antonio. During the months of Jan., March, May, July, Sep. and Nov., an evening meeting with presentation is held 6:00-8:00 p.m. During the intervening months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct.), afternoon educational seminars/general meetings are held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Check http://www.bexarmg.org/ to verify meeting date for any given month, as circumstances could require a change, and to find information on the speaker and topic scheduled for each meeting.

Seguin: The Guadalupe County Master Gardeners meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, at the AgriLife Building, 210 East Live Oak, Seguin. After a brief social hour, the meeting and guest speaker begins at 7 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 830-303-3889 or visit www.guadalupecountymastergardeners.org.

Fort Worth: The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at Texas Garden Club Inc, 3111 Old Garden Club Rd., Fort Worth (located next to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden), 10:00 a.m. to noon, September through June. For more information, email herbalhen@yahoo.com.

FOURTH WEEK

New Braunfels: The New Braunfels Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas meets on the fourth Monday of each month except July and December. Meetings are held at the New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E. Common St, New Braunfels. Meetings are “hybrid” with in-person and Zoom available. They start at 5:45 PM. with a meet and greet time, followed by a short business meeting at 6:15 PM. Programs begin at 6:30 PM. Native plant and seed exchanges are held monthly. Expert speakers present educational programs on topics of interest. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information about Zoom or to join, visit https://npsot.org/wp/newbraunfels/.

Brackenridge Park: The Native Plant Society San Antonio Chapter meets every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center, 2809 Broadway at E. Mulberry, Brackenridge Park, except August and December. Social and seed/plant exchange at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bea at 210-999-7292 or visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio.

Bryan: The Brazos County Master Gardeners, a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Brazos County Extension Office, 4153 County Park Ct, Bryan, TX 77807. There is a public gardening program at each meeting and pertinent information may be found at brazosmg.com or 979-823-0129.

Edna: The Jackson County Master Gardeners present their "Come Grown With Us" seminars on the fourth Tuesday of each month, January through October, beginning at 7 p.m. at 411 N. Wells, Edna. The seminars are free, open to the public and offer 2 CEU hours to Master Gardeners or others requiring them. For additional information, contact the Jackson County Extension Office at 361-782-3312.

Linden: The Caddo Wildflower Chapter of Native Plants Society meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the senior citizens building at 507 S Kaufman St. in Linden at 6:30. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, contact Karen Tromza at khtromza@yahoo.com.

San Antonio: The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, except August, November and December, at the Gathering Hall at The Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park and via Zoom. Social and plant/seed exchange at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.npsot.org/sanantonio or email npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com.

Houston: The Houston Native Prairie Association meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except November and December) at the Houston Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact hnpat@prairies.org.

Austin: The Garden Club of Austin meets at Zilker Botanical Gardens auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. 7:00-7:30 p.m. Refreshments and Social, followed by a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Free. For additional information, visit http://thegardenclubofaustin.org/.

Leander: The Leander Garden Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except June, July and August) at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Room of the Leander Presbyterian Church, 101 N. West St., Leander, unless there is a special event planned. Following a program and short business meeting, there is a pot-luck luncheon. To confirm the meeting place and time, please call President Kathleen Tully at 512-422-8580 or email LeanderGardenClub@gmail.com.

Dallas: The Dallas County Master Gardeners meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. For location and program information, visit http://www.dallascountymastergardeners.org/ or contact The Helpdesk, M-F, 8 to 4:30 214-904-3053.

Denton: The Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas meets the fourth Thursday of each month to share information about native plants. Excellent programs are heard each month, January-September. Social time begins at 6:30, program at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://npsot.org/chapters/trinity-forks/.

Arlington: The Arlington Organic Garden Club meets on the last Thursday of each month, January through September, at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, Arlington. October is the annual potluck. Visitors are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments provided by members. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. followed by a raffle. For additional information, email board@aogc.org.

Dallas: The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month (except November and December) at North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Road, Dallas. For more information, visit www.gdogc.org. 

Texas Gardener's Seeds is published weekly. © Suntex Communications, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. You may forward this publication to your friends and colleagues if it is sent in its entirety. No individual part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. 

Texas Gardener's Seeds has been published each Wednesday since April 26, 2006.

Publisher: Jay White ● Editor: Michael Bracken 

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