August 2019

August 2019                                      EDITION 125

817-488-2718  Phone | http://www.highlandlandscapingLLC.com

 

86TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

This month we offer an update on the 2019 Texas Legislative Session with bills that support the Green Industry, small businesses in the state, and the citizenry of our great state.  For our readers outside of Texas, the Texas Legislature meets every two years (odd numbered years) for a maximum of 140 days beginning the second Tuesday of January.

The Political Action Committee (TNLA PAC) of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) is actively involved with our Texas State Representatives during the entire Legislative Session.  TNLA’s mission is to promote research and education, set industry standards, protect and encourage small and new business owners, and support bills that benefit and support the citizens of the state.

HB 191 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 14, 2019.  This new law creates a statewide pesticide takeback program that will involve the Texas Department of Agriculture, theTexas Commission of Environmental Quality and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to organize the collection  and disposal of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are unwanted or unstable.   The bill takes effect September 1, 2019.   We will watch for announcements for local collection information.

SB 7, Statewide Flood Control Methods,  was signed into law June 13, 2019 and was effective immediately.  With reflections of Hurricane Harvey and other flooding throughout the state, this law allocates significant money for water supply projects, treatment works and new flood infrastructure projects throughout the state.   These projects include “nonstructural” nature scapes.  One such organic application is the creation of bioswales.  These consist of a “swaled” drainage creek with gently sloped sides that is filled with vegetation, compost, boulders, etc.   Since the bed is not straight, debris from run-off will be captured, while the vegetation and soil detox some of the contaminants.  This relieves some of the load on wastewater treatment plants.   These can be designed individually for the natural landscape of the intended area.

Another natural concept that supports the ecosystem is “pocket prairies”.  Numerous parts of our state historically consisted of prairie land.   Prairie land has its own native grasses, herbs and/or shrubs.  These tend to have deep root systems which allows the soil to drain well and prevent erosion.

HB 1325. the Legalization of Industrial Hemp, was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, effective immediately.  This law allows for the growing, processing, licensing to produce hemp and hemp products with  .3% or less THC.  Growers must receive a permit from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

HB 1526, Property Tax Exemption for Hoop Houses, was signed into law May 21, 2019 and becomes effective January 1, 2020.  This law gives those in the nursery  industry the ability to extend growing seasons, overwinter more successfully, and provide protection for plants.  We all ultimately benefit from this, whether we are active in the Green Industry or consumers.

SB 2 Property Tax Reform was signed into law June 12, 2019 and takes effect January 1, 2020.  We encourage our readers to read this bill.  Much energy was spent on details, agreement, processes, etc. during the legislative session.  It reduces the amount taxing units can raise taxes without voter approval, and establishes an online database for transparency and to make the process easier for the taxpayer to understand.

 

Glyphosate in Round-up

Since our last edition of this newsletter, the lawsuits filed against Monsanto have increased substantially in number.  Hundreds of cities across the United States are banning the use of glyphosate products .  Austin and Denton are two cities that have, as of August 3rd, restricted their use here in Texas.

 

“Punishing honest mistakes stifles creativity.  I want people moving and shaking the earth and they are going to make mistakes.”

                          – Ross Perot

 

Plant trivia

Where is the Moonflower native to?

(look for the answer at the end of our blog)

 

Featured project

The highly anticipated Champions club is finally open! You can find this beautiful building attached to the Marq in Southlake’s very own Bicentennial park. This new construction project was a stunning add on that required more native landscaping to mirror the existing main building.

Taking a nice stroll around the building and through the park, you will find different varieties of ornamental grasses, shrubs, and perennials.  With this variety, the Champions club will have year round color and texture as well as different colors throughout the blooming seasons.

 

 Seasonal color this month…

Angelonia, Bachelor Buttons, Bacopa, Balloon Flower, Browallea, Butterfly Bush, Chenille Plant, Firecracker Plant, Gaura, Liatris, Mandevilla, Moonflower,Passion Flower, Pentas, Periwinkles,Scaevola, Shrimp Plant, Sun Patience,Texas Firebush, Trumpet Vine

 

August Landscape Tasks:

• ¨ Mulch landscape beds to 3”
• ¨ Increase irrigation run times for heat
• ¨ Hand-water plants and trees as needed
• ¨ Inspect for cinch bugs in lawn
• ¨ Watch for bag worms and web worms (May, 2018 edition)
• ¨ Remove roses infected by Rose Rosette Disease (March, 2018 edition)
• ¨ Inspect for aphids
• ¨ Feed lawn organically
• ¨ Fertilize landscape beds and potted plants
• ¨ Plan landscape projects

 

Trivia Answer

Central America, South America and Florida

Featured plant—Chisos Mountain Prickly Pear

Chisos Mountain Prickly Pear (Opuntia chisosensis) is an evergreen perennial cactus native to the Chisos Mountains in western Texas and Sierra del Carmen in Coahuila, Mexico.  Found in higher elevations, often in wooded areas, Opuntia Chisosensis is cold hardy to 9ͦ  ͦ F.  In its natural habitat the setting is lush with juniper, pinyon pine and oak trees;  and,  complimented by a carpet of grasses native to the area.

Opuntia Chisosensis  has bluish to gray/green flat stem segments that are circular to ovate in shape.   There are 1-5 yellow tipped spines per areole that darken in color close to the plant.  As with others in the Opuntia family, the spines should be considered when placing in a landscape setting.  Spines give the plant protection, but can be irritating or painful to humans and pets.  The full-grown height (3-5 feet) adds to its flexibility with regard to placement.

May—June bring pale yellow or yellow-buff blooms with  soft green stamens.  The spirally arranged petals encircle and enhance the whorled cluster of stamens which contain pollen.

Later in the summer Opuntia Chisosensis produces its fruit.  Round, barrel-shaped reddish to purple “pears” sprout.  The juicy fruit is edible.  As with the fruit of other Opuntia, people in Mexico use the fruit for its many nutritional properties, as well as for practical everyday value.

Opuntia Chisosensis inclusion in the landscape/hardscape design offers many options.   Its color and texture , as well as height and form, lend to a variety of uses.  It can be a striking container plant in natural, WaterWise and xeriscape designs, or a contrast to more traditional container planting groupings.  In  a landscape bed, it can be used to add contrast to other species;  or as a focal point with other drought tolerant, sun loving plants.

The genus  name “Opuntia” comes from the Ancient Greek city of Opus.   The early botanist  Carl Linnaeus class    ified all cactus in one genus, “Cactus”, in Species Plantarum (1753).   In 1754, Scottish botanist Philip Miller separated cactus into several genus based on their flowers and fruit.  Today, the use of DNA

FOR OUR READERS INFORMATION

Monsanto’s Round-Up is not the only herbicide that contains glyphosate.  Dow Chemical’s Accord and Rodeo, as well as Syngenta’s Touchdown line of products also rely on glyphosate.