About Mary Kay Pope

Mary Kay is an asset to Backbone and a wealth of knowledge! Many customers come in and ask for her by name for all their plant questions. It's no wonder why, as Mary Kay has 47 years of experience in the horticulture field. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Ohio State University, a TMCNP and a TCLP from Texas Association of Nurserymen, a Specialist in Urban Trees Certification from Texas A&M, and is a Certified Arborist.

Tree Fest 2026

Tree Fest 2026 Our Biggest Sale of the Year! What are the dates and the hours of the sale? Backbone Valley Nursery's 2026 Annual Tree Fest  begins on Wednesday, October 21 and runs through Wednesday October 28. Hours are Mon-Sat from 8 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 5. ________________________________________________________________________ What is on sale? All trees and shrubs in 15 gallon and larger will be 20% off during Tree Fest. We will have select trees marked at 50% off and we will also have lots of plants, including shrubs [...]

By |2026-09-25T09:26:02-05:00September 23rd, 2026|Trees|
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Why Plant Cover Crops?

Why Plant Cover Crops? Build Better Soil and Fight Root-Knot Nematodes When the vegetable garden slows down for winter, it can be tempting to leave the soil bare until spring. But an empty garden bed is an opportunity—and one of the best ways to take advantage of that opportunity is to plant a winter cover crop. For Central Texas vegetable gardeners, cereal rye can do much more than simply cover the soil. It can add organic matter, capture nutrients, support soil health, and help reduce populations of destructive root-knot nematodes [...]

By |2026-09-20T12:27:43-05:00September 20th, 2026|Vegetable Gardening, Insects|
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Cotton Root Rot in Texas Shade Trees

Cotton Root Rot in Texas Shade Trees: What Homeowners Need to Know If a healthy-looking shade tree suddenly wilts and turns brown during a hot Texas summer, cotton root rot should be on your list of possible causes. Also called Texas root rot or Phymatotrichum root rot, cotton root rot is caused by the soilborne fungus Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. It occurs across much of Texas and can attack thousands of broadleaf plants, including many popular landscape trees. (Plant Disease Handbook)     The disease can be especially frustrating because its symptoms [...]

By |2026-09-20T11:49:22-05:00September 20th, 2026|Disease, Trees|
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Is Your Tree Planted Too Deep?

Is your tree planted too deep? Why Planting a Tree Too Deep Is Harmful Trees need oxygen just as much as they need water. The upper root system naturally grows close to the soil surface, where oxygen is most available. When you bury the root flare, you create conditions that can lead to long-term decline. Trees planted too deeply may experience: Poor growth and reduced vigor Yellowing or thinning leaves Premature fall color or leaf drop Increased susceptibility to insects and diseases Trunk decay caused by constant soil and moisture [...]

By |2026-08-01T12:33:18-05:00August 1st, 2026|Trees|
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When to plant pumpkins in Central Texas

When to Plant Pumpkins in Central Texas Dreaming of homegrown pumpkins this fall? July is the perfect time to plant pumpkin seeds in Central Texas. Most pumpkin varieties need 90 to 120 days to mature, so planting in early to mid-July gives vines plenty of time to produce pumpkins before Halloween and Thanksgiving. Give Pumpkins Plenty of Space Pumpkins are vigorous growers. Most varieties need 50 to 100 square feet per plant, depending on the type. Space hills 4 to 8 feet apart, or plant rows 6 to 10 feet [...]

By |2026-07-06T15:19:19-05:00July 6th, 2026|Vegetable Gardening, Plants|
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Why Isn’t My Fig Tree Producing Fruit in Central Texas?

Why Isn't My Fig Tree Producing Fruit? If your fig tree is covered in lush green leaves but refuses to produce fruit, you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions we hear from Central Texas gardeners. The good news is that fig trees are usually reliable producers once they become established. When they don't fruit, the cause is often something you can correct. I've heard it mentioned that some people have not seen a lot of bees around their tree. Rest assured, the figs grown in our [...]

By |2026-07-06T14:40:22-05:00July 6th, 2026|Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees|
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Palo Verde Caterpillar

  Has your 'Desert Museum' Palo Verde tree suddenly appeared to have lost all its leaves? If so, it could be the work of the Palo Verde Caterpillar. This night-feeding caterpillar is difficult to find during the day, as it tends to find a cooler spot to hang out. A large number of these chompers can defoliate an established Palo Verde tree almost overnight.             Here's the good news. This caterpillar has a relatively short lifespan and established trees are rarely harmed. By the time [...]

By |2026-05-24T13:37:28-05:00May 24th, 2026|Insects, Trees|
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What “Overwatering” Really Means

What “Overwatering” Really Means Gardening customers across Central Texas often tell us the same thing: “I’m afraid of overwatering my plants.” That fear causes many container plants to decline long before summer heat arrives. Ironically, most struggling potted plants suffer from incomplete watering, not too much water at one time. "I don't want to overwater so I just give it a little bit" is something I hear almost every day. True overwatering does not happen because you applied a generous amount of water during one watering session. Overwatering occurs when [...]

By |2026-05-20T13:25:41-05:00May 20th, 2026|Plants|
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How to Attract Butterflies to Your Central Texas Garden

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Central Texas Garden (Year-Round Guide) If you want a garden that feels alive, colorful, and constantly in motion, butterflies are the answer. In Central Texas, you can attract a wide variety of butterflies by planting the right mix of native and well-adapted nectar plants that bloom across the seasons. With a little planning, your garden can support butterflies from early spring through late fall. Let’s walk through how to build a butterfly-friendly garden that works with our climate—not against it. Why Butterflies Love Native [...]

By |2026-05-11T10:17:43-05:00May 10th, 2026|Insects, Plants, Native Plants|
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Lightning Bugs in Central Texas

Lightning Bugs in Central Texas: Why Fireflies Belong in Your Garden Few sights capture a warm Central Texas evening like the soft glow of lightning bugs. Beyond their charm, these beneficial insects—also called fireflies—play an important role in a healthy landscape. If you want a garden that’s both beautiful and ecologically balanced, it’s worth making space for them. Why Lightning Bugs Matter Lightning bugs are more than backyard magic. Their larvae are active predators that live in the soil and leaf litter, where they feed on a variety of soft-bodied [...]

By |2026-05-06T11:37:30-05:00May 6th, 2026|Insects, Native Plants|
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Thrips in Central Texas Gardens

Thrips in Central Texas Gardens: Easy Identification & Control Guide If your flowers look streaked, your buds won’t open, or your vegetables have silvery scars, thrips may be the culprit. These tiny pests love our hot, dry Texas weather and can damage both flowers and food crops quickly. 🔍 What Are Thrips?   Thrips are tiny, slender insects that feed by piercing plant tissue and sucking out juices. They’re hard to see—but their damage is easy to spot. Tip: You’ll almost always notice damage before you ever see the insect. 👉 [...]

By |2026-04-28T13:39:37-05:00April 28th, 2026|Vegetable Gardening, Insects, Plants, Trees, Houseplants, Native Plants|
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How to Control Annual Bluegrass in Central Texas Lawns

How to Control Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) in Central Texas Lawns If you’ve noticed bright green clumps popping up across your lawn in late winter and early spring, you’re likely dealing with annual bluegrass (Poa annua). This cool-season grassy weed thrives in Central Texas conditions and has become one of the most frustrating lawn problems for homeowners. As a horticulturist working here in the Texas Hill Country, I want to give you a clear, realistic approach to managing it—because the old “just use a pre-emergent” advice isn’t working like it [...]

By |2026-04-23T14:13:55-05:00April 23rd, 2026|Lawn Care, Weeds|
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