Yucca and Agave Archives

Do you need advice on what to plant in Central Texas?

If you need advice on what to plant in a specific location of your landscape in Central Texas, there are several key pieces of information that you need to bring to the experts at Backbone in order to receive a recommendation that will thrive in your landscape. Let's go over the information to consider before choosing a tree, shrub or perennial plant for you landscape. What type of soil are you planting in? Central Texas has a variety of soil types, and each one has its own specific properties. Does [...]

By Mary Kay Pope|2026-03-15T08:50:32-05:00March 15th, 2026|Disease, Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees, Yucca and Agave, Native Plants, Ornamental Trees|

Hail Damage to Plants Recovery Guide

First, I'd like to say how sorry I am if your garden and landscape was damage by hail. While it is a fairly common occurrence in Central Texas, that doesn't make it any easier to take when one day you have a beautiful garden/yard and the next it is shredded. Assess the damage The first thing that you should do is to assess the damage. Since hail storms often involve high winds, inspect trees for any damaged or broken limbs and locate any plants or trees whose stems were broken [...]

By Mary Kay Pope|2025-06-02T14:21:53-05:00June 2nd, 2025|Vegetable Gardening, Plants, Trees, Succulents and Cacti, Yucca and Agave|

Hard Freeze Preparation in Central Texas

Prepare for a Hard Freeze in Central Texas: A Gardener’s Guide As a horticulturist in Central Texas, I know one thing for sure—our weather keeps us on our toes. Sudden temperature swings are common, and winter forecasts can change quickly. When a hard freeze is predicted, the best approach is simple: prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Current forecasts show lows between 15°F and 25°F, with below-freezing temperatures lasting up to 60 hours or more in some areas. Low-lying valleys often drop colder than higher elevations. Because [...]

By Mary Kay Pope|2026-01-21T14:59:45-06:00January 11th, 2024|Vegetable Gardening, Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees, Houseplants, Succulents and Cacti, Yucca and Agave, Palms, Ornamental Trees|