Moon Valley Texas Blog

MONTHLY LANDSCAPE & GARDEN TIPS (JULY)

Written by Garrett Cleverly | 7/12/17 3:29 PM

We are just one month into the three month summer season that we'd all like to fast forward, and if you have been keeping up with our blog, we're sure your landscape is looking like the best in the neighborhood. If you haven't been keeping up with our regular monthly landscape and garden tips, now is a great time to read up on what our experts recommend for a fantastic looking landscape all summer long.

If the material in your landscape is starting to show heat stress, do not panic! We are here to help you. Below, our nursery pros have covered some important areas for you when it comes to summer tree care. If you have any further questions, you are more than welcome to give us a call or you can visit any of our nursery locations.

To Do List:

  • Watering:

    Summer is here and it's going to be here for a while. When the outside temperature is consistently over 90-degrees you need to switch your landscape over to a summer watering schedule. Also, remember to water your trees deeply. For more info on watering click here.

  • Pruning:

    The Houston area is a large one and if you're reading this you could be in Lake Conroe or down in Galveston. Regardless of where you are, there is a chance we could get hit by a hurricane or a strong storm. Always be sure to remove dead branches or trim off some of the top weight on your trees.

  • Fertilize:

    As we hit the summer, some of the material in our landscapes can show heat stress. If it happens do not worry! A fertilizer can help the tree adjust to the change in weather. Continue to use Moon Dust and combine that with our easy to use Super Palm Juice, which turns palms green and keep them green. It contains all the special nutrients palms needs that are not found in our soils. Available now at any of our nurseries.

 

Desert Museum Palo Verde

The Desert Museum Palo Verde is a stunning tree that will attract eyes to your landscape due to its multi trunk grow, layered shade, and beautiful yellow flowers. This beautiful tree is a hybrid of different older Palo Verde species that brings our the best qualities in each. Back to the trunk, its blue-green color provides a great contrast to its yellow flowers and the layered shade provides two great benefits, as the tree looks light in your yard while providing sunlight to any shrubs you'd like to plant below the massive umbrella shaped canopy. This tree is a fast grower and requires minimal water once established.

 

crape myrtle

The Crape Myrtle has something to offer for every season but stands out in late spring to summer when it begins producing stunning blooms of purple, pink, red, and white flowers that are pleasing to the eye when planted in clusters or accent locations. The Crape Myrtle is known for its long and constant bloom cycle and works well in just about any landscape. In the fall, the Crape Myrtle’s foliage turn to a showy bright orange.

 

 

piru queen Palm

Queen Palms are a staple of the Arizona landscape. Grown purely from superior Argentine seedlings with better genetic traits, these Moon Valley Nurseries Piru Queen Palms are at the top of the class in the queen palms family due to their superior durability and grand appearance. Piru Queen Palms feature thicker and harder trunks as well as greener palm fronds and fuller crowns than other Queen Palms do.

 

 

live oak

One of the most stunning trees on display, the Live Oak is a great choice for Houston planting because of its adaptability, performance in the hot summer months and its ability to grow in tough soil conditions. Its name is derived from its ability to “live” throughout the winter when other oaks are dormant or leafless. It has a wide canopy of dark green leaves and when planted in rows it can give your landscape a privacy wall or shade barrier that provides immense protection and beauty.

 

water oak

Water Oak trees fit right in with the Western United States. This hardy native North American shade tree grows at an astonishing rate of upwards of 2 feet a year! It thrives in diverse soil conditions and in many different landscape zones. With its ability to grow quickly, this tree is known for its abundant amounts of shade and for being a tree that can provide a great amount of privacy

 

 

Chinquapin oak

Chinquapin Oak tree also called Yellow Oak is a member of the white oak family of trees and is a medium sized grower that offers great shade Spring through Summer. These trees are well adapted to many soils, growing in harsh limestone conditions to clay soil types, once established the Chinquapin Oak is very durable. These trees prefer to be planted in full sunlight where they will receive at least 6 hours of full sun. They have a simple leave that is oval or oblong in shape growing to about 6" long by 2" wide and is a deep green color contrasted by a dark brown trunk. The wood is a heavy strong wood that withstands windy conditions well and the trimmed wood can be used for BBQ as well.

monterrey oak

The Monterrey Oak Tree is a south Texas native that is extremely drought tolerant and they do very well in many soil types. Also known as the Mexican White Oak, this oak is rapidly becoming a popular option for landscapers and homeowners looking for maximum shade coverage in their yard. In early spring Monterrey Oaks produce beautiful reddish-peach leaves that transition to a rich green. As it grows and matures, the Monterrey Oak's canopy will begin to spread and become more rounded.

 

magnolia

The Magnolia is a moderate growing tree that is large enough to provide shade as well as a beautiful focal point. They tend to look more pyramidal in shape when they are young, and don’t be fooled by this appearance. Over time, the Magnolia’s natural spreading nature and large leaves create a great canopy for year-round shade. A great investment for any landscape needing shade or even privacy from neighbors.

 

 

red oak

Native to the Houston region, the Red Oak is one of the most popular trees for a number of reasons. It is a fast growing tree that is hardy to the warm summer months, its canopy is massive and open, and its foliage is not only attractive, but it changes with the season. In the winter, the Red Oak drops its leaves, which adds heat to your home and its leaves grow back just in time for much-needed shade in the summer.

 

 

Camphor

A fast growing, dense, shade-producing tree that grows to a moderate height, the Camphor Tree looks great in any landscape design where a lush appeal is desired. This uniquely shaped tree grows well in any soil type and requires very little maintenance. A solid performer for Houston, this tree is hardy and heat tolerant.