Mary Claire Rowe

On a recent trip to the IDEA Garden, I was happy to see the Black Swallowtail caterpillars (Papilio polyxenes) busily working the Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). The caterpillar stage is one of the easiest ways to identify butterflies. They are in place, and not flitting from flower to flower. Looking at the plant they are inhabiting is also a good clue, as they only like certain plants.
When I referred to the wonderful "Butterflies of Texas" wheel, which was published in 1999 by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, I couldn't really see the details of color of the caterpillar stage, and no mention was made of fennel.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my field guide with me. Sometimes there is a subtle difference that small pictures simply can't convey. Later, I found what seemed a better match in "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies." The one I found likes fennel; however, it isn't generally found here. So, I bow to the wisdom of the Extension Service, and acknowledge their expertise in this matter, and declare it to be the Black Swallowtail.

And that is the point of the IDEA Garden, really.

Years of research, dozens of field trials, and cumulative firsthand experience influence the choice of plants that go into the IDEA Garden. It is a great resource for local gardeners and nurserymen. Plants that aren't usually found at local nurseries or in our gardens are shown to do well and to thrive. By learning about them, and realizing their potential, when they do come available, we can add them to our gardens. Of course, there is the challenge.

Growers need several years of lead time to grow these new plants and get them to retailers. They are certainly willing to provide them, if there is a demand for them. So, by working with the growers, and nurserymen, the developers of these plants can slowly get them into the marketing system.

One such project is The North Texas Winner's Circle. In the IDEA Garden beside the little garden shed, have been planted twenty-three new plants that have met the plant standards set out by this group. A list of these plants is as follows: Celosia "New Look," Celosia "Fresh Look," Lantana "Landmark Rose Glow" improved, Lantana "Lucky Pot of Gold," Ornamental Pepper "Poinsettia," "NuMex Twilight," Pepper "Black Pearl," Salvia "Mystic Spires Blue," Angelonia "Serena White," Coleus "Merlot," Ornamental Pepper "Chilly Chile," Salvia luecantha, Ageratum "Artist Series," Helenium "Dakota Gold," Euphorbia "Diamond Frost," Eragrostis "Wind Dancer," Duranta "Gold Edge," Petunia "Tidal Wave Silver," Ornamental Pepper "Explosive Ember," Scoparia "Mellongolly Blue," Alternanthera "Purple Knight," Inpatients "Firefly," and Petunia "Tidal Wave Cherry" (which has also been designated a new Texas Superstar).

It is really exciting to learn about all the plants that will do well here in our area, and that can add new interest to our gardens. If you are wanting to add new plants to your garden, this is a good place to go and learn what to choose to start the process.

Mary Claire Rowe
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