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Nature’s Way Resources honors the contributions of our late owner, John Ferguson. “The Lazy Gardener” Brenda Beust Smith and Shelby Cassano welcome your feedback and remain grateful to the many horticulturists who share their expertise.

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Published May 13, 2026

REDBUDS & MONARCHS & GREAT ADVICE

by Brenda Beust Smith | The Lazy Gardener

Karen McCarver sent in this picture of a redbud, but it’s no redbud I’ve ever seen. Nor she. It’s blooming, she wrote, in the Rice Military area (north of Memorial Dr./west of Shepherd Dr.) Couple of thoughts (with help of research):

1. Not typical Eastern redbud that we normally see around here. Maybe it’s a Mexican redbud?  

Mexican Redbud (left), source floridaseeds.com, Eastern Redbud (right), source Arbor Day Foundation

2. Last year’s drought has prompted incredible blooming this year (trauma-triggered production?) Plants don’t bloom for our enjoyment. They bloom to produce seed. After particularly rough-weather season (drought, Ike, etc.), often see unusually-large production – not to please us but to produce more seed because they’ve been so traumatized by threatening conditions, they think they’re going to die. Hence they produce lots of seed to continue the species.

But, since I made all that up, I turned to my plant ID guru (the now late, great) Suzzanne Chapman at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens for a “real” answer. She quoted (then) Mercer Director Darrin Duling: “Cauliflory is the botanical term that describes the occurrence of flowers and fruits growing directly from the main stem or trunk instead of from new growth and shoots. On young plants it doesn’t look that odd since flowers cover the branches, but is amazing to see on trunks of old trees. It is a new term to me, and more common with tropical trees. 

Isn’t it nice to know our gurus constantly learn new stuff too? 

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(A reminder about the April 6 Cockrell Butterfly Center plant sale. While you’re at the Museum of Natural Science, do take in the “Flight of the Butterflies” 3-D movie at the Wortham Giant Screen Theater. (STILL PLAYING!) This should be a must-see for the young and the young-at-heart.

I had the great fortune to go on one of the Cockrell’s trips to the Michoacan, Mexico, monarch wintering sites. This movie tells it exactly as it is. And the 3-D has butterflies literally flying all around you, an incredible experience.

More importantly, however, the film emphasizes how important it is for us home gardeners to help replace increasingly disappearing “habitat highways” and to support efforts to help save this irreplaceable natural treasure site. Check out the threats on Texas Monarch Watch:http://www.texasento.net/dplex.htm.

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Reader Margie wrote: “My husband (while I was gone) cut back my coral vine that had grown wild over our fence. He hated all those dead brown tendrils, but It already had a lot of new green growth on it. Did he kill it?”

I doubt it very seriously. We had a similar situation in our yard. Coral vines (like many other super-hardy vines) may have had top dieback, but be assured the roots continued to grow all through our winter-that-wasn’t. All that dead growth is best removed so you can route the new sprouting vines exactly where you want them to go.

Now is, by the way, a great time to plant vines. They need a little cold to get their roots going strong before the hot summer sun starts baking our gardens. In shade, try bleeding heart vine (Rangoon creeper); it loves bright shade areas. For hot, sun-baked areas, it’s hard to beat Mexican flame vine.

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John’s Corner

NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS

EDITORS’ NOTE:

Please note that this article has been condensed from its original publishing for clarity and ease of reading.

Earthworms: A Gardener’s Best Friend

by John Ferguson,

Founder of Nature’s Way Resources

Earthworms are one of nature’s most important soil builders. Their tunneling activity improves soil structure, aeration, porosity, permeability, and drainage while reducing runoff and erosion. Research has shown that soils rich in earthworms can absorb water dramatically faster than soils without them, with some studies reporting infiltration rates up to 35 times greater. In healthy soils, earthworm burrows can account for a major portion of the soil’s air-filled pore space, helping roots penetrate deeper into the soil profile.

Earthworm castings are biologically active and richer in nutrients than surrounding soil, often containing higher levels of calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Their castings also improve the soil’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Studies from the Bhawalker Earthworm Research Institute found that castings absorb water faster than soil and can even pull moisture from the air in forms plants can utilize.

As earthworms process organic matter, they stimulate beneficial microbial activity throughout the soil. Research has shown bacterial and actinomycete populations near burrows and castings can be 10–1,000 times greater than surrounding soil. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria also thrive in worm-rich soils, helping naturally improve fertility. The earthworm gut acts as a biological reactor that increases microbial density and helps break down organic residues and certain harmful compounds.

Earthworms also help make nutrients more available to plants through chelation and mineral cycling. By bringing minerals up from deeper soil layers and depositing them near the surface as castings, worms help counteract nutrient leaching. Their abandoned burrows become fertile root channels lined with nutrient-rich mucus and plant growth-promoting compounds such as auxins, encouraging deeper and healthier root development.

Research has consistently linked earthworm activity with increased plant growth and crop yields. Studies have reported yield increases ranging from 25% to several hundred percent in worm-rich soils. Vermicompost has also been shown to improve seed germination, root growth, and overall plant vigor, even when added at relatively low rates to potting media.

A healthy earthworm population is one of the best indicators of healthy soil.

Organic mulches, compost applications, reduced tillage, and avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides all help encourage earthworm populations. In return, earthworms provide continuous natural soil improvement, fertility enhancement, drainage, and biological activity, functioning as a living underground workforce that supports long-term soil health.

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