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Published January 21, 2026

Double-duty photo. First, kalanchoes climbing and thriving on a crape myrtle – – they’re beautiful! Second: don’t ‘crape murder’ your tree and lose this fabulous winter bark color” 

IT’S NOT SMART TO IGNORE MOTHER NATURE! 

by Brenda Beust Smith | The Lazy Gardener

To cover, or not to cover, that is the question:

Whether ’tis nobler in the garden to cover

In hopes of outwitting outrageous cold,

Or to arm tender growth against a sea of freezing currents?

And risk . . . DEATH!   (Apologies to Mr. Shakespeare!)

After all this passes, if you have plants that laughed at temps in the 20ºs, please report in! (lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com)! I and lots of others need to know!

But give cold-weakened ones a chance. Wait at least 2 weeks (unless they’re all shriveled up, fading colors, and prostrate on ground. Send list of those too! We all need to know). The good news, rains have watered for us. But it’s hard to ‘cover’ large potted plants (along with your pipes, of course). If you can’t move them inside, place on a protected south or east side, closely packed together against a heated room’s wall. If growing in ground, windbreaks, rigged teepees, or plastic coverings might help. Keep coverings from lying on top of plants and blocking all air circulation.

First wave of truly lows for us is predicted to last several days. If you can, move plants into sun for just a little while (assuming we have any). 

Don’t give up cold-damaged plants too soon. But this is probably a beneficial advance notice of increasing weather extremes to come. May change plans on what to plant now. 

* * *

Chaden Yafi Woodson’s kalanchoes leaning on her eye-popping crepe (or crape) myrtle’s wonderful fall-revealed bark, a bonus of sassy, colorful trunks and limbs with sizzling shades of burnt orange, warm brown, or rust red. It lasts as long as the bark exfoliates. 

Houston Cactus and Succulent Society’s Chaden Yafi Woodson did bring inside all her kalanchoes (sometimes called “Mother of Millions”). although usually kalanchoes. Note: Chaden’s plants are “Kalanchoe Delagoensis” — (not to be confused with Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe Daigremontiana).  “Kalanchoe Delagoensis” do best here. (Note: They’re not vines, just leaning on her crape myrtle tree. See below.)  

Chaden’s care advice sounds like a lazy gardener’s dream: “Kalanchoe Delagoensis” grow best in full sun (especially morning sun) and blooms in January. Chaden uses cactus soil with worm castings, never waters (rain water only!). Said to be a cold hardy plant, but Chaden admits she does move hers (potted) inside! They have been reported to easily stand our winters. Any other experience? 

Before we leave Chaden, want an eye-popping read? A well-known concert pianist, Chaden actually “plays MUSIC on her cacti”!  Not on kalanchoes, sorry. But check it out on this “Lazy Gardener” column link!)

* * *

NOW, QUIT LOOKING AT THE FLOWERS, and focus on crepe/crape bark. Fantastic, isn’t it? Beautiful bark hues and nature’s own designs all winter long. We’re talking about tree crape myrtles only here, not crape shrubs (there IS a difference which independent nurseries will show you)!  (Both crepe/crape spellings are correct, take your pick!)

. . . sculpturally gorgeous bark we can grow here. Take a good look. When you “top” (cut straight across) the canopy of “tree crapes”, this is what you’re denying yourself. (Bush crape barks do NOT do this.) Smooth, often dramatic bark with artistic branching patterns really stand out in the bleaker days of winter. 

But know “crape murder” (improper pruning) not only robs you of this, it sets the stage for (often fatal) infestations and diseases. The late Linda Gay (a treasure beyond words for this community) wrote an excellent explanation for The Arbor Gate nursery’s webpage, and is now available also on this link.  Please read (and share!) if you appreciate beautiful bark as well as beautiful flowers!

* * *

John’s Corner

NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS

Please take a moment to read a past article of John’s regarding BioChar, and its place in the garden

WANT EVENT IN RIGHT AWAY? FOLLOW RULES!— ONLY GREATER HOUSTON AREA NONPROFIT GROUP EVENTS —

Expect delay if we must reformat: 3-LINE (max) EXACT FORMAT:

DAY, DATE: TITLE (by NAME if talk), time, site. Sponsor (if not in title). website/phone (NOTE CAPITALS VS lower case)

• Gardening events ONLY! No harvest, cooking, arranging, etc.
• ONLY events sent SPECIFICALLY TO US FOR CALENDAR are used!
• NO events picked up from flyers — NO PDFS! TYPE IN EMAIL ONLY.
• Don’t add city unless not “Houston.” (Don’t add “Houston”)
• Submit to: lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com. Check published entry!

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