By Tony Dean | tonydean.tx1@gmail.com

The Texas bluebonnet is the undisputed star of the wildflower show that is on display every spring all across Texas (when moisture is adequate). Another beautiful native flower, the Indian paintbrush, has earned a costarring role. In fact, the two are often seen growing together.

Indian paintbrush is also known by other names like Texas paintbrush, Scarlet paintbrush, Grandmother’s hair, Common red paintbrush, Butterfly weed, Prairie fire, Painted cup, and Painted lady. Most folks prefer to call it by its most popular name — Indian paintbrush.
Indian paintbrush flowers are named for the clusters of spiky blooms that resemble paintbrushes dipped in bright red and orange paint.

An Indian needed some special paintbrushes because he wanted to paint a sunset and he was frustrated that he could not produce any of the colors that matched the beauty of a sunset. He asked the Great Spirit for help and the Great Spirit provided him with paintbrushes to create his painting. After completing his work, the artist then discarded his used paintbrushes around the landscape. These paint bushes later blossomed into plants.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

By Jelly Cocanougher

Deep in the woods we rode from a lonely town. All I need is a little exuberant mystery within the trees. Caressing my inner monologue from all the sights seen and unseen, my eyes and ears are interlocking with every movement and sound hopeful to see something interesting along the riverbank and beyond.

By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker

There is a real upside to two new sweet potatoes making their debut in 2023. I mean that tongue and cheek, as that is actually part of their name, but their application in the landscape looks to be amazing. Here is the skinny so to speak; Sweet Caroline Upside Key Lime and Sweet Caroline Upside Black Coffee, two climbing sweet potatoes, will be hot commodities in 2023.

My first thought was why do we need a climbing sweet potato when they run, cascade, tumble, and drape with perfection? Most of all I asked what do we do with them? So, with that thought in mind I gave my trial plants to my son, James.

The new Sweet Caroline Upside sweet potatoes have scored really high in trials, as in 4.79 out of five at Penn State Flower Trials at the Southeast Agricultural Research & Extension Center. In Louisiana, they were recognized as Blue Chip Winning plants at the Louisiana State University AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.