[ Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Gajilete') | Posted on March 22, 2024 ] This is an heirloom tomato from Puerto Rico, introduced by the seed company Desde mi Huerto. The fruits are red and deeply ribbed. Probably originally from Italy as it looks much like the other "Custoluto" tomato types. |
[ Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'The Purple Tomato') | Posted on February 6, 2024 ] This is the first GMO bioengineered tomato to be sold directly to home gardeners. Produced and sold by Norfolk Healthy Produce (NPS). The fruit is purple because of two genes sourced from the snapdragon. 'Micro Tom' and 'MoneyMaker' tomato cultivars were used in the development of this tomato. |
[ Flour Corn (Zea mays subsp. mays 'Montana Morado') | Posted on January 7, 2023 ] This OP flour corn was bred by Dave Christensen and is continually developed every year. Tests showed the kernels of Montana Morado contain 34 times more anthocyanins (antioxidants) than blue corn. |
[ West Indian Gherkin (Cucumis anguria var. longaculeatus) | Posted on October 14, 2022 ] This is a cucumber relative that is grown using the same techniques as growing regular cucumbers. The vines can crawl along the ground or be trellised. |
[ Basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Everleaf Thai Towers') | Posted on August 6, 2022 ] This was a delight to run across during my recent tour of the Better Homes & Gardens test garden in Des Moines, IA. The basil is a very sturdy, upright tower of fragrant leaves. Extremely uniform height and width among all their specimens. Highly ornamental and would be lovely for borders or in containers. I'm looking forward to growing this one in my own gardens. |
[ Chinese Wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera) | Posted on July 1, 2017 ] Extremely fast growing tree. MOBOT reports 20' growth in 5 years. The wingnuts are arranged in a chain of edible seeds that can be easily harvested by drawing your pinched fingers downward. May be invasive in some areas. |
[ Grape (Vitis RazzMatazz™) | Posted on August 13, 2016 ] Jeff Bloodworth introduction, report by Stephen F Austin Gardens: A seedless, continuously flowering and long fruiting season Muscadine X Vinifera grape appropriately named 'Razzmatazz'. This is our first year in the container. The darn thing flowers, flowers some more, and then continues to flower - and will set fruit all along the way if given even half a chance. Reported to sequentially produce small clusters from Sept till frost. It's self-fertile and promoted as disease resistant. All that flowering and fruiting is tiring - makes first year plant growth a bit slow. On this plant, I've snipped off a crowd of flowers in the last few months - and left two small clusters (have to test the product, of course). Verdict on this first "crop" in Texas: Small as heck, seedless, flavorful and a crispy texture I like. I suspect on older vines, fruit will be larger. The continuous flowering (and fruiting) characteristic will need managing - exactly how I'm not sure yet. This unique Jeff Bloodworth introduction is out of NC, a Vinifera X muscadine cross. It's patented and available by mail order this winter. I like it but still a bit timid to put in acreage. |
[ Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis 'AU Golden Dragon') | Posted on July 30, 2015 ] SFA Gardens (Nacogdoches, TX) reports this as their best kiwi found so far. It's a patented cultivar from Auburn University and my understanding is that it is not currently being offered anywhere for sale. Paired with Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis 'CK3') it produced 140 pounds of fruit from 8 vines. |
[ Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis 'CK3') | Posted on July 30, 2015 ] Male pollinator cultivar. Recommended for growing in East Texas with Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis 'AU Golden Dragon') . |
[ Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei 'Bayou View') | Posted on July 8, 2015 ] A seedling of one of the original L. fauriei specimens from the US National Arboretum. The original lives in Shreveport, LA and has a trunk diameter (at breast height) larger than 100". |
[ Galapagos Tomato (Solanum cheesmaniae) | Posted on July 4, 2015 ] Well, this produced upwards of a thousand little bland yellow tomatoes per plant. Extremely productive and similar to 'Yellow Pear' in nearly every way except the shape. Like 'Yellow Pear,' it produced fruits until we were so sick of them that we pulled the plants, fruit and all, and threw them to the chickens, where the fruit was quickly picked clean. |
[ Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Bradberry Wine™) | Posted on July 3, 2015 ] From the patent: "...upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; large inflorescences with showy red purple-colored flowers; resistance to Powdery Mildew; and good garden performance." |
[ Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Freedom') | Posted on June 27, 2015 ] This is a very nice red blooming crepe myrtle released by Stan Brown of Blossomberry Nursery in Arkansas. Japanese Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Tonto') is in its parentage, and it has reblooming characteristics. |
[ Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens 'Dam B') | Posted on April 20, 2015 ] Found at Dam B (a lake in Southeast Texas) and introduced by Lynn Lowrey. A native wisteria that is not aggressive like its Asian relatives. |
[ Cutleaf Blackberry (Rubus 'Brazos') | Posted on April 7, 2015 ] Released in College Station, Texas, by J. Benton Storey, Texas Ag Exp Station in 1959. Second-generation selection resulting from Lawton x Nessberry; selected in 1950; 4n = 28 chromosomes. |
[ Apple (Malus domestica 'Carnavale') | Posted on March 11, 2015 ] This apple variety is being promoted as suitable for the deep south, all the way down to Houston. Extremely low chill hours, and is self-fruitful. Good resistance to fireblight and tolerant of heat and humidity. |
[ Bush Cherry (Prunus jacquemontii) | Posted on March 5, 2015 ] Short flowering cherry shrub promoted by SFA Gardens as "Texas tough". Spring blooming with pink flowers, with edible fruits ripening in late spring and early summer. Showier than the flowering almond. |
[ Witches Broom Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda 'Little Whiskers') | Posted on February 8, 2015 ] A seedling from a witches broom loblolly pine. Numerous seeds were started and this was reported to be the best one. Named by Dawn Stover of the Stephen F. Austin State Univ. |
[ Crinum 'White Queen' | Posted on August 29, 2014 ] Hybridized by Luther Burbank. White Queen is a cross between Crinum (Crinum x powellii 'Album') and Crinum (Crinum macowanii) . |
[ Canna Lily (Canna x generalis 'Zulu Rouge') | Posted on August 29, 2014 ] Dark (almost brown-black) foliage and bright red flowers. Bred by Marcelle Sheppard. |