Jesse Jenkins

In honor of Texas Native Plant Week, we’re hosting the South TX Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for an informative garden talk this Saturday, October 25th at 10! Rain or shine. Bring your native + pollinator questions! Plus, we’ll be having a big native plant sale all weekend. All TX native plants up to 5gal size are 20% off! There’s a reason why native plant week is held in October – that’s when so many of our natives look their best, AND it’s the best time to plant em! Take a look at just a small sample of the natives putting on a show at Gill’s right now. See y’all Saturday!

Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) – Yellow too!

Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)

Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Gulf Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) “White Cloud”

Now it’s finally starting to feel like Fall! November in South Texas…one of our most beautiful months! Now’s the time for fall flowers and planting trees. And there’s still time for veggies, too. Good timing this month will keep us looking good through the fall and winter and set us up for showtime next spring. Here are our top must-do’s this November.

1. Fill Pots and Beds with Fall Flowers

Here’s our list of Fall/Winter flowers – tons of choices for outdoor color to redo pots & inground plantings. Flowers take a little time to grow and bloom. Plant early this month so they can be WOW for the holidays! Many of these fall flowers, like Snapdragons, Lobelia, Violas (our longer-lasting alternative to Pansies), and Geraniums will look great through the winter and look their very best next spring. Good reason to plant now! Once they’re all planted, give them a good meal of granular organic Plant Tone, Rose Glo, or Medina Growin Green. To keep them growing and blooming through the fall and winter, they’ll need regular feedings about once a month. For an extra boost, follow up with liquid Hasta Gro every 2 weeks in between your monthly feedings.

2. Plant Trees and Shrubs Now for Better Growth Next Spring

Now is the very best time to plant cold-hardy shrubs and trees! They focus energy this fall and winter on building a good root system, which allows them to explode with growth next spring, and prepares them to withstand hot weather next summer. Other benefits to planting now – easier digging and not as much watering as during warmer seasons! Always fertilize when you plant shrubs and trees and follow our watering instructions.

3. Still Time to Plant Veggies and Holiday Herbs!

We’re still bringing in lots of fresh cool-season crops like broccoli, kale, lettuce mixes, Swiss chard, spinach, cauliflower, beets, onions, and more! Plus all the herbs like rosemary, thyme, cilantro, sage, and dill that you need for holiday cooking. Three big tips for fall/winter veggies and herbs: 1) Mulch well to help protect tender young plants 2) Water well, but not too much 3) Keep feeding! Organic Plant Tone or Medina Growin Green once a month, followed by liquid Hasta Gro every 2 weeks for a bountiful harvest!

4. Last Chance to Fertilize Lawns & Prevent Weeds

Early this month is our last chance to fertilize aka “winterize” lawns for strong roots and healthy growth next spring and summer. Our tried and true favorite lawn food is organic Medina Growin Green. Since lawn watering is restricted, you can try to time your fertilizing with a rain. Don’t worry if it doesn’t all get watered in. Medina Growin Green is all organic and won’t burn your grass. It’s designed to slowly work it’s way down to the roots over the course of a few waterings. November is also the time to prevent spring weeds in your lawn by applying Weed Beater Complete or Hi-Yield Weed & Grass Stopper with Dimension.

5. Feed Your Landscape Too!

Landscape plants, including trees, perennials, and hardy shrubs need food early this month while they are still actively growing. Just like lawns, the idea is to give them a boost before they head into dormancy this winter. We love organic granular fertilizer Medina Growin’ Green for trees and shrubs, and Rose Glo or Plant Tone for blooming perennials. Once again, follow up between granular feedings with liquid Hasta Gro. Hasta Gro is designed as a foliar feed, meaning it can be sprayed directly on the leaves. Not only does it help with blooming and overall health, it makes your leaves thicker and tougher!

6. HO HO HO! Fresh Christmas Trees Coming Very Soon!

We are beyond excited for fresh-cut Christmas trees and holiday plants to begin arriving this month! Look for our Noble, Nordmann, and Fraser fir trees around November 15th, then poinsettias the following week. Paperwhite bulbs are already here, Amaryllis bulbs very soon, and Christmas cactus will arrive the week of Thanksgiving!

Holiday season is happening at Gill’s – let the festivities begin! This Saturday, November 8th from 11am-1pm, kiddos are invited to come and create ornaments with real Xmas tree stump pieces! We’ll provide the pre-drilled wooden ornament pieces, art supplies, and ribbons for kids to make their fun creations. Just in time to hang on this year’s tree!

FREE event while supplies last – 11am-1pm – No RSVP required.

We can’t wait to see everyone! Stay tuned to our events page and follow us on Facebook and Instagram where we’ll continue to post updates about talks and events. We have lots more to come this fall!

Think cacti and succulents only thrive in blazing deserts? Think again! Many of these low-water superstars can handle surprisingly chilly weather — some even laugh in the face of frost. If you’re dreaming of a garden that looks lush and sculptural year-round without fussing over freezes, these cold-hardy species will keep your landscape looking sharp.

Agave Royal Flush (Agave ‘Royal Flush’)

Cold tolerance: down to 10°F
With its striking red-edged leaves, ‘Royal Flush’ is a showstopper that keeps its good looks even when temperatures dip. Plant it in well-drained gravelly soil and give it plenty of sunlight. Avoid winter wetness—it’s cold-hardy, not soggy-hardy!

Agave Blue Artichoke (Agave parryi truncata)

Cold tolerance: to -10°F
A garden designer’s dream, this compact, symmetrical agave looks like a modern sculpture dusted in silver-blue. It thrives in full sun and dry conditions. Give it excellent drainage—raised planters or rock gardens work perfectly.

Agave Celsii (Agave mitis var. celsii)

Cold tolerance: around 15°F
This soft, smooth-leaved agave is friendlier to handle than most. It appreciates some protection from heavy frost, so tuck it near a wall or an area with some wind protection. It’s great in containers you can move to shelter during a hard freeze.

Agave Whale’s Tongue (Agave ovatifolia)

Cold tolerance: to -10°F
Majestic and bold, this big beauty earns its name from its broad, curving leaves. Whale’s Tongue thrives in full sun and poor soil—just don’t let it sit in moisture. It’s one of the toughest cold-hardy agaves around!

Texas Sotol (Dasylirion texanum)

Cold tolerance: to 0°F
Native to the Lone Star State, Sotol forms a spiky fountain of narrow, serrated leaves. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and perfectly adapted to Texas winters. Great for xeriscapes and mixed desert plantings. Also stunning as a stand-alone specimen in a container.

Soft Leaf Yucca (Yucca recurvifolia)

Cold tolerance: to -10°F
True to its name, this yucca has flexible, arching leaves that won’t bite your ankles. It produces tall flower spikes in summer and stays evergreen through winter. Plant in well-drained soil and full sun, and it’ll handle frosty nights with grace.

Squid Agave (Agave bracteosa)

Cold tolerance: to 10°F
This wavy, tentacle-like agave adds whimsy to any landscape. Unlike most agaves, it lacks spines—so it’s child- and pet-friendly. It’s also one of the few agaves that prefer shade. We’ve even used it under dense oak trees with great success.

Espostoa lanata (Peruvian Old Man Cactus)

Cold tolerance: to 20°F (light frost)
This fuzzy fellow looks like it’s already wearing a winter coat! The white “hair” protects it from both sun and chill, but it prefers a dry, sheltered winter—so if frost threatens, cover or bring it under a porch.

Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca)

Cold tolerance: to -20°F
The ultimate statement plant for a cold desert garden! This tall, trunked yucca with a pom-pom crown of fine blue leaves is as tough as it is elegant. It thrives on neglect—meaning don’t over-water.

Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.)

Cold tolerance: varies by species, many down to -30°F
The classic Texas cactus! Hardy, heat-loving, and bird-friendly, Prickly Pear adds color with its yellow blooms and red fruit. Plant in full sun, sandy soil, and avoid watering in winter. Bonus: the pads and fruit are edible!

Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia spp.)

Cold tolerance: to -10°F
Armed with spiny joints that shimmer in the sun, chollas add bold structure to dry gardens. Give them space, drainage, and gloves! They’re striking when backlit by sunrise or sunset.

Easter Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)

Cold tolerance: to 20°F
This round, ribbed cactus can reach basketball size and produces fiery orange blooms. It prefers rocky, well-drained soil and a dry winter rest. If temps dip below 20°F, protect it with frost cloth or a temporary cover.

Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

Cold tolerance: to 15°F
The golden globe of the desert! Golden Barrels glow year-round and look amazing grouped in gravel beds. In colder zones, grow in containers so you can move them inside during freezes.

Yellow & Red Hesperaloe (Hesperaloe parviflora)

Cold tolerance: to -20°F
Did you know that what we commonly call Red Yucca is not actually a true yucca? Red yucca belongs to the asphodel family (Asphodelaceae), which is also home to agaves, while true yuccas are in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). In any case, it’s a hummingbird magnet with tall spikes of coral-red or sunshine-yellow blooms! Hesperaloe thrives in neglect and poor soil. Once established, it’s virtually indestructible—just plant in full sun and enjoy the show. No need to worry about a freeze!

We’re happy to report that Christmas trees are here and they look….AMAZING!! We are so pleased with the sizes and shapes and freshness this year! The garden center is stocked with fresh-cut trees ranging from 5ft to 11ft, and the Gill’s crew has delivered one very special tree measuring over 20ft at The South Texas Botanical Gardens! Here’s some more info about our Christmas tree varieties this year plus a few important care tips. We can’t wait to help you find your perfect tree – plus, our friends from the Brewery Cafe will be here at Gill’s this Saturday serving up holiday coffee drinks and sweet treats!

Did You Know Real Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees are the Environmentally Friendly Option?

Real Christmas trees help support forests and don’t require the carbon emissions that it takes to produce plastic trees. We work with sustainably-managed Christmas tree farms in Washington state and North Carolina who plant 3 new saplings for each tree they harvest. Their forests of Christmas trees consume several thousand pounds of carbon dioxide per year helping to clean our atmosphere and provide oxygen. After the season, recycled trees can be used for building barrier sand dunes on Padre Island, creating artificial reefs in local bay waters, creating bug and pollinator habitat, chipped for garden mulch, and more. No waste!

Tree Varieties at Gill’s

Fraser Fir is one of the most popular trees for the classic look. They are highly sought after for their needle retention, tolerance to warmer climates, soft silvery foliage, and fragrance. Our Frasers are especially fragrant this year. We have seen Frasers in March look almost as good as they did in December!

Noble Fir in traditional form or the trendy layered look. Nobles are known for their long-cut life, darker green foliage, and stiff branches that hold ornaments well. They’re also very fragrant for those of us who love the smell of Christmas trees.

Nordmann Fir has a soft needle and little to no fragrance, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Nordmanns have a very full look with contrasting silver and dark green foliage. Gorgeous!

We offer delivery + set-up as well as Xmas tree takeaway after the season.

2 Very Important Xmas Tree Care Tips:

#1 – Keep your tree in water! Our trees have had a fresh cut and have been immediately placed in water to maximize freshness. As soon as you get your tree home, get the base of the trunk in water. If you need to wait to put it on the stand, get it in a bucket of water. If you plan to give your tree a fresh cut when you get home, only cut ½” off the base, and you must get it in water within 10 mins, or the cut will seal over and not allow the tree to take up water. For the first few days, your tree will drink a lot of water! Keep monitoring your water level in the stand those first few days and throughout the season. We carry the Watering Elf long water funnel which makes refilling super easy.

#2 – Keep your tree away from heating and A/C vents (if a vent is nearby, close it). Heating and A/C will dry out the tree quickly – you don’t want that! You want to keep the needles as hydrated as possible.

Sip in Style While You Tree Shop this Saturday!

We are so excited to host our friends at The Brewery Cafe this Saturday! They’ll be serving up a special menu or holiday lattes and treats created just for the occasion. If you can’t make it this Saturday the 22nd, they’ll be back next Saturday the 29th too!

Go See The Big Tree at the Botanical Gardens!

We are happy to be a part of the annual Botanical Gardens holiday light display. Visit the Botanical Gardens website for more info about holiday hours. Can’t wait to see this year’s big tree!

We love finding cool and unique holiday cards, but nothing’s better than making your own! On the evening of December 4th, we’ll gather in the greenhouse to create all kinds of personalized holiday cards for your loved ones. We’ll provide everything you need – natural greenery & decor, nice pre-folded cardstock, envelopes, and art supplies.

Snacks and drinks provided, or bring your own! Limited to 25 people – Register here!

Check out these examples that Evelyn made!! She’ll be here to assist and show you tons more ideas. Will be a lot of fun!

Holiday season is here…and some cool weather finally! These last few weeks of 2025 are sure to fly by. Our advice: be sure to spend some time in the garden to balance out the hectic holidays. Here are our top to-do’s this month: what to plant, gift ideas, holiday plant care, and more.

1. Plants That Want to Be Planted in December

There’s always the BEST time to get plants growing and here’s a few that LOVE this season as much as we do!

Trees…shade, flowering, small, big, they all benefit from planting now – including living Christmas trees like Junipers and Norfolk Pines. Good root development during the cooler months of winter gives them better growth in spring and a deeper, stronger root system to withstand the summer heat.

Onions…we grow short-day onion varieties here in South Texas. Lucky for us the 1015 Texas Supersweet is one of those along with tasty Texas Early White & Southern Belle Red.

Roses…our mild winters are perfect for big, beautiful roses & the cooler temps will only make them prettier and the flower color richer.

Ornamental Cabbage & Kale…these winter classics need to be planted early this month and enjoyed through the season! Easy care, vibrant colors, and unique texture in the garden.

Alyssum…gorgeous white blooms all winter long. Did you know Alyssum flowers and leaves are edible? They have a pungent horseradish-y flavor.

Crown of Thorns…very easy to grow succulent, low-water, excellent container plant that blooms all year, including all through December.

Other plants that require short days…some plants require short days/enough hours of darkness to bloom and look their best. Think Aloes and other outdoor succulents, Cyclamen, Camelia, native Salvia greggii, and Kalanchoes!

2. Tips for Holiday Classic Plants

Fresh-cut Christmas Trees…we give all of our trees a fresh cut and get them in water immediately to preserve their freshness. Many customers ask us for another fresh cut before they take the tree home. If you decide to have us do another fresh cut, or if you do it yourself, keep in mind that you have 10 minutes to get the tree in water before that cut seals over! Check water in your tree stand daily and keep it full. If you have pets who like to drink or splash the water, try covering with a piece of foil.

Poinsettias…Think of poinsettias as succulents – because they are! They are a type of euphorbia. That means give them a good drink, but let them dry out between waterings. Also, the leaves bruise and break easily, so avoid touching them as much as possible. So tempting to touch!

Christmas Cactus…Probably the easiest of all holiday plants, and they can last a LONG time! There are stories of Christmas Cacti that have been gifted and passed down through families for 100+ years. They like well-lit areas, but not direct sunlight. Let dry between waterings, then mist the leaves as well as water the soil when its time to water. They like to stay on the dry side!

Living Holiday Trees…Junipers, Norfolk Pines, Loblolly Pines, Magnolias, Yaupon Holly, and Ficus trees all make great Christmas trees that can be planted outside after the holidays. If you bring these in for decorating, be sure they have good bright natural light. Keep watered but not too much, and as soon as the holidays are done…take them outdoors for a breath of fresh air and get them in the ground.

3. Think Gifts for Gardeners!

If you have gardeners on your list this year, we’ve got you covered! Nature-themed holiday ornaments, quality tools and gloves, special edition holiday cards, crystals, cute houseplant grow lights, herb and cutting re-growers, and lots more unique garden gifts. And of course, plants!! If they’re picky, you can’t go wrong with a Gill’s gift card!

4. Plant and Feed Winter Flowers

Winter flowers are AMAZING right now! They really shine in cooler weather. Violas and Pansies are breathtaking and Geraniums are full of buds and blooms. All that blooming makes them hungry, so take a moment and fertilize your beauties whether they’re in the ground or in containers. We love using granular Plant Tone once a month, then following up with liquid Hasta Gro every 2 weeks. Both are organic and give you wow results.

5. Adjust Your Houseplant Care for Winter

Most houseplants will not experience a complete dormancy period during winter, but they will slow down growth and react to climatic changes like drier conditions inside the house. Give your houseplants more light and less water as temperatures and the amount of daylight hours drop. Dust/shine leaves regularly to ward off insects. Cooler temps = drier conditions and less of the humidity that houseplants love. Try grouping them together to create more humidity, or use a humidifier. When bringing patio plants inside for cold snaps, be sure to treat with All Seasons Horticultural Oil spray to prevent any pests (like scale insects) from hitching a ride indoors.

6. Start Thinking About Frost Prep!

We typically don’t get a frost until January or February, but there’s always a chance! Be sure you’ve got your frost blankets or frost cloth ready to protect any tender outdoor tropicals and new plantings. Mulch beds at 2-3″ deep to help seal in warmth. And don’t prune yet! Remember that pruning signals to a plant that it’s time to put on new growth. Instead, plant leaves need to harden off and go dormant for the winter. Foliage that you leave on the plant will help insulate it against cold weather.

7. Winter is the Perfect Time for Hardscaping

While you can certainly still plant in December, many folks gravitate toward completing hardscape projects this month, like flagstone patios, paver driveways, stone pathways, stone firepits, and more. These elements add structure and functionality to your garden spaces – plus they don’t need water or TLC. If you’re considering DIY, we can advise you on proper construction steps and things to consider, plus supply you with the materials you’ll need. If hardscaping sounds like too much hard work, our Landscape Designers and crews can handle everything for you. Give us a call or contact us here to get your project started.

What To Plant

All hardy trees, shrubs, vines, fruit trees, and roses can be planted now. Even citrus trees can be planted now, but they're best in large pots in case we get a freeze.

Vegetable Seeds

Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, Swiss chard, collards, lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach and turnips.

Start pepper and tomato seeds indoors to transplant into garden later.

Vegetable Transplants

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onion sets, seed potatoes, and spinach.

Tomato transplants can be nurtured in pots now and set in the garden in February.

Use Nature's Blend compost to prepare the garden soil and frost blankets to protect tender veggies from cold nights.

Flower Seeds

Petunias, alyssum, carnations, larkspur, nasturtium, poppy, dusty miller, stock, calendulas and bluebonnets.

Flower Transplant

Pansies, petunias, alyssum, dianthus, snapdragons, and violas, flowering cabbage & kale.

Read: Flowering Cabbage & Kale - Another Winter Treasure

Houseplants

Give your indoor plants a checkup. Look over the foliage, remove any old or dead leaves to freshen their look and keep them healthy.

Be sure to set your plants in the proper light indoors but watch that the heater and/or AC vents do not blow directly on them. Windows provide good natural light - open blinds and curtains during the day.

Read: Indoor Gardening: EZ as a ZZ!

Water when needed, but plants will not drink as much during Winter months. Remember you can add more water, but hard to take out!

Fertilize houseplants organically with ½ strength Hasta Gro.

If your plants look unhappy, they might need re-potting. Be sure to use a good all-purpose potting mix.

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air

Fertilize

Established Citrus Trees

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin Green, Citrus Tone, or Hasta Gro.

Cool Weather Vegetables

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin Green, Hasta Gro, or Plant Tone.

Cool Weather Annuals

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin Green, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone; or a water-soluble fertilizer like Hasta Gro.

Do not fertilize tropicals in Janurary. They need to rest.

Watch Out For

Scale Insects

Watch for scale insects on hardy trees and shrubs. Spray with Neem Oil or Dormant Oil spray

Read: Organic Gardening 101 - What's Buggin Ya?

Fungal Disease on Roses (like Black Spot)

We almost always see fungus on roses this time of year, but it can be knocked out with Fungonil multi-purpose fungicide.

Lawn Fungus

This can be a major problem after long periods of wet, cool weather. There are 2 major lawn fungus – Take All Patch and Brown Patch.

Treat Take All Patch organically with Natures’ Blend Organic Compost or peat moss; or use conventional Fertilome Systemic Lawn Fungicide or Scotts Disease Ex.
Treat Brown Patch organically with horticultural corn meal or Nature’s Blend compost, or conventionally with F-Stop Fungus Granules.

Read: Protect Your Lawn: Recent Take All Root Rot Sightings (TARR)

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Wait to Prune!

We may be tempted to prune wintery-looking perennials, but we should wait! Pruning signals to the plant that it's time to start putting on new growth, which we don't want just yet. Also, more foliage = more freeze protection.

Fruit Trees

You can prune peaches, plums, and figs lightly to shape. Do not prune citrus.

Hardy Dormant Trees

You can prune oak, mesquite, cedar elm, & crape myrtle. Do not top trees! Prune from the bottom up.

To Water or Not to Water?

Current City of Corpus Christi Stage 3 drought rules are very limited. We CAN water vegetables, fruit trees, food-bearing plants, and all potted plants. We CAN also apply for exemptions to the watering rules in order to get new plantings established.

We need to speak up about our water! While we may need to strictly limit spray irrigation of lawns during current drought conditions, we need to be able to water established landscapes and trees. We have been in close contact with City leadership to offer suggestions for changing the Stage 3 rules to allow hand watering and the use of drip irrigation. If you'd like to contact the City, we wrote this letter for you to use. Copy it and customize it however you wish. The more gardeners who speak up, the better!

Keep in mind that plants don't need much water in January, but dry cold fronts, high winds, and low humidity can dry plants quickly. Also, if we expect freezing weather, it's very important to water deeply before the freeze to insulate roots against cold.

When or if temperatures dip below freezing:

Move tropical potted plants inside or group them together in a protected area so they may be easily covered.

Mulch and water newly planted trees and shrubs well; water tropicals and potted plants.

Cover tropicals and tender plants with frost blankets (which we sell), sheets, household blankets or plastic (Note plastic can burn the outer foliage it is touching).

Bring fabric all the way to the ground allowing heat from the soil to be trapped around the plant.

Uncover all plants as temperatures rise to prevent the foliage from scorching.

Read: Some tips on preparing for a freeze in last week's "Freeze Alert"

Lawn Care

Weed Control

Spot treat existing weeds growing now with natural horticultural vinegar or Captain Jack's Deadweed Brew. Both will burn any foliage so take care to not spray your plants or lawn.

Prevent weeds with Hi Yield Weed & Grass Stopper or Weed Beater Complete

Bare Spots & Brown Lawns

You can overseed your lawn now with winter rye grass seed (or fill bare spots with this seed) at the rate of 1 lb. per 100 sq.ft. We have it in 10 to 50 lb. bags.

Do not think about fertilizing until your lawn begins actively growing. Generally this is around early March.

Note: You cannot apply both winter rye and pre-emergent weed control in the same lawn. The seed will not sprout.

Read: Why Won't My Weed Killer Work?, Our Secret Ingredient for a Happy Lawn