The Top Choice Team

Native to the Austin area, the Red Bird of Paradise is a favorite for summer blooms. Every summer the shrub is covered in a dazzling display of orange-red flowers that can last from March until October. The eight-inch flowers appear in a pyramid-like shape. Growing up to 8 feet, the red bird of paradise produces…

If you live in Austin, we guarantee you’ve seen more than a few Live Oak trees. They are native, evergreen, and don’t need too much water to be healthy. However, Live Oaks are notorious for producing small, fast-growing off shoots commonly known as water sprouts or suckers. They can appear for a variety of reasons:…

Sweet Potato Vines               As we swing into the seventh month of the year, one of the most common points of conversation is the intense heat that Texas is known to bring. It can be tricky to keep many plants not only alive, but healthy when the long summer sun comes out, but there are…

Bradford Pear               A staple of southern landscaping, Bradford Pear Trees can be spotted in many Texas lawns from Austin all the way to Tyler. With an appearance of being covered in snow (when blooming), they have a unique sense of beauty and can be trusted to improve looks of a lawn very quick due…

Bamboo, a tall hollow cane, grows natively around the globe. Southeast Asia is home to the largest concentration of native bamboo where it can grow to 130 feet tall. Here in Texas a native variety of bamboo known as Arundinaria can be found in thick cane breaks along many rivers and marshes. It produces dense…

PRUNE YOUR CRAPE MYRTLES Don’t let the controversy of how to prune your Crape Myrtles prevent you from taking care of them! You’ve probably noticed everyone is pruning their Crape Myrtles this time of year. We love the pretty, colorful blooms they provide for that extra Spring time pop of color. Unfortunately, there’s a lot…

The Plant Hormone Auxin Did you know that plants have hormones too? Plant’s hormones control their growth, reactions and even their movement. Perhaps the most interesting and widely studied plant hormone is Auxin. Auxin was discovered in the 1930s by Charles Darwin. In 1880 his book “The Power of Movement in Plants” describes the effect…

No Fail Drought Tolerant Plants for Low Water Gardens: Let’s welcome in the New Year with some water wise plants. As an Austinite we know the importance of water conservation, especially during the Summer. Try conserving water year-round with these lush drought tolerant plants for a water friendly garden! Yarrow (Achillea) Zones 3-8 This drought…

Here is a short work from the one and only Ally. She put this together a while back for a project and we thought that some interested soul out there would enjoy it. Here you go… Short: Did you know Coca-cola was originally made from a nut? In fact, all forms of cola originate from…

The new year is fast approaching, and one thing is on everyone’s mind: “how can I make my yard look tip-top this 2019″… Okay, maybe that’s not the one thing on your mind, but it’s a nice goal that doesn’t involve giving up donuts or getting a personal trainer. Here’s some tips and advice to…