My Blog About Moving To Austin TX & Living in Texas



Sun-Loving Succulents

5 Sun-Loving Succulents That Love the Texas Climate

High temperatures can take a heavy toll on your favorite plants, especially if they can’t withstand the heat very well. Succulents can be every gardener’s favorite especially if you live in a place with a hot climate like Texas. These plants have something to offer for every kind of gardener, from the homeowner who has never managed to keep any plant alive, to the avid gardener who is just looking to reduce a watering schedule. Here are 5 spectacular sun-loving succulents that succulents.net recommends growing in Texas.

1. Aeoniums

Also known as the Tree Houseleek, Aeoniums are often famous for their waxy leaves that grow straight out of their stems to form stunning rosettes. The stems are often either short and stumpy or elongated and branched-out. A distinct feature of this plant is how it grows and reproduces. Aeoniums multiply forming offshoots from one flower head. New offshoots emerge from one flower head which then dies off after reproducing multiple offshoots. These succulents come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. Most of the species die after producing a flower. succulent

2. Paddle Plant

This is one of the popular succulents for hot weather thanks to its whimsical form and intense color. However, caring for the paddle plant requires a few special things. The plant’s leaves are flattened like pancakes and grow in layers to form an odd rosette. When the time to bloom comes, the plant bolts with the central stem stretching into a lanky white stalk. The bolting stem tends to ruin the plant’s looks, so it is important to cut the stem off and take good care of the remaining plant once it flowers. The plant will soon reproduce several offsets that may be plucked off and replanted elsewhere in your garden.

3. Senecio Mandraliscae

This sun-loving succulent is also known as Blue Chalk Sticks. You will probably identify the plant by its unique thin, fleshy, finger-like leaves. The small, evergreen plant grows by branching and spreading from the base, making it an ideal shrub or groundcover plant. Their beautiful blue-green, silvery tone makes them an appropriate choice either as container plants or for your garden. They are also attractive when planted as trailing plants in pots or containers. The plants like the full sun and need it to produce their true color.

4. Cereus

These are characteristically tree-like columnar plants with pronounced ribs and spines. They tend to grow very tall and large. Their flowers always bloom at night and are often large, white and produce a sweet fragrance. As a variety of cacti, Cereus requires low maintenance and is ideal for beginners.

5. Ethinocereus

Popularly known as the Hedgehog Cactus, they grow in a cylindrical fashion with well-defined ribs and covered in tightly packed spines. They can thrive as container plants as well as outdoors. To thrive, they require bright light and proper drainage. The larger variety of the plant does well in intense heat and the full sun. succulent1 Choosing the ideal sun-loving succulents that will thrive in Texas should not be a hassle. There are numerous plants that will do well in the climate. In fact, you don’t have to look far to find some beautiful choices.

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Moving To Austin

5 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Moving to Austin

Austin has quickly earned a reputation as one of the hottest new spots to move in the United States, and that reputation is well deserved. It's a liberal oasis in blood red Texas, absolutely brimming with a rich culture steeped in food and music. But making a move to a big city is a big decision, and there are some things you should know before picking up your belongings and traveling across the country.

1. Your Neighborhood Matters

Austin's status as a city full of weirdos is well earned, but strangeness comes in a wide variety of flavors here. Finding the neighborhood that matches your personality can have a major impact on your experience.
  • East Austin is the heart of youth in the city: a hipster district affluent with some of the hottest clubs, bars, and restaurants around.
  • South Austin retains the unique eccentricity of the city in an environment that's more family friendly. South Congress is the most prominent entertainment area, featuring prominent landmarks like Alamo Drafthouse.
  • Downtown is one of the pricier areas, but it also provides you with easy access to the coolest areas in downtown. Just keep in mind the traffic!

2. Austin's Music Scene Can't Be Understated

While music and film festival South by Southwest has helped put Austin on the map, music is the lifeblood of this city. Austin is well-regarded as the live music capital of the world. Options range from traditional blues-rock performances at C-Boy's Heart and Soul to the rowdy punk shows that typify life at Beerland bar.

3. We Take Our Health Seriously

Going out to a live show every night can drain the energy out of you, but Austin residents are serious about keeping their bodies healthy and running at peak performance. We're recognized as one of the fittest cities in America. The city is home to over 200 parks that show off the state's natural beauty and provide stunning vistas to burn off a few extra pounds. We're also home to the flagship store for Whole Foods, a sprawling affair that puts the super in supermarket and offers both a walk-in beer cooler and a sprawling and diverse buffet.

4. But Barbecue Here is No Joke

We might pride ourselves on eating healthy, but all bets are off once you start talking about barbecue. While the BBQ explosion is only about a decade old, it's quickly become a source of pride for locals. Everyone has their own opinion on who offers the best ribs and brisket in town, but Micklethwait Craft Meats, Freedmen's, and Franklin Barbecue are all great places to start.

5. It's Hot, Y'all

If you're coming down from the north, you might not be prepared for the unstoppable wet heat that defines out summers, but we've learned to cope with it. If you're moving here to during the summer months, you'll definitely want to hire moving services in Austin to get you moved in. Trying to do it yourself in the triple-digit heat is just not a fun idea. Once you're moved in, hit up the local watering holes. Pools are available all over town, while natural landmarks like Barton Springs Pool provide a scenic opportunity to beat the heat. And one can't underestimate how much better a refreshing cocktail tastes on a hot summer patio.

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Low Maintenance Plants

8 Low Maintenance Plants That Grow Beautifully in Central Texas

Landscaping in central Texas can be a challenge. If you've recently moved to Texas, you'll quickly realize this is due to the dryness of the land and this means your plants need to be drought resistant. If you tried moving with your plants, you might have better luck keeping them alive indoors unless they're moving to a similar climate. Thankfully, there are many varieties of beautiful plants available to spruce up your new property. Whether you are looking for trees for landscaping, flowering shrubs to attract hummingbirds or roses for cutting, many species are drought-resistant and heat tolerant to create a colorful and texturally interesting garden or landscape.

1. Cape Plumbago

Because the blossoms on this flower are sky blue, it is also called the Sky Flower. This pretty flower thrives in the heat of central Texas and will bloom from May until the first frost.

2. Chinkapin Oak

This tree is present in the East but grows much taller in Texas. The foliage ranges from green, brown, yellow and orange. This oak is drought and heat tolerant, making it an excellent choice for landscaping.

3. Blue Princess Verbena

This is a plant that needs no pampering. Plant it in the best-drained and sunniest part of your garden. It thrives on heat and dry conditions. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to bloom profusely. The Blue Princess is drought-resistant and tolerant of the Texas heat.

4. Dwarf Mexican Petunia

If you are looking for a flower that grows for long seasons, this petunia is just the flower. It is colorful and adaptable, making it an excellent choice for heat and dryness of central Texas. The petunia loves to grow in direct sunlight. It will grow in the shade, but the flowering capacity will be lessened.

5. 'Belinda's Dream' Rose

This rose has a double pink blossom and a moderate scent. It was developed in 1992 and is the first Earth-Kind rose hybrid in Texas, according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. This distinction means that it is one of the best flowering roses but needs very little care.

6. Grandma's Yellow Rose

This is another beautiful option for your garden. This rose is hardy and needs at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. Though this is an excellent flower for the heat, it will require some watering and winter care. Grandma's Yellow Rose is a great choice for freshly cut flowers during its growing season.

7. Fire Cracker Fern

Are you hoping to attract hummingbirds? This is a tubular flower that will provide nice visual interest. The red tubular flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and bloom all summer. It is recommended that the stems are cut back once a year for the best blooming results.

8. Cold Hardy Pink

This is drought-resistant, hardy sage. It has bright pink blossoms which attract hummingbirds and bees. It has a long blooming time and tolerates the cold. Also called the Salvia greggia, it is a small woody shrub and easily managed due to its size. It was named after Josiah Gregg who was part of a botanical team in 1848.

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