1 hour | Saturday, 29 August 2026
A relentless stretch of triple-digit temperatures continues across West Texas, and Adam and Amber explain what that means for lawns, trees and shrubs. They cover leaf scorch, heat stress, watering during prolonged hot weather, and why heavy fertilizing should wait until temperatures ease. They also look ahead to fall pre-emergent season and share some of the newest arrivals at Willow Creek Gardens, including mini tropicals and succulents, pitcher plants, sundews, desert roses and the unusual ant plant.This week's Plant of the Week is Nandina, an old-fashioned landscape favorite that's found new life through colorful modern varieties. Adam and Amber compare standard Nandina domestica with varieties including Gulf Stream, Firepower, Flirt and Obsession, discussing mature sizes, seasonal color and the best locations for them in West Texas landscapes. They also explain why Nandinas can be an excellent choice for shady areas where gardeners want an evergreen shrub with relatively little maintenance.Then the conversation moves from plants to hardscaping—the patios, walkways, retaining walls, pergolas and other permanent features that can transform how a landscape looks and functions. Drawing on years of installation experience, Adam and Amber explain the advantages of true interlocking concrete pavers, including design flexibility, durability and the ability to remove and reinstall them when underground repairs are needed. They also discuss retaining walls for slopes and water diversion, pergolas for West Texas shade, and how thoughtful hardscaping can add an entirely new dimension to an outdoor space.