Welcome back to our Garden Club series! We are so thrilled to share our latest episodes featuring local Master Gardener, Barbara Harrington. Barbara’s garden is truly a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, creativity, and a love for gardening, even in the challenging climate of the Texas Panhandle.

Barbara moved to Amarillo nearly 40 years ago and was determined to create the beautiful gardens she had always dreamed of—despite what the gardening magazines said about this region! Through trial, error, and plenty of learning, she has built a thriving garden that has inspired many in our community.

Episode 1: Beautiful Front Garden Beds

In our first video, Barbara welcomed us to her stunning front garden beds. When Barbara arrived in Amarillo, she couldn’t find fellow gardeners, but that didn’t stop her. After three years of persistence and hard work, she proved that gardening was not only possible in the Panhandle but could thrive. Barbara emphasizes the importance of soil preparation in her gardening success. She advises using plenty of amendments, such as Cotton Burr Compost and builder-grade sand, to create the perfect growing environment.

Her rock-edged garden beds are a charming addition to her cottage-style home, filled with a mix of perennials and annuals. One of her favorites is the Mystic Spiral Blue Salvia, which attracts butterflies and bumblebees alike. Barbara’s advice is to create swaths of color and focal points like garden benches, birdbaths, and lampposts, making her garden feel inviting and full of life.

Episode 2: Container Gardening & Earth-Kind Roses

In the second video, we explored more of Barbara’s front garden beds, focusing on her love for container gardening. One of her go-to plants for containers is the airy Diamond Frost Euphorbia. For vibrant growth, she uses a time-release fertilizer and recommends adding extra fertilizer and iron during the summer.

We couldn’t resist asking Barbara, known as a rose expert, about rose care. She swears by Earth-Kind roses, known for their disease resistance. Barbara shared helpful tips on how to prune roses and emphasized the importance of avoiding pesticides that could harm beneficial insects. She also shared more about the Rose Rosette virus, and urged not to use roses from the Texas and Oklahoma region. We were proud to let everyone know that Pete’s roses come from Oregon and are safe!

Episode 3: Exploring the Side Garden & Texas Superstar Plants

In this episode, Barbara took us around her side garden, showcasing some unique Texas superstar plants like Dakota Gold Helenium. These plants are ideal for the Texas climate, thriving despite our challenging weather.

Barbara’s side garden is full of treasures, including Black-eyed Susan bulbs, Mystic Spire Salvia, and a captivating Moonflower vine that only blooms in the evening. The purple stems and large blooms of the Moonflower add magic to the space. Barbara also has plants like the Mona Lavender Plectranthus, whose vibrant purple leaves glow in the fall.

Episode 4: A Secret French Quarter in the Backyard

Our final episode took us into Barbara’s enchanting backyard, which she fondly refers to as her “French Quarter.” This intimate space is shaded by two massive trees, whose dense roots make planting difficult. Instead of fighting against nature, Barbara embraced it by incorporating mulch and brick to create a beautiful, functional landscape.

Her backyard features a “moon garden,” filled with white flowers that glow at night. This serene space contrasts with the colorful front yard, offering a peaceful retreat for Barbara and her visitors.

Barbara’s wisdom, learned from decades of gardening in the Texas Panhandle, is simple but invaluable: know your plants, follow planting instructions, and always prepare your soil. Gardening in this region may be challenging, but with the right knowledge and passion, it can be deeply rewarding.

If you missed any of Barbara’s Garden Club videos, be sure to check them out on our blog! Each episode is filled with valuable tips and inspiration to help you create your dream garden right here in the Texas Panhandle.

Facebook:
Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4
Instagram:
Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4
Youtube:
Episode 1 / Episode 2 / Episode 3 / Episode 4