Re: Nurseries etc. in Texas (rather discursive)

> I will be traveling in Texas from Dallas to San Antonio to Houston in the
> month of > January.   I am looking to visit commercial nurseries, interesting
> botanical sites, or  > other plant related faciliies during that time.....
 
The ones I remember from a two-day trip some years ago are

  *Right across the street from Dallas Botanic Garden - ok, I obviously
don't remember and can't figure it out from the yellow pages, my usual
resource... of which it's easy enough to say there are probably dozens like
this which would only impress a Kansan, but having driven around and looked
at quite a lot of them I know at that time (and for a metropolitan area
the size of DFW) there were surprisingly few really good ones.
   Or maybe it's no longer there, but in any case the botanic garden
is worth a few hours (maybe fewer in January) for someone from an
unfamiliar climate. There's also a Dallas Arboretum. Anybody?

  *If you're into such things, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden has really
outstanding "bones" - easy enough to say because at the time (oilpatch
+ ag depression as I recall) it was obvious that money does a better job
of clothing them than does soul (no offense to any Dallas listmembers).

  *There's Archie's Garden Center somewhat southwest of there iirc (copying
relevant sections of city maps at your local library won't eliminate calling
the next place for directions, but it saves much random driving around).
   I was less than impressed that after 3-4 years the Campsis radicans flava
from there (inspired by a huge one over the front entrance) bloomed orange,
but everything else was right on. More a load up the carts & roll 'em out
operation than you might prefer (assuming you're looking for plants at
all), but they had a lot of different plants to look >at< and once inside
the door some knowledgeable people as well.

  *Weston Gardens in Bloom, a few miles south of the southside Interstate 
then, simple country nursery, probably in the middle of the suburbs by now.
Sharp people inside, newsletter which I got for 2-3 years, regular open 
houses (at some estate), apparently a major player in the Texas native
plants scene.

  *If you were going in summer, I'd suggest the Fort Worth Water Garden.
Last. For the experience of a pilgrim setting off home across the wastes
of (at least from the Interstate) north Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas - or
medieval Europe - and pausing at the cathedral on the way out of town.
Horticultural interest nil, landscape nearly so: it doesn't matter.

   But since you're headed south & east... any plant you find there you can 
certainly find in San Antonio or even Houston - whether to look at and ask
about or to buy - but not necessarily vice-versa, so don't miss the cutting
edge opportunities you'll find in Dallas-Fort Worth.

   bk---

Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well Dallas is a jewel, yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight.//
/...Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down.
But when you are up she's the kind you want to take around//
/Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes....
                                         ---Jimmie Gilmore
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