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The Ellis County Gardener

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Midlothian, TX
The Ellis County Gardener

Hey, I’m Josh—an Ellis County Certified Master Gardener who’s been digging in the dirt for as long as I can remember. Gardening isn't just work for me.

It's a passion. I help folks around here fix garden problems and keep their landscapes looking great.

08/10/2026

Plant Spotlight: Trumpet Vine

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, trumpet vine is one of the best plants you can grow.

Its vibrant orange-red trumpet-shaped blooms provide a rich source of nectar, making it a favorite not only for hummingbirds, but also for bees and other beneficial pollinators. Once established, trumpet vine grows quickly and can turn a plain fence, arbor, or pergola into a living wall of color.

A few tips for growing trumpet vine:

-Plant in full sun for the best blooms.
-Provide a sturdy structure to climb.
-Water regularly while it's getting established, then only during extended dry periods.
-Prune in late winter or early spring to control its size and encourage vigorous new growth.
-Give it room to grow—this vine is vigorous and can spread if left unchecked.

One of my favorite things about trumpet vine is that it doesn't just add color to the landscape—it brings it to life. Watching hummingbirds and bees visit these blooms is one of the best rewards of planting for pollinators.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County Gardener
214-949-2132 (Call or Text)

08/03/2026

Plant Spotlight: White Clematis

If I had to guess which plant in our yard gets the most compliments, this would probably be it.

It's also my wife's favorite plant in the garden, and honestly, I can see why. Every spring, it covers itself in beautiful white blooms that completely transform this corner of the yard.

I can't tell you how many times people walking by have stopped to ask, "What is that flower?" It's definitely one of the biggest conversation starters in our landscape.

If you're thinking about growing clematis, here are a few tips:

-Plant where the vine gets plenty of sun, but try to keep the roots
cool with mulch or surrounding plants.
-Give it a trellis, fence, or arbor to climb.
-Water consistently while it's getting established.
-Feed it in early spring to encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
-A little pruning each year will help keep it healthy and flowering.

If you're looking for a vine that adds elegance and makes people stop in their tracks, white clematis is hard to beat.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County Gardener
214-949-2132 (Call or Text)

07/27/2026

Plant Spotlight: Crossvine

If you're looking for a vine that makes a statement, crossvine is one of my favorites. It's a vigorous native Texas vine that can quickly cover a pergola, arbor, or fence with beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms while attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.

A few tips for growing crossvine:

Plant in full sun to partial shade. More sun usually means more blooms.
Water regularly during the first year while it's getting established. After that, it's very drought tolerant.
Give it a sturdy structure to climb, as it becomes woody and can get quite heavy over time.
Prune after flowering if you want to control its size or shape.
Be patient the first year or two. Once established, it really takes off.

Crossvine is a great option if you're looking for a hardy, low-maintenance vine that provides beautiful spring blooms and lush green foliage throughout the growing season.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County Gardener
214-949-2132 (Call or Text)

07/22/2026

Not every landscape is meant to be lush and overflowing.

After my last post featuring an English-style garden, I wanted to share a completely different project. This homeowner wanted a clean, organized, and low-maintenance landscape with defined lines and plenty of open space between the plants.

The first photo shows the original landscape, which had become overgrown and dated. The second photo shows the transformation—a fresh design with carefully placed shrubs, perennials, natural stone edging, and room for each plant to grow into its space.

Whether you prefer the relaxed beauty of an English garden or a more formal, structured landscape like this one, I can design a landscape that fits your style and maintenance preferences.

If your flower beds are ready for a refresh, I'd love to help.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County
214-949-2132 (Call or Text)

07/20/2026

Texas Plant Spotlight: Sacred Datura (Moonflower)

One of my favorite native plants to see blooming in the summer is Sacred Datura. Its large white trumpet-shaped flowers open in the evening, creating a beautiful display while attracting nighttime pollinators like hummingbird moths.

If you're thinking about adding one to your landscape, here are a few tips:

Plant in full sun.
Once established, it's very drought tolerant and doesn't require frequent watering.
It thrives in our rocky, well-drained Texas soils.
Remove spent seed pods if you don't want it to reseed throughout your garden.
Keep in mind that all parts of the plant are highly toxic if eaten, so it's best planted away from small children and pets that may chew on plants.

Native plants like Sacred Datura are a great way to add beauty to your landscape while supporting local pollinators.

Have you grown Sacred Datura in your garden?

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County Gardener
214-949-2132 (Call or Text)

07/17/2026

Every homeowner has a different vision for their landscape, and that's exactly how it should be.

This client wanted a classic English-style garden, so that's what I designed. Instead of a formal, tightly structured landscape, English gardens are meant to grow together over time, creating a lush, natural look that's full of color and texture.

This video shows the transformation from before to one year later. It's amazing what thoughtful planning and a little patience can accomplish.

Whether you prefer a formal landscape with clean lines or a relaxed English garden that feels like it's always been there, I'll design a landscape that's the right fit for your home and your style.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
The Ellis County Gardener
214-949-2132 (call or text)

07/13/2026

English Garden vs. French Garden...

Which Style Is Right for You?

There are two classic approaches to garden design, and both can be absolutely beautiful.

English gardens are known for their relaxed, natural look. They feature flowing flower beds, layers of color and texture, and a more "organized chaos" feel that blends beautifully with nature.

French gardens are all about structure and symmetry. Think clean lines, neatly defined beds, trimmed hedges, and a polished, formal appearance.

If you've followed this page for a while, you probably know I have a soft spot for the English cottage garden style. I love gardens that look full, natural, and bursting with life.

But that doesn't mean that's the only style I create. Every landscape is designed around your home, your preferences, and your vision. Whether you love the natural beauty of an English garden or the clean elegance of a French-inspired design, I can bring it to life.

The photo below is a great example of a more structured, organized landscape created for one of my clients.

If you need your garden designed, refreshed, or completely transformed, call The Ellis County Gardener!

Josh Hersey
Certified Master Gardener
214-949-2132

07/10/2026

Gardening Tip of the Week:

One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is watering every day.

Here in Ellis County, our clay soil holds water much longer than people realize. Frequent, shallow watering encourages weak roots and can lead to disease and stressed plants.

Instead, water deeply 1–2 times a week (adjusting for rainfall) so the moisture reaches several inches into the soil. This encourages deeper, stronger root systems that handle our Texas heat much better, and never water the leaves, only the soil.

A good rule of thumb: If the top 2–3 inches of soil are still moist, your plants probably don't need more water yet.

If you'd like help creating or maintaining a beautiful landscape, give me a call or send me a text. I'd be happy to help!

Josh Hersey
Certified Master Gardener
214-949-2132
The Ellis County Gardener

07/08/2026

A beautiful landscape doesn't happen by accident. 🌿

It starts with choosing the right plants, understanding your soil, and creating a plan that will look better year after year, not just the day it's planted.

These before-and-after photos are from my own home here in Ellis County. Over the past 14 years, I've transformed my yard one project at a time into a landscape my family and I love to enjoy.

Most landscapers know how to plant. A Certified Master Gardener knows what to plant so it thrives.

Whether you're looking for a complete landscape makeover, new flower beds, seasonal color, or help bringing an overgrown yard back to life, I'd love the opportunity to help.

Josh Hersey
🌿 Ellis County Gardener
✅ Certified Master Gardener
📞 214-949-2132

It's more than a job. It's my passion. 🌱

07/05/2026

🌿 Want to know the man behind The Ellis County Gardener? 🌿

Most people know him as the guy who can transform a landscape, design beautiful flower beds, and bring life back to neglected gardens. But there's a lot more to him than that.

He's a dad first. The kind who shows up. Whether it's supporting his kids, coaching their teams, helping with homework, or simply spending time together, his family is always his top priority.

He's a coach. Not because he has to be, but because he loves investing in kids and helping them grow both on and off the field and court.

He's a teacher. He volunteers his time sharing his love for gardening and helping young people learn about the outdoors and where their food and plants come from.

He's a friend, a mentor, a family man, and someone who genuinely cares about the people around him.

And when he's not doing all of those things, he's probably reading about gardening, watching gardening videos, planning his next project, or helping someone else with theirs. Gardening isn't just what he does—it's who he is.

So if you've ever wondered who is behind The Ellis County Gardener, this is him.

A gardener. A coach. A teacher. A father. A husband. A man who serves his family and community with everything he has.

Josh Hersey
Master Gardener
214.949.2132

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Midlothian, TX

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+12149492132

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