NewsDrop-February-2024

ROOTING FOR A TEXAS NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPE

( Pavonia lasiopetala ) ROCK ROSE

( Leucophyllum frutescens ) CENIZO/ TEXAS SAGE Sun, Part Shade Up to 10’ tall Does Not Spread Easily Drought tolerant; attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

( Malvaviscus arboreus ) TURK’S CAP

By: Casey Cowan , Aquifer Sustainability Supervisor

Choosing native plants can get confusing quickly and the idea of replacing a whole lawn may be daunting. Some may consider starting with an existing bed, or just a portion of the lawn. This is a good start and a great learning experience through the process. Taking time to plan and prepare the space will save time and money. Some basic things to consider when choosing native plants are: Will this plant thrive in the location type (ecotype)? How big will the plant grow? What time of year does the plant bloom? How much light does the plant require? How much will the plant spread? Many of these questions can be answered by nursery pro fessionals but some online sleuthing or picking up a book on the subject is helpful. There’s also the matter of preparing the space. Aside from new construction, there will be some amount of grass and other herbaceous vegetation needing to be removed and there are many ways to go about the process. Some methods include, solarization, sheet mulching, or old-fashioned digging. Each method has pros and cons, and some are much easier in smaller areas. It’s important to do research on the available methods to determine which suits preference and location. Whichever native plants are selected, whatever size is chosen, and however long it takes, the choice to transition from tradi tional lawns to native plants fosters a deeper connection with the environment. Native plants contribute to the preservation of local ecosystems, support biodiversity, and mitigate the environmental impact associated with conventional lawn maintenance. The myriad of benefits, ranging from reduced water consumption and chemical use to increased habitat for native wildlife, make this transition a sustainable and responsible choice for homeowners.

Sun, Part Shade Up to 4’ tall Spreads Easily Drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds.

Sun, Part Shade, Shade dependent on light, 3’-10’ tall Spreads Easily Drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds.

GREGG’S MISTFLOWER

MEALY BLUE SAGE

( Asclepias tuberosa ) BUTTERFLY WEED

( Conoclinium greggii )

( Salvia farinacea )

Sun, Part Shade Up to 3’ tall

Sun, Part Shade Up to 2’ tall Spreads Easily Drought tolerant; attracts butterflies (especially Queens butterflies) and other pollinators.

Sun, Part Shade Up to 3’ tall Does Not Spread Easily Attracts butterflies* and other pollinators. *Host plant for Monarch butterfly.

Does Not Spread Easily Drought tolerant; attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

LANDSCAPE IS REDEFINED AS THE CONCEPT OF THE IDEAL

POPULAR NURSERY PLANTS & SEEDS THAT DO WELL IN BEXAR AND ADJACENT COUNTIES

Sun Up to 4” tall Spreads Easily Drought tolerant; An alternative to a traditional non-native turf lawn. BLUE GRAMA ( Bouteloua gracilis )

Sun Up to 12” tall Spreads Easily Drought tolerant; An alternative to a traditional non-native turf lawn. BUFFALO GRASS ( Bouteloua dactyloides )

Garden Inspiration: Visit our EAA Education Outreach Center’s award winning Native Plant Demonstra tion Garden to see the types of drought-tolerant plants suitable for your home yard or garden. - Schedule your free visit at www.eaaeoc.org.

the adoption of native plants emerges as a harmonious and conscientious way to enhance both the aesthetic appeal of suburban America and the collective commitment to environ mental stewardship.

photos: Lady Bird Johnson website | wildflower.org

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