NewsDrop July 2023

EOC’S DEMONSTRATION GARDEN PLANTING NATIVE TEXAS PLANTS & TREES

The EOC Native Plant Demonstration Garden is in full bloom. Recent rains have ensured that all the colorful plants are ready for the summer. In the spring, Volunteers from the Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalist chapter swooped in to prune back all the dead plant matter left from the winter and even moved some plants around to accommodate for new growth. Volunteer Nicki Apostolow removed some of the Cedar Sage which was taking over and did a quick check-up on all the other plants around the EOC. A patio planter which was falling apart was removed to prepare for a dry hot summer. Volunteers will be back at the end of the season to collect seeds and prep the garden for a winter slumber. Texas Bear Grass, which was sparse in the garden, had to be moved because it was being crowded out by Cedar Sage. A new Nolina Texana (Texas Bear Grass), which is sometimes hard to find in nurseries, was introduced bringing the number of specimens in the garden up to three. The only plant that never quite took off was the Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) and it has been hard to find. It will be reintroduced to the EOC Native Plant Garden soon. Of special interest in the garden this month was the abundance of “walking stick” insects and katydids. The hardy little insects amazed crowds of school children who marveled at the size and camouflage ability of these creatures. The walking sticks seemed to prefer hiding in the Buckeye and Mexican Plum trees in the garden while the katydids clung to the walls of the building. A new decorative wishing well has been placed into the garden. The wishing well was put together by EOC staff and originally created for the Night of a Thousand Drops Gala held on May 13, 2023. It will now reside in the EOC Native Plant Demonstration Garden. The 20,000 gallon rainwater catchment system remains at least ¾ full ensuring that there will be enough water to sustain the EOC Native Plant Demonstration Garden through the summer and beyond. Look for new signage and an interpretive map to adorn the walls of the EOC this summer. Visitors will be able to identify the plants using a series of colorful botanical illustrations. Be sure to visit the EOC Native Plant Demonstration Garden this summer for your garden inspiration!

Cedar Sage.

Edwards Aquifer Authority 900 E Quincy St • San Antonio, TX, 78215 www.edwardsaquifer.org

WATCH : Click QR code or go to https://youtu.be/rlVFG88kv3Y Hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent hit the road to interview Robert Mace, in San Marcos,TX, aboard a glass bottom boat!

BOUT US A

The mission of the EAA is to Manage, Enhance and Protect the Edwards Aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer Authority is a regional water management agency that regulates with integrity, transparency, respect, and commitment to sustainability of the aquifer. NewsDrop is a production of the EAA Communications and Development Department with helpful assistance from the following EAA Staff: Brent Doty; Damon Childs; Javier Hernandez; Jennifer Adkins-Schudrowitz; Marc Friberg; Mark Hamilton; Olivia Ybarra; Paul Bertetti; Roland Ruiz; Scott Storment.

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