**List of Native Plants**
For a complete list of Native Texas plants, visit http://www.npsot.org/plant_lists/plant_lists.html.
**List of Native Plants for Landscape use in Dallas-Ft. Worth**
For a beginner's list of native plants for landscape use in the DFW area, PlantList DFW.doc
**Nurseries that sell native plants in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area:**
NOTE: Many of the larger, national chain store nurseries also carry some native and drought-tolerant plants.*Bruce Miller Nursery, 1000 E. Beltline Road, Richardson, Texas 75081, (972) 238-0204; 301 County Road 4, Prosper, Texas 75078, (972) 346-2760; http://www.brucemillernursery.com/_vti_bin/shtml.exe/index.html
*Green Mama's, 5324 Davis Boulevard, North Richland Hills, Texas, 76180, (817) 514-7336; http://www.greenmamas.com/welcome/index.html
*Native American Seed (mail order station), 610 Main Street, Junction, Texas 76849, (800) 728-4043; http://www.seedsource.com/
*Redenta's, 2001 Skillman Street, Dallas, Texas 75206, (214) 823-9421; 5111 West Arkansas Lane, Arlington, Texas 76016, (817) 451-2149; http://www.redentas.com/index.shtml
*Rohde's Nursery & Nature Store, 1651 Wall Street, Garland, Texas 75041, (972) 864-1934 or (800) 864-4445; http://www.beorganic.com/index.asp
*Shades of Green, 8801 Coit Road, Frisco, Texas, 75035, (972) 335-9095; http://www.shadesofgreeninc.com/
*Weston Gardens in Bloom, 8101 Anglin Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76140, (817) 572-0549 (metro); http://www.westongardens.com/
**NICE! Nurseries**
Participating:
*Decatur Garden Center, 1551 Preskitt Rd, Decatur, TX 76234, 940-627-3453
*Four Season’s Nursery, 3333 E. University Dr, Denton, TX 76208, 940-566-2172
*Green Mama’s, 5324 Davis Blvd, N. Richland Hills, TX 76180, 817-514-7336
*Huggin’s Nursery – 1616 Arrowhead Dr @ Main St, Flower Mound, TX, 75028, 972-539-4011
*Lantana Gardens – 3229 E. FM 407, Bartonville, TX 76226, 817-961-0400
*Landscape Supply – 1106 W Scott, Gainesville TX 76240, 940-665-6255
*Lavender Ridge Farms – 2391 CR 178, Gainesville, TX 76240, http://www.lavenderridgefarms.com/
*Lovelace Nursery – 300 S. Stemmons, Sanger, TX, 940-458-5674
*Main Street Home & Gardens Center – 603 Main St, Decatur, TX 76234, 940-627-0235
*Meador’s Nursery – 2623 James St, Denton, TX 76205, 940-382-2638
*Painted Flower Farm - 3801 Lariat Rd, Denton, 76207, 940-382-3789
*Shades of Green Nursery – 8801 Coit Rd, Frisco, TX 75035, 972-335-9095
**Other sites of interest for native plants:**
Visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/ for the new shrubs portion of the related Benny Simpson's trees pages. You can view the shrub photo gallery or search by name.
Botanical Research Institute of Texas, http://www.brit.org/
Carnivorous Plants of Texas, http://www.carnivorousplantsoftexas.org
**Plant Articles:**
Operation NICE! Plant of the Season - Winter 2007: Perennial: Possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua)
Photo: Lon Turnbull
Description: Possumhaw, Ilex decidua, is native to the southeastern US, ranging from Maryland to Florida and west to Texas and Mexico. This beautiful small tree grows 15 to 25 feet tall. It has a bushy habit and can reach up to a 15 foot spread. Possumhaw is deciduous, losing its leaves in the fall. For the female trees, this reveals the yellow to orange to bright red berries that cover the trees all winter.
Berries: Possumhaw starts to make berries in the summer which turn color in the fall. The berries are the most distinctive feature of the plant by November, when Possumhaw starts to shed its leaves. Most female Possumhaw trees are covered with berries, making a wonderful fall and winter display.
Planting sites: Possumhaw can be planted in full sun to shade. Although in full sun it will have more berries and growth will be more vigorous, Possumhaw also does well as an understory tree. It grows well in most types of soil, from acid to alkaline, from dry to a bit damp. Do not plant Possumhaw where it might experience “wet feet” or it may rot.
Watering Instructions: Possumhaw should be watered well immediately after planting and then every 2-3 weeks during the first growing season if there is no rain. Like most native trees and plants, Possumhaw should not be over-watered. After the first growing season, Possumhaw should survive with existing rainfall because it is very drought tolerant, but may be watered during prolonged drought.Comments: Possumhaw is gorgeous for the winter, adding colorful interest to North Texas gardens. There are a number of named Possumhaw cultivars including Warren's Red, Council Fire and Byer's Golden – these do not breed true from seed from the berries, so purchase them from a nursery. To be sure of a female tree, choose one at a nursery in the fall or winter when the berries are present. Male trees must be in the vicinity for a female tree to have berries; fortunately male trees abound in North Texas, so this is not an issue. Possumhaw can become quite dense; it can be pruned at any time of year if it becomes too thick. Possumhaw’s dense habit is a plus, because branches with the bright berries are especially welcome in winter floral arrangements. You may expect many requests for branches of berries. Birds are also attracted to the berries.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes.Trinity Forks Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas Meetings are the 4th Thursday in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep & Oct, TWU’s ACT building 6:30 pm, 2nd floor.
Operation NICE! Plant of the Season - Fall 2007: Perennial: Gayfeather (Liatris mucronata)
Photo: Kathy Saucier
Description: Liatris is a large eastern and midwestern North American genus that includes 43 species, collectively called Gayfeather, Blazing Star, or Button-Snakeroot. Narrow-Leaf Gayfeather, L. mucronata, is native to eastern and northern Texas, south to the Edwards Plateau and west to the rolling plains. This prairie perennial has multiple stalks that give the plant its 1 to 1.5 feet width. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall and has an erect growth pattern, growing from corm-like structures in the soil. True to its name, Narrow Leaf Gayfeather has narrow leaves that are approximately 2 inches long.
Blooms: Gayfeather blooms from August through the beginning of October and occasionally up to November with lavender to purple flower spikes. Each flower spike, with many ½ inch corollas, starts to bloom at the top and slowly descends toward the base. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Planting sites: Gayfeather should be planted in full sun to light shade in well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of soil pH, from weakly acidic to moderately alkaline. It will grow well in sandy loam, loam, or even clay-based soil if it is well-drained. Plants should be spaced 1-2 feet apart. Do not plant Gayfeather where it might experience “wet feet” or it may rot. Gayfeather seeds can be planted in the early spring or in the fall.
Watering Instructions: Gayfeather should be watered well immediately after planting and then every 2-3 weeks during the first growing season if there is no rain. Like most native plants, Gayfeather should not be over-watered. After the first growing season, Gayfeather should survive with existing rainfall because it is very drought tolerant.
Comments: L. mucronata is similar to the widely cultivated Gayfeather species L. spicata in the appearance of its bloom and foliage, but unlike L. spicata, L. mucronata is much longer lived and better adapted to North Texas. Gayfeather needs no soil amendments, although it is not recommended for poorly draining hard clay soil. When L. mucronata is grown in fertilized garden soils, its flower stalks may grow long and leggy and fall over. After several years, Gayfeather may be propagated by digging up and dividing its underground corm-like or bulb-like structures. Gayfeather makes a nice cut flower for fall bouquets.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes.
Trinity Forks Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas Meetings are the 4th Thursday in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep & Oct, TWU’s ACT building 6:30 pm, 2nd floor.
Operation NICE! Plant of the Season - Summer 2007: Perennial: Mexican-Hat (Ratibida columnifera)
Photo: Marilyn Blanton
Description: Ratibida columnifera goes by several names: Mexican-Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, and Thimble-Flower. This prairie perennial grows over most of the US, including our region. Mexican-Hat will usually grow 1 to 3 feet tall. It has a branching growth pattern, with deeply lobed leaves 2 inches wide and up to 6 inches long.
Blooms: Mexican-Hat blooms from May through July with occasional flowers later in the summer. The flowers resemble sombreros, giving Mexican-Hat its most common name. The flower petals range in color from solid yellow to red with a splash of yellow to reddish-brown. In both types, the petals surround an upright 1- to 2-inch brownish cone that develops seeds.
Planting sites: Mexican-Hat should be planted in full sun to light shade in well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of soil pH, from weakly acidic to moderately alkaline. It will grow well in sandy loam, loam, or clay-based soil. Plants should be spaced 2-3 feet apart. Mexican-Hat seeds can be planted in the early spring or in the fall.
Watering Instructions: Mexican-Hat should be watered well immediately after planting and then every other week during the first growing season. Like most native plants, Mexican-Hat should not be over-watered and should not be planted where it might experience “wet feet”. After the first growing season, Mexican-Hat is very drought tolerant and should survive with existing rainfall.
Comments: Mexican-Hat is a stalwart of our prairies and deserving of a place in our gardens. It does very well in the heat of a Texas summer and can also withstand high humidity. It will slowly spread and performs well in average to poor soil, making it well-suited for North Texas xeriscapes. It can be propagated from plantlets that grow on the main branches of a parent plant. Mexican-Hat keeps a green foliage rosette during our mild winters and during the summer, makes a nice cut flower for bouquets.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes.
Trinity Forks Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas Meetings are the 4th Thursday in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep & Oct, TWU’s ACT building 6:30 pm, 2nd floor.
For Summer 2006, the Denton Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas NICE!: Natives Instead of Common Exotics program is highlighting Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) for use in North Texas gardens and landscapes.
Operation NICE! Plant of the Season, Summer 2006: Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus drummondii), a plant well suited for a shade garden.
By Becca Dickstein
Photo: Cindy Murdoch
Turk’s Cap is a shrubby perennial that will reach 2-4 feet by the end of the summer: taller in areas where it receives some sun, shorter when it is in full shade. In spring, stems with heart-shaped leaves emerge from the base. The leaves are soft and velvety on the underside. Turk’s Cap starts to bloom in late spring and continues until frost. The name “Turk’s Cap” comes from the bright red flowers that resemble a Turkish fez. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. In the fall, Turk’s Cap produces little pumpkin-shaped red seed pods that contain a number of viable seed, eaten by a variety of birds. In our area, Turk’s Cap dies completely to the ground with the first freeze and remains dormant until the spring. Turk’s Cap’s bloom period extends from late May/early June until frost.
Turk’s Cap is a plant for full, dappled, or partial shade. This plant likes well-drained soil and will grow best in soil that has been amended with organic matter like compost. Allow 3-5 feet between plants. After planting, water well and mulch. Turk’s Cap should be watered once every other week until established. After it is established, Turk’s Cap only needs supplemental watering during a prolonged drought; Turk’s Cap is a tough as well as beautiful Texas native. The plant will spread slowly –its roots spread horizontally – and can be dug up and divided after several years. Do not over water or it may rot.
This is an interesting and beautiful ornamental plant for a shade garden, including deep shade. Consider using Turk’s Cap in areas where you might plant azaleas or other shrubs. Remember that Turk’s Cap needs much less soil preparation than azaleas do.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. So far, participating nurseries include Calloway’s in Denton, Decatur Garden Center in Decatur, Green Mama’s in North Richland Hills, Lantana Nursery in Bartonville, Meador’s Nursery in Denton, Painted Flower Farm in Denton, Shades of Green Nursery in Frisco, Four Season's Nursery in Denton, Huggin's Nursery in Flower Mound, and other nurseries in our area. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
Dr. Becca Dickstein is a member of the Trinity Forks Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas, which meets the 4th Thursday Jan, Feb, March, April, May, Sept & Oct in TWU’s ACT building 6:30 pm, second floor. Dr. Dickstein is also a member of UNT’s Biological Sciences faculty.
Operation NICE! Plant of the Season: Yellow Columbine, Texas Gold Columbine, Hinckley’s Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia hinckleyana)
By Becca Dickstein
Photo: Lon Turnbull
The Denton Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) is starting a local program to promote the use of native Texas plants in our gardens and landscapes. The program is called NICE!: Natives Instead of Common Exotics and is the brainchild of the NPSOT Boerne chapter. Four times a year, once a season, we will highlight the use of part of our natural heritage. For Spring 2006, we are highlighting Yellow Columbine.
There are 3 species of native Yellow Columbine in Texas, however A. hinckleyana is most available in nurseries. Yellow Columbine is a small to medium perennial plant found in mossy areas of West Texas. When not in bloom, its soft lacy foliage is 8 to 16 inches high. Each leaf has three lobed leaflets. When flowering, it sends up airy 1 to 3 foot stalks, which open to reveal yellow to pale yellow blooms that seem to float above the foliage. The five petals are elongated into knob-tipped spurs. Like other columbines, it is a nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Yellow Columbine’s bloom period extends from March through May, with occasional blooms in the summer if it receives supplemental watering.
Yellow Columbine is a plant for full, dappled, or partial shade. It likes moist, but well-drained soil and will grow best in soil that has been amended with organic matter like compost. Allow about 12-16 inches between plants. After planting, water well and mulch. The plant will spread by self-sowing or re-seeding, but expect the parent plant to last at least several years. Yellow Columbine should be watered once a week until well established. During a summer drought, or after a hard winter freeze, the plant will become dormant. However, it will recover when growing conditions improve. But do not over water or it may rot.
This is an interesting and beautiful ornamental plant for a shade garden. Use yellow columbine instead of geraniums or begonias, which require more frequent watering.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. So far, participating nurseries include Decatur Garden Center in Decatur, Green Mama’s in North Richland Hills, Lantana Nursery in Bartonville, Meador’s Nursery in Denton, Painted Flower Farm in Denton, Four Seasons in Denton, Huggin’s Nursery in Flower Mound, Shades of Green Nursery in Frisco, and other nurseries in our area. Yellow Columbine will be available at Redbud Day, April 8, 2006, in Denton. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
Dr. Becca Dickstein is a member of the Trinity Forks Chapter, Native Plant Society of Texas, which meets the 4th Thursday Jan, Feb, March, April, May, Sept & Oct in TWU’s ACT building 6:30 pm, second floor. Dr. Dickstein is also a member of UNT’s Biological Sciences faculty.