NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

Kerrville Chapter
Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

  JUNE  NEWSLETTER - 2005

  NATIVES ON THE GROW
Dedicated to the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of the native flora of the Hill Country

  EATING A VIRTUAL HERBARIUM          

The program for our meeting on Tuesday, June 7  at 2PM will be a presentation by Barbara Lowenthal and Raul Pena, both Master Naturalists,on what it takes to create a Virtual Herbarium.

In 2004 the Native Plant Society, the Master Naturalists and the Riverside Nature Center came together to fund the Virtual Herbarium Project. Rather than developing an actual herbarium with dried plant specimens, the virtual herbarium will utilize photographs and written descriptions to provide the necessary information for plant identification. The primary objectives of the project are to create a plant identification notebook for the Riverside Nature Center and a website which interested people can use to identify and study native plants. A skilled group of local photographers are working to take the needed pictures .A web site has been created using an attractive, rough textured beige paper background upon which information is illustrated. Barbara and Raul will present a program showing the progress of the project  and some of the beautiful photographs which have already been submitted

This will be the last meeting for our chapter until September when activities will resume.

 The Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month (September through June) at 2:00PM usually at Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St. in Kerrville.  These meetings are free and open to the public.  If you have any questions about the Native Plant Society of Texas or this program, please call Janey Crum at 238-3666  

Calendar

June 7-Native Plant Society of Texas , Kerrville Chapter – see above

June 7-Native Plant Society of Texas , Boerne Chapter- 7 PM, Cibolo Nature Center- “Show and Tell”- photos of outstanding plants presented by members

Door prizes will  be available at our June meeting  Each member or guest who signs in at the Welcoming Table will receive a free ticket  for a door prize.  Be sure to pot up those native plants for donations for the meeting!

MORE ABOUT WILDFLOWERS

The spring wildflowers are winding down although wonderful rains are extending the bloom period. With some planning however, wildflowers can continue to blossom  in your garden well into summer.  Daucosma [Daucosma laciniatum] – a white blooming annual – is a good followup to Indian Blanket [Gaillardia pulchella] as is purple horsemint [Monardia citriodora]  and Greenthread [Thelesperma filifolium] An apparently deer resistant wildflower is Texas Star or Lindheimer Daisy [Lindheimera texana]. It has been blooming its’ heart out in the RNC meadow for quite a while now. Actually all of the wildflowers mentioned are not favorite deer food  except for perhaps daucosma. Texas Green-Eyes [Berlandiera texana] is starting to come on strong in the RNC meadow as well and grows 2’-4’ tall. This plant is a perennial which is rather satisfying and also not a favorite of deer. Basket-Flower [Centaurea Americana] is just bursting into bloom.  Standing Cypress [Ipomopsis rubra] is  to be seen in the meadow as well.  Those tall, blooming red spikes  are just spectacular . This plant is a biennial and can grow 2-6ft. So far the deer have not munched them . One of my personal favorites is Cedar Sage [Salvia Roemeriana]. This plant is phenomenal. It grows in DRY, rocky shade.  The flowers are brilliant red on a spike or raceme that grows to about 18”.  It blooms from March to July and is a perennial . Deer don’t seem to relish this plant either.

Just starting to leaf up is Tropical Sage [Salvia coccinea]. It will bloom through the summer and right into the fall and also has scarlet-red flowers . It is a weak perennial , that is, a severe cold snap might kill it or just old age might cause its’ demise  however it reseeds prolifically . If it gets too leggy, it can be cut back or even mowed at a high level. Butterflies and hummingbirds love it but the deer ignored it last year in the meadow. If a plant survives in the meadow where deer are abundant , there is a good chance it will survive in your garden as well. So take a look around on your next visit. There are many more flowers to mention  but I’ll leave those for another day and  stop here.

Wildflowers are Mother Nature  with a many colored  paintbrush.

GAZEBO GARDENS

New plants have been added to the Gazebo Gardens as a result of the wonderful plants available at the Earth Day Native Plant Sale. Do make a visit and enjoy the Gardens which look especially good this time of year. Many thanks to the volunteers who help keep these gardens so appealing.

The Gazebo Gardens behind the library were installed by the Native Plant Society and Native Plant members are responsible for their upkeep. The Flower Garden contains mostly perennial shrubs  but also has trees and vines . There is almost always something in bloom . The plants have ID signs so you have the opportunity to look and learn.

The Cactus Garden contains cactus and succulents found in dry areas of Texas. Cactus lovers are welcome to give loving care to this bed.

Care of the gardens is the first Wednesday of the month. The Gazebo has been painted and repaired  and looks absolutely charming so be sure to stop by for a visit

Other Gardening Opportunities:

 Riverside Nature Center on Thursday mornings – call Julia Campbell -896-4133

 Kerrville Schreiner Park Butterfly Garden on Thursday mornings- call Barbara Lowenthal-896-0696

Helping is a great way to learn about plants.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Dave and Gay Ousley

THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS

You help us know our efforts are appreciated!

REFRESHMENTS!

Refreshments for June will be provided by Melinda and Jim Wasson. Be sure to give them a BIG Thank You!
Please send any suggestions or comments on this newsletter to the Editor: Julia Campbell jbcbell@ktc.co  

Officers and Board Members – 2004-2005

Please support our sponsors!