NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

Kerrville Chapter

Website:  www.npsot.org/kerrville

MAY  NEWSLETTER - 2005

 NATIVES ON THE GROW

Dedicated to the understanding, preservation and enjoyment of the native flora of the Hill Country

  HIKE THE LIVE OAK WILDERNESS TRAIL

                                                     

The program for our meeting on Tuesday, May 3  at 2PM will be a hike on the Live Oak Wilderness Trail at Lady Bird Johnson Park in Fredericksburg .This trail was developed by Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center and includes a trail map  with stops which are denoted by 4x4 inch posts . Part of the trail is adjacent  to a creek and also a lake. There is a remnant of a live oak forest and native grasses and many beautiful spring wildflowers can be seen. Post oak and blackjack trees are growing  in the more sandy and upland areas.The cliff along the edge of the lake is composed of Pleistocene and Recent sediments deposited by Live Oak Creek. Buff colored sandy and silty loam deposits overlie a basal conglomerate of pebbles derived from the Cretaceous sediments that are being eroded by Live Oak Creek in its upper reaches.

The lake is the winter home to a number of migrant water birds including ducks, cormorants, grebes and herons. In spring to early fall look for Green Herons and Cattle Egrets feeding or roosting around the lake and along the creek.

The marshy area below the dam is home for water loving plants, dragonflies and wading birds.

We will be guided along this trail which will take about one hour by guides from the Friends Of the Fredericksburg Nature Center. Wear sturdy footwear and  you may wish to bring water and perhaps some bug spray- it’s getting to be that time of year.

The walk will take place unless it is raining. If the weather is inclement call the Riverside Nature Center for information.

We will meet at the Nature Center at 1PM for carpooling or you may proceed to the Lady Bird Johnson Park on your own. The walk will begin at 2PM.

Lady Bird Johnson Park is off Highway 16 south of the city of Fredericksburg. Enter the Park and you will see a sign directing you to the Nature trail. We will gather at Pavillion 1

 

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

April  25: Texas Master Naturalist – Hill Country Chapter Monthly Monday Meeting  - 6:30 at Riverside Nature Center , 150 Francisco Lemos. There will be a presentation at 7PM by archeologist  Dr. Grant Hall of Texas Tech. University entitled “An Overview of Central Texas Archeology and Prehistory”.There will also be a fantastic opportunity to buy plants which are overstock from the Earth Day Sale at RNC at DISCOUNT PRICES!  5 Gallon trees at $18 is a bargain you can’t pass up! Come early, browse and buy.

MAY 3: Hike the Live Oak Wilderness  Trail (see above)

May  21:”Fredericksburg Nativescapes Garden Tour” presented by  the Fredericksburg Chapter of  NPSOT. On-site tours of 5 residential gardens both urban and rural will be conducted. The tour runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets -7$ for adults and children under 17 are free- may be purchased  9:00AM-2:00PM on the day of the tour at Marktplatz in the 100 block of W. MainSt. directly across from the Gillespie County Courthouse. For additional information call 830-997-3011 or email Fredericksburg@npsot.org

MAY  26: LBJ National Park monthly presentation -7PM at the Visitors Center on the corner of Av. C and Ladybird Lane in Johnson City – Joe Hass’s program is “The Beeman of Blanco County” Call 830-868-7128 ext.244 for more info.

 

Door prizes will not be available at our May meeting due to the outdoor activity but pot up those native plants for donations at the June meeting!

WILDFLOWERS

It’s great fun just to watch them “Duke it out”! Garden watching is my favorite pastime. Presently the Pink Evening Primrose [Oenothera speciosa] is in the ascendancy. The Texas Bluebonnet [Lupinus texensis] has had its’  day and is holding up gamely and the Texas Paintbrush [Castilleja indivisa] is still  adding it’s brilliantly splashy color. But who can help admire these beautiful big -2-31/2”- pink flowers blossoming and engulfing  rocky thin soils not only  surviving but flourishing with just the occasional drizzle we’ve had this past month.  White flowered forms of this plant can also be found in some areas. Now those with smaller garden areas might find these plants overly aggressive . I have friends tearing them out . However, if you have large areas, this plant makes a beautiful groundcover this time of year. And of course flowering up is also Mealy Blue Sage [Salvia farinacea] and Engelmann Daisy [Engelmannia pinnatifada].

Of course we know who’s waiting in the wings  just beginning to send up flower stalks – can you guess?You are correct if you say Indian Blanket [Gaillardia pulchella] and right along beside it is Standing Winecup [Callirhoe digitata] which, if you are lucky,  is the perennial . The annual Standing Winecup is Callirhoe leiocarpa . They look identical and the easiest way to differentiate is by the root system . Whichever they are , they are beautiful and grow up to 3’ tall making a wonderful addition to the wildflower garden Another perennial winecup is Callirhoe involucrate. This species is a low growing sprawing winecup with stems up to 18” long. It makes a great edging plant

With all these wildflowers who needs a lawn!!!

GAZEBO GARDENS

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 mostly succulents found in dry areas of Texas.

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

  THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS

                                  

You help us know our efforts are appreciated!

 REFRESHMENTS!

Refreshments will not be served at the nature walk

 

Please send any suggestions or comments on this newsletter to the Editor: Julia Campbell jbcbell@ktc.com

Officers and Board Members – 2004-2005

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