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Native Plant Society of Texas

Lauren Simpson’s Garden in Houston

Ecoregion: Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Native Plant Garden in Houston

Here is what NPSOT member Lauren Simpson says about her lush front yard garden in Houston: “Our 11-year-old home gardens are a Certified Wildlife Habitat (National Wildlife Federation), Certified Butterfly Garden and Certified Monarch Garden (North American Butterfly Association), and Monarch Waystation (Monarch Watch, Waystation No. 10925). We adopted the name “St. Julian’s Crossing Wildlife Habitat” in honor of St. Julian the Hospitaller, the patron saint of travelers and innkeepers, because Monarch Butterflies travel through the gardens on their annual migration. We estimate that over 90% of the gardens’ current plant species are native to our area, which has resulted in tremendous biodiversity—as just one example, we recorded 56th butterfly species in fall 2024.”

You can learn more about Lauren’s garden here:

  • Instagram educational community: @st_julians_crossing

Plants in foreground include: Corpus Christi Fleabane (Erigeron procumbens); Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa); Creeping Spotflower (Acmella oppositifolia var. repens); Lindheimer’s Beebalm (Monarda lindheimeri); Hercules Club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis); Bushy Goldentop (Euthamia leptocephali); Ivyleaf Thoroughwort (Chromolaena ivifolia); Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium); Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii); Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum).

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason