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Native Plant Society of Texas

Big Bend Chapter

Program – Nov 2: Water-wise garden tour

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[from Dallas Baxter]

The Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will tour a water-wise garden in central Marfa from 10-12 noon on Saturday, November 2.

Landscape designer Jim Martinez planned this landscape using rainwater, drip irrigation and other water-saving design elements. Participants will learn how to create a sustainable garden of native and adaptive plants.

Martinez and his colleagues, Mary Lou Saxon, Martha Hughes and Jim Fissel, who have just returned from the Texas Book Festival in Austin, will make a brief presentation on the creation of their new book Marfa Garden, the Wonders of Dry Desert Plants, and sign books for purchasers.

The mission of the Native Plant Society is the promotion of research, conservation and utilization of native plants and habitats through education, outreach and example. The Big Bend group meets monthly with programs and field trips. The public is invited to attend and is asked to make a $5 donation which can be used toward a membership on the day of the meeting. Membership information is available at every meeting.

Reservations are required. Contact Martha Latta for more information and directions to the meeting.

See flyer for more information.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: billarmstrong

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason