Prairie Rose Chapter

December 2021

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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

December seems a good time to take a moment and reflect on the past year. This year we began working our way back to ìnormalcyî, although it seems to most of us that itís still a long way off. We held both our spring and fall plant sales (although our spring sale was in May because of the February freeze), we held two outdoor meetings and were able to hold one indoor meeting. Although there isnít a regularly scheduled meeting in December, if youíre a chapter member, we hope youíll join us in our holiday party.

Our hope and plan is that we can go back to our normally scheduled programs and meetings in 2022. Although there is a new coronavirus variant, it looks like weíll have good answers before the end of December and know where we stand on working around this one. So, please plan on meeting the fourth Monday of January!

We wish everyone a very happy, family-filled holiday season.

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

  Our garden is fully decorated and looks great. Please take a moment and drive by at night. We’ve been able to add additional lighting this year, and it looks really good.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DECEMBER?


Plants in our fields and pastures are either dormant or almost dormant, so there very few active, blooming plants. Some may still have blooms on them in flowerbeds and other tended areas, but in nature itís time to rest and grow strong over the winter. This doesnít mean there isnít anything of interest. Now is the time for seeds and berries which provide not only an interesting contrast to the landscape but valuable food sources for many birds and animals.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: prairierose

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