News and announcements from our committee chairs, board members, and chapter leaders. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date. For chapter news, visit Chapters. If you are looking for a calendar of events, see our Events Calendar.
Desired future conditions apply to more that just the aquifer
By Delmar Cain In July representatives of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District met with representatives from other groundwater districts from surrounding counties as part of the Groundwater Management Area 9 to decide what our aquifer levels should be in 2060. At that meeting I first heard of the concept
September 2010
NICE! Plant of the Month Conoclinium (Eupatorium) coelestinum, Conoclinium (Eupatorium) greggii Family: Asteraceae Other Common Names: Wild ageratum, blue boneset, Gregg’s blue mistflower Type: Perennial, flowering plant can reach 1 ½ foot height in garden (generally lower) Natural Habitat: Moist woods in East, Southeast and North Central Texas; Gregg’s mistflower
Two worthy additions to your bookshelf
Texas Cacti and Hill Country Landowner Guide both belong on every native plant lovers bookshelf
Society adopts collection policy
Basically, the policy boils down to: always get permission before collecting. And if the plant is an endangered species, get a permit.
Something a little different
Our backyard has three “non-standard” native plants that are brightening our landscape during the summer heat.
Backyard wildflowers — something a little different
Author: Bill Ward We have many different kinds of native plants in our yard, not only to conserve water, but also because we think they make landscaping our yard more interesting and enjoyable. Luckily, we can get a variety of native plants from nurseries in Boerne or nearby in Medina,
NPSOT — not a society of garden clubs
Author: Bill Ward Many people unfamiliar with the Native Plant Society of Texas seem to envision the organization as a collection of garden clubs for native-plant geeks. NPSOT may have some obsessive enthusiasts (i.e., geeks), but no chapter of NPSOT is a garden club. Of course, cultivating native plants in
Mountain cedar – water guzzler or not?
For many people, the implication in “clear the cedar and start the springs” is that cedars are sucking up water that would otherwise filter down to recharge the aquifer and increase spring flow.
A society of garden clubs? – Not!
**ARCHIVED POST ** Many people unfamiliar with the Native Plant Society of Texas envision the organization as a collection of garden clubs for native-plant geeks. The Society may have some obsessive enthusiasts (i.e., geeks), but no chapter is a garden club.
Mountain cedar — water guzzler of the Hill Country or not?
Author: Bill Ward For years I’ve heard many people say, “David Bamberger cleared the cedar off his land, and his springs started flowing.” Keep in mind I don’t mean David Bamberger said that; it’s what other people keep saying. If all he did was clear the mountain cedar (Ashe juniper),
Mountain cedar — does it deserve such disdain?
Author: Bill Ward There are a couple of myths about “mountain cedar” or Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) that seem to be part of the conventional wisdom of the Texas Hill Country. One is that mountain cedar doesn’t really belong here because it only recently invaded the Hill Country. The other
July-August 2010
NICE! Plant of the Month (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) Family: Poaceae Other Common Names: Big muhly Type: Native prairie grass Growth: Consists of 2 to 5-foot-tall bunches of dull, gray-green foliage. Deer Resistance: Deer do not browse this grass. Wildlife: Nesting material for birds Light Tolerance: Full sun to part shade Flowers:
