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News and Events

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.

  • Chapter or Committee

Collin County

Monarch Waystation Help Needed

Seeking Volunteers On Saturday February 15 there will be a workday at the Hill County rest area monarch waystations. This effort is part of a NPSOT project to maintain monarch waystations along Interstate 35. These waystations, including those in Hill County, are part of an NPSOT project and receive 5.2

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Guadalupe

Guadalupe February 2025 Meeting

The Guadalupe Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, FM 465, Marion, Texas. Via Zoom, Ricky Linex from Weatherford, TX will tell the story, “In Search of a perfect Red – How

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Collin County

A Valentine’s Tribute to Native Texas Plants

Valentine’s Day is coming soon, a time to show our love and appreciation to those we care about most. Those of us in NPSOT have an abiding love and affection for our native plants of Texas. In that realm, let’s reflect on some native Texas plants and their connection to

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Boerne

Now is a Great Time to Become a Boerne NPSOT Member!

We invite you to join the Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT – Boerne)! Being a member of our Boerne Chapter has so many benefits!  As part of your membership: You will have the opportunity to participate in monthly meetings on various topics of interest to

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Collin County

Virtual-only Chapter Meeting – February 4

Gardening for Birds with Native Plants Reminder that our next chapter meeting on Tuesday February 4 at 6:30 is virtual-only – no in-person gathering at the Heard. To join via Zoom: The meeting’s featured presentation is on “Gardening for Birds with Native Plants“, presented by Jane Tillman. Jane will explore

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Boerne

Save the Date! Spring Native Plant Sale on April 19, 2025

Save the date! Our Spring Native Plant Sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Herff Farm Teaching Barn, at 33 Herff Road in Boerne.  Take advantage of this opportunity to easily obtain native plants suited to our eco region, and along

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. 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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason