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Cross Timbers Chapter

NICE! Native Plant Partners

The NICE! Native Plant Partner program is a collaboration between  the Native Plant Society of Texas and local nurseries around the state to offer native plants that are right for the local environment.

Texas is a large, diverse state and plants that work for one region may not always be the best choice in a different region.

NICE Partner committees, run by our local chapters, highlight native plants in cooperation with participating local nurseries and wholesalers in order to assure availability.

The Native Plant Society chapter then helps promote native plants sales to the public by providing signs and plant information at the point of sale, advertising on its website and assisting with onsite plant sale events. Many chapters share a native plant of the month/season. Look for these beauties at your local NICE! nurseries.

To find a NICE Nursery Near You: https://www.npsot.org/our-work/nice-native-plant-partners/

Help Wanted

Help visit local nurseries and share information about the NICE Native Plant Partner Program; and distribute the Plant of the Month flyer to participating nurseries.  Please reach out to us if you know of a nursery that might be a good candidate:  cross-timbers-chapter@npsot.org

NICE Nurseries Wanted

If you have a nursery that sells native plants in the Cross Timbers region west of Fort Worth, and are interested in becoming a NICE Nursery, please reach out to us at: cross-timbers-chapter@npsot.org

Neighboring Chapter with NICE program:

The North Central Chapter (Fort Worth) of the NPSOT has an NICE Program. For details, please visit their website at: https://www.npsot.org/chapters/north-central/programs-nice/

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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