By Bill Ward
Published in The Boerne Star on March 12, 2002
This spring, the Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will launch Operation NICЕ! (Natives Instead of the Common Exotics!) The program will encourage homeowners and nursery professionals to use more native shrubs, trees, flowers and grasses in place of the familiar exotic plants that are routinely chosen for landscaping.
Many favorable results come from using natives instead of exotics. The most important is that native plants conserve water, the most precious natural resource in the Hill Country. They also require little or no fertilizer. Less fertilizer keeps ground water cleaner. Less watering and less fertilizing saves money. Through Operation NICE!, the Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOТ) hopes to make this more widely appreciated.
There are other ecological benefits of growing native. Many exotic plants are harmless, but others are serious threats to our native plants and animals. The spread of exotics is now recognized as a major cause of decrease in biodiversity in the US. Exotic plants that now pose a threat in this area include Chinese tallow, ligustrum, China-berry, Johnson grass and many more. One I wish they had never imported is Bermuda grass.
Very few of us in NPSOT are purists, who turn away all exotic plants. However, a few years ago I began to supplement my yard plants with native species. I became increasingly more attracted to natives because of their drought tolerance and economical benefits. Now, I seldom think of adding anything except natives. I have more plants, but do less watering. Also, some birds and butterflies that never came to our yard before are attracted by the native plants.
At first, I was pretty ignorant of the fact that there are so many attractive natives available for landscaping. Through NPSOT, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and some local nurserymen, I have been re-educated on how to арproach my own landscaping.
A fringe benefit of doing this is that you learn so much about Texas flora. I grew up in San Antonio and this part of the Hill Country, but never recognized all the interesting plants I tromped through. It is amazing what is out there in the natural landscape.
Beginning in April, this column and displays at local nurseries will showcase a different native plant every month. All of these NICЕ! plants have proven to be attractive and hearty landscape plants. One good source of native plants is the annual Mostly Native Plant Sale sponsored by the Cibolo Nature Center. This year it will be April 20 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds.
