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Native Plant Society of Texas

Kerrville Chapter

Chapter Meeting – Holiday Celebration and Presentation – The Wildlife Value of a Messy Garden

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Join us at 1:30 at Riverside Nature Center for the business meeting and distribution of the beautiful membership recognition pins before our short presentation, “The Wildlife Value of a Messy Garden”, begins at 2 pm.  At 2:30, we have refreshments, time to socialize and door prizes!  Masks are encouraged and we hope to see you there!

 The Wildlife Value of a Messy Garden
presented by chapter member Sharon Hixson

Gardens are alive. No matter what time of year, if you quietly listen and watch, you will notice a plethora of activity.  From budding flowers in spring to the rustle of withered seedheads in fall, our gardens support animals of all shapes and sizes.  If you choose to be a messy gardener in the fall and winter, the wildlife value of your garden soars.  This program explains how to encourage a messy garden and the benefits for wildlife.  The program provides ideas for creating winter interest in the garden and ways you can make ‘messy’ look good.

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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