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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

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason