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Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

Chapter Meeting March 21 – Mena’s Demonstration of Tips and Techniques for the Propagation of Native Plants

Mena Rueffer, Master Gardener, is the speaker for the Highland Lakes Native Plant
Society of Texas’ Chapter Meeting on Saturday, 21 March from 1:00-3:00 pm at the
Marble Falls Library, 101 Main Street.
Mena started gardening when she was two years old, when gardening was a necessity for
her family. She became a Master Gardener in 2018, and has taken classes in horticulture
and Landscape Design at UT. She mostly likes shady flowers, and loves to teach tips and
techniques for propagating popular native and other landscaping plants.
Mena’s Demonstration of Tips and Techniques for the Propagation of Native Plants will
include:
 Soil Tips
 Seed Preparation and Planting Method
 Cutting and Layering Techniques
 Seasonal Timing
There will be seeds available to take home, as well as an opportunity to do limited
hands-on propagation.
Mena’s presentation will count as one hour of Advanced Training credit for Master
Gardeners, and one hour of Advanced Training credit for Master Naturalists.
Chapter business occurs during the first 30 minutes of the meeting, followed by Mena’s
demonstration.

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