Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Collin County Chapter

Collin County Chapter Facebook Group

It has been a long time coming, but the Collin County Chapter finally has a Facebook group.  We invite you to join in the conversation and help to spread a better understanding of the benefits of native plants in Collin County.

We have four simple rules for the group:

  1. Single Topic Group – NPSOT and the Collin County Chapter are focused on the native plants of Texas – therefore, the sole topic of our Group is native plants of Texas. We require discussions to be limited to native plants of Texas, especially those in Collin County and the greater DFW area. We welcome plant identification questions, but if the plant is identified as a non-native, we request the discussion to cease, and further comments will be halted.
  2. Courteousness – Our objective is to help educate and advocate for the utilization of native plants in Collin County and the DFW area. Debates and differences of opinions on plants are natural but must be done respectfully. Any bullying or derogatory personal comments will not be tolerated.
  3. No Product or Service Promotions – Promotion of a product or service, spam, political candidates or parties, or any other irrelevant links or comments are not permitted. Please contact our Administrators to inquire about providing a donation to place an advertisement or promotional post to this Group.
  4. Clarity in Plant Identification – For clarity when describing native plants, please utilize the scientific name in all identifications, along with the common name.
     

    We look forward to you joining our group and connecting with other North Texas native plant enthusiasts.

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 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