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Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

Field Trip to Betty Blackmond’s gardens

On  a beautiful fall day, November 15, 2023, about 14 of us went to Betty Blackmond’s home to see her wonderful gardens. It was a delightful experience as well as a learning experience.  Betty had gone to a lot of work labeling most of her trees, shrubs, and plants.  She passed out lists of the plants in numerical order and we were to guess how often the plants were watered or if they were watered this past summer.  It was a contest that was won by Pat Campbell and Kim McGregor in a tie.  A lot of fun.   She had landscaped all levels of the acreage around her home.  She and her husband did all the work, moving rocks, sand, gravel, and put in an amazing pond and waterfalls behind the house. Needless to say they have spent many hours over the last 10 years. 

Betty Blackmond’s home garden
Betty Blackmond's home garden
Betty Blackmond’s home garden
Betty Blackmond’s home garden
Betty Blackmond’s home garden
Betty Blackmond’s home garden

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