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Native Plant Society of Texas

Robin Kendrick-Yates Garden in Houston

Ecoregion: Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Front yard makeover in Houston

Galveston Co. chapter member Robin Kendrick-Yates replaced his standard front yard with ligustrum shrubs, monkey grass lined beds, 9 crepe myrtle trees and St Augustine lawn starting in 2016.

The lush native front yard garden now contains Buffalo Grass, White Clover, Frogfruit, Lyreleaf Sage, Corpus Christi Fleabane, Pink Evening Primrose, Powder Puff, Horse Herb, and Black Eyed Susan.

Robin says “During the pandemic, I progressively pulled up any remaining turfgrass, composted it, and planted plugs of Frogfruit:) ~ 18” apart.  It took 2 growing seasons for the yard to fill in. In Houston, that is 12 months! Over time I noticed more pollinators of all species and sizes throughout the year-bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and dragonflies. We have red shouldered hawks and Mississippi kites in our trees! A neighbor spotted a Great Egret in our front yard.  Many birds forage insects and seed in our yard.”

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