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Native Plant Society of Texas

Jeanina’s Side Yard in San Antonio

Ecoregion: Edwards Plateau
Native side yard path in San Antonio


Jeanina Diaz shows that no space is too small for native plants. According to Jeanina, “The side yard was pretty useless in terms of backyard space so we converted it to a native garden with stepping stones. The ground cover is Frog Fruit (Phyla nodiflora) and there is Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea) and Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) along the fence line. I also have a couple of Pearl Milkweed (Matelea reticulata) on trellises.

“The house faces north and the houses are pretty tall so we don’t get but a couple hours of sun in between the house each day. The area furthest from the gate gets much more sun so those plants have grown significantly larger but this is all first year growth! We did have a lot of rain that helped the plants get established but all the sprinklers were capped when I planted the Frog Fruit. We have an abundance of pollinators in the area thanks to the plants.”

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