NICE! Plant of the Month
(Nolina texana)
Family: Lily Family
Other Common Names: Nolina, Sacahuista, Basket grass, Bunch-grass
Type: Perennial, evergreen grasslike plant growing in a 3 ft. wide clump.
Natural Habitat: On slopes and ravines in rocky soil from the Edwards Plateau, central Texas to the upper Rio Grande Plains, and west to the Trans-Pecos.
Growth: 2-3 feet.
Deer Resistance: Yes.
Wildlife: Butterflies.
Light Tolerance: Full sun to shade.
Flowers: March-July; short clusters of white flowers nestled in amongst the leaves.
Leaves: Simple, evergreen, thin (about 3 feet long and 1/8 inch wide).
Water Requirements: Low.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained sites; sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone.
Planting Instructions: Space plants 3-4 feet apart. Dig a hole at least two times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth. Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with your fingers. If the plant is root-bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several places. Lift the plant by the root ball and place into the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 3-4 inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the base of the plant.
Watering Instructions after planting: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots and continue to water monthly for the first season. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Second year and thereafter, only water monthly during periods of drought. Once established, these xeric plants will survive with little supplemental irrigation.
NICE! Tip: Use this graceful xeric plant as a mass planting, flowing over a limestone ledge or wall. In a desert landscape, combine it with agaves and succulents. Use in shaded areas instead of non-native vinca. Mix with blackfoot daisy or xemenia for summer color. Can be used to control soil erosion.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
