Every year, during the third week of October, Texas celebrates Native Plant Week. This special designation was made by the Texas Legislature in 2009 to bring attention to the importance of preserving and promoting native plant species in Texas.
Texas is home to a diverse range of native plants that contribute to the unique landscape of our state. Native plants are those that have naturally evolved in a region over thousands of years. They have adapted to the local climate, soil conditions, and wildlife interactions. These are plants that can survive without human intervention (i.e. sprinklers, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.). And they can generally survive extreme weather conditions year-round, from droughts and heat to hard freezes.
Why Native Plants
Our summers recently have been especially brutal, extra hot and dry. I’ve seen a lot of non-native plants die under these conditions. Even in my own garden, I lost some non-natives, including a beloved Japanese maple. This is a stark reminder that we are best off working with Mother Nature!
Native plants are just going to better survive the increasingly extreme conditions we are experiencing. This means less expense for homeowners. You won’t have to rip out as many dead plants after each summer, and you also won’t need to spend as much on water and maintenance bills.
Texas Native Plant Week serves as a reminder of the importance of native plants in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. These plants play a vital role in supporting a diverse range of pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife species. They provide food and shelter for native fauna while contributing to soil stabilization and water conservation.
By incorporating these indigenous species into our surroundings, we can create sustainable habitats that support wildlife populations and enhance overall ecological resilience.
The advantage for us is a self-supporting system that requires less involvement on our part to keep our gardens flourishing.
Dallas Morning News Article
If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know I’m a huge advocate for landscaping with Texas native plants. It is the bedrock of our work at Dubberley Landscape.
I was honored to be interviewed by the Dallas Morning News for an article to share my expertise and passion for landscaping with native plants. Texas Native Plant Week is the perfect time to revisit this article: Use native plants for a thriving landscape — even in the North Texas heat
I discuss some of the benefits of landscaping with native plants, including reduced maintenance, water conservation, heat/drought tolerance, and fewer pest problems. I make several plant recommendations, such as hummingbird favorites like Flame Acanthus and Turk’s cap.
You’ll find links in the article to area nurseries that carry native plants. And there’s a brief overview of planting and care techniques for creating a thriving native landscape.
Above all, landscaping with native plants is part of a sustainable practice that is good for both the homeowner and for the environment. By planting native species in our gardens, we can create havens for pollinators, provide habitat for wildlife, and support the overall health of our ecosystems. As I say in the article:
If they’re not feeding the environment, then I don’t use them. They have to feed the birds, bees and butterflies. Bug numbers have dropped significantly and that threatens the food web for everything above it.”
As a conscientious landscaper, I firmly believe in preserving the environment while beautifying outdoor spaces. By incorporating sustainable plants and practices into your landscape, you not only contribute to a greener planet but also create a harmonious ecosystem that thrives with minimal effort on your part.
How to Celebrate Texas Native Plants
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply an admirer of nature’s landscape, this is the perfect opportunity to discover more about native plant species, get involved, and start planning how to transform your own little corner of nature with these valuable plants.
Learn and Explore
To research plants, The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center has an extensive plant database and library of resources. The Native Plant Society of Texas also has lots of great information; keep an eye on their calendar for upcoming classes as part of their Native Landscape Certification Program. The Texas Master Naturalist Program is another regional organization that offers many educational and hands-on activities.
Check out local events for plant sales and educational opportunities. Get out in nature by exploring the many natural spaces we have available to us.
And on those rainy days, curl up with a good book, like Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth or Planting in a Post-Wild World. I also highly recommend Bringing Nature Home by Professor Doug Tallamy (see below); this book changed my whole way of thinking.
Go Native in Small Spaces
Don’t have a garden? Even in Urban and compact spaces, you can still grow native plants and do good for the ecosystem.
Plan and Sow
If you are ready to make changes in your own little slice of nature, now is the perfect time! Conditions in autumn are ideal for getting native perennials in the ground. The baby plants won’t be fighting summer heat and will have time to establish roots before wintry conditions arrive. Come next spring, the plants will be well-established and ready to put on lush new growth.
Now is also the time to sow spring-flowering wildflower seeds, like the prized bluebonnet. Plan to sow fall-flowering wildflowers in spring.
When making plant selections, be sure to keep pollinators and birds in mind. Check out the Pollinator Week post for more helpful resources.
Visit the Central Texas Gardner YouTube channel for lots more great resources and inspiration on native plants and landscaping.
And when reconsidering your own landscape, don’t forget that mono-cultures like lawns are the perfect opportunity to introduce more diversity.
If you still need convincing, watch this webinar from Doug Tallamy: Saving Nature. If you are ready to really get involved, check out Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park, a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and get on the map.
Citizen Science
A fun way to get involved for all ages is the Texas BioBlitz Challenge. Grab your phone, install the handy iNaturalist app, and head outdoors to start identifying your local pollinators. Hint: the more native plants, the more pollinators you will find!
For me, Native Plant Week is EVERY week! So, contact me if you are ready to revamp your landscape with native plants. Also, stay tuned for more. We’ll be featuring some favorite native plants on the blog, so subscribe below to be notified when these new posts are published.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with current links. Originally published October 2023.
- Photo by David Pope. ↩︎
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