Landscaping with Native Plants

Edwards Plateau Ecosystem

“Sunflowers” photo by Larry Alford, July 15, 2011

Why Choose Native Plants?

The term “native plant” usually refers to plants that evolved naturally within an ecosystem over thousands of years.

Using native plants in landscaping provides several benefits:

• Native plants are already adapted to the climate and require fewer water resources than non-natives.

• Native plants are suited to the ecosystem and do not require fertilizers or other chemicals to thrive.

• Native plants provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.Native plants are suited to the ecosystem and do not require fertilizers or other chemicals to thrive.

• Native plants help ensure bio-diversity and ecosystem health.

• Native grasses help reduce erosion and direct water to the aquifers.

List provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife: www/tpwd.texas.gov

Wildscaping

Even in urban settings, you can provide plants that benefit nature.

Pollinator Gardens – plant the annual and perennial plants that bees, bumblebees and hummingbirds use as a nectar or pollen source.

Bird Habitat –Native plants are important to birds for both shelter and nesting areas.  Many plants also act as a food source.

Hays County Ecosystem

The Edwards Plateau

The majority of Hays County is in the Edwards Plateau ecosystem.  When European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s, the area was a patchwork of grassland savannahs and woodland stands of juniper and oak which supported large herds of bison, deer and antelope. 

Introduction of livestock and non-native plants and grasses, as well as construction and farming, have dramatically changed the area, especially its water resources.

One mission of the Master Naturalist organization is to provide information and guidance to landowners to help return the land to a more natural state.

Learn More:

Gardening for Pollinators – https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening

A Guide to Native Planting - https://www.wildflower.org/learn/guide-native-plant-gardening

Native Plant Identification -  search for plants by name or characteristic and see photos and planting information - https://www.wildflower.org/

Planning a Wildscape - https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/wildscapes/

Native Plants for Landscaping - https://www.npsot.org/resources/native-plants/native-plants-database/