Find information on what to plant in your own gardens this fall (or any time of the year) as well as learn about local events, volunteer opportunities, native plant presentations, local online resources and more! There are so many different ways you can be involved – find the information you are looking for here to participate in Native Plant Week in Austin.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 13 and 14, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Fall Plant Sale & Gardening Festival - At the Wildflower Center’s Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival you can choose from nearly 300 species of Texas native plants. The event also features artists and authors signing their works in the store, guided walks and talks and tips for your garden from experts and kids activities. Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Members Only Preview on Friday, October 12, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.). Admission $9 adults, $7 seniors and students, $4 UT faculty, staff or students with identification, $3 children 5 through 12, members and children under 5 free. Held at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, Texas 78739. Call (512) 232-0100 or visit http://www.wildflower.org/plantsale/.
Stop by the booth of the Native Plant Society of Texas Austin Chapter and the Williamson County Chapter during the fall plant sale.
October 14 – 20 Georgetown Public Library – A table in the lobby with literature and books ablout Texas Native Plants, sponsored by Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society.
Additional Austin-area events - www.cityofaustin.org/greengarden
TRIED AND TRUE NATIVE PLANTS
Ground Cover
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) – part sun or shade; great fall color, sometimes mistaken for poison ivy but is completely harmless to humans.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) – roots in shade, foliage in sun, part sun; can creep along the ground or climb a trellis, twines without suckering.
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium, formerly Eupatorium) – sun, part shade; spreads quickly.
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinnea) - part shade, shade; sow by seed and mow to 4-6 inches
Flowering plants
Esperanza / Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) - extreme sun, sun, or part shade.
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium, formerly Eupatorium) – sun, part shade; spreads quickly.
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinnea) - part shade, shade; sow by seed and mow to 4-6 inches.
Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis) - shade, part shade; blooms and berries at the same time
Shrubs
Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) – shade; trim back in the late winter, hummingbirds love it!
Esperanza / Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) – extreme sun, sun, or part shade; cut back in late winter for a nice show every year.
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) – part shade.
Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) - sun, part shade, shade; Great for yards with lots of limestone and not much soil.
Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidis wrightii) – extreme sun, sun, sometimes part shade; Late bloomer, hummingbirds love it. It can spread aggressively.
Aromatic sumac (Rhus aromatica) – sun, part shade; Beautiful and shapely shrub with pretty red berries.
Trees:
Live Oak/Plateau Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis)
Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
Lacey oak (Quercus laceyi) - May be harder to find, but a great medium-size tree for Central Texas.
Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) – Early spring bloomer, beautiful blooms and edible fruit
LOCAL DEMONSTRATION GARDENS
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has lots of gardens, including some home-style garden demonstrations (4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, Texas 78739); virtual tour of grounds
Native Trees at The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters demonstration areas around fitness center and in front of the main building (4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744)
