Project at Zilker Botanical Garden
Members of The Austin Chapter helped design
the Green Garden
at Zilker Botanical Gardens. The Green Garden was opened in 2001 to demonstrate the principles of "green" gardening -- native plants, low water usage, and low maintenance. And it's not all cacti, either!
The Austin Chapter is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Native Sampler bed in the Green Garden.
The Native Sampler bed is a shady woodland garden.
This is a great opportunity to show Austinites how to garden with native plants in the shade with minimal watering. Many areas of the city have mature trees, and folks are always asking about what to plant under them -- now we have an answer!
Some of the plants that are thriving in the bed include:
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Our maintenance consists of:
- Pruning back branches to let in more light.
- Weeding, especially going on hackberry patrol! We left the larger trees, but can do without all the little ones.
- Removing invasive plants such as Nandina and English Ivy. We didn't plant these non-natives, and suspect that they must have been lurking around from past beds.
- Adding new plants! The Chapter had a brainstorming session to come up with ideas including beautyberry, marbleseed, ferns, more sedges, and chili pequins. Be sure to share any ideas that you may have!
Workdays are more like fun than work! Come join us!
