Austin Chapter

The May Plant of the Month is Calylophus berlandieri, commonly called Sundrops or Square Bud Primrose.

This showy, 1-3 foot tall plant is commonly found in blackland prairies and along rocky limestone roadsides. Here it is along with Indian blankets (Gaillardia pulchella) and pink perennial prairie paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea):

It’s the perfect plant to put in full sun in the strip of ground between the sidewalk and road as it loves dry, rocky, harsh conditions with well-drained soils. It will also tolerate part shade.

Look for it at your local nursery and add a “drop of sun” to your garden! Speaking of nurseries, we are working on a list of those carrying native plants. Stay tuned!

Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata L.) by Lisa Spangler

We’ve updated our banner with Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata L.). This plant is blooming like crazy at the Wildflower Center right now (where this photo was taken), as well as gardens all across Austin! While more native to East Texas, this plant does mighty fine here. It blooms now through May.

A similar plant that is more native here is Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) It picks up blooming where Crossvine leaves off — June through September.

Both are hummingbird magnets!

Why not pick up one or both of them up at the Wildflower Center Plant Sale going on this weekend!  (April 10-11).

March, 2010

Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

10 – 15′ tall small deciduous tree typically found near streams. Showy red flowers, sometimes as early as February; palmately compound leaves. Part shade, medium moist soil. Large, lustrous, brown seeds.

Red Buckeye

Possumhaw on the Blackland Prairie by Steven Schwartzman

We’ve updated our site banner for winter with our native Possomhaw Holly, Illex decidua. An important food source for birds and mammals, the female Possomhaw Holly brightens the landscape with her beautiful berries.

Many thanks to chapter member Steven Schwartzman for the use of his wonderful photos.
Lisa

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new NPSOT Austin chapter website!  We currently have meeting information for you for the next several months — check out “Meeting & Events” tab at the top.   We’ll soon be adding more, including:

• A list of Austin-area nurseries that carry native plants
• The Brodie Wild, Travis County Flora, and Pflugerville Bridge projects
• A list of helpful links
• Plant of the Month
• Plant rescues and other volunteer opportunities
• Field trips

Stay tuned,

Lisa