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Native Plant Society of Texas

Trinity Forks Chapter

April Program, Shade Gardening, and Business Meeting

The monthly meeting will be live at TWU (see  Location below) and simultaneously broadcast via Zoom (see Zoom link below)
6:30 pm Refreshments & socializing
7:00 pm brief business meeting with program to follow.

Does your landscape have problem areas where nothing seems to grow? Do you have mature trees and areas where your turf is receding? Are your trees throwing shade? Don’t accept being shaded out. Instead, take advantage of these cooler landscape areas! Learn about the many native and adapted plants that not only survive, but thrive, in shadier spots– along with tips and tricks to create beautiful shade gardens that beat the Texas heat. We’ll also cover gardening under mature trees as well as turf alternatives and hardscape options for low-light areas.

Our featured speaker for April will be Daniel Cunningham. His presentation will be Cool Off with Shade Gardening
With a holistic approach to sustainability, Cunningham is nationally regarded as a leading horticulture expert. Specializing in edible gardens, native pollinator-friendly landscapes, rainwater harvesting systems, and efficient irrigation design, he conducts more than a hundred programs each year for both homeowners and organizations.
In addition, Cunningham frequently provides expert-level training for conservation centered organizations including Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, and Native Plant Societies. He also conducts CEU and keynotes programming for professional landscape architects and nursery professionals. His consultation work on a multitude of demonstration and production garden projects — both at home and abroad — provides critical leadership in plant selection and management, as well as water use best practices.
With a passion for helping the at-home gardener, Cunningham partners with local news outlets in Texas, often appearing on NBC Channel 5 as a special contributor, in addition to regular segments on local FOX, ABC and CBS affiliates. He also works as a special contributor to both the “Dallas Morning News” and Edible-Dallas Fort/Worth magazine. Outside of his home in North Texas, Daniel contributes to the syndicated, Central Texas Gardener and has also been featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine and Yahoo News.

Location: The Ann Stuart Science Complex (ASSC) Room 259 at TWU
Campus Map
Parking is available beginning at 6pm.

Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83237641371?pwd=dzhGUlptdnowQk1XQ29iby9LbFYydz09

Meeting ID: 832 3764 1371 Passcode: 107836 One tap mobile +13462487799,,83237641371#,,,,*107836# US (Houston) +17193594580,,83237641371#,,,,*107836# US

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason