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Native Plant Society of Texas

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Struttin’ Our Stuff, Season 3

Backyard landscaped with native plants

November 13, 2023 @ 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm

Please join us for our chapter meeting on Zoom!

6:35 Meeting Opens
6:45 Business Meeting
6:55 Plant of the Month
7:00 Guest Speakers

Whether we’re seasoned native plant experts, just beginning our journey, or somewhere in between, we’re all on a continuous learning adventure. Some of the most valuable lessons come from hands-on experiences, whether they result in triumph or teachable moments. In our upcoming November meeting, fellow chapter members will share their triumphs and growth stories from their own native plant gardens. Join us for an evening of inspiration and encouragement and discover the motivation to enhance your own green space!

About the Speakers

Cheryl Barajas is a dedicated native plant enthusiast, currently serving as the Plant Sale Committee Chair. With her expertise as a Master Gardener since 2012 and a Master Naturalist since 2019, Cheryl’s passion for the environment and over five years of active membership in the Native Plant Society make her a valued advocate for sustainable gardening and native plant conservation.

Laura Bradley is a dedicated Master Naturalist with a deep-rooted passion for environmental conservation. She is an active member of the Native Plant Society and generously volunteers her time and expertise at Armand Bayou Nature Center, making a significant impact in preserving and promoting our natural world.

Virginia Pierson-Turner grew up in Shoreacres in the 1960s when it was still mostly prairie and woods–a habitat that she cherished. Since purchasing her first home, she has been dedicated to preserving or recreating that natural habitat. Virginia has kept Native Plant Society paper newsletters from that era and is grateful for the Clear Lake Chapter and all she’s learned to aid her in this endeavor.

Patty Steinke has been a member of the Native Plant Society since 2015, and a member of the Clear Lake chapter since it was established in 2016. Retired from a 37-year teaching career in biology at San Jacinto College, Patty is now Chair of the chapter’s Community Outreach Committee, Chairperson for Keep Friendswood Beautiful, and a Master Naturalist (Galveston Bay Area Chapter).

Jesus Suarez is a Texas Master Naturalist and an active member of the Clear Lake Chapter. He has been landscaping with Texas native plants since the late 1990s. What influenced him to use native plants was living in the Middle East in the early 90s and watching the only TV programming available in English–a 24-hour nature channel.

Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This is a FREE EVENT, but please register to join the meeting and participate in the Q&A. This meeting may also be live streamed on our Facebook page.

Meetings are open to members and non-members. If you would like to become a member, you may join online. For more information about the Native Plant Society of Texas and the benefits of membership please visit: npsot.org.

Hosted by the Environmental Institute of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake.

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Clear Lake Chapter

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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