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Native Plant Society of Texas

Austin Chapter

Austin Plant Sale 2023 Review

The Austin NPSOT Plant sale was on October 7, 2023 at Dowell Ranch, and was a great success! This was our first year at our partner NPAT’s property at Dowell Ranch, and the location was excellent, with ample parking right next to the sale area. The sales area was more spread out than in years past and it made the shopping experience much more pleasant.

The folks growing our plants this year excelled, with over 150 different species of plants, including many unusual and uncommon varieties. The plant sale volunteer team had tables spread out in a semi-circle and were far enough apart to not feel crowded. It was easy to find plants because they were all arranged by botanical name and each had detailed signs with information about the plants.

The line was long shortly after opening at 10 but moved quickly. All the improvements the plant sale volunteers made kept things moving along. Most plants were sold by 11:30 and the rest went quickly thereafter. Volunteers were always nearby to answer any questions about the plant selections, and they were heavily consulted.

Thanks go out to the over 30 NPSOT volunteers who made this fundraiser a great success, led by Celeste Brancel, Thomas O’Donnell, and Aspen Huebner. The team worked for 6 months to prepare the venue, plants, volunteers, and all the logistics to make this event the great success that it was.
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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