Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Pines and Prairies Chapter

Sam Houston Elementary Pollinator Garden

This garden is a joint project by Pines and Prairies Chapter, NPSOT; Heartwood Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist); and Coushatti Trace Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Carolyn Worsham, a member of all three chapters, initiated the project per the suggestion of Ms. Paula Nicolini, principal of Sam Houston Elementary. Initial funding was provided by a $100 grant from Pines and Prairies.

Seven raised beds were in place on the school patio; however, they had not been tended in years. The first challenge was removing the visible weeds. Layers of cardboard were added to suppress the weed growth, the soil was amended, and mulch was added to each bed before the planting began. The first plantings of Gulf Coast Penstemon (Penstemon tenuis) and Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) were made in early March. Other additions included Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepius tuberosa), Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), Texas Verbena (Verbena halei), Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), Texas Star Hisbiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).

Thanks to the work of Darla Oakman, Bill and Carolyn Worsham, Gail McConnell, Patti Thompson, and Jessica Maugh who prepared the beds, planted, watered, and weeded, the garden thrived through the dry summer of 2022.

Future plans include posting plant signs, offering an instructional component, and securing the support of faculty and students for garden maintenance.

Receive the latest native plant news

Subscribe To Our News

Subscribe to emails from the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Receive emails when new posts are added 4-6 times per month, or receive an email once a month.

Subscribe

Or join us on social media

Facebook Youtube Instagram Camera

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