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Highland Lakes Chapter

Spring Plant Sale a Success

by Carleen Edgar

Yesterday was very busy, it was a busier plant sale than I have ever worked. Just look at the pic of Kay handling 10 customers at once!

Lots of volunteers showed up and members brought even more plants than we had expected! We had so many plants, we put a lot under the tables to replenish later.

The booth set up volunteers were like busy bees, constantly moving and finding something that needed to be done. Many wise suggestions from
volunteers gratefully taken and implemented.

I learned yesterday that Kim and Fred were salesmen in a previous life. They sell, sell, sell and both charming as ever! They just don’t stop!

Linda was indispensable as resident native plant expert. We need more like her. She was always ready to take questions with a smile even while in the middle of answering another one.

Kay was constantly surrounded by buyers and I was amazed at how happy she was at all times. She was always joking and advising and just never ran out of steam!

Diane’s presentation on native plants was well attended and very interesting. I was excited to see young people in the audience. Hard to believe after 20 or so years in native plants, I could still know so little!

There were so many volunteers that just kept moving and doing and, if I didn’t get to thank you personally, I would like you to know that it couldn’t have been done without you. We were ready right at 10am and that’s because of all of us pulled together and made it happen.

Total sales were very good: $1,970 ( minus 3 flats of 4” pots not yet deducted)

I was blown away by the generosity of both grower/donors and booth volunteers with their time and energy in preparing and executing this plant sale.
We discussed possibly forming a committee for plant sales. For this sale, it was like one materialized organically, all on its own.

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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