Native Landscapes

Photo: Jonathan Vail

Native Landscapes

The natural beauty of seasonal blooms, such as our state flower, bluebonnets, in the spring and goldeneye daisies in the fall, is a large part of the unique character and heritage of the Hill Country. But wildflowers do much more than dazzle us with their beauty. They protect soil and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. They provide wildlife habitat and support the pollinator communities that anchor Hill Country ecosystems. The support healthy native plant populations provide for our land is especially important where commercial and residential developments are encroaching on natural areas.

Native landscapes are easy to maintain and use far less water than traditional lawns and gardens, which saves landowners money and conserves our water supply for the future. Happily, a supportive community and a plethora of educational resources have helped motivate landowners to preserve native plants on their land and restore native landscapes that were once covered by St. Augustine grass. Slowly, the market is gaining appreciation for the beauty of native landscapes and the value they add to our quality of life.

To learn more about native plants and how you can transition to native landscaping, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center here or join the Texas Master Naturalist program here. Learn more about St. Augustine Grass here.