Native Landscapes
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.
Recent Native Landscape News
Why we have lawns
Many envision the ‘perfect’ American lawn as a lush, uniform green carpet that covers their outdoor space. But beneath this verdant facade lies a complex social history and significant environmental dilemma. The lawns that stretch across the United States, covering an...
In protecting darkness, conservation finds new light
For land trusts that want to protect dark skies, the good news is this: They already do plenty to combat light pollution. By protecting undeveloped land with little human habitation, they inherently preserve darkness, at no added cost. And, when compared to problems...
Why Austinites should embrace a ‘summer blonde’ lawn during a drought
Spring is practically upon us, meaning it's just about time to clear out the flowerbeds and start planning the year's garden. But with increasingly unpredictable rainfall and extended droughts, it may be worth considering plants with lower water needs — especially...
Passing the torch: 19 properties officially transferred to Texas Land Conservancy
In the spirit of passing the torch, I am delighted to inform you that the Hill Country Land Trust has successfully completed a three-year process of transitioning its 19 protected properties, totaling 8,010 acres, to the capable hands of Texas Land Conservancy (TLC)....