native plants primer - SFA Gardens - Stephen F. Austin State ...

them away from home, where their merits are better appreciated, and more highly developed, that one
learns for the first time what our gardens have lost by having none of the "American plants" in them. “
Isn’t it interesting that most of the trees used in East Texas landscapes are natives and most
shrubs are not? Traditions in our plant heritage appear most to blame behind this dichotomy, a
landscape evolution that has led to our present urban landscape philosophy. After all, most early
settlers were too busy worrying about survival to be concerned with landscaping their property. The
interest was with food CROPS - grains, vegetables and fruit dominated their motivation. After security
and a little prosperity settled in, Americans (immigrants with a recent memory of the Old World) were
eager to surround themselves with familiar plants from their homeland. Showy, flowering plants were
preferred for the home site and old standards made their mark. Quinces, Forsythias, and Spiraeas dot
the south because they are very durable, tend to survive with humans around or not. Native plants
often failed to make inroads. It was easy for early settlers to move small shrubs, cuttings, and seeds
from one location to another. With plants came design. Each ethnic group carved out a philosophy of
display and utility; the swept floor, yard fence, farm garden/orchard and an assortment of perennials
characterized many southern homescapes. Old plants - many that lost favor as trends and fashion
concepts changed - are now enjoying a resurgence of interest in a garden public starving for plant
information and for plants that last.
In the vernacular of the times, the native “xeriscape” garden is one designed to include species
that will survive and thrive without irrigation. In our area of Texas, we can successfully cultivate many
of the dry lovers from this portion of the state and parts west. Besides creating an attractive and less
demanding landscape, a properly maintained xeriscape can conserve a considerable amount of water.
Think about it: each year, Fort Worth area residents pour more than 11 billion gallons of water on their
lawns and gardens, enough water to fill Lake Worth. The cost of providing a safe and plentiful water
supply continues to rise. The average Fort Worth resident's water bill more than doubles during the
summer months of June to September. As much as 50 percent of this additional water is used to
irrigate lawns and gardens. Landscape experts agree that a lawn can be maintained in an attractive
and healthy appearance with up to 50 percent less water than is typically used. Practicing xeriscape
principles results in sustainable landscapes, and at the same time creates attractive and unique
gardens that result in the highest water savings.
The degree of interaction by humans and the “natural” landscape can create differences of
opinion. Surely, we all recognize that native plant communities are useful in many types of landscapes,
including urban sites, and are best used to reflect a connection with the native natural world. While
only slightly contrived, landscapes that are dominated by the smart use of native plants are the best
landscapes. In the Mast Arboretum and Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden which is a mixed (native and
non-native) landscape, we attempt to extend beyond nature's exemplary combining of plant species. "In
selecting plant combinations, we set out to achieve in a mortal life span what has taken nature
thousands of years to accomplish" (Flint, 1987). What we are attempting to do at the Pineywoods
Native Plant Center and SFA Recreational Trails and Garden is skip a succession generation and lay
out a smart selection of native trees and shrubs – with diversity, mapping, and documentation the rule.
To position plants correctly one should first consider their needs (soils, light, moisture, shade, and how
well they deal with competitive forest root systems. While landscapers can enjoy great latitude in
integrating a diverse palette of plant materials into a garden design theme, some combinations make
little sense – choosing plants on light, moisture and soil preferences still allows a limitless list to choose
from. The following woody natives are suggested for East Texas and recommendations are based on
observations at the SFA Mast Arboretum and Pineywoods Native Plant Center.