NATIVE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS

Kathy Henderson, Williamson County Chapter

Presented at NPSOT State Board Meeting - April 19, 2014

OBJECTIVES

What is a Native Demonstration Garden? Why have one? First project: Georgetown Library Second project: Williamson County Landfill Results achieved

WHAT IS A DEMONSTRATION GARDEN?

A designed landscape containing natives and (optionally) well-adapted non-natives.

Located in a very public place

With a message to all:

Good aesthetics

Low water usage

Specialty purposes (butterflies, pollinators, etc.)

Importance of proper maintenance

“Native plants = healthy habitats”

WHY HAVE ONE?

Texas is growing rapidly; Habitat destruction continues

Our water supply is at risk

Demonstration gardens can impact policy makers and the public

We need to “get the word out” more efficiently A public initiative with a lot of leverage

GEORGETOWN LIBRARY – HISTORY

Two demo gardens at old Georgetown Library

First tried a wildscape – not good

Second a managed garden - very successful

Chapter did all the maintenance

Library moved to new building

Maintenance handed to city and contractor with written instructions

Unsatisfactory results

Agnes Plutino

Agnes Plutino

Agnes Plutino

GEORGETOWN LIBRARY – HISTORY II

New library in 2008

Contract designer – African iris, Crepe Myrtle, “row crops”.

2014 Water Reduction initiative by City – an opportunity

City asked for a new native landscape

Collaborative effort

City

NPSOT

Master Naturalists

Another chance to educate and influence

Marilyn Perz Marilyn Perz

Diane Sherrill

Kathy Henderson

Kathy Henderson

Kathy Henderson

Kathy Henderson

Marilyn Perz

WILLIAMSON COUNTY LANDFILL ENTRANCE – POLLINATOR GARDEN

Landfill owned by County

Operated by contractor

Started Gateway project

Hired landscape designer

Beach Vitex, Chinese Pistache, Crepe Myrtle, etc.

Operator asked Master Naturalists about a pollinator garden

NPSOT invited to collaborate

A chance to influence and educate

Marilyn Perz

WILLIAMSON COUNTY LANDFILL ENTRANCE - 2012

Started by planting wildflower garden

Began education about non-natives, invasives, and habitats

Began suggesting alternatives

Butterflies and hummingbirds started arriving

Marilyn Perz

WILLIAMSON COUNTY LANDFILL ENTRANCE - 2013

Wildflower garden growing Permission to start replacing

Vitex NPSOT/Master Naturalist

work sessions Materials and “heavy lifting”

furnished and paid for by landfill operator

Summer open house Public County commissioner New Agri-Life agent

Growing cooperation and education

Marilyn Perz

WILLIAMSON COUNTY LANDFILL ENTRANCE - 2014

Installed rainwater collection system

Obtained TP&WD Wildlife Habitat and Monarch Waystation certifications

Landfill operator decided to remove balance of invasives

Replacing with appropriate natives

Continuing influence and collaboration

Marilyn Perz

Dennis Perz

SO WHY DO THIS?

• Aesthetics• Drought

tolerance• Reduced

water usage• No invasives• Birds and

butterflies• Healthy

habitats

• Collaborations• City/County• Master

Naturalists• Others

• Side-by-side comparisons

• Proper maintenance

• Design• Plant selection• Maintenance

• Mulch/weed• Watering• Trimming by

season

• Natives the better choice

• Teach “native competent” maintenance

• Leverage our knowledge and experience

DemonstrateGain Influence

Build Credibility

Educate Broadly