Texas Butterfly Ranch

Alamo vine has lots going for it--but it can also be unruly.

Yes, it’s native. And yes, it has a gorgeous morning glory-like flower. It’s drought tolerant, requires no fertilizers or feeding, attracts pollinators and produces an attractive seed pod that can be used as a natural decoration when dried.

So what’s the problem with Alamo vine? Read on for differing views of this rambunctious climber. See link in first comment.

Anybody doing a sheet mulching or solarization project right now to reduce or get rid of lawn/turf? Great time to do it with us moving into peak summer.

Would love to hear your stories--please leave them in the comments. Working on a project. Thanks for any help!

Gardening Volunteers of South Texas Native Prairies Association of Texas Native Yardening Native Plant Society of Texas Master Gardeners

Well kiss my Asters!

It's National Pollinator Week, and a great time to get outside and get acquainted with the plants and wildlife that make life on earth possible--the air we breathe, the food we eat, the medicines that cure us.

Recent Texas rains provide a great stage for observation and appreciation. REad on for more:

Kiss your Asters and cheers to the Bordered Patch–it’s National Pollinator Week! Visit the post for more.

Please don't be dissin' my favorite plant, Calvin Finch!

The syndicated Express News gardening columnist recently bashed Jimson W**d, an amazing, multi-tasking ecosystem services provider.

Jimson w**d serves as host and nectar source to the Sphinx moth, has gorgeous tubular white flowers that bloom at night and give off a redolent scent, and has a fascinating ethnobotanical history. It's drought tolerant, blooms when it's 100-degrees, and requires little care. Bees love it. So do I!

Finch's slash-and-poison recommendation for this Texas native represents an outdated gardening ethos. Read my defense of Jimson w**d, Datura Wrightii, in the first comment.

**d Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter - Native Plant Society of Texas

Love walking my dogs at this new community asset in San Antonio—La Mariposa, a giant, gorgeous pavilion/shade structure/selfie stop.

Part of the recently opened Monarch Hotel San Antonio, this new addition to San Antonio’s downtown Hemisfair Park district will delight monarch butterfly buffs and others. Locals and tourists alike are flocking to the dramatic interpretation, which is especially impressive at night.

I recommend an evening stroll. Check it out! Link in profile or first comment. 😎

Monarch butterfly buffs will love La Mariposa pavilion, a new addition to San Antonio's downtown Hemisfair Park district.

Locals and tourists alike are flocking to the dramatic interpretation, which is especially impressive at night. I recommend an evening stroll. Popular selfie stop.

Check it out at link in first comment.

Hemisfair Hilton Hotels & Resorts The Monarch San Antonio The Monarch Butterfly Crusader Overland Partners

What a surprising and lovely evening!

I was shocked, honored, humbled and grateful to receive a Conservation Commendation Award from the Garden Club of America last night, whose Zone iX chapters have been meeting in San Antonio this week.

Thank you to the Alamo Heights Terrell Hills Garden Club chapter for nominating me and inviting me to present on my first book, The Monarch Butterfly Migration Its Rise and Fall.

It was sweet to read the recommendation letters various folks wrote on my behalf.

Gracias, Kelly Lyons, David Todd, Liz Boldrick, and GCA president Mary Harman. You flatter me with your kind words—keep it up!

😎

And very special thanks to my dear friend Katy Flato for managing my involvement and to Whitney Smith and Claire Alexander for shepherding me through the meeting.

Made some new gardening friends, as well, and hope to keep up with you all.

Gracias a todos. 🙏🏻

Join us at Texas Women’s University in Denton for National Wildflower Day tomorrowApril 24!

I’ll be joining more than a half dozen other speakers at this two-day event that will explore the magic, beauty and functions of wildflowers.

I’ll be starting my talk at 11 am, but check out the full schedule at the link below.

https://twu.edu/butterfly-garden/texas-wildflower-day/

Monika Maeckle | Plants for Pollinators

11-11:55 AM

ACT 301 on the TWU Campus
304 Administration Dr.Denton, TX 76204

This event is FREE. Hope to see you there!

Happy Earth Day!

Early spring began with ongoing drought and a disappointing wildflower show.

And then the rains came. Texas is delighted to enjoy this rain dump—more than half a foot in some places.

Now myriad wildflowers are popping up everywhere, some species I‘ve never seen before in certain contexts. More, please!

Read on for our wildflower report at link in first comment.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Society of Texas

A recent landscaping adventure resulted in myriad bonus ingredients in my “natural” Texas hardwood mulch. Lesson learned: when it comes to mulch, you get what you pay for.

Read on for details.