The New Braunfels Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) is hosting its Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 5. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Headwaters at the Comal, located at the corner of Lakeview Boulevard and Klingemann Street.
This year’s sale will feature over 75 species of Texas native plants. These include trees, annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines, grasses, and groundcovers. Native plants are crucial to our ecosystem. They provide food for pollinators and, once established, require less water. Additionally, grasses help stabilize the soil. Here’s a closer look at some featured plants.
One notable plant is Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium dissectum), commonly found in Landa Park’s Landa Family Memorial Garden. This plant attracts butterflies, as seen with the Queen Butterfly in the accompanying photo. It also serves as a larval host for the Rawson’s Metalmark Butterfly. While deer may browse this plant if hungry, using a cage until it is established can help reduce damage. Gregg’s Mistflower can reach a height of about two feet and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It spreads easily through its roots and blooms from March through November.
Another featured plant is the Cowpen Daisy (Verbesina encelioides). This prolific annual flourishes in sunlight and blooms from April to October. Once established, it requires little water. Cowpen Daisy is particularly beneficial for native and honeybees, and it serves as a host plant for Bordered Patch and Silvery Checkerspot butterflies, as well as certain moth species. Birds enjoy the seeds, so if you manage to collect some after they dry, you can plant them next year. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center includes Cowpen Daisy in its Healing Garden, where indigenous peoples used it to treat skin ailments.
Consider adding Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) to your garden if you haven’t already. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to its nectar during summer and fall. The red, ball-shaped seed pods will fall from the plant soon, and you can collect and pot them in spring. Like Gregg’s Mistflower, Turk’s Cap is a medium water user but is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers dry to moist soil and does well in partially shady areas. Research from The Nature Conservancy indicates that shrubs like Turk’s Cap can access water much deeper in the soil compared to grasses. This ability becomes essential during drought periods.
Turk’s Cap is also a nectar source for butterflies and hosts several Skipper butterfly species. Although moderately resistant to deer, some may still browse on it. Using a tomato cage can help protect the plant.
If you’re interested in milkweed, arrive early at the Plant Sale. Milkweed is always in high demand. This year, at least three species will be available: Antelope-horns (Asclepias asperula), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), and Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana).
New Braunfels is positioned along the Central Flyway, an essential route for the Monarch Butterfly. Milkweed is critical for their survival during both fall and spring migrations.
October will also see other important plant-related events. Fischer Park’s Monarch Festival will be held on Saturday, October 19. This event is fun and educational, especially for children.
Since 2009, the Texas Legislature has recognized the third week of October as Texas Native Plant Week. Texas boasts over 5,000 species of native plants, making it one of the most biologically diverse states. The New Braunfels NPSOT plans to request a proclamation from the City Council to officially recognize Texas Native Plant Week.
The NPSOT significantly contributes to the community by maintaining various public native plant gardens and providing financial support. Over $7,000 has been donated to organizations like the New Braunfels Public Library Foundation and the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. We invite you to visit Headwaters at the Comal on Saturday, October 5, to purchase a native plant and support both the community and the environment.
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