by Lois Balin

• What is a Wildscape?
• Why do I want one?
• What are the Benefits?
• Specialized Xeriscape

• Habitat Components

• Native Plants
Ecological Regions of Texas
 What is a weed?
A “weed” is a plant whose virtues have yet to be
discovered.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blackfoot Daisy and Plain’s

Zinnia
Desert Verbena
 Habitat Loss

Ecological Effects
Fragmentation
Habitat
Non-Native Plants
Simplification
Pollution

Habitat Diversity
Habitat Diversity
Generalists
Specialists Thrive!

Invasive Exotics
 The Tradition
“Habitat
Simplification”
Xeriscape or Zeroscape?
 Reduce
Lawn Area
• Preserve Integrity of Soils and Native
Plants
• Reduce Erosion/Runoff Pollution
• Increase Biodiversity
• Education
Create a Haven for You and Them
Autumn Sage
Ocotillo
Algerita
Yaupon Holly
Pomegranate
Texas Olive
 3-Leaf Sumac
Prickly Pear

Desert Hackberry

SW Chokecherry
 Honey Mesquite

Tornillo

Mexican Redbud
 Water Is
• The most important component of any wildlife garden.
 • Drinking

• Cooling
• Bathing

• Provide water
• Capture water
 Best Choices
• Use drought tolerant plants
• Collect as much of the rain
as possible
• Train plants to develop
deeper root systems by
deep watering less
frequently.
Perching
Nesting

Refuge
# of Plant Species Habitat
Diversity
Life Forms
Wildlife
Arrangement
Diversity
Piñon Pine Alligator Juniper
Evergreen Sumac
Shrub Oak
New Mexico Olive
Texas Mountain
Laurel
Rock Penstemon
Damianita
 Supply Wildlife with Year-round
Food from Native Plants
• Spring/Summer • Fall
Acacia, Ash, Buckeye, Oak,
Salvias, Penstemon, Ephedra, Desert Willow, Leadtree,
Candellia, Daleas, Agarita, cacti, Oak, Soapberry, Redbud,
perennials
Sand Sagebrush, Daleas,
• Summer grasses
Hackberry, Chocolate Daisies,
Desert Marigold, Buddleja, Yellow • Fall/Winter
Bells, annuals, perennials
Winterfat, Sumac, Texas
• Summer/Fall
Mountain Laurel, Winterfat,
Mesquite, Buckthorn, Juniper, Wolfberry, Holly,
Kidneywood, Saltbush, Creosote,
Pine, Yucca, Sunflowers Globe Mallow, Mexican Hat
 Mexican Redbud
Netleaf Hackberry
Yellow Bells Flame Acanthus
Chocolate Daisy

Blackfoot Daisy

Havard Penstemon
Mexican Poppy
Sand Verbena
Bull Grass
 • > 50% Native Plants
• Habitat Components
• Key is Biodiversity

80 –90% Native Plants

• Specialized Xeriscape
• Save Money, Water and Time
• Economically and Ecologically Friendly
 Questions?

I hope to be remembered as someone

who made the earth a little more beautiful
Lois.balin@tpwd.state.tx.us Justice William O. Douglas
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
1. Click on Link to Hunting and
Wildlife
2. Click on Link to Education
3. Click on Link to Wildscapes