Gardening Resources
Organizations
Organizations that promote the use of native plants for wildlife and/or increase your knowledge and understanding of native plants and habitats
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Master Naturalist Volunteer Program
Applications for the spring class of the Capital Area Master Naturalists chapter are taken in August.
Native Plant Society of Texas (Local chapters)
Has a recommended list of books on native Texas plants. NPSOT offers a Native Landscape Certification Program to teach homeowners how to garden with natives http://npsot.org/wp/nlcp/
Native Prairies Association of Texas
Texas Bluebird Society
has a list of native plants that attract insects and/or provide berries in the resources section.
Texas Invasives
Learn to identify plants and animals that are detrimental.
Tree Folks
Participate in tree identification walks and tree planting events.
Wildlife Austin
Learn more about Austin’s efforts to support wildlife. Become a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward. Classes usually offered in September.
Websites
Austin’s Grow Green Native & Adapted Landscape Plants
Many plants are not native. Read notes carefully and look for Texas Natives. Don’t plant if it says “Do not plant near a preserve”
City of Austin’s Wildlife Habitat Design Brochure
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database
National Wildlife Federation Garden for Wildlife
North American Butterfly Association
The website has information on butterfly gardening. Many butterfly adults and caterpillars are prey for birds.
Texas Wildscapes: A Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
Travis Audubon Society. Bird Habitat Plants for Travis County
USDA Plants Database
Has up-to-date scientific names and range maps.
Where to Buy Native Plants
Barton Springs Nursery
Good selection of natives.
3601 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746, 512.328.6655
Hill Country Natives
Grower of Texas Native and Fruit Trees
308 Mesa Oaks, Leander, TX 78641, 512.914.7519 (By appointment only)
The Natural Gardener
Good selection of natives.
8648 Old Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78735, 512.288.6113
Native Texas Nursery
Wholesale only
16019 Milo Rd., Austin, TX 78725, 512.276.9801
Wright’s Nursery
6040 FM 2657, Briggs, TX 78608 about 5 miles east of Briggs, 512.489.2239 (By appointment only)
Native American Seed
Seeds & bare roots.
Gardening Books
- Ajilvsgi, Geyata. Butterfly Gardening for Texas. Note: Several non-native plants are recommended, so verify plants are native.
- Bender, Kelly Conrad. Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife
- Kress, Stephen. The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds
- Linex, Ricky J. Range Plants of North Central Texas – A Land User’s Guide to Their Identification, Value and Management. Most of the plants reviewed can be found in central Texas.
- Miller, George Oxford. Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas
- Nokes, Jill. How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest
- Wasowski, Sally, and Andy Wasowski. Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region. This is a classic in the field of native plant gardening.
- Zickefoose, Julie. Backyard Birding: Using Natural Gardening to Attract Birds
Books for Gardening Inspiration
- Marzluff, John M. Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers and Other Wildlife
- Stein, Sarah. Noah’s Garden – Restoring the Ecology of our Own Backyards. A nature writer’s experience in unintentionally reducing her property’s appeal to wildlife followed by her efforts to restore it.
- Tallamy, Douglas. Bringing Nature Home, How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. A must read.
Plant Identification Books
- Enquist, Marshall. Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country. This is an excellent resource for plant identification.
- Lynch, Brother Daniel. Native and Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin and the Hill Country. Line drawings and a botanical key for more serious amateurs.
- O’Brien, Robert. Trees of Central Texas: A Guide to Common Native Species. A laminated pamphlet.
- Vines, Robert. Trees of Central Texas
- Wrede, Jan. Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country
Compiled by Jane Tillman, President, Native Plant Society of Texas, Austin Chapter and Meg Inglis, Coordinator of the Native Landscape Certification Program, Native Plant Society of Texas
Your Membership contribution will make you a partner in Travis Audubon’s mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and conservation of native birds & their habitats.