Garden Certifications

Get Certified!

We have the following certifications: Certified Wildlife Habitat by NWF, Monarch Waystation see www.monarchwatch.org, Texas Wildscapes by TPW, Backyard Wildlife Habitat, and Certified Butterfly Garden see www.naba.org. We are currently working on obtaining the "Best of Texas" certification. There are some fees involved usually less than $50.00.

• Backyard Wildlife Habitat - National Wildlife Federation (To get this you need to provide food, water, shelter for the wildlife in your area, place for the animals to raise their young, and reduce chemical use on the plants. ) Apply for certification today!
  

• Monarch Waystation Program - Monarch Watch (You much have a garden no smaller than 15 square yards that gets at least six hours of sun a day, grow a variety of milkweed in low-clay soil that drains well. Nectar plants should be close by.) Milkweed Plants - Grow a number of milkweed species. Check the certification site to see the whys.
  

• Texas Wildscapes - Texas Parks and Wildlife ( You need at least 50% native plants, provide food for the wildlife year round, shelter, and a reliable water source. Fee is $15.00)
• Certified Butterfly Garden see www.naba.org

• Best of Texas Backyard Habitat - Texas Parks and Wildlife (Fee is $28.00)

Best of Texas Backyard Habitats
National Wildlife Federation
Gulf States Natural Resource Center
44 East Avenue Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701

HOT Summer Blooming Native Plants

It's August and 100+ Degrees! Yes it's HOT and we don't get much rain in Austin, Texas. But in my front and backyard. . . I have a plethora of blooming plants of many colors regardless of the weather. Just to name a few: Passionflower, Flame Acanthus, Bluebells, Yellowbells, Turk's Cap, Blackfoot Daisy, Pink Skullcap, several sages, Ruellia, Coral Honeysuckle, Texas Lantana, Prairie Verbena, Senna, many types of Hibiscus, Tropical Milkweed, Bulbine, Calylophus (Squarebud Primrose), Fall Obedient Plant, Mistflowers, Mealyblue Sage, and my favorite bushes, Purple Cenizo Sage) bloom on and off with the change in humidity.

Wildlife love the plants. I do not know where they come from, but they are here. A Giant Swallowtail butterfly visits daily right after lunch. Many types of bees, hummingbirds, birds, beetles, and moths also fly in for a snack.