August 7 , 2024
Native Plant Garden in HOA: Martin & Eileen Byhower
It ’s not easy starting from scratch . And when you ’re new to Texas , peck the correct plants multiplies the challenge . But when Martin and Eileen Byhower arrived in Sun City , Martin could n’t wait to adapt his horticultural know - how for lawn - free gardens under shadowed bouncy oak tree diagram in deer land . “I move here from Southern California , where I was a scientific discipline teacher and bird scout for about 30 - left years , ” Martin told us in October 2023 . “ Here , I could be a Thomas Kid in a candy memory and bulge all over again with a whole raw set of nature . ”Bees tuck into datura ’s velvety bloom by daylight , while moths and bats feed at nighttime . To carry on his home ground renovation study in Georgetown , he join theWilliamson County Native Plant Societyand qualified as aGoodwater Master Naturalist . He started a web site with plant and animal list , how - to guide , and resource . Now a landscape painting designer , he help fellow nurseryman work with native plants and habitat for all wildlife . He ’s an expert birding guide ! I ’ve learn a lot from his site and societal media Post . In his part spook garden , native American beautyberry attract pollinators to spring ’s blossom and birds to fall ’s Battle of Magenta berry . Native Drummond ’s aster feed pollinators in fall and seed - use up birds in winter . Creating plant diversity go past his listing . “ I ’ve got about 150 dissimilar specie of plants in my yard , flower at different times of the yr . ” His cheery front AMEX bed have cervid - resistant perennials and tree that provide seasonal colour and flowering . Desert willow , flameleaf sumac , and fragrant mimosa cat dappled specter to structural succulents ( including agave , red yucca , niche cactus and Opuntia cholla ) , and perennial lantana , salvias , genus Datura and others . Sweetly - scented puffball pinkish flowers cover fragrant mimosa ’s barbed arm from spring to summertime , always a hit with butterflies and bees . To comply with HOA regulation , especially in front , he make a license to take all the turf . ( According toState of Texas State Bill 198,an HOA can not veto or restrict a attribute owner from using drought resistant landscape gardening or water - husband greensward ) . Along the front walkway of drear Oklahoma sandstone , he ’s arranged woolly stemodia , sedges , ash gray ponyfoot , and blood-red yucca . The raised planter includes Gregg ’s ageratum , flaming acanthus , and coneflower ( protected in small-scale cages from deer ) . A refined yaupon holly anchors the end , a winter favorite for migrating cedar waxwings . At the front door , he found an esperanza , gnome yaupon holly , and weeping yaupon . There ’s also ‘ Sky Pencil ’ yaupon — not native — but a ripe one for narrow height . Multiple elevations with hardscape and plant heights promote visual and wildlife appeal , from ground - hugging lizard to snort . “ So my yard could be an example of what is possible working within the confines of an HOA , ” Martin articulate . Next , what to do in shade ? Around the alive oak tree trees , he planted turk ’s jacket crown , inland sea oats , sedges , American beautyberry , and Crocanthemum canadense . He was careful not to touch Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree roots , only planting in between them . Deer resistant , fall - blossom frostweed is one of his favorites ( mine , too , along with turk ’s cap ) for its white flowers that stand out in shade to hail migrating monarch butterfly and all kinds of pollinator . It ’s a stately plant , so I ’ve placed mine at the back of a fencing bed . This is also the magical “ ice sculpture ” flora after a deep freeze . cervid - repellent fragrant Eupatorium coelestinum ’s ( shrubby boneset ) frothy white-hot flowers link frostweed in fall to nourish wildlife as we point into cold weather condition . To my surprise , deer stand charming slight native snapdragon vine . In back , he line the fencing with aboriginal understory Tree for evergreen and seasonal interest . His strategy also spoil cervid . “ Their eyes are on each side , so they need to see a landing place place or they wo n’t jump over the fence , ” Martin told us . include : Texas redbud , possumhaw holly , sandpaper tree , goldenball leadtree , Anacacho orchidaceous plant , American beautyberry , Texas persimmon , mountain Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel and roughleaf dogwood . There ’s a cherry laurel at another side . The backyard ’s fairly shady with its own rainwater overflow issues . Also , cutie pie young standard poodles , Retro and Moose , love to bouncing ( speedily ) along the paths , so groundcovers do n’t last . ( I ’ve had expectant , energetic dogs , so I knew the clay bath that Eileen and Martin faced.)A few weeks later , they solved the mussy clay route proceeds with winding paver paths , as endearing as they are practical!To protect some plants from pup detours into bottom , Martin corralled them with metallic element cage mesh anchored with T - postal service . Here ’s Maximilian helianthus and Drummond ’s aster .
Check outMartin ’s websitefor plant lists , resource , and razz !
watch over his story now ! ( Broadcast premiere on October 19 )
Thanks for discontinue by ! Linda
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