Going Native for Texas Heat

Call it whatever makes you comfortable. Some use “climate change.”  Others call it a “phase” or a “cyclical warming trend.” We can disagree on a name, but most of us can agree Texas summers are getting hotter, and that heat is causing a variety of problems ranging from economic to environmental to depletion of natural resources.

Linda Barker and her fellow HOA members had a problem last year in their 20-year-old Parks of Corinth residential neighborhood.

“The developer created a berm [a raised structure of grass-covered dirt] to help with proper drainage,” Linda said. “But that was 20 years ago, and there were major changes during that time. Trees matured and created shade, which caused the Bermuda grass to die. Soil erosion started and steadily worsened. Tree roots were exposed, and good soil was destroyed. Dirt washed down to streets and created a mess. We had to do something as soon as possible.” Linda, an avid gardener, assumed the lead, but developing the proper correction plan was a group effort.

“We did our due diligence,” Linda continued. “Landscaping firms visited the site, leaving us with $40,000 to $50,000 estimates. Those numbers were beyond our budget. Luckily, we were led to Wright Way Landscaping, and that’s when the problem-solving began.”

Wright Way is a small, privately owned company that utilizes what is known as permaculture. It means developing a plan that works with the soil and the environment. In Texas, that means working with the heat and other harsh conditions by using native landscaping that is natural  to the soil and to the environment. The resulting landscape is easily sustainable, drastically reduces water needs, and requires only minimal hands-on maintenance.

The berm was repaired, and four terraces were added. The compacted soil was dug out and a thick layer of cedar mulch, which doesn’t float away during heavy rains, was laid down to help hold the soil.

“A lot of people don’t have an accurate understanding, or perception, of native plants,” said Justin Wright, owner of Wright Way Landscaping. “They envision dull, drab, colorless planting, but that’s not true. We use plants such as Turk’s Cap and Rock Roses. We have Beauty Berries, which are colorful and support wildlife. There are 30 varieties of Inland Sea Oats and, surprising to many people, Oakleaf hydrangeas are native. Giant coneflowers and Texas Star Hibiscus have great color.

“We make selections that provide different blooming windows so something is always happening. Everything benefits the ecosystem and keeps the earth alive. Plus, nothing is bothered if a town or city decides to implement water restrictions because these landscapes require little to no supplemental water.”

Lawn grass is our largest irrigated crop, not to mention the millions of pounds of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals required. Typically, one-third of a family’s water usage goes for landscaping, and one-half of that water is wasted because sprinklers are placed improperly.

Many local towns and cities such as Lewisville, Flower Mound, Duncanville, Arlington, and Denton are embracing the native direction. The Flower Mound codes provide exemptions for native yards, and Duncanville actively encourages wildscapes.

“Most of these Native plants stabilize in the first year,” Justin added, “and are fully mature by the third season. In the Parks of Corinth, the erosion stopped shortly after the young plants were put into the ground. They’ve been amazingly effective.”

Restoring the damaged land, repairing the berm, and being open to native planting turned the Parks of Corinth project into a hands-on neighborhood endeavor.

“I’m so grateful to all the neighbors who volunteered to serve on the landscaping committee, and I’m very proud of what we accomplished,” Linda said. “It was a tremendous learning experience for all
of us.”

If you’d like more information, the Denton County Master Gardeners’ Association (DCMGA.com) exists to educate the public. The Texas Native Plant Society offers a wealth of information and even provided a monetary grant for Corinth. 

To gain some control over your monthly water bill, join Water My Yard (WaterMyYard.org) for tips and information. Break out of your weekly Saturday prison of mowing, trimming, watering, and fertilizing your yard by checking out facilities such as the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden.