9 16 wildscapes k simon
TRANSCRIPT
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for
Wildlife TAMU Nature Guides Edition
Kelly Conrad SimonTexas Parks and Wildlife Dept.
Reading the LandReading the Land
Wildlife RespondWildlife Respondto Plantsto Plants
Environment Environment Responds Responds to Plantsto Plants
Plants RespondPlants Respondto Wildlifeto Wildlife
Plants Respond Plants Respond to Environment to Environment
Habitat?
Habitat?
Habitat?
Habitat basics
• Food• Water • Shelter
– Adults– Nesting
Think Ecosystem!
“Tradition?”
Reward:
Caterpillars = Butterflies
Remember…?
Key to Success
Emulate nature
• Variety– Heterogeneous
versus Homogenous
• Layering
Food
Oak species
• Small mammals, birds• Food and shelter
Mexican Plum
• Early nectar• White to pink flowers• Shade tolerant• Small ornamental
Texas Redbud
• Early bloom• Seeds and nectar• Small tree• Different varieties
Cherry Laurel
• Evergreen• Hedge or small tree• Early nectar• Fruit
Agarita
• Evergreen• Like holly• Early nectar, sweet-
smelling• Edible fruit• Good shelter
Turk’s Cap
Likes shade Hummingbirds! Butterflies! Apple-like fruit
Chili Pequin
• Early sun or shade• Hot peppers!• Birds adore• Keep small
Coral Honeysuckle
• “Evergreen” vine• Hummingbirds!• Well-mannered• Coral-colored fruit• 3 years to establish
Scarlet sage
• Annual (sets seeds)• Hummingbirds!• Shade tolerant• Birds (seeds)• Can be groundcover
Lindheimer Muhly
• Seeds (birds, small mammals)
• Nesting material• Nesting area
© Bluestem Nursery, 817-478-6202
Why not exotics?
• Needy– Require chemicals– Require supplemental
water– Require vigilance
• Weedy– Rapid reproduction– No natural controls– Take over habitat
Why not exotics?
© Rob and Ann Simpsonwww.agpix.com/snphotos
Water
• Fresh, clean• Accessible• Shallow• Vegetation
Shelter
• Weather, predators• Roost, nest
Shelter: Cavities
© John Davis, TPWD
Shelter: Cavities
Habitat is:
• Food• Water• Shelter
Texas Wildscapes
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