Visitors to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo can learn more about agriculture and horticulture at Agventure, an educational exhibit inside NRG Center. The exhibit runs through March 22 and offers hands-on learning opportunities about farming, gardening and the environment.
At the exhibit, Harris County Master Gardener Ivonne Zaldivar shares tips with visitors about gardening, native plants and the importance of pollinators.
Native plants’ resiliency
“We just want people to help themselves get some information and educate themselves about all our native plants and what they can grow in their backyard,” Zaldivar said.
Ramirez explained that native plants are species naturally adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.
“Native plants are any plants that thrive in our environment,” she said. “Houston has a very harsh climate. We either have a very hot sun or a very tough winter. Our native plants usually thrive in our types of environments and our soils, and they always come back year after year.”
Because of their resilience, Ramirez said many native plants can be a good option for beginners, especially those interested in supporting pollinators.
Native plants for beginner gardeners
“Native plants for beginners — it depends on what you want to do,” she said. “If you want to try pollinators, I would go with some Turk’s cap, probably some Texas sage. There are other types of sage as well — maybe some primrose, some bluebonnets.”
Several native flowering plants that grow well in the Houston area and attract pollinators include Turk’s cap, Texas sage, Texas lantana, evening primrose, Texas bluebonnets, firewheel or Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers. These plants provide nectar and habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Ramirez noted that many native plants are beginner-friendly because they often return year after year either on their own or through self-seeding.
“Perennial natives usually come back every year,” Zaldivar said. “You just have to basically prune them at the end of the season, and right in spring they usually come back.”
Supporting the vital role of pollinators
She also emphasized the vital role pollinators play in the ecosystem and food supply.
“Without our pollinators, we wouldn’t be able to grow any food,” she said. “They’re very small. We have the bees, we have the butterflies, we have moths, and I think we need to focus on all pollinators and not just one.”
In addition to native plants, other popular flowers that tend to perform well in Houston’s climate include zinnias, cosmos, lantana and salvia, which can add color to gardens while supporting pollinators.
For people preparing their gardens this spring, Ramirez said getting started can be simple.
Ready, set, and plant this spring
“What you can start doing is go to your local home garden,” she said. “Get your native plants, get some mulch, and just plant them in the ground right now.”
Agventure gives rodeo visitors a chance to connect with master gardeners while learning practical ways to support local ecosystems from their own backyards.
For more local resources on gardening visit Harris County Master Gardeners. Learn more about native plants on the Native Plant Society website.
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