September Newsletter
It all begins with an idea.
🐾 Sniff & Stroll with Gimli
Looking for the pup cup
Gimli’s idea of a garden tour starts with a car ride—ears and tongue flapping, nose twitching, eyes scanning for movement in the drive thru at Mojo Coffee. He has favorite baristas, as we all do. But, he’s quick to forgive, as long as the whipped cream is high and there’s an extra treat inside.
This week, the hiking trails were drying or dried out. More wildlife than we had ever seen moved about early in the morning—raccoons, night heron, cattle egret, big blue herons, bunnies, and that one dog.
Turk’s cap made it through the flooding, as did a good portion of the trees. The forest floor was scoured, but it looks like it’s opening up new opportunities for some native plants.
🌿 Native/In-Season Plant Spotlight
Maximilian Sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
The September mascot in Texas may be the chrysanthemum, but I’d throw my hat in the ring for this towering beauty.
Why we love it:
Native to Central Texas and thrives in poor soil, often acting as a decoy plant, protecting my veggies from insects.
Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds
Provides fall color and winter structure
Great for borders, wildflower meadows, or back-of-bed drama. But, give it room to sprawl.
🌼 Garden Wisdom: The Mum Question
Every fall, the mums arrive—bright, bouncy, and begging to be planted. They’re the pumpkin spice of the garden world: familiar, festive, and fleeting. And while there’s nothing wrong with a pot of cheerful color by the front door, it’s worth asking: What does your garden really need this season?
A few things to consider:
Mums are short-lived in Texas heat unless planted early and babied. However, I have met a few gardeners that will plant their mums in their raised beds towards the end of the season, cut the mums down to the ground in early winter and they swear they come back year after year. Do with that as you will.
They don’t offer much for pollinators compared to native fall bloomers
Their root systems don’t support soil health the way native perennials do
“I’m not anti-mum. I’m pro-intention. If you’re planting for color, go for it. If you’re planting for habitat, consider fall aster, Gregg’s mistflower, or Maximilian sunflower instead.”
Try this: Mix one pot of mums with a native grass or perennial nearby. Let the showy stuff draw the eye—and the native plants do the work. Once the season is over, if you don’t plant it into the ground, dry the flowers and compost the rest. The flowers make great decorations for Thanksgiving/Day of the Dead celebrations.
🌿 Community Roots
Native Plant Sale – September 13 & 14 in Salado Hosted by the Tonkawa Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, this fall sale is a favorite for Central Texas gardeners. Expect a wide selection of drought-tolerant natives, pollinator favorites, and expert advice. 📍 Barrow Brewing Co, Salado 🪴 Details on the sale
Native Plant Society of Texas Fall Symposium – October 3–5 in Salado This year’s theme is Teach for the Future! Join us for field trips, workshops, speakers, and a celebration of native plant culture in the heart of Salado. 🎟️ Register for the Symposium
Central Texas College Adult Enrichment Classes – Starting September I’ll be teaching several fall gardening classes through CTC’s enrichment program. Dates are still being finalized, so stay tuned for the signup link. In the meantime, check out other offerings like ASL, sewing, and water aerobics. 📚
August Newsletter
The Monthly Newsletter
Morning walks
Morning walks before work are quiet in August - except for the rustling of the scarlet sage that jumped its boundaries, and Gimli’s nose tracking every hidden bloom and animal path. The wind’s been whispering from the west, carrying the soft rumble of hay grazer being turned. The native plants around Central Texas are stretching into fall with slow confidence. This month, I’m sharing our first ‘Sniff and Stroll’ wander, featuring links to local trails, a spotlight on a plant that caught my eye, and a few resources growing on my website, Dragon and Thistle. Whether you walk with a purpose or just pause beside a bloom, may the season great you gently.
🐾 Sniff & Stroll with Gimli
Yesterday’s walk through Booty Park came with surprises—Gimli had to dodge swarms of mosquitoes while the stream, usually a quiet backdrop, was roaring from floodwater released at Lake Georgetown Dam. The water cut across part of the trail, blocking our usual route and adding a low thunder that echoed through the canopy.
Still, nature had its say. Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) bloomed defiantly among the debris, flashes of purple against the muddied ground. We also spotted white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) thriving in the disturbed shade, its fuzzy blooms signaling the seasonal shift. Gimli didn’t linger long this time—just enough to sniff the snakeroot before moving briskly past the buzzing cloud.
🌿 Fieldnotes from the Kailyard: Fredericksburg Finds
This month’s garden adventure led me to Friendly Natives Nursery in Fredericksburg, where I fell in love with a new addition: Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium). With spiky elegance and pollinator power (although it just looks like grass right now), it's the latest native to join my container gardening experiment. Pink skullcap, American beautyberry, and other plant friends made their way into my camera roll too—stay tuned as I share photos and insights on native plants thriving in small spaces.
Pink Skullcap
Pink skullcap is the plant equivalent of Ann Richards with attitude— they’re low-growing, drought-tough, and unapologetically pink from spring till frost. It thrives in neglect, parties with pollinators, and practically rolls its eyes at browsing deer. You plant it once, it whispers, “I’m ready to shake things up.”
🍹 Recipe of the Month
Blackberry-Lime Garden Water Infused refreshment straight from the backyard and the berry patch
Ingredients
1 cup fresh blackberries (local, if you’ve got ’em!)
2–3 slices fresh lime (ideally picked right from your tree)
24 oz cool still or sparkling water
Optional: Ice + sprig of mint, lemon balm, or thyme
Optional 2: A splash of herbal syrup or bitters for added depth
Directions Drop the blackberries and lime into a carafe or jar. Muddle gently to release juices (especially if you like stronger fruit flavor). Add water, then ice and herbs if using. Chill for at least 2 hours—or sip immediately and let the infusion deepen with time.
🌿 Add-Ons to Explore
Lemon Balm or Thyme – for a gentle herbal twist
Frozen Blackberry Ice Cubes – adds color and keeps things cool
Rosemary Bitters or Lavender Syrup – makes it mocktail-worthy
Chili-Lime Salt Rim – if you’re feeling zesty
🌱 Garden Wisdom & Workshop Corner
After yesterday's walk through Booty Park—with floodwaters rushing, mosquitoes swarming, and trail detours—I’ve been thinking about how native plants respond to disruption. White snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), blooming in the shaded chaos, reminded me that some species thrive in the aftermath, stabilizing soil and supporting pollinators when everything else feels unsettled.
It’s a subtle kind of resilience. The kind that doesn’t make a fuss, but quietly restores. As we ease into fall, this might be the best time to look for what’s quietly ready to anchor your garden
🌱 Community Roots
Resource Roundup
🌱 NICE! Native Plant Partners Looking for native plants grown with intention and ecological care? The Native Plant Society of Texas partners with dedicated nurseries across the state through the NICE! Native Plant Partner program. These nurseries specialize in regionally appropriate native species and work with local chapters to highlight seasonal standouts. Whether you're planting for pollinators, restoring habitat, or just adding Texas flair to your garden, NICE! nurseries are a trusted source. Explore the full list on the Native Plant Society website.
Community Invite Have a native plant you love? A question about your garden soil? Reply to this newsletter or tag me in a photo on IG or FB—I’d love to feature your observations in future editions.
Notes from the Kailyard