September Newsletter
🐾 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. 📚
