Native Plant Society of Texas
Boerne Chapter
The Home of
Operation NICE!™
Natives Instead of Common Exotics
Web site: http://npsot.org/Boerne
NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2013
Volume 13 Number 9
Monthly Meeting Tuesday November 5, 2013
Cibolo Nature Center at 140 City Park Road, Boerne TX
Ernesto Carino and Ysmael Espinoza, self-taught gardeners and co-owners of Medina Garden
Nursery, will talk about the nursery and the work they are involved with, searching for and
propagating water conserving plants from the Hill Country, West Texas, and Northern Mexico. They
will also discuss building and planting new gardens, where plants grow the best and how to care for
them.
Ernesto Carino came to the US from the Mexican State of Puebla in the 1960's and eventually ended
up in Medina. Ysmael Espinoza was born and raised in Kerrville. They met while working for HEB in
Kerrville. Using plants and techniques recommended in books by Sally and Andy Wasowski and Jill
Nokes, they took their hobby and made it into a business. Along the way they have worked with and
learned from some well known people in the native plant world here in Texas including Betty
Winningham (Natives of Texas nursery), Dorothy Baird Matizza (author of 100 Texas Wildflowers),
Chuck Janzow (chapter member, Sun Award recipient and self-taught horticulturalist), and Sue Tracy,
just to name a few. All of these folks and many others have, over the years, encouraged and
supported Ernesto and Ysmael in their work.
Bill Ward wrote a wonderful article about Ernesto and Ysmael and the nursery for the December 2009
issue of the State NPSOT News magazine, available at http://npsot.org/wp/story/2009/1150/ . David
Bamberger recently said that, "they are hardworking givers who are an asset not only to their
community but to everyone interested in plants." Medina Garden Nursery, on highway 16 just
northwest of Bandera, is a haven for native plants and wildlife habitat for butterflies and birds. Ysmael
and Ernesto cater to the Hill Country native-plant collectors.
Come at 6:30 to socialize, the meeting starts at 7PM.
President’s Message
Greetings everyone!
Autumn is my favorite time of year, and I suspect a number of you share that sentiment! A reprieve
from temperatures hovering in the triple digits, an occasional rain shower to lift our spirits and give us
hope for a wet winter, and the gorgeous displays of our native fall bloomers.
For our Chapter, and numerous other community organizations, it is a time to take advantage of the
milder weather and schedule every possible event under the sun within a 6-week time frame! Bearing
that in mind, you do not have to look very far to find a community event or chapter opportunity that
could use your help! As many of you know, volunteers make all of these events and organizations a
success, so, please consider helping out as your schedule allows.
What is especially great about these events is that you never know who we are going to reach. Case
in point, during the Science in Nature event at Cibolo Nature Center, a number of us chatted with two
school teachers about making seed balls. Now, we have been invited to join these teachers at John
Glenn Elementary Science Night. This will be a great opportunity to reach out to a young crowd and
teach them about our wonderful native plants.
It is revival time again. The Rainwater Revival in Boerne is scheduled for Saturday, November 2 nd, at
the Boerne Civic Center. I attended this event last year and it was fantastic and there was a lot of
great information. Our Chapter will have an information booth and a huge thank you to those who
have volunteered, both to man the table, and to assist in set-up and take-down for the event.
A few noteworthy mentions at the Chapter level:
 Our dear webmaster, Bob Rogers, has asked to resign after many years of maintaining our
Chapter website. We greatly appreciate the time Bob has put into keeping us up-to-date! I
know it can be a frustrating task and you can only spend so much time in front of a computer.
This means we need to find someone (or several someones) to fill this role. If you are
interested in learning a few website skills, please let me know. Bob is willing to share his
knowledge with the collective and this will greatly assist in making sure our website content
stays current.
 On a similar note, as mentioned at our October meeting, Danelle Crowley, will retire as our
Historian in January after several years maintaining our Chapter scrapbook. Danelle is a busy,
dedicated woman and she has done an outstanding job of documenting our Chapter’s
activities. Mary Frances Anderson has graciously offered to take on this role. However, as with
most things, the more, the merrier. We would love to have several members involved as
photographers at the various events. So, grab that camera and snap away! Just make sure
you share those images.
Last, but nowhere near least, our awesome Maple Momma, Suzanne Young, walked away from the
Fall Symposium with the Benny J. Simpson Fellows Award! We all know what an asset Suzanne has
been to our Chapter and I was very happy to hear she had received this hard-earned recognition.
Sadly, due to schedule conflicts, I was unable to attend the Symposium; however, it sounds like we
had a number of representatives from our Chapter and that everyone enjoyed the location as well as
the events and presentations.
I hope to see everyone at our November meeting when Ernesto and Ysmael from Medina Garden
Nursery will have us clamoring for the good seats to hear them talk about their native plant heaven.
Go Native!
Emily
Operation NICE! ™
Plant of the Month
Texas Pistache or Pistachio
Pistacia mexicana Kunth
(Synonym: Pistacia texana)
Texas Pistachio - a NICE! Plant to Have
By Betty Dunn
Texas Pistachio is an evergreen native to South Texas and North Mexico that does very well in our
area. In its native habitat it is found on ravine walls or hanging on limestone cliffs. As we have plenty
of limestone soils in our area the only other requirements are plenty of light and a well drained
location. I live on a hillside and planted my Texas Pistachio about 15 years ago at the edge of a small
oak grove where it gets full morning sun and afternoon shade. I didn’t know at the time that full sun
was recommended. However, it has done well and produced full, thick evergreen foliage. The plant I
was able to find had been trimmed to be a multi-trunked shrub. It is now about 12 feet tall and 7-8 feet
wide, but it will probably get no taller than 15-20 feet. At this time of year there are clusters of small,
nut-like red fruit at the tips of branches. Very pretty!
For many years it was not caged nor touched by deer. All that changed about three years ago when
the drought arrived in full force. As forbs withered and dried up, I started to see evidence of nibbles
on lower branches. Eventually the lower branches were stripped bare. A cage has supported some
recovery of leaves on the lower branches this year, but it really didn’t look bad as a multi-trunked
small tree. I think I’ll leave the cage on, as I don’t trust those deer to not rub the small trunks bare and
kill my pretty, large shrub. It seem like the breeding season for deer has already started this year, so
anything that needs to be caged should be caged soon!
I’ve not seen Texas Pistachio available frequently, but I did manage to find one last year and it is now
getting a start in the Demonstration Gardens at the Cibolo Nature Center. It will probably look a lot
better than it does now in another couple of years. People are always looking for evergreen trees or
shrubs and this is one I would definitely recommend you look for. Try the native nurseries first. If you
can’t find one, ask the nursery you frequent to help you search for one or a few. You’ll be glad you
did!
OPERATION NICE! TIP: Use Texas Pistache in place of invasive, non-native Japanese Ligustrum,
Privet and Yew as an attractive specimen plant or as the foundation of a mixed, evergreen border or
privacy screen.
The Operation Nice! 2013 Plant of the Month poster is available on our website
http://npsot.org/wp/boerne/files/2013/01/2013_NICE_FINAL_poster.pdf
Native Plant Society of Texas Symposium 2013
By Jane McAuliffe
Our chapter was represented by several members who enjoyed reconnecting with friends from
chapters all over the state. The speakers were gifted and authorities on a range of subjects. As
always, we added to our store of native plant knowledge and experienced some very interesting field
trips (complete with chigger bites for me).
The hotel was comfortable and was located on the Corpus Christi Bay. A few of us spent every
evening after the official programs were over just relaxing on the serene wooden deck (and bar)
overlooking the bay. The moon looked in on us off and on adding to our enjoyment. I guess we are
just a partying chapter. Who knew?
The big event, however, came when one of our own was recognized at the Saturday evening awards
banquet. It came as quite a surprise to the recipient and was celebrated by many there. The award is
known as the Benny J. Simpson Fellows award and is selected by voting members of the chapters. It
is awarded for service and work by a NPSOT member for the enrichment of the Society at the state,
regional or chapter level. Just knowing that should tell you that our own Suzanne Young, who is
always there for this chapter, won the award. Her husband, Steve and pup Tucker, were able to peek
in just when the presenter, Cynthia Maquire, was extolling Suzanne's many qualities. Congratulate
her when you see her and ask her to show you her plaque.
Chapter Plant Rescues
In celebration of Native Plant Week, the chapter had two plant rescues. The first one, at Jane
McAuliffe’s property, focused on native grasses. Veronica Hawk reports: “it was so easy to dig up
Lindheimer muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) even
though it was growing in road base and caliche! Secret? Watered well, strong grass roots pull up
without breaking! Beautiful Yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), which was in full flower, was
harder to dig from among the rosemary.”
The second rescue was at the Bergheim Fire Station property, where the chapter supported the
establishment of a demonstration garden. That rescue by 6 members resulted in a good take of
prairie goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), palafoxia (Palafoxia callosa), frogfruit (phyla nodiflora) and
cut-leaf germander (Teucrium laciniatum).
BigTooth Maples for Boerne
Year 8
The 2013 Bigtooth Maple Giveaway will be November 15 and 16, 9:00 AM - noon. 100 trees have
been tagged and will be delivered November 12, 13, or 14 – Maple Momma will watch the forecast
and pick the prettiest day for tree delivery and cutting cages. We will need to pick up supplies at
Bergmann's Lumber this year, Randy Yoder and Scott Barthel have volunteered trailers; however, we
need at least 10 helping hands to unload supplies and cut cages and 5 or 6 volunteers for the
giveaway on the 15th and 16th. Tree Giveaway is a great outreach to the community. Taking time to
talk with people about Bigtooth maples and NPSOT-Boerne requires lots of volunteers. Email:
suzanny2@aol.com to volunteer.
Arbor Week in Boerne November 4 – 9, 2013
Bigtooth Maples for Boerne - How to find the "Lost Maples" in Boerne
Presented by: Native Plant Society of Texas - Boerne Chapter
DATE:
Thursday, November 7th
TIME:
9:00 - 10:00 AM
WHERE:
Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium - 140 City Park Road
Join Boerne Maple experts Chuck Janzow & Suzanne Young for an exceptional program including
photos and location sites of Bigtooth maples in Boerne. Also, learn why many "Lost Maples" went
missing in the Boerne area. Perfect program for those who want to know more about our Boerne
maples, want to capture Boerne in the fall on film or are looking to plan an ideal brisk fall outing
among the maples! Free and open to the public
Full schedule of events is at http://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/index.aspx?nid=670
Regional Stuff
The Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists
November 18, 2013, at 7:00 PM
Vernal Pools of Enchanted Rock
Alamo Community College Biology teacher, Hill Country Chapter-Texas Master Naturalist
Speaker Nita Hazle
Enchanted Rock is far more than a tourist stop in the hill country of Texas. It is more than the legends
passed down by Native Americans. It is more than a grand dome of pink granite. Atop the crest of
Enchanted Rock lies a wonder and world unto itself found there in the vernal pools, those transient
oases of weathered granite pits. Here the story of soil formation is found and the ecological
succession of early biological development; the processes that have shaped and continue to
transform this gem of the Texas hill country under every condition nature has to offer. Hazle will detail
the diversity of all life forms colonizing these mini-echo regions. She will also touch on the
uneducated abuse and importance of protecting these vernal pools, and the ongoing effort for their
protection.
Nita Hazle lives in Fredericksburg and teaches Biology classes for Austin Community College at the
Hill Country University Center. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
from Texas A&M University in College Station and a Masters Degree in Zoology at the University of
Texas, Austin. She completed the Hill Country Master Naturalists training program as a member of
the 2009 class.
Her interest in the natural world has taken her to nature preserves in California, Costa Rico, Mexico
and Ecuador, as well as areas closer to home, primarily studying bird behavioral ecology. An ongoing
topic of interest for her has been the way humans interact with the rest of nature. Intrigued by the
ecological integrity of whole diverse ecosystems, she enjoys looking into what the lives of plants,
animals and other inhabitants of these ecosystems reveal about each other as well as the whole
systems themselves.
The monthly meeting of the Master Naturalists is free and open to the public. Meetings are held at the
Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s lecture hall, located at 125 Lehmann Dr. in Kerrville. Socializing
begins at 6:30pm, with the program starting at 7:00. For questions regarding this presentation, please
contact our program coordinator, Tom Hynes at 830-990-5750.
Invaders of Texas: A Citizen Scientist Program
Balcones Satellite
Invasive Plants Threaten Biodiversity
By Cheryl Hamilton
Texas is blessed with a vast array of habitats and species. Texas boasts 213 species of reptiles and
amphibians, 635 species of birds, 174 species of mammals, an estimated 5,200 species of plants and an
estimated 30,000 species of invertebrates. As one of the most biologically diverse states in the country, Texas
is particularly susceptible to the threat of invasive species.
Citizen Scientist volunteers have observed first-hand that invasive plants can form monocultures, permanently
changing ecosystems. Invasive plants compete with the native plants that have evolved in this specific place.
The entire ecosystem of the habitat changes when native plants are lost to invasive plant encroachment!
Several invasive plant monocultures throughout San Antonio and Boerne have been identified: All of these
plants are included in Texas Invasives Database at http://texasinvasives.org/invasives_database/ .
In the Olmos Basin, Catclawvine (Macfadyena unguis-cati) (AKA Cats claw vine) is threatening the survival of
heritage oak trees. Cats claw vine clings tenaciously to tree trunks, eventually killing host trees. It smothers
foliage and forms dense mats that prevent sunlight from reaching native plants.
Chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera) are very common in southern Bexar County. In the greater Houston
area, one of every three trees is now a Chinese tallow tree! Chinese tallow trees alter light availability for other
plant species. Fallen tallow leaves release a cyanogenic compound capable of inhibiting growth of other plants.
The area near Breckenridge Park and the Headwaters Sanctuary is filled with Glossy privet (Ligustrum). Few
insects feed on ligustrum because chemicals in the leaves inhibit digestion. Without natural predators,
Ligustrum forms dense thickets, monopolizing soil nutrients, sunlight and rainfall.
Rancho Diana, one of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Natural Areas, suffers from an infestation of
several acres of Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) near the property boundary. Nandina colonizes by
spreading underground root sprouts and by animal-dispersed seeds. Its seeds can persist for several years
before maturing.
Helotes Creek is inundated with Giant Reed (Arundo Donax). This invasive plant contains many chemicals
toxic to insects and invertebrates. It quickly invades new areas and forms pure stands at the expense of other
native riparian and aquatic plants.
Throughout the city, dense stands of Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) block sunlight and the flow of
water. The papery sheaths of Golden bamboo fall to the ground and suppress the growth of native plants. In
streams, bamboo leaf litter alters stream food webs starting with litter-feeding stream invertebrates.
In nearby Kendall County at the Cibolo Nature Center, volunteers have identified invasive trees such as
Chinese tallow, Ligustrum, Chinaberry and Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), as well as invasive grasses
such as King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum
halepense).
The negative impacts on ecosystems altered by invasive plants are wide-spread:
 mammals that evolved in conjunction with the food sources of the native plants are also now without
food;
 insects that pollinate the local flora must find alternate sources;
 soil composition is often altered by invasive plants;
 the hydrology of riparian habitats is affected;
 Fires may be more intense; and
 the aesthetics change as well.
The Invaders volunteers know that their eradication efforts strengthen native ecosystems. Join us in our efforts
to eradicate invasive plants! We invite you to join us Tuesday mornings 8:00 to 10:00 AM for the November
Volunteer Eradication Schedule (Leon Creek Greenway). No prior experience or invasive plant recognition is
required. Just bring gloves and plenty of water. We have a supply of loppers and saws, but welcome anyone
who brings their own. For details of exact location and directions, contact Lonnie at
lonnieshockley@satx.rr.com
Happenings – the Calendar
November 5 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM. Chapter meeting – Ernesto Carino and Ysmael Espinoza, self-taught
gardeners and co-owners of Medina Garden Nursery, will talk about propagating water conserving
plants from the Hill Country, building and planting new gardens, where plants grow the best and how
to care for them. Come to socialize at 6:30; meeting starts at 7 PM.
November 4-9 Arbor Week in Boerne – Full schedule of events is at
http://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/index.aspx?nid=670
November 26 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM. NPSOT San Antonio Chapter meeting – topic “The Role of Legumes in the
Landscape,” presented by Kelly Lyons, professor of biology at Trinity University, specializing in control of
invasive grasses. Location – Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway, www.npsot.org/sanantonio. Native
plant and seed exchange at 6:30 pm, followed by speaker. Free and open to the public.
December
December 3 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM. Chapter Holiday Potluck – details to follow.
To find out about activities and workshops with other organizations call or visit their websites:
Cibolo Nature Center (830.249.4616)
http://www.cibolo.org/calendar
Master Naturalist:
San Antonio, Alamo Chapter
http://txmn.org/alamo/
Kerrville, Hill Country Chapter
http://txmn.org/hillcountry/
Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park (210.372.9124)
Medina River Natural Area Second Saturday Programs (210.624.2575)
For more information or to RSVP for any event please contact by telephone. Website: www.sanaturalareas.org
Invaders of Texas, Balcones Satellite: Email team leader Lonnie Shockley, lonnieshockley@satx.rr.com for
volunteer opportunities

Our meetings are free and open to the public. Join us the first Tuesday of the month, January-June and SeptemberDecember, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cibolo Nature Center, Boerne, Texas.
Our Sponsors
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BERGMANN
A LITTLE
FANICK’S
ON EVERGREEN COURT
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GARDEN CENTER
Boerne, TX
236 S. Main
106 E. Theissen St.
1025 Holmgreen
www.gardengateguesthouse.com
Boerne, TX
Boerne, TX
San Antonio, TX
Rebecca Rogers. Proprietor
830-249-2712
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ASSOCIATESSTONE & SOIL DEPOT INC.
AFRICAN VIOLETS 2585 Thousand Oaks
BOERNE
26923 IH 10 West
San Antonio, TX
& NURSERY
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Boerne, TX
32005 IH 10W
Ronnie Grell,
309 Water Street,
210.687.1005
Boerne, TX
President
Boerne, TX
830-249-2614
210.494.6131
830-816-2660,
Free 800-455-1551
Burns Garden Center
Medina Garden Nursery
& Landscape
Growing Native Plants Since
25840 IH 10 West Ste
1999
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3417 State Hwy 16-N,
Boerne, TX 78006
Medina, TX 78055
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www.burnsnursery.com