Category: Native Plants

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Sad News. Betsy Ross.

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Hidden Springs Feb 13 Field Trip Report

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Chapter member Betsy Ross passed away on January 22.  This tribute was written by Dennis Perz:

BETSY ROSS

Our dear friend Betsy Ross passed away last Saturday (January 22nd) at her home after a short illness. Betsy was a long time member of the Williamson County chapter of the Native Plant Society, was a strong advocate of all things native, and occasionally spoke at various NPSOT events. In recent years her primary business was raising and selling grass fed beef on her farm in Granger, TX. But her interests went well beyond ranching, and she had become a passionate advocate for natural processes starting with a sharp emphasis on the importance of soil microbiology. Betsy was a crusader who managed to influence a wide variety of successful landscaping and horticultural enterprises, all based on creating healthy soil microbiomes.

Betsy organized an orderly transition of her business, Sustainable Growth Texas, which will continue operation under the leadership of Brian Russ.

A memorial service is planned for Betsy’s birthday in March. The picture was taken in the Perz Pecan Orchard last May. I wanted Betsy to see the huge secondary growth on the trees. I’ll be forever grateful that she came.

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Betsy Ross in the Perz Pecan Orchard. Photo by Dennis Perz.

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February 10 Chapter Meeting, In Person and Virtual: “Still Learning to Propagate Native Plants” with Barbara Wright

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[This post was updated Feb 10, 2022 to add Barbara’s handout.] Access Barbara’s handout at this link.

Join NPSOT-Wilco on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 7:00 PM when Barbara Wright will present Still Learning to Propagate Native Plants.  Free and open to the public.

About our topic and speaker:   Barbara Wright will share her expert knowledge about propagating native plants by germination and cuttings. Barbara owns and operates Wright’s Nursery (open by appointment only) in Briggs, Texas, growing native and adapted plants as well as seasonal veggie starts.  (For many years, Wright’s Nursery has been a key supplier to NPSOT-Williamson County’s spring and fall native plant sales.) Barbara has been gardening since the age of nine.

image of Texas bluebonnet sprout. Lupinus texensis.

At every meeting, we give away a book — about native plants or the meeting topic — to one randomly chosen meeting attendee!

NPSOT-Williamson County meetings are free and open to the public. We hope you attend!  Meetings may be in person, virtual, or both, so be sure to check details in the meeting announcement. Meetings are announced on our website, our calendar and Facebook.

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Field Trip on Sunday, February 13, 2022, Hidden Springs Preserve Plant Survey #4, 1:30pm

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What:   Hidden Springs Preserve Field Trip
  • When:  1:30pm-4:30pm, Sunday, February 13, 2022
  • Where:  978 CR 224, Florence, TX.
  • Our field trip is open to the public, but the preserve is not open to the general public.  See important details later in this post.

We’re continuing our Hidden Springs project with Plant Survey #4 of 12.

Be prepared for extensive walking on uneven, open terrain.  Wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, and bring water, field guides, and something to take notes on and with.

Please plan on arriving by 1:30 – there is a padlock on the front gate, and it will be locked shortly after 1:45.  Reservations are not required.  Please feel free to contact Kathy Galloway (contact form here) if you have any questions.   We will follow the latest CDC instructions for covid safety

People at all levels of plant knowledge can help on survey field trips. The trips are a great way to see native plants in their habitats and learn with other members.  Beginners are welcome!  Read more about survey field trips at this link.

Directions:

  • Take IH-35 north to Exit 266 (Florence/Killeen/195).
  • Turn left and follow SH 195 toward Florence.
  • Go through Florence, take the TX 138 exit (you will be near the City of Florence’s water tower with the bison on it), and then turn left onto TX 138.
  • Continue straight through the four-way stop at the intersection with Business 195, and after a little over two miles, turn right onto CR 224.
  • After about half a mile, at the fork in the road, bear to the left and stay on CR 224. Note that a car GPS system may indicate that you should bear to the right – this is incorrect.
  • After another half a mile, look for a green metal gate on your right (north side of street). There is a large wooden sign “Hidden Springs” sign between two flagpoles behind the fence. The address is 978 County Road 224, Florence, TX, but there is no number on the gate. (The gate is across the street from 981 CR 224.)
  • When you arrive, directions will be given as to where to park.

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