This article isn’t really about reasons not to use native plants. There really just aren’t many. By contrast, there are a great deal of reasons why you should plant native plants in your landscape.

A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. As the public becomes more concerned about the environment and interest grows in preserving it, it’s important to know that you have choices in your landscaping plants and to know that you can choose to use native plants.

To begin with, several native species are the select or even the only larval (caterpillar) host plant for some species of butterflies. This means that if the plants they need to eat aren’t around, they can’t reproduce. Also, many native plants provide superior nectar sources for butterflies (and other important pollinators), which in turn help to pollinate the crops we eat (among many other things). If you enjoy seeing beautiful butterflies or eating fruits and veggies, plant native plants.

Next, we approach the topic of hummingbirds. Many native plants are a great source of nectar and habitat for these beautiful, tiny birds. Planting some native plants can be a great way to attract them to your landscape. Zipping around your garden, they eat pesky bugs like mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies. If you would like to see more around, use native plants to help attract these amazing birds.

Tired of constantly watering your landscape? Do you struggle to keep it hydrated during the hottest months of the summer? Do you worry about where your drinking water will come from someday? If so, plant native plants. Once they’re established, many native plants require very little supplemental water and therefore will not squander the precious water that could otherwise be used for drinking. Native plants are often better suited to our local hydrologic situation and climate and can survive these conditions without assistance once established.

Native plants are a great resource for holding soil in place. This ability to help prevent soil erosion also means they help to protect water quality. Help to prevent dust storms and dirty water: plant native plants.

If these reasons aren’t enough, there’s also the following:

• Native plants provide food and habitat for native wildlife.
• Native plants preserve our natural heritage.
• Native plants require little maintenance in the long run if properly planted and established.

If you are now ready to landscape with native plants, please note that Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale on April 18^th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 19^th from 1 to 5 p.m. We encourage you to stop by and pick up a few plants for your landscape. A Heard Museum Member Pre-Sale will be offered on April 17^th from 4-7 p.m.

For more than 20 years, veteran and novice gardeners alike have anticipated this rare opportunity to purchase plants from a huge selection of native plants, hard-to-find herbs and well-adapted plants at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s annual Spring Plant Sale. Your tax-free purchases will also help to support the Heard—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information (including plant list) available at www.heardmuseum.org/plantsale. 

Trout lilies, Erythronium albidum, a native lily-like plant with mottled leaves (resembling a trout) tend to bloom for a few weeks during this time of year. This week’s winter weather doesn’t seem to have affected them too negatively. They should continue to bloom for another week or two at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. They’re annually visible along the Hoot Owl Trail.

Trout lilies are a delightful change from the dormant appearance of winter in North Texas. The delicate beauty of their small, white, down-turned flowers and lovely mottled leaves are an interesting contrast to the surrounding colonnades of oaks and the many fallen leaves that insulated them through the winter. Their subtle charm makes the process of spotting them (pun intended) feel like a treasure hunt.

The Trout lilies are just now beginning to bloom and we encourage you to come out to see them soon. They will only be in bloom a few weeks. Please remember to leave them where they are and enjoy them from the trail (as we always ask) so that future generations may enjoy them.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

The Heard is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit and was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard. Miss Heard was 80 years old when she saw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.  For more information, visit heardmuseum.org.

Holiday Trail of Lights is a unique family-fun fundraiser at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildllife Sanctuary designed to enhance, not overpower, the beautiful nature sanctuary. The warm ambiance of this half-mile walking trail makes this event the most unique holiday light display in North Texas.

On December 13^th, 19^th & 20^th from 6:30-9 P.M., children and the young at heart will enjoy the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with Father Christmas and Mother Nature in a festive setting. Hot beverages and treats will be available for purchase.  Family-friendly entertainment will complement the holiday atmosphere…including appearances by a favorite Ice Queen (and maybe even her sister) each nice of the event. Local musicians, such as Parker Station and Jimmy Barcus, will delight audiences with live holiday music in the Heard outdoor amphitheater. Strolling carolers will sing for guests as they walk through the museum and grounds.

Visitors to this holiday fundraiser will simultaneously support the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary and have fun with the whole family.  Tickets are now available to the public at this link: heardmuseum.ticketbud.com/holiday-trail-of-lights-2014. Tickets at the door are only $9 for adults & seniors and $5 for kids 3-12 (children 2 and under are free). Guests who purchase their tickets online before the event will save $2 per ticket. The public is also welcome to purchase event tickets as gifts. Additional event information is available at www.heardmuseum.org/lights 

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

The Heard is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit and was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard. Miss Heard was 80 years old when she saw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard's mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.  For more information, visit heardmuseum.org.

On December 13^th, 19^th & 20^th from 6:30-9 P.M., hundreds of families will bundle up and experience the 6th annual Holiday Trail of Lights. Designed to enhance, not overpower, the beautiful nature sanctuary, the warm ambiance of this half-mile walking trail makes this event the most unique holiday light display in North Texas.

Children and the young at heart will enjoy the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with Father Christmas and Mother Nature in a festive setting. Hot beverages and treats will be available for purchase.  Family-friendly entertainment will complement the holiday atmosphere. Local musicians will delight audiences with live holiday music in the Heard outdoor amphitheater. Strolling carolers will sing for guests as they walk through the museum and grounds.

Visitors to this holiday fundraiser will support the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary and have fun with the whole family.  Tickets are now available to the public at this link: https://heardmuseum.ticketbud.com/holiday-trail-of-lights-2014. Tickets at the door are only $9 for adults & seniors and $5 for kids 3-12 (children 2 and under are free). Guests who purchase their tickets online before the event will save $2 per ticket. The public is also welcome to purchase event tickets as gifts.

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

The Heard is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit and was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard. Miss Heard was 80 years old when she saw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard's mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.  For more information, visit heardmuseum.org.

Halloween at the Heard, an annual fundraiser for Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary for eight years, has sold out ten days early this year. Because of attendee constraints on this event, the Heard will not be able to admit additional guests at the door. Friends of the Heard that missed their chance to purchase tickets to this year’s event are encouraged to mark their calendar for next year’s fun event or watch heardmuseum.org for information about the Heard’s next special event—Holiday Trail of Lights.

Halloween at the Heard will be held on October 18^th. Families that have purchased tickets in advance will enjoy an evening full of fun activities including trick-or-treating along the Dinosaurs Live! Live-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs trail and a presentation of a movie on the Heard's outdoor amphitheater stage. The Heard recommends that guests bring insect repellant, flashlights, water-resistant blankets and/or stadium seats for use during the movie.

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary would like to thank its sponsors for helping to make this event a success. Halloween at the Heard is sponsored in part by NBC5, Whole Foods, ClifKiD, Springfree Trampolines, Target, and Texas Roadhouse. Proceeds from this event benefit Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, a private 501(c)3 organization.

The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard.  Miss Heard was 80 years old when she saw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation. More information about the heard is available at heardmuseum.org.