Yellow primrose. Photos courtesy of Texas Smartscape. 

March 15, 2016

Need some plants that can thrive in the Texas heat without pesticides or fertilizers and less water? Check out the Texas Smartscape Plant Sales. The events will be held at garden retailers throughout North Texas, starting March 19.

This is the third year for the plant fairs organized by Texas SmartScape, a coalition of North Texas agencies whose mission is to educate residents on the benefits of using native and adapted plants. The sales are held in the group’s member cities.

This year, 22 events will be held on Saturdays through May 21, excluding March 26, from 8 a.m. to noon at select Home Depots as well as some locally based garden centers in the following cities: Arlington, Burleson, Carrollton, Cleburne, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Irving, Keller, Lewisville, Mansfield, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Southlake and Waxahachie.

Organizer Stephanie Zavala, who is also the city of Fort Worth’s water conservation specialist, said one of the primary goals of the sale is to simply raise awareness about the benefits of landscaping with native and adapted plants.

Plant experts will be on hand at each location to answer questions. 

Overall, the plant sale is all about making people more comfortable stepping outside of the landscape box and discovering there’s more to xeriscaping than just cactus and rocks, says Zavala.

She's learned that one of the reasons many residents don’t use native and adapted plants is the fear of making wholesale changes.  

“The beauty of Smartscape is that you can make a plan for your whole yard, but start small with one bed at a time,” she says. “You can take baby steps and do a little at a time. Even these small changes will begin to make an impact.” 

Above, Blackfoot Daisy and May Night Sage. 

TEXAS SMARTSCAPE PLANT SALES

When: Saturdays, March 19-May 21 (excluding March 26), 8am-noon.

Where: At garden centers throughout North Texas 

Schedule: 
Arlington (May 14),
Burleson (May 7),
Carrollton (May 21),
Cleburne (March 19, April 2),
Dallas (April 9, May 7),
Denton (May 7),
Fort Worth (April 2, April 23),
Frisco (April 2, May 21),
Grand Prairie (May 14),
Irving (April 16),
Keller (April 16),
Lewisville (March 19),
Mansfield (May 7),
Mesquite (May 7),
Plano (April 30),
Richardson (April 30),
Southlake (April 23) 
Waxahachie (April 30)

See complete list of events. 

See native and adapted plants database. 

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