Introducing: Plant of the Month, January
(Mission, TX) – The National Butterfly Center is on a mission to roll back your lawn! Maintaining that lush, green St. Augustine carpet consumes thousands of gallons of water each year—water and money you could be saving. Why not start saving by carving out a corner of your yard for colorful native plants that will attract butterflies, enhance your landscape, and decrease the amount of time and money you spend on lawn care and maintenance?
“To help Rio Grande Valley residents get started with this roll back, we're introducing our Plant of the Month series,” states Max Munoz, grounds manager of the National Butterfly Center. “We know plants are a mystery to many people, and the idea of gardening can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Native plants are an easy introduction to gardening and the best way for beginners to get growing, because they are typically hearty and require little attention. So, even if you may not have a 'green thumb', you have a good chance of succeeding with plant species that are designed to thrive here, regardless.
“In addition to needing little water or care, native plants do not need to be replaced, seasonally or annually. This cost savings is just one benefit,” continues Munoz. “Native plants, especially the flowering ones, attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard.”
Our January Plant of the Month is Rio Grande Mock Vervain, or Gladularia Polyantha. This little plant produces a pretty purple flower that provides nectar to a wide variety of butterflies, including small Skippers, Crescents and Hairstreaks, as well as large Buckeyes and White Peacocks. Mock Vervain makes a great spreading ground cover, and grows to about 15” in height. Unlike most native species in the Rio Grande Valley, this particular plant does best in partial shade and likes moisture. For this reason, it is a perennial that will bloom any time of year, when it is watered.
This low-maintenance native is often overlooked or considered a “weed”, rather than appreciated for the showpiece it can be. This pretty little 'butterfly feeder' may be grown in a window box or planted around a shade tree to add color and beauty to your yard anytime of the year.
If you are interested in acquiring Rio Grande Mock Vervain, or other native plant species, visit the nursery at the National Butterfly Center. Our native plant nursery produces close to 100 species of plants for sale without the use of pesticides or herbicides, which are harmful to caterpillars, butterflies and other wildlife.
The Center is located in Mission, before Bentsen-RGV State Park, and open to the public seven days/week. To learn more about our mission and how you can join us, visit www.nationalbutterflycenter.org; it’s a great place to download a volunteer service application, or schedule your school’s Project WILD-certified field trip. You can also find out more about us on our family-friendly Facebook page.
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