Top Ten Native Plants

The benefit of growing native plants in the yard and garden is that native plants don’t require as much water as non-native plants, and they are much more heat and drought tolerant as they are adapted to our environment here in Texas. The plants you place in and around your home have a direct impact on your water bill and on water consumption/conservation. Below will be listed the top 10 plants that Residents can plant in their gardens to make more heat tolerant and water smart gardens and yards. It’s important to note that native plants ≠ no maintenance, watering, or upkeep. Residents will find their plants will be much happier and healthier if they are rated for the right climate or endemic to the area.

Eastern Purple Coneflower

This beautiful purple flower is a Texas native that loves full or partial sun, thriving in the Texas Spring and Summer.  Coneflowers also provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and birds. This is a garden must-have this year.

Yaupon Holly

Yaupon Holly is a shrub native to the Houston area that is known for being evergreen and deer resistant. This is a popular plant for landscaping due to its low hedge. They are drought tolerant and have resistance to insects and diseases. It’s a tough and hardy plant that tolerates a range of soil conditions.

Black-eyed Susan

Although it is a short-lived perennial, Black-Eyed Susan’s are one of the toughest flowers that tolerate the Houston climate and range from beautiful yellows to oranges and reds. These flowers are full-sun loving and bloom in the late summer and early fall. They are considered draught resistant flowers and a great addition to any home garden

Texas Lantana

Texas Lantana is a gorgeous native perennial that requires full sun to partial shade. This plant blooms in wonderful oranges, reds, and yellows, attracting wildlife such as bees, birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These plants can bloom in the spring, summer, and fall and have a low water demand.

Gulf Coast Muhly

A tough native grass that grows in full to part sun. These grasses are often overlooked by gardeners when deciding on plants for their landscaping and beds, but they can create beautiful scenes in the garden and landscape. This grass is also a perennial.  When in bloom, this grass has beautiful purple tufts that plume over the top of the grass creating a stunning effect!

Blackfoot Daisy

Blackfoot Daisies can survive  the Texas heat, in full sun or partial shade with little water. They are dark green with white and yellow flowers, that grow low to the ground in a bushlike shape. They are a great addition to any garden, as they also attract bees and butterflies!

Texas Sage

The official sage of Texas, Texas Sage is a beautiful, full sun, drought tolerant bush with silver, greyish green leaves.  It takes two years to fully mature then blooms into beautiful pink, purple, and lavender flowers.  This plant prefers well drained soil and can also tolerate partial shade.

Lance-leaved coreopsis

A beautiful yellow flower that blooms in Spring, lance-leaved coreopsis prefers full sun and well drained soil. They grow approximately 2’ tall and can be aggressive self-seeders. It is deer resistant and attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects.

Esperanza

Esperanza is another Texas native summer perennial that tolerates high temperatures and draught conditions very well. They prefer full sun and grow 4-6 ft tall. They grow beautiful yellow trumpets that bloom in the summer. It’s best to plant these early spring after the threat of the last freeze.

Southern Maidenhair Fern

The Maidenhair fern, or Southern Maiden hair fern, is a beautiful delicate green shade-loving Texas native fern. This plant is great for shady spaces and indoors or potted plant gardens, often growing in moist forests in it’s native spaces.  These plants enjoy moist, well drained soil and low light or bright indirect light.

Both residents and native pollinator species can benefit from native plant landscaping and gardening.   Incorporating even a few of these plants into your home’s garden can provide a pit-stop for your local bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species.

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Mosquito Fogging Schedule Update

Update from BUGCO Pest Control as of March 24, 2025:

BUGCO will fog for mosquitoes between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, weather permitting and in coordination with the City’s concurrent schedule (if applicable). While this practice significantly reduces the mosquito population, it does not eliminate them.

Mosquito fogging is restricted by legal limits on the amount of chemicals that can be applied within a calendar year. If the frequency of application is increased to more than twice a week, that limit would be reached as early as September, and treatments would cease sooner than mosquito season ends. To maintain an effective mosquito control strategy throughout the year and minimize disruptions, it is essential to adhere to the current schedule and respond adaptively to environmental conditions.

For additional information and measures for mosquito control and prevention, you may visit:

Mosquito Control at Home | Mosquitoes | CDC
Preventing Mosquito Bites | Mosquitoes | CDC
Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites | US EPA

Notification of Free-chlorine Conversion for PWS 0790005

The District has received this notice from the City of Sugar Land:

PUBLIC WORKS

March 6, 2025

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Water Supply Division
P.O. Box 13087 MC-155
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Re: Notification of Free-chlorine Conversion for PWS 0790005

Public Drinking Water staff,

The City of Sugar Land public water system, (PWS) ID 0790005, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the water treatment process from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on April 8, 2025 and continue until May 6, 2025.

Please see below for name, title, and phone of PWS contact.

The City of Sugar Land water system, PWS 0790005, supplies treated water to Fort Bend County MUD 128, PWS 0790498.

The City of Sugar Land has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine to control nitrification and protect the City of Sugar Land’s long term drinking water quality.

Sincerely,

John Bailey
Surface Water Plant Manager
City of Sugar Land
281-275-2002

A Message from Best Trash: Pruning Season Guidelines Pruning

Pruning season is approaching. Please adhere to the following guidelines for tree trimming disposal:

  • Branches must not exceed 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length.
  • Trimmings must be tied and bundled, with each bundle weighing no more than 40 pounds.
  • Best Trash will collect up to five tied bundles per collection day.

If a landscaper performs your yard maintenance, please ensure they remove the trimmings, as this service is typically included in their fees.

For more information, please reach out to Best Trash at (281) 313-2378.