This last year we have been working very hard to do away with the grass and have only native plant beds in the front yard.
We are very pleased with the results even this first year.

This is the front yard before;


And this is after;


I will tell later how we went about it.
Josephine.

Looks great, Josephine!

Thank you Lee, it has been a labor of love, as you know I am crazy about Texas native plants.

STUNNING - looks even better then I could have thought... so what are those BRIGHT yellow flowers there?

I'd love to see a complete list of all the varieties you're growing!

Thank you Mitch, those are Blackeyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta, I started those from seed and they looked great but they got too tall, much taller than i expected, and I had to take them out, but they sure were beautiful.

Sure Dave, I will get it together for you later when Frank gets home. We have the list done but I don't know how to transfer it, he is th tech in the family, as I am sure you know.
Josephine.

I think such a list would be really useful to anybody in Texas looking to add natives to their homes.

Dave you have got to check out her website - even here in OK it is my go to guide for Natives. Josephine really knows her stuff.


Josephine - those are beyond stunning... did you plant some on the slope?

No Mitch I didn't, the slope is too crowded, maybe I can make room for them in there next year.

I could see it with all the other wonders growing on the slope!

Flame Acanthus - is it root hardy in zone 7? I have seen some here and there and found one for sale the other day (they had it marked annual tropical - lol) just did not know if it was coming back in the wild from seed or from roots.

The wood of Flame Acanthus doesn't die to the ground here but it might in Oklahoma.
I think it would be at least root hardy where you live, it sure is a beautiful and reliable shrub.
It does seed itself sometimes but not very often.

Beautiful transformation...and something we all might have to embrace with the drought not breaking anytime soon. You've obviously put a lot of thought into your selection of plants. I'm sure we'd all like to see how you created such a colorful summer spot. I would guess your neighbors are watching to see how they can replicate it!

Thank you Sandi, yes they are, most most of them are too overwhelmed to undertake such a large job, but everyone can get there a little piece at a time. I started very small myself.

Good to know - really a stunning shrub and one I wished I had brought with me once I saw them wild here!

Looking good! It's all a journey...my yard is never finished! Although sometimes I wish it was, when I get tired of redoing it.

Thank you Linda, you are right, it is a journey, and so far a lot of fun.

Wow! That looks great Josephine! It looks like you got the tree trimmed up also?

It looks like there is a break between the lines. Do you have a walkway through the bed?

I wish I could do something similar to the back yard, at least. Getting rid of the Bermuda would be the hardest part. The beds I have are already being invaded because I have been too busy to keep them dug out.

Staci how nice to hear from you!!!
Yes we had the tree trimmed up to allow more light for the plants, so now you can see the big branches.
I planted that Arizona Ash 41 years ago and it is an amazing tree, it covers the whole front yard but is light shade so the plants do quite well.

There are four major beds all different shapes with mulch paths in between and a large open mulched area in the center with a table and two chairs for relaxing and conversation.

This is the view form the front door;


and this is the view looking form the tree to the driveway entrance.

Ooooh... I Iike the close ups. I really like the design of the beds and the little table set is cute.

Glad to "see" old friends!