Willow Wildscapes

10/04/2026

What I see: beautiful plants, pollinators, new growth, and a garden worth documenting.

What my husband sees: me crouched in the garden making a weird face while taking 47 pictures of the same plant.

Perspective is everything.

10/03/2026

Just a morning garden chat and some views from my gardens 🥰🌻🪻

10/02/2026

I’m here to bring the controversy once again. Let’s talk turf options.

If you’re looking for a native option, buffalo grass is my first choice. It’s incredibly drought tolerant and can be mowed short or allowed to grow taller for a more natural look. The problem? It doesn’t stand much of a chance against Bermuda.

Zoysia is probably my least favorite. Nearly every house I visit with zoysia has the same issues: bare, dry spots, areas being overtaken by Bermuda, and turf that just never seems to look great.

St. Augustine can compete with Bermuda, but it requires a LOT of water to stay green. Because of that, I really only recommend it for shadier areas.

So what’s the best option?

Honestly, I don’t know that there’s a perfect answer.

I hate the idea of recommending Bermuda because it’s so aggressive and goes against the grain of my whole ethos when it comes to native and ecological landscaping.

But here’s the problem: if you have Bermuda anywhere near you, what are the chances it eventually finds its way into your yard anyway?

This is one of those landscaping conversations where I think there’s a lot more nuance than simply saying, “Plant this turf.”

So now I want to hear from you: What turf are you using, and how has it worked for you?

10/01/2026

If you’re free this Saturday, my pal Jason with Atwood Tree Care will be speaking at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden about how to care for your trees and figure out what might be going wrong with them.

Jason is an ISA-certified arborist with a wealth of knowledge about all things trees. He’s also just a genuinely interesting guy to talk to and listen to, so you’re going to learn a lot.

Bonus: The Botanic Garden is also having a plant sale from 9–2, so you might as well make a day of it!

Grab your tickets while you can. Book directly through the botanic garden website: https://fwbg.org/full-calendar/whats-wrong-with-my-tree/

09/29/2026

Groundcover doesn’t have to mean a sea of one plant.

When you’re landscaping beneath large live oaks, the conditions can be challenging: deep shade, competition from established tree roots, and dry soil. That’s where choosing the right plants for the right place makes all the difference.

Here, I’m using two of my favorite Texas-adapted groundcovers: lyreleaf sage and Weberville sedge.

Lyreleaf sage brings texture, seasonal color, and flowers that benefit pollinators while filling in spaces beneath the canopy.

Weberville sedge creates a softer, grass-like layer that helps tie everything together without needing a traditional turfgrass lawn.

Using multiple groundcovers creates layers, texture, and visual interest while giving wildlife more resources and replacing areas that might otherwise be difficult-to-maintain turf.

The goal isn’t to force a lawn into a shady space. It’s to work with the conditions that already exist and choose plants that thrive there.

Right plant. Right place. Better landscape.

09/26/2026

Nothing like a good before and after!

This client had multiple landscapers come in over the years who, while meaning well, nearly caused irreparable damage to their post oak.

The soil had been built up so high around the trunk that it was suffocating the tree’s root zone. A trench was then added around the trunk, which unfortunately created a basin that allowed water to collect and sit around the tree.

We came in and reworked the entire area to give the tree a healthier grade and proper drainage, helping prevent water from pooling around the trunk.

We also:
- Installed inland sea oats to help with erosion control
- Extended the grill patio to create more usable space
- Created a rain channel to better direct water from the outdoor shower away from the foundation
- Added beautiful plants that are well-suited to their new homes and will provide lasting beauty

The goal wasn’t just to make the space look better—it was to make it function better for the people, plants, and tree that call this yard home.

Now this family can actually enjoy their yard, knowing we’ve created a space that is both beautiful and working with the landscape instead of against it.

09/25/2026

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We do see the replies, and a real person reads every one of them. So if you have an actual question, just ask — but no need to reply to the robot. Thanks for following along!

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09/24/2026

Honestly, I’m already kind of in love with this compost.

It’s way more broken down than the typical compost I’ve purchased, and the texture is incredible. It looks rich and full of organic matter. I know you can’t actually determine nutrient content just by looking at compost, but when you’ve bought and worked with as many different brands as I have, you start to get a pretty good feel for what looks like the good stuff. 😂

I’ll keep you guys updated on plant growth and production throughout the fall. All of my starts are officially in the ground, and now I just need to get a layer of mulch down on top.

Meanwhile, my chickens have decided the garden is their personal dirt bath, despite the fact that they literally have their own. So I cut up some sunflower stalks and used them to try to keep them from climbing into the beds.

Eventually, I’ll build a proper fence… but let’s be honest, I’m betting they’ll still find a way in.

Again, not a paid ad—just genuinely impressed. Thanks for the hookup Clint from Vital Earth products and Carl Pool!

09/22/2026

STOP planting boring shrubs.

Meet Lindheimer’s senna (Senna lindheimeriana)—a Texas native that looks this good AND does something for the ecosystem. The leaves feel like velvet hence the nickname velvetleaf.

🌼 Bright yellow blooms
🐝 Supports native pollinators
☀️ Loves our Texas heat
💧 Drought tolerant once established
🌱 Native to Texas
📏 Grows about 3–6 ft tall and 3–6 ft wide

Because your yard doesn’t have to be a sea of boxwoods, crape myrtles, and generic ornamentals to look beautiful.

Plant something that belongs here. Plant something that gives back.

Would you plant this in your yard? 👇🏼

09/21/2026

Trolls are going to troll, but let’s clear one thing up: I’m a native Texan planting native Texas plants. 🌱

Miserable people create misery, but this page is here to spread awareness, educate, and help rebuild our local ecosystems one plant at a time.

If that bothers you, that’s okay—but there’s no reason to fill this space with hateful comments. Move along and find something better to do with your time. 👋