Planta Nativa Month in McAllen

By John Brush, Urban Ecologist, Quinta Mazatlan

If you were to walk through the City of McAllen’s Tiny Forests, you might see a Great Kiskadee, bright yellow against a dense thicket of green, foraging in a tree. You would likely see a variety of insects – the slower you strolled, the more you would find – living among the over 30 native plant species included in the planted forest: native solitary bees buzzing from flower to flower; beetles clambering over leaves; a mantis waiting for its prey. With all that life, it would be easy to assume the forest has always been there, even though it was only planted in early 2023.

That is the power of native plants. In just over two years, a typical Rio Grande Valley urban roadside – a regularly mowed mix of invasive grasses and small patches of seasonal wildflowers – became its own forested network of life, full of species interacting with each other in less than an acre of habitat. Temperatures in the forest could be up to 10 degrees cooler than the usual heat (or warmer in those few cold days each year).

And that is the focus of Planta Nativa Month in the City of McAllen – the power people have to modify our landscapes for the benefit of people and wildlife. During October, Quinta Mazatlan will host a diverse array of events, family programs, plant giveaways, and more to raise awareness about native plants and encourage the community to incorporate them into their homes, businesses, schools, and other areas where they can positively impact the landscape.

Weekly programs include presentations by native plant experts on Thursday evenings, during which each attendee can take home a free native plant to add to their garden. Plants include a mix of perennial wildflowers, butterfly-friendly shrubs, and small trees, as supplies last.

Quinta Mazatlan staff will also offer weekly programs, including Forest Tots on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Walk with a Naturalist on Wednesdays, and STEM Stops on Saturdays – each program focused on native plants, from their development as seeds to their benefits for wildlife.

On October 16th, Quinta Mazatlan welcomes Pam Penick, author and advocate for climate-resilient gardens, for a keynote presentation and book signing at the Planta Nativa VIP (Very Important Plants) Night. Penick has nearly two decades of experience designing waterwise and wildlifefriendly landscapes, and will share practical strategies for creating gardens that weather storms and grow stronger. Her presentation draws on her latest book, “Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State,” to inspire people to cultivate resilience in their landscapes.

The Planta Nativa VIP Night also features native plant sales, seed giveaways, a marketplace with food and wine vendors, educational booths and research posters, and live music, all set against the historical backdrop of Quinta Mazatlan.

Whether it’s the happiness they give to gardeners or the many ecosystem benefits they provide – temperature regulation, habitat for wildlife, pollution removal – native plants in the Rio Grande Valley do so much for people and wildlife. Join Quinta Mazatlan during Planta Nativa Month to learn more about the power of native plants. Visit quintamazatlan.com for more details.