FREE Water-Wise Landscape Seminars with Bonnie Reese

FREE Water-Wise Landscape Seminars
Mountain View College Performance Hall
4849 W. Illinois Avenue, Dallas 75211
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by: Dallas Water Utilities, City of Dallas Stormwater Management and Mountain View College.


Plan to attend one or both of our free seminars. Landscape designer and author Bonnie Reese will be the speaker at both sessions. The first 100 attendees at each session will receive a copy of Ms. Reese’s book, “Common-Sense Landscaping.” Attendees can also enter a drawing for a free 60-gallon rain barrel at the end of each session. Rain barrels generously donated by Catch the Rain, LLC.

Water-Wise Landscape Design 101
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Whether you have a new landscape or plan to update an existing area, it is critical to begin with a good design. This program teaches the principles of landscape design with an emphasis on how to create a beautiful landscape that will save resources - natural and financial!

Fantastic Plants for North Texas
1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Using colorful photographs, Bonnie demonstrates the natural beauty of native and adapted plants that thrive in the North Texas region. Learn when, where and how to plant each of the recommended plants, their size and height at maturity, seasonal color, texture and more. This program provides information on trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers and turf grasses.

Space is limited, please register online at SaveDallasWater.com or by calling (214) 670-3155. Let us know which seminar(s) you would like to attend, and how many will be attending in your group.

PRESENTATION: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Port Aransas

To Whom: Port Aransas Garden Club and guests
When: Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at 10am -- 30 minutes
Where: Port Aransas Community Center
What: FREE program titled "Designing with Native Plants" with "Native Dave" Ilfrey

Welcome; Exciting News!

We always dreamed of living, working and raising a family together...and our dreams have become reality. In 2001, we started our green business that combines David's passion for plants and knack for nature with Christy's weaving of words and talent for teaching.  Through our "first baby", NativeDave.com, we help clients restore their slice of Texas by way of sustainable landscape design and consultation services. We inspire audiences with our writing projects and presentations. Our baby continues to develop, much like our human and four-legged children...In order to continue together nurturing all of our children, and carve more time for our individual creative pursuits, we have chosen to simplify. Beginning September 2010, our family and business will occupy a 4-wheel drive truck, slide-in truck camper and 5x8' utility trailer. We will commute between DFW, Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi; other markets will be added soon.  Along the way, we will explore botanical gardens, butterfly houses, green businesses, kid- and dog-friendly activities, and much, much more. We hope you will enjoy traveling with us as we focus on life's simple pleasures.

Information about our services may be found throughout this blog as well as our website, http://www.nativedave.com/.  Read about the personal impact of our journey on christy's writerlust: http://christyilfrey.blogspot.com/.  Collectively, we are documenting our experiences at http://4x4elvalor.blogspot.com/. 

There will be some changes in terms of the delivery method of services, which will outline in a few days.  We are in the final days of our transition and will resume taking on new designs as of September 7th.

Looking forward to seeing you and helping you restore your slice of Texas!

NativeDave.com||rebellious by Nature: Sand Bur Whine

NativeDave.comrebellious by Nature: Sand Bur Whine

Sand Bur Whine

Coastal Sand Bur (Cenchrus spinifex)

Here is a plant so stunning it will bring you to your knees! Coastal Sand Bur (Cenchrus spinifex) might not have regal beauty or a lovely scent but IT WILL GET YOUR ATTENTION. The little spikelets are enough to make a grown man whine. Stepping on them when they are laying on hot concrete really will make one take notice. I was contemplating an article for today that could focus on a plants' qualities other than bloom, shape or landscape use etc. when I came across these guys. The interesting facet of this plant came when I discovered this unusual use for it ---- Sand Bur Wine.  Check out this winemaker's blog and recipe.  Newer posts are at the top, so scroll down a ways to December 12, 2009.