The City maintains two demonstration gardens along FM 2147 and adjacent to Martin Park to inform our residents about how to plant landscapes with reduced water needs. The gardens feature native Texas plants or plants originating in areas with similar climates which will do well in the Hill Country.
It is important to landscape in ways that fit the land and the climate of our region. Drought tolerant gardening here means planting beds with good soil of sufficient depth, hardwood mulch and native plants which will dress up your property with lush growths of leaves and colorful blooms, even in the middle of summer.
Turk's cap, with its bright red cylindrical flower, lantana's, mealy blue sage, salvias, and the heat and sun-loving Pride of Barbados are all plants that do well here and are featured in the gardens.
One additional fact about the gardens is that they are certified as a Monarch Way Station by Monarch Watch, a group that is working to improve the population numbers of monarch butterflies.
By using these blooming, water-thrifty plants, you can really dress up your property and help hold down your water bills from irrigation.
The gardens are dedicated to the legacy of Steve Hawley, who served as the City of Horseshoe Bay’s water and wastewater plant operation supervisor from 2013 until he passed away in 2017. Steve was a dedicated employee who possessed a passion for protecting the public health of the community but also protecting the environment.
Steve was always cheerful and enthusiastic about his work and about caring for the surrounding landscape. His love of life and all things living was expressed by nurturing plants and planting seeds each spring throughout the city.
Because of his commitment to this community’s environment, the City of Horseshoe Bay dedicated the Steve Hawley Drought Tolerant Gardens to his legacy.
