Butterfly-beckoning blooms 🌸

Native plants to add to your garden

Texas Lantana will also keep deer out of your garden. | Photo by Lisa Henry/Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

We are marching right into spring and it’s time to spruce up those yards. One of the best ways to keep your garden growing in our humid subtropical climate is to plant native species.

Did you know there are over 100 plant species native to North Central Texas? With a rainbow of wildflowers, there are blooms for everybody — and for every bug.

The Fort Worth Pollinator Ambassadors, a group of government and nonprofit organizations, is working to support migratory pollinator insects — like monarch butterflies — in an initiative led by the National Wildlife Federation.

Fort Worth sits on a major migratory route for monarchs and is a Champion City for the butterflies. The Pollinator Ambassadors published a list of recommended native plants that attract these essential species.

Here are three native plants that will fill your garden with beautiful butterflies.

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)

Part of the verbena family, this spreading shrub has flaky bark, prickly leaves, and clusters of small red, orange, and yellow flowers that bloom from April to October.

Water needs: Deep watering once a week
Sun needs: Blooms best in full sun

FTW-mealy-blue-sage-wildflower — The petals of Mealy Blue Sage are covered in tiny white hairs. | Photo by Lee Page/Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)

A variety of mint, this tall flower could be confused with a bluebonnet — but the indigo blossoms are narrower, grow out of a leafy mound, and smell like sage.

Water needs: Drought tolerant
Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

The aster family flower has a spikey center and draws its name from the Greek word for hedgehog. It is known for lavender-colored petals that droop toward the ground.

Water needs: Drought tolerant
Sun needs: Full sun

FTW-purple-coneflower — The happy purple flowers are often used to make herbal tea. | Photo by Lee Page/Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

When in doubt you can always sprinkle your garden with bluebonnet seeds. Learn more about the state flower.

Check out these local nurseries and plant stores or take a sunny drive outside Loop 820 to Weston Gardens and Alta Vista Nursery, both of which specialize in native species.

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, March 3

First Fri-YAY | Friday, Mar. 3 | 12 a.m.-11 p.m. | Fort Worth Bike Sharing Stations, Fort Worth | Free | Explore the city on wheels with a free bike rental courtesy of Fort Worth Bike Sharing and Blue Zones Project.
First Friday | Friday, Mar. 3 | 5 p.m. | The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth | Free | The museum and Café Modern are teaming up to bring you live music, drink specials, and tasty light bites in the Grand Lobby.

Saturday, March 4

TCU Women’s Basketball | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Schollmaier Arena, 3000 Stadium Dr., Fort Worth | $22-$39 | Celebrate the graduating seniors in their last regular season game against Kansas.
Fort Worth Music Fest & Conference | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. | Stockyards, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $39-$69 | Network at this inaugural music conference for aspiring agents, managers, promoters, and emerging local Texas-based artists.

Sunday, March 5

Dancing In the Streets | Sunday, Mar. 5 | 2 p.m. | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | Don’t miss the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra perform the music of Motown with hits by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder.
Arlington Renegades | Sunday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. | Choctaw Stadium, 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington | $18-$102 | Catch the XFL team take on the Orlando Guardians.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Happy 1st birthday, SPENGA 🎉

A group of women using fitness equipment during a Spenga class

SPENGA creates a multi-sensory experience with space dedicated specifically to each element of the workout. | Photo provided by SPENGA South Fort Worth

Calling all fitness fanatics: SPENGA (aka Fort Worth’s go-to boutique fitness studio) is celebrating its first anniversary throughout the month of March. Fort Worthians are invited to join the party with a free SPENGA session. SPENGA is a total body workout, which incorporates spin, strength, and yoga into a 60-minute session. Bonus: You’ll also receive a complimentary session to be used in the future.

Explore the schedule and see why the SPENGA experience werks differently from other fitness classes. 💪 *

CELEBRATE WITH SPENGA

Weather

64º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Real Estate

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is selling 15 acres to the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp. to house those struggling with homelessness. The $11 million purchase will house 140 families. Leases could begin this year after the city’s due diligence process. 🏡

Community

Earlier this week, City Council decided to donate “Texas Tales,” a mural currently located at the Central Library, to TCU. The library is still sorting through which of its art pieces will be sold or moved before the branch officially closes. 🖼️

Announced

Irving-based artist Jessica Bonilla has big shoes to fill. Her submission was selected for the State Fair of Texas Big Tex Boot Design Contest. Coming this fall, the oversized Lucchese boots will feature a sunset over a West Texas landscape. 👢

Edu

Dr. Rachael Capua will be the new dean of Tarleton State University’s campus in Fort Worth. Starting Monday, March 20, Dr. Capua will work with local business leaders to expand the school’s degree programs and offerings.

Development

Medical City Arlington broke ground on a $144 million expansion project earlier this week. The 127,000-sqft addition will include a new patient tower, additional beds, and renovations to existing facilities. The project is expected to be complete in early 2025. 🩺

Biz

Thinking about getting a business degree? TCU’s Neely School of Business is the best in Texas, according to Poet and Quant’s latest rankings. The school also ranked in the Top 25 nationwide. 💼

Plan Ahead

Attention anglers — start fixing up those fishing poles because the TRWD Flyfest returns Saturday, March 11. Reel in the fun at the free, family-friendly festival featuring a trout contest, kids activities, and presentations at the Clearkfork trail (near the intersection of Bryant Irvin Road and River Park Drive). 🎣

Ranked

Texas A&M School of Law topped the Princeton Review’s list of best law schools. Among Texas institutions, the school ranked first in the teaching and accessibility categories and second overall. Nationally, it ranked 16th and 19th, respectively. 🎓

Job

Do you eat, breathe, and dream about editorial content? We’re hiring a Managing Editor to support the strategic growth and development of 6AM City’s editorial team, specifically as it relates to content management, creation, and strategy. See details + apply.

Travel

Did you know? Going, the travel membership that saves you money on flights, offers veterans, teachers, and healthcare professionals special discounts. Get 25% off a premium membership and take that well-earned vacation with discounted flights to Spain, Mexico, Ireland, and more.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

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Ride ‘em ~~cowboy~~ cowgirl

The Cowgirl Channel launches at the Fort Worth Stockyards

Mayor Mattie Parker and representatives from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame gathered for the ribbon cutting. | Photo by FTWtoday

The Cowgirl Channel has entered the chat. Rural Media Group — a media company run out of the Historic Stockyards — cut the ribbon on a new television network earlier this week.

Owner Patrick Gottsch launched The Cowgirl Channel — a sister station to the five-year-old Cowboy Channel, which is the official network of ProRodeo.

Hosted on Dish Network, Sling TV, and Cowboy Channel+, the 24/7 station broadcasts live rodeo coverage and programming like “Rodeo Queens,” “Grit & Grace,” “RanchHer,” and the upcoming “Women’s Western Sports Roundup.”

As part of the event, Mayor Mattie Parker declared March 1 — the start of Women’s History Month — as The Cowgirl Channel Day to honor “women doing hard work and celebrating the western heritage that put Fort Worth on the map.”

Rural Media Group is currently constructing a studio for The Cowgirl Channel on Exchange Avenue — just down the street from the Cowboy Channel in the old auction barn — where visitors can watch live recordings.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kate.

Editor’s pick: As someone who spends a lot of time piddling around the backyard, I was psyched to write this morning’s article. While you’re perusing for new native varietals, may I suggest stocking up on some gardening must-haves?

Get your hands dirty with this handy tool set and grab a garden hose spray nozzle to mist your garden on those scorching summer days. Don’t have a yard? No problem — spruce up your patio with a Talevara potted garden. 🌱

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’re not monkey-ing around with these baby zoo animals.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marianna Scott | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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