Spring seems like a perfect time to tell the story of the Landa Family Memorial’s garden. Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, and the garden is experiencing it now.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a butterfly garden?” This is how the saga began.
“There’s one in the Fischer Park,” came the reply.
“Oh no! In the park”.
The listener giggled and knew exactly what Rosemarie Gregory was talking about. There is a park in New Braunfels, and for local New Braunfelsers in particular, and that park is Landa. This feeling is also shared by some non-native residents. Tim Barker, who lives near Landa Park, once said to me: “Landa is my park.” The answer came when I suggested he help with another park project. In fact, a park manager has referred to Tim as the “Sheriff of Landa Park”. I did not inquire about how the sobriquet was made. I would know.
Tim goes for a walk every morning – some would say patrols – Landa Park. On these walks he comes into contact with nature and observes places that could use an intervention. The newer sidewalk towards the pavilion is an example of such an intervention. He asked friends for the conservation of Historic Landa Park to help, and they did. But I digress, so back to gardening history.
I then explained to Ms. Gregory that a butterfly garden is exactly what the New Braunfels Native Plant Society of Texas was up to at the Landa Family Memorial when COVID-19 was upsetting everything.
For example, five months after the pandemic, two Lindheim Master Naturalists who are also NPSOT members donned their masks and used their trowels to quell weeds that overtook the Landa Family Memorial. The gardeners were thanked daily by passers-by, one of whom said, “Somebody had to do this.”
As progress progressed and the weeds surrendered, the idea of benches arose. Put a butterfly bench near the Landa Family Memorial. Better still, why not acknowledge Rosemarie Leissner Gregory and Arlene Krueger Seales, authors of “New Braunfels’ Historic Landa Park: Its Sources and Its People”, by dedicating the special butterfly bench in their honor?
Here the Landa friends intervened again. Tim Barker, President of Friends, had discussions. Various options were considered and eventually the Landa friends came to a consensus. They decided to order the Cricket Forge butterfly bank. Next, the Parks Foundation wanted to honor the authors as well, so a second bank was added to the order.
The park staff offered to place the benches and create a granite walkway for the garden. Reclaimed limestone edge material was identified from a previous project in Landa Park, so that the design principles announced in 2012 were adhered to. In addition, an irrigation system was added. The park operations literally added structure to the garden and a big thank you should go to them!
But what about the plants? Stacey Dicke, park director, suggested that a floor covering be placed around the headstone so that visitors can clearly see the original purpose of the Landa Family Memorial. The memorial was created in 1955 by their grandchildren Frances Story Rust, Russell Story Nine, and Jos. Dedicated to E. Abrahams Joseph & Helena Landa. The marker identifies her grandparents as the park’s founders and owners from 1847-1927. Ground cover would mean changes to the original planting scheme. The first round of revisions has started.
Frog fruit (Phyla nodiflora) was chosen as the ground cover. It is a perfect butterfly attractor and serves as the larval host for Texas Crescents, Phaon Crescents, Buckeyes, White peacock butterflies and others. Mealy blue sage (Salvia farinacea), which had grown to 18-24 inches, was removed from the immediate memorial area to be placed on the border.
While Mealy Blue Sage was a great plant for butterflies and hummingbirds, it desperately needed to join the border of the garden because of its potential 3 feet tall. Lindheimer Muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) was present throughout the garden and some were removed. It’s important to keep native grasses, however, as not only do they provide shelter for butterflies, but their deep fibrous roots help filter the water for the Edwards Aquifer.
A group of Lindheim Master Naturalists returned to the garden in mid-October to complete the planting. They were joined by Stacey Dicke and her family, as well as a New Braunfels High School Class from ’64 alum. This alum, a Krause descendant, established an uninterrupted connection in the historical continuity that is so important to Landa Park.
To attract the beloved monarch butterfly, plugs were planted from antelope horns (Asclepias asperula) and Zizote’s milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides), and at the end of March we were delighted to find monarch caterpillars. Fall sage (Salvia greggii) has also been added. It’s a big draw for butterflies and hummingbirds. Salvia greggii also provides nectar. Another plant in the garden was Gregg’s fog flower (Conoclinium greggii), also a source of nectar and a larval host plant for Rawson’s Metalmark. Queen butterflies often seem to swarm blooms of Gregg’s Mistflower every fall. Newly planted Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides) provides nectar for hairstreak and other butterflies. Her plant relatives included Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus) and White Mistflower (Ageratina havanensis). The beautiful Janais Patch butterfly feeds almost exclusively on Flame Acanthus and the hummingbirds love it too. Flame Acanthus is also a source of nectar for the Janais Patch.
White Mistflower, AKA Havana Snakeroot or Shrubby Boneset, bloom from April to December and attract butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. Shrubby Boneset is also a good source of nectar and serves as the larval host for the Rawsons Metalmark butterfly. The Landa Family Memorial Garden should make a lovely spot for winged visitors, perhaps in time for a fall ribbon cut.
Jane Filz Mauldin created a beautiful depiction of the newly planted Landa Family Memorial. Her works of art include the benches, which will certainly form a new focal point in Landa Park and at the same time show a mature garden. The talented artist captured the effect of a wonderful collaboration. It is nice when groups like Lindheimer Master Naturalists, Friends for the Preservation of the historic Landa Park and the Park Foundation can work together on a project. A project that should bring joy to the community now and for future generations.
Now you have a version of the origin of the butterfly benches near the newly remodeled Landa Family Memorial Gardens. I wonder if Rosemarie had any idea what set her in motion when she said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a butterfly garden …?”
If native Texas plants can also be used in your yard, please visit Headwaters on Comal on Earth Day. NPSOT’s New Braunfels Chapter will have a limited supply of native plants for sale. Texas Master Naturalists bring their Skins and Skulls tribes so bring your kids! In addition, Master Naturalists will hand out mulching bags and information on the benefits of mulching. Earth Day is celebrated on April 24th. For more information, please visit the Headwaters website at www.headwatersatthecomal.org. Entry to the property is limited in time and must be reserved in advance.
The beautiful book “New Braunfels’ Historic Landa Park: Its Sources and Its People” is available for $ 45. Further information can be found at https://friendsforlandapark.org/new-book
References:
Agilvsgi, Geyata: Butterfly Garden for Texas. College Station: Texas A&M Press, 2013
Agenda: FFPHLP Special Called Board Meeting, August 27, 2020 www.nbtexas.org/DocumentCenter: Landa Park Design Principles
www.wildflower.org
