Beautification

Maintaining the aesthetic quality of our community's landscapes improves the overall environmental health and well-being of our residents.

What Are We Doing?

We beautify our community in many ways including our Blanket the Brazos program, our Tree Sale, and our Memorial Tree program. Blanket the Brazos is a way to beautify our roadsides with wildflowers. Thanks to the generosity of our citizens and financial partners, $4,000 worth of wildflower seeds are sown along William D. Fitch Parkway, TX Highway 6, and other locations every October. These flowers help enhance the aesthetic of our roadsides and keep our local landscapes bright and beautiful.

How Do I Get Involved?

You can volunteer for our events, such as the Tree Sale. If you want to take charge in beautifying your own outdoor space, check out our Yard and Garden tab on the Community Resources page. Plus, you could win Yard of the Month for your fantastic landscaping.

Crepe Myrtles

The Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is the state shrub of Texas, and has been present in Texas for over 200 years. Native to Southeast Asia, these shrubs are tough, adaptable, long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and thrive in acidic soils common in East Texas. Crepe Myrtles are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and are the perfect way to brighten up your garden or lawn.

“The rich soil of Brazos County is especially suited for growing these exquisite plants, and their foliage provides a dramatic complement to the county's magnificent oaks for many months each year. Reflecting their concern for the natural beauty and ecology of their community, members of [Keep] Brazos Beautiful… have planted crape myrtles in parks and public areas to promote a cleaner, healthier, and more attractive environment.

The organization's tireless efforts have greatly enhanced College Station's Richard Carter Park, where visitors can stroll along paths dotted with more than 20 varieties of crape myrtle, delighting in their showy blossoms."

From: statesymbolsusa.org

Crepe Myrtle Resources:

Beginner's Gude to Crepe Myrtles:

https://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/beginners-guide-crepe-myrtles

Other Information:

https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/homehort/archives-of-weekly-articles-davids-plant-of-the-week/crapemyrtle-the-perfect-texas-landscape-plant/

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-plant/crape-myrtle

http://www.plantanswers.com/crapemyrtle.htm

Native Plants

Native plants, defined as those that “occur naturally in a region in which they evolved," are “the ecological basis upon which life depends." By planting a native garden, or even just one native plant, you're helping to support the natural ecosystem, including the birds, insects, and other wildlife native to your area. Additionally, unlike non-native plants, native plants are less susceptible to disease and pests, and are often already adapted to the soil characteristics in your area, which means less upkeep for you!