03.08.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🌸 Time to grow

Become an expert on native flowers

Black-eyed Susans are similar to Europe-native daisies. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

You love local food, music, business, and art — so while you’re planning your garden this spring, why not choose local plants, too?

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Plus, they’re more visually diverse than, say, lawn grass.

Consider planting some Central Texas flora this spring. We’ll get you started.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Water needs: moist, dry
Light needs: sun
Bloom time: March-November
Attracts: birds, butterflies (Bordered Patch + Gorgone Checkerspot)

Growing tips: Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive without competition, so consider planting it alongside other plants on this list.

Pink evening primrose

Oenothera speciosa

Water needs: moist, dry
Light needs: sun
Bloom time: February-October
Attracts: mammals, bees, birds (finches)

Growing tips: Also known as “pink ladies,” these flowers don’t like complete dryness, and sometimes go dormant until rainfall comes.

Clusters of small purples flowers with five petals each on a green background with fuzzy stems. — Prairie verbena tends to be drought tolerant and makes for good ground cover.
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Photo by Michael Clay Smith via Getty Images

Prairie verbena

Glandularia bipinnatifida

Water needs: moist, dry
Light needs: partial shade
Bloom time: March-October
Attracts: birds, butterflies

Growing tips: Prairie verbena is common in open grassy areas around the state and prefers well-draining soil including sand, loam, clay, and limestone.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Water needs: dry
Light needs: sun, partial shade
Bloom time: April-September
Attracts: hummingbirds, butterflies

Growing tips: Suited to northeast Texas, purple coneflowers thrive in lean soil with ~six hours of direct sunlight daily.

A close-up of bluebonnets, Texas' state flower. — Texas’ state flower doesn’t bloom for long, but when it does, it’s a sight to see.
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Photo by ATXtoday

Texas bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

Water needs: dry
Light needs: sun
Bloom time: March-May
Attracts: bees, butterflies (Gray Hairstreak + Elfin)

Growing tips: While bluebonnets only bloom their signature flower heads in spring and summer, they also form rosettes in the winter.

Ready to plant? You can easily source seeds from Native American Seed.

Smell the flowers

Asked

What is your favorite local wildflower?

A. Bluebonnets
B. Black-eyed Susans
C. Pink evening primroses
D. Purple coneflower

Stay down to earth

Events

Friday, March 8

SXSW | Now-Saturday, March 16 | Times vary | Multiple locations, Austin | $995-$2,095 | Spend a week immersed with some of the brightest minds, most talented musicians, and most cutting-edge brands at this expansive fest that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Austin.

Saturday, March 9

Wellness House | Saturday, March 9 | 8 a.m.-7 p.m. | Other Racquet Social Club, 2717 Manor Rd., Austin | Free | This pop-up includes a day’s worth of panels on wellness — including one featuring Austin’s own Jane Ko — a morning workout, and a happy hour.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Men’s Basketball | Saturday, March 9 | 1 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $51-$861 | Cheer on the Longhorns as they face down the team from across the Red River.

Sunday, March 10

Friend Fest | Sunday, March 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing, 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Make art and participate in family-friendly activities at the expansive south Austin brewery.
Austin Flea | Sunday, March 10 | 12-5 p.m. | Lazarus Brewing Co., 1902 E. 6th St., Austin | Free | Shop local, handmade, and vintage goods at the east Austin brewery and coffee shop.

Plan Ahead

Austin Blues Festival | Saturday, April 27-Sunday, April 28 | 12 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | $80-$160 | See Brittany Howard, Big Freedia, Jimmie Vaughan, and several others at this outdoor music fest.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Savor Austin’s flavors during your next trip through AUS

Rotating images of food, including tacos, brisket, ice cream sandwiches, and smoothie bowls.

Get a taste of Austin’s unique culinary scene at AUS. | Photos by Karen and Gavin Reinsberg

Whether you’re welcoming someone into town for SXSW or headed out on spring break, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the destination before the destination.

Between the airport’s 50+ shops and restaurants, local culture and flavors are thoroughly integrated into the AUS travel experience. A few must-visit spots?

Amy’s Ice Cream for delicious sweet treats
Austin Mercantile for unique gifts + souvenirs
Tacodeli for Mexican-inspired tacos
The Salt Lick BBQ for mouth-watering brisket

Bonus: Listen for live music throughout the terminals.

Beats, bites, and flights

News Notes

Civic

Austin City Council passed a resolution to fund the Austin Infrastructure Academy yesterday. The training hub — in partnership with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, CapMetro, and the Austin Transit Partnership — is meant help meet demand for the influx of need for skilled labor in the city.

Travel

Plan to arrive early if you’re traveling out of the Austin airport this month. With spring break and SXSW travel, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport anticipates high traffic all month, but especially from now through Monday, March 11.

Open

The seventh location of Jo’s Coffee is now open at Symphony Square, 1102 Sabine St. The Downtown spot sits nearby Waterloo Park, offers plenty of indoor + outdoor seating, and is currently serving up seasonal drinks like a strawberry matcha lemonade and French Toast Latte.

Arts

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is about to get a bit more colorful. Murals and sculptures by eight artists, as part of the TEMPO on the Trail program, are now on display all along the trail until June. See where. (KXAN)

Outdoors

Have you seen those long-legged bugs flying near your home? They’re called crane flies, or mosquito hawks, are typically among the first insects to emerge after winter, and are completely harmless to humans. (KUT)

Seasonal

It’s almost time to set the clocks forward. Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 10. Many states have made moves to address time change, but for now enjoy the extra sunlight.

Sports

Update yourself before the I-35 Series comes to town — it’s time to talk about how the Spurs are improving this season. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Eat

South Lamar Blvd is alive with the sound of sizzle. Nationally renowned Nashville hot chicken eatery Hattie B’s recently opened its first Austin location in the former home of Maria’s Taco Xpress, and the rave reviews are rolling in. See what all the cluck is about.*

Concert

Have you heard? Multi-platinum country music artist Riley Green will perform at Circuit of The Americas ahead of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series Race on Sunday, March 24. Learn more + purchase tickets for the action-packed weekend.*

Family

Create cherished family moments with a spring getaway to Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Unwind in the Hill Country by enjoying four resort pools, a splash pad, and kid-friendly activities. Pro tip: Use the Suite Escape Offer (a $100 resort credit for $50) to indulge in spacious Fairway Suites during your staycation. Plan your trip.*

Watch

The Academy Awards air this Sunday, March 10 at 6 p.m. Not sure how to watch? Access the broadcast with a free five-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.*

Culture

🔊 Turn the “Sound ON!”

Turn the “Sound ON!” for the launch of ATXN’s newest music series

Chief Cleopatra has been a local SXSW mainstay for the past four years. | Photo by ATXtoday

Turn the volume up because ATXN, the City of Austin’s government access channel, will debut the first episode of its new music series tonight at 7 p.m.

Titled “Sound ON!”, the new show takes cues from ATXN’s former Emmy-winning series, “Notes in Time.” Producers said the series will include in-depth interviews, live performances, and subjects that span generations and genres.

The first episode will feature Chief Cleopatra, a self-proclaimed “soul rock” artist known for her songs “Friends” and “Belushi,” and premiere on ATXN.TV and ATXN’s YouTube channel.

Chief Cleopatra fans will also be able to see her live during SXSW at The Grackle, 1700 E. 6th St., at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.

New episodes — following Brother Thunder, Moving Panoramas, and Tomar & the FCs — will drop on Fridays at 7 p.m. throughout March.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for — the first day of SXSW. If you see me, come say hi. If you don’t have a badge, don’t skip our guide to free events. Take it from me — there’s still plenty to do without tickets.

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