WELCOME TO TEXAS SMARTSCAPE

Texas SmartScape™ is helping to promote education on pollution prevention through efficient and effective water use for the benefit of our citizens.

Tools to help you design your landscape

Design Tools

Learn More
Find Smartscape demonstration gardens around North Texas

Demonstration Gardens

Check out demonstration gardens in your area

Learn More

Find Inspiration

See other smart yards and find your inspiration, or share your landscape photos!

Inspiration Gallery

Need some help but don't know who to talk to? Try this list of helpful links

Read More

Contribute Photos

We now have an easy way to upload photos so that more people can contribute to SmartScape.

Contribute!

Find Inspiration

See other smart yards and find your inspiration, or share your landscape photos!

Inspiration Gallery

Need some help but don't know who to talk to? Try this list of helpful links

Read More
Upcoming Events
  • Gardening Around the Year: A Monthly Guide to Landscape Maintenance
    Tue, Sep 9, 2025
    |
    Virtual
    Your North Texas landscape changes throughout the year with the changing temperature and rainfall. Discover a month-by-month guide to home landscape maintenance in North Texas.

    Join this free class to learn how!
     
    Read More
  • Shade Gardening with Native Plants
    Thu, Sep 25, 2025
    |
    Virtual
    Many native Texas plants love the sun and the heat, but there are also a variety of beautiful plants that are made for the shade! Create a water-efficient shade garden by planting native plants that do well in the shade.

    Join this free class, hosted by Tarrant Regional Water District, to learn how!
    Read More
  • NPSOT: North Central Chapter: Native Plant Exchange
    Thu, Oct 2, 2025
    |
    Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Iris & Orchid Room
    Join the North Central Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for a native plant exchange! 
    Some information you should be ready to share with NPSOT members; plant name (common and scientific), conditions, location, how the plant benefits your environment, characteristics you love..
    Take a new native plant home for your garden. Even if you don’t have one in a pot to bring, come anyway! The North Central Chapter has extras and would love to share!
     
    Read More
  • Monthly Plant Guide
    Tue, Oct 7, 2025
    |
    Virtual
    The climate in North Texas allows for a full year of beautiful blooms and friendly garden visitors. Discover a month-by-month guide to what native plants are blooming and what pollinators you can expect to see in your North Texas yard.

    Join this free class, hosted by Tarrant Regional Water District, to learn how!
    Read More
  • Gardening for Monarch Butterflies
    Thu, Oct 23, 2025
    |
    Virtual
    Join this free class to learn how you can invite Monarch butterflies to your home by creating a Monarch garden! Learn to fill your garden with beautiful Monarchs by choosing the right plants and features to add to your home landscape.
    Read More

Why SmartScape?

SmartScapes are NOT

  • Desert 'scapes
  • Rock gardens
  • Cactus plants

SmartScapes ARE

  • Well adapted to the Texas heat
  • Drought tolerant
  • Pest and disease resistant
  • Attractants of beneficial animals and insects

By Using Native and Adaptive Plants, you

  • Conserve precious water
  • Reduce stormwater runoff
  • Prevent water pollution
  • Provide wildlife habitat
  • SAVE TIME AND MONEY!

7 Steps to a Smart Yard

No matter what point you are starting from, you can add ease, comfort, and enjoyment to your yard or garden by using native and adapted plants.

1. Plan and Design

Start with the end in mind. Once you have a solid idea of what you want, look critically at what you've got.
2. Reduce Turf

Less turf means more time to enjoy your lawn, and more money saved because you won't have to water as much.
3. Soil

Organic matter is the key to a solid foundation to help your plants thrive. Compost helps to condition the soil.
4. Planting

The right plant in the right place. Use the SmartScape plant database to find native and adapted plants.
5. Mulch

Mulch helps reduce evaporation and cools soils in the summer by up to 10 degrees.
6. Water-Wise

Efficient irrigation will save you money. It is best to water in the early morning.
7. Maintenance

Regularity and moderation should guide your maintenance schedule. Avoid excessive pruning as natural beauty softens the landscape.
Learn More

Learn more about the
7 Steps to a Smart Yard >>

 

Cookies

We are committed to protecting your privacy and we don’t sell your personal information to anyone. Our refined Privacy Policy addresses collection and use of personal information. Like most websites, this one uses cookies for functional and analytical purposes. To learn more, please read our updated Privacy Policy. Click “OK” to acknowledge the notice of the updated Privacy!