Maximize your odds of a thriving, vibrant garden with these Mexican bingo-inspired recommendations.
Early settlers introduced many colorful traditions that have influenced our city’s culture. One of those is lotería or “Mexican bingo,” which uses pictures instead of letters and numbers to match a specific pattern on a playing card.
If you’ve ever played, lotería brings a nostalgic feeling of home. If you haven’t, you’ll likely be drawn to the fun, bold imagery.
As we explore some of the images, you can’t help but draw connections to San Antonio’s climate and landscapes — and perhaps reimagine your water-demanding lawn with native colorful species that mimic what you see out in the wild.
Hint: You can use our WaterSaver Landscape Coupon to make those landscape renovations more affordable!
We’re all too familiar with the image of el sol, as we enjoy over 250 days of sunshine. This comes with the challenges of higher temperatures and inconsistent rain patterns, aka the rain lottery. As such, we’ve grown to value our water sources, creating a strong culture of conservation.
If shade is on your mind and you want to plant el arbol, consider live oak, Mexican white oak, cedar elm or Lacey oak. Also, ornamental trees like mountain laurels, desert willows, Texas persimmons or redbuds can really make a statement.
Another popular lotería symbol is la rosa. Although not a true rose, Texas rock rose can add a pop of color to your landscape beds with its hibiscus-like pink blooms. Contrast that with its species variants like ‘Ellen’s Legacy’ with its deep red color. If you prefer a traditional rose, Martha Gonzalez offers a similar crimson color and requires minimal care once established.
If you’re going for an arid landscape aesthetic, consider planting el nopal. One of the benefits of planting cacti is that they require very little water. But they are susceptible to our occasional freezing temperatures.
Luckily you can choose from a variety of yuccas or agave plants that are much hardier. Big Bend yuccas, for example, can withstand low temperatures and they attract pollinators when in bloom.
Don’t gamble with your yard transformations. Maximize your odds at a thriving garden with these lotería landscaping recommendations.
