Photos: San Antonio homes embrace native landscaping

We asked you, dear readers, to share your native landscapes with us. And you have plenty to be proud of.

Here's what your neighbors sent in.

Paul M. says he decided to wildscape his yard, in a residential neighborhood inside Loop 410, to correct drainage issues while reducing watering and cutting out mowing altogether.

• He also wanted to "create a little adventure going out into the yard to see what's blooming, etc. (rather than walk out into homogeneous greenery); and to attract insects!"
• He's since seen more birds and butterflies and even two Texas spiny lizards.

Ann Marie N., who lives near Phil Hardberger Park, says her native plants love the heat and will produce more color as the summer continues.

• "There is always something green and growing at any time of the year but it is at its most full for the hot summer. All drought tolerant plants," she says.
• She also says neighborhood children love to come by and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds in her yard. Her water bill is less than $50 per month in the summer.

David C., who lives in Northridge Park, says his household opted for a native yard after realizing that water will become more scarce and temperatures hotter in the future.

• "We call it South Texas meets the Hill Country," he says. "It is still a work in progress as the native blue grama grass continues to sprout."

The bottom line: Our neighbors' landscapes can serve as the ultimate inspiration.