Maintaining an attractive yard in the Texas drought can be a challenge, but there is hope for success thanks to educational and volunteer projects in the Cedar Creek Lake area. The most practical solution to the drought probably is the planting of drought-resistant plants that thrive in extreme heat and need little water, and that's why Henderson County Master Gardeners is likely to become a far more popular program among local residents. The group is sponsored by the AgrilLIfe Extentsion of the Texas A&M University System, and its experts are available to answer your questions about gardening. The group will be hosting a booth at Eustace's Pioneer Day celebration on the historic downtown square Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In Kemp, the Cedar Creek Lake community most severely stricken by the Texas drought, there are examples of how some residents have maintained attractive yards despite mandatory watering restrictions. The city remains on a Stage 3 water restriction status. One residence near the center of downtown Kemp sports a cluster of drought-resistant plants that thrive in heat and require little watering. The home's owner planted a Texas agave, also known as a Century plant, and bordered it with Texas sage. It is native to South Texas, but it has grown well in East Texas as well. The Century plant can grow as tall as six feet, and it eventually produces a colorful flower stalk that can stand as tall as 15 feet. It lives from 10 to 25 years, and when it dies it is replaced by new plants around the stalk. Texas sage has small gray-green leaves and it produces lavender blossoms. It typically grows to about four to five feet high. It is native to the desert, but it has adapted well to East Texas. There are many other plants, including grasses, that are drought resistant that you can plant in your yard to survive the drought that is expected to persist for several more years. For yards with traditional grasses, it turns out they actually can be sustained with far less watering than the traditionally receive when the lakes are full of water and overflowing. For information about Henderson County Master Gardeners call 903-675-6130 or visit www.henderson-co-tx-mg.org.