If you live in the Central Texas region, you’ve probably wondered what are the best plants for central Texans. You can choose from drought-tolerant plants, low-maintenance perennials, or flowers that attract pollinators. Read on to discover more about what plants grow best here. Then, get ready to get gardening! Here are some suggestions:
Low-maintenance plants
If you’re looking for drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants for central Texas, you’ve come to the right place. Water is scarce and expensive in this area, and droughts are frequent, making drought-tolerant plants a wise investment. To select drought-tolerant plants, consider horticultural knowledge and plant combinations. Then, you can enjoy beautiful plants without a lot of effort.
One of the easiest plants to grow in the heat of central Texas is rhododendron, a deciduous shrub that grows from dwarf to 12 feet tall. The flower clusters of these low-maintenance plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. While these plants are easy to grow, they do require pruning to keep them looking attractive and in good shape. However, they’re worth it for the shade they provide in the heat.
Other low-maintenance plants for central Texas include yellow bells. While it’s not a true sage plant, this shrub has trumpet-shaped, bright yellow flowers that bloom throughout the year. The bells of this plant need occasional pruning but are worth the work. The flowering season will vary, so be sure to pick varieties that don’t need much water. In addition to plants, consider trees. Trees require more work than simple shrubs or perennials.
Another low-maintenance plant is the lavender coneflower. This a low-maintenance plant that blooms during summer and requires as little as an inch of water per week. Its long arching branches are accented with striking purple berries. Both flowers attract many different types of birds and make for a beautiful centerpiece in your yard. And, if you’re looking for something to attract pollinators, a rosebush will do the trick.
Drought-tolerant plants
You can choose from a wide range of drought-tolerant plants for your garden. Many of these plants can grow to impressive heights, making them a great option for shade gardens. During the spring and summer months, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms of a number of colorful and fragrant plants, including the evergreen Jerusalem Sage. The plants in this category will tolerate a range of watering conditions and are often deer-resistant.
For an easy-to-grow plant, consider speedwell, which boasts beautiful spikes and a long blooming period. It grows between one and two feet tall and requires only moderate water. The plant is ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and groundcover. Coral vine, which is also known as Queen’s Wreath, is another drought-tolerant perennial that will add color to your landscape.
Another plant you can plant in your garden that can withstand a dry climate is sedum. These plants have waxy stems and leaves that protect them from heat and moisture. In addition to these, they are also deer-resistant. Sage and salvia are highly resistant to pests and offer fragrant foliage and flowers. These plants are drought-tolerant because they use the carbon cycle in a more efficient way than their C3-dependent cousins.
Other drought-tolerant plants include prairie verbena, which has small, fragrant pink flowers and is a great groundcover. It also provides shelter for many wildlife. Blue mistflower is another drought-tolerant plant, which is invasive, but can also grow to be just three feet high. Its weeping habit makes it ideal for foundation plantings. Despite its low water requirements, this plant is deer-resistant and can tolerate occasional flooding.
Flowers that attract pollinators
Aside from providing nectar, pollinators also provide surplus pollen. Bees are important for the spread of genetics. They visit many types of flowers, but prefer clusters of the same type. So, you should consider planting flowers that attract bees. You can find many suggestions of plants that attract bees by searching the internet. The following are some suggestions for your garden. Listed below are some plants that attract bees.
For the best pollinator habitat, plant native plants and choose plants that attract pollinators. Trees are the primary source of pollen for bees in urban areas, and they support local pollinators. Plants such as flowers can help attract bees, butterflies, and other insects. In addition, trees are great places to observe pollinators. Pollinators feed on pollen and nectar, so planting trees and flowers that are native to your area will be a great way to protect them.
Besides being attractive to humans, flowers that attract bees and other pollinators also help plants reproduce. Most flowering plants require the help of insects for reproduction. These insects are important for the survival of plant life. Therefore, it is crucial to attract them to your garden. They can help you with plant pollination. Flowers that attract bees are a must have for your garden. These pollinators will benefit your garden in numerous ways.
A native Texas flower, purple coneflower, is a great choice for your garden. Its lavender petals surround a spiny brown center. Purple coneflowers need only an inch of water a week to thrive, so they’re a great choice for dry gardens. Another plant that attracts pollinators is beautyberry. Its long, arching branches boast beautiful green foliage and purple berries. The flowers of this plant are often eaten by local birds.
Perennials
There are many types of perennials to choose from in central Texas, including annuals, trees, shrubs, and flowers. Perennials do not need to be replanted annually, but they do need basic yearly maintenance. For the first few years, cut back the foliage to 4-6 inches above ground level to prevent the spread of diseases and improve the appearance of your bed. Divide perennials every two to three years and thin them out to avoid having too many plants in the same spot.
Perennials can add color to your garden year after year. Black Eyed Susans, for example, have a deep center in their flowers. These perennials bloom throughout the summer. They are a good choice for shaded areas of the yard and do not grow as tall. Rock Rose is another perennial to add to your garden. This brightly colored flower grows to a height of about two feet. It tolerates different soil conditions and attracts butterflies.
For a garden in Central Texas, consider perennials. Perennials come back year after year. They die back to the ground during the winter months and reappear in the spring. Perennials generally require more care, and they have a shorter growing season than annuals. They also tend to have smaller flowers than their annual cousins. Consider planting some perennials and annuals in combination to create a balanced mix of color.
The most popular low-maintenance winter annual is now available in pink and white. This versatile perennial thrives in the Texas heat and tolerates poor soil. The fragrant blooms will last throughout the summer, and the flower heads will attract pollinators. You can also grow Scarlet Beardtongue, a perennial herb that will add color to your garden. It will attract pollinators and grow to about 3 feet tall.
Shrubs
If you want a low-maintenance plant that can grow in any climate, the Blueberry Bush is one of the best choices. This shrub can tolerate heat and drought and produces lovely flower spikes. It can grow up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, depending on its size. The foliage turns brown during cold weather, so pruning it before the weather warms up is advised. It also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Another perennial shrub that grows well in Central Texas is the Yaupon Holly. The holly produces yellow, orange, and red berries in winter and is usually found in yard landscapes. Its foliage is evergreen and it can tolerate dry and sandy soil. Female plants produce red berries in winter. The shrubs grow three to six feet tall and two feet wide and are an excellent choice for Central Texas landscapes. Yaupon hollies are also excellent choices for shaded areas.
American Elderberry is a beautiful plant that grows over 6 feet tall. The berries are edible and are a good source of molasses. Its large leaves are also used in jelly and wine making. It drops its leaves under severe drought. It has sharp thorns and white flowers in the spring. In late summer, the berries turn red. Turk’s Cap is another shrub that grows tall and has red berries. This plant requires pruning to keep it in check.
Autumn Sage thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate afternoon shade. The foliage and flowers of this plant are white, pink, or purple. Its leaves are shiny and glossy, with a slight sour scent. It also produces edible fruit, making it ideal for rock gardens or coastal landscapes. Regardless of the growing conditions, you can find the right shrub for central Texas. Just make sure you choose a hardy variety that thrives in your climate.
