If you live in central or southern Texas, you may be wondering what plants are best for your area. There are many different landscapes in this area, but neither area experiences extreme drought conditions. Instead, choose hardy plant varieties that do not need extra watering in this region. Central Texas experiences warm, dry summers, and you will need hardy plants that do not need supplemental watering to grow well. Southeast Texas, on the other hand, experiences high heat and humidity.
Shrubs
The best shrubs for Texas are native plants that add color and privacy to your landscape. You can plant shrubs to create boundaries and privacy screens or use them to grow tall and spread. A fast-growing medium to large shrub, the pink crape myrtle thrives in partial shade or full sun. It can be planted in median strips, where it can grow to over 20 feet tall. This shrub is a great addition to your garden, but you should consider its maintenance needs before deciding which one to plant.
Holly trees are versatile shrubs with many uses in Texas gardens. Some hollies are large and cone-shaped, such as the Nellie R. Stevens. Others are low and spreading, and make excellent groundcovers. Both Pride of Houston and Christmas Jewel produce bright red berries, attracting many birds. If you’re looking for the best shrubs for Texas, try one of these. Here are some favorites:
The Crape Myrtle is native to the Texas Panhandle and is mainly a shrub, but it can sometimes grow into a tree. Depending on the soil, it can reach up to eight feet tall. A common shrub in the Southwest, it has red leaves in the winter, but it dies back in cold winters. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, try the Crape Myrtle.
Shrubs are generally planted in existing beds. Leave an 18-24″ space between each plant. This will provide sufficient room to care for it. Choose plantings that will look good from the inside as well as from outside. This will also help you make sure they stay healthy. It’s important to mulch your shrubs, too. Adding mulch around their trunk helps to prevent rot. Once established, the shrubs will thrive in your landscape and continue to add beauty to your space.
Yellow bells can serve as a small tree or large shrub. Its tall trunk and slender branches make it a popular choice among homeowners. Its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers are attractive and attract hummingbirds. The plant needs full sun and must not be watered in winter. This plant also does well in drought-prone areas. And finally, consider the color of the flowers. These shrubs will add to your Texas landscape.
A good choice for shrubs in Texas is the cenizo. This evergreen shrub can withstand long hours of direct sunlight and little water. It can also be pruned into various shapes. Its foliage is green when mature and bluish-green when new. A good plant for Texas gardens is the cenizo shrub, which blooms after a rainstorm and is commonly used as a hedge. The cenizo shrub is often called the barometer bush, since its flowers are associated with the barometer of humidity.
Some shrubs that grow well in Texas are native to the region and are suitable for the climate. Natives include the ocotillo, skunkbush, and chihuahuahua. These plants can grow up to 25 feet tall and can thrive in the Southwest, Texas Panhandle, and other regions. They are all drought-tolerant and suitable for many types of soil and climate.
Another popular choice is the glossy abelia, which can tolerate drought conditions. It is an attractive shrub that blooms in spring and summer. Its flowers are small and pink and attract butterflies. Often used as a hedge, this plant can also make a beautiful foundation plant. Glossy abelia has a weeping growth habit and pink plumes that fade to white. Despite its low height, it is deer resistant and grows in sunny spots.
Wax myrtle is another attractive evergreen plant native to Texas. They grow moderately fast and are best planted in sandy soils. These shrubs make great hedges and are native to the area from New Jersey to Texas. Wax myrtle is drought-tolerant once established. The foliage is attractive to bees and butterflies and is deer-resistant. Its fragrance is also a plus! This shrub grows in full sun to about three quarter shade and tolerates heavier shade as well. The tree also tolerates deer well and is drought-resistant once established.
The Texas mountain laurel, commonly known as sageberry, grows to a large tree or shrub. It has shiny, rounded leaves and clusters of lavender flowers. It has a strong grape-like fragrance that attracts butterflies. The plant also needs pruning to maintain its shape and color. And if you are looking for privacy, the Chinese Photinia might be the right choice. But before you buy, make sure you do your research and ask your local garden center for advice!
Perennial grasses
If you want a lush green lawn in the spring or fall, you should plant a perennial grass. Perennial grasses like Festuca arundinacea are perennial cool-season turf grasses native to North America. Other popular perennial grasses include Festuca ovina glauca, an ornamental blue fescue native to Europe. In Texas, you can choose to plant Hilaria jamesii, a warm-season perennial grass that will thrive in dry conditions.
The best perennial grasses for Texas include blue gramac, maidengrass, and reed-grass. This plant has an extremely tall growth habit and tolerates heat, drought, and low levels of moisture. Its flowers are blue-green and vary in color from gold to purple. The flowers grow between 3 and 6 feet in height and look fantastic in pots. The stems can be cut and dried for use in flower arrangements.
If you’re in search of a perennial grass for Texas, it’s a good idea to consider one of the state’s native species. Most are drought-tolerant and hardy. Consider Gulf Muhly, which grows low and produces pretty flowers in the fall. Lindheimer’s Muhly, which has bluish-green foliage, can grow up to 5 feet tall. It is native to Texas, and has a mounded appearance.
Besides being an essential part of local scenery, grasses are useful for many other purposes. The growing demand for more adaptable varieties in Central Texas is increasing every year. Every year, new cultivars are released, bringing different colors and textures. To choose the best perennial grasses for Texas, consult a reliable source. And don’t forget to check for weeds! These weedy grasses are a great way to add a meadow-like feel to a landscape.
Big bluestem is a tall native bunchgrass. Its soft-textured leaves attract pollinating insects. It is a source of food for common wood-nymphs and butterfly larvae. This perennial grass has an extremely long life cycle, and its roots extend up to 10 feet, making it an excellent choice for hilly and sloped areas. Its long stems provide protection against erosion and are attractive.
The Gulf Muhly is a low-growing fine-textured grass that turns attractive purple in the fall. Lindheimer’s Muhly is another Texas native that features blue-green foliage. Both varieties have attractive foliage and can survive drought conditions. In addition to muhly grass, other perennial grasses that grow in Texas include Miscanthus, Japanese silver grass, and pink sedge. Those grasses are drought-tolerant, and can survive in both full and part shade.
Purple-leaved Fountain Grass is another popular ornamental grass that can survive in Texas. It is widely used as a landscape accent and grows 4′ tall. It blooms in June and tolerates poor soil. Its purple foliage creates an array of color. Its flowers emerge in red plumes and resemble a flower. This native grass is also a host to Skipper butterfly larva.
Mexican Feathergrass: This ornamental grass is hardy in zones six to nine. It’s fine-textured and compact, and can be used as a groundcover or individual clumps. Its feathery seed heads are an interesting touch for your landscape. Mexican feather grass is native to Texas, drought-tolerant, and a native plant that looks great in the spring. It is a versatile plant for the yard, and can be planted in a traditional planting bed or a large container.
Muhlenburgia lindheimeri is another great choice. This perennial is drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and pest-resistant, making it an excellent choice for Texas gardens. It thrives in limestone soils and can be used to create a dramatic display. It also forms a tidy mound that contrasts well with taller plants, like agave. For an added color contrast, consider a blue oat grass.
Miscanthus sinensis: This ornamental grass grows up to 8 feet tall and has several named varieties. This species is dioecious, meaning its flowers and leaves are both male and female. Miscanthus ‘Pumila’, for example, is a compact form and displays its flowers freely. Its foliage also turns a golden straw color in winter, making it a beautiful addition to any yard.
