If you want to grow beautiful shrubs in your yard, but don’t know which ones to choose, here are the best selections for the climate in North Texas. This article will provide information about Autumn Sage, Brazos Penstemon, Itea virginica, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. These species are native to the region and are ideal for partial shade and dry soils.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
The Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (or Japanese maple) is an adaptable woody shrub that performs well in both full sun and partial shade. It can survive drought and will need some supplemental watering during periods of drought. However, it doesn’t have a preference for soil type or pH level. It also tolerates some urban pollution. The following are some benefits of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus for your home landscape:
This native shrub grows well in North Texas and adds vivid color to your winter garden. Its latin name, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, is a perfect choice for foundation plantings and naturalization. Other common names include coralberry, buckleberry, snapberry, and waxberry. It is also part of the honeysuckle and wolfberry families.
This deciduous shrub is easy to grow and will tolerate any soil type. It grows to about four to six feet and blooms with small white flowers. The fruit is pinkish in color and is edible for small mammals. The shrub can also serve as a groundcover. It will grow slowly and tolerate full shade or morning sun. Its foliage will stay green throughout the winter, so planting it in a sunny area will have the benefit of being attractive to wildlife.
Autumn Sage
An attractive landscape plant for the Southwest, autumn sage is a compact, somewhat woody subshrub with bright flowers that bloom from spring until frost. It is drought tolerant and disease-free. Once established, it requires no fertilization. It can survive in areas with rocky soil. It also attracts hummingbirds. Depending on your climate and soil, you can plant this shrub as a border, hedge, or mass planting.
The silverado variety of Texas Sage is very popular and a great choice in full sun. This variety has compact growth habits and a more dense base than other varieties. The plant is very drought-tolerant and grows to about six feet tall. It can tolerate poor soil, but will grow best in full sun. For the most blooms, plant it in full sun. It will tolerate drought, but if it’s not in full sun, it can tolerate shade.
This native shrub is drought-tolerant and has a wonderful fragrance. It grows to be several feet high, but it does need sun and water to thrive. Its foliage is a soft medium green. The flowers are an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds. Autumn sage is also a good choice for landscaping borders. Unlike many other shrubs that require spring rains to produce foliage, this plant can be pruned to a shape you prefer.
Brazos Penstemon
Originally from the Gulf Coast, the brazos penstemon is native to Texas. It does well in full sun and poor soil. Its seed heads are dry but will remain green until late summer. A perfect shrub for North Texas, it is a perennial herb that is attractive to butterflies and birds. While it is commonly used as ground cover, it can also be grown as a tall shrub in full sun.
This native plant has striking pinkish-red flowers. It is considered a native of the area and attracts scores of pollinators. This shrub is easy to grow from seed and is a native of the Gulf Coast. The brazos penstemon also goes by the common names Gulf Coast beardtongue. It is a very colorful shrub, so you should not be afraid to plant it in your landscape.
This perennial salvia is about 12 to 16 inches tall. It grows in dry sandy areas of central Kansas and West Texas. This perennial shrub is ideal for areas with high levels of soil and little moisture. Planting the Brazos penstemon in the fall or spring will encourage blooms throughout the year. Its blooms last all season long, and its flowers attract hummingbirds.
Itea virginica
If you are looking for a deciduous plant that produces reliable fall color, Itea virginica may be the perfect choice. Its small, elliptic leaves are nearly two inches long and have a finely serrated edge. The foliage is a rich green color, and its foliage has a satin-like sheen. These shrubs are low-maintenance, and will thrive in a variety of soils and climates.
A medium-sized shrub, Itea virginica grows two to four feet tall and wide. Its name, meaning “willow tree,” is a fitting title for the shrub. The leaves of the Virginia sweetspire resemble those of a willow. The leaves are about two to four inches long, and their margins are finely serrated. The foliage of Thistle is dark green during the growing season, but it changes to a stunning orange or yellow-brown color in September.
Whether you are looking for a low-maintenance shrub for a hot, sunny patio or a lush perennial bed, it is sure to provide the desired impact. Its evergreen, compact shape is attractive and is suitable for most climates, but it is particularly hardy in hotter climates. The leaves are glossy green and have a distinctive yellow variegation. The female plants have red berries, which can be very attractive to wildlife.
Vitex
Vitex is a perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean. This shrub grows to be 12 to 15 feet tall and wide, with multiple trunks. Its shape is open, but it can be pruned into a multi-stemmed tree or shrub. Its large flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its wide leaves and flowers can make it an attractive addition to any landscape.
For planting a Vitex, prepare a hole no deeper than 2 feet deep. Before planting the shrub, rinse it thoroughly to remove any excess soil. This process is important, as it promotes healthy root development. The Vitex root ball should be checked for dead roots and those that wrap around the shrub trunk. Carefully place the roots in a hole filled halfway with soil. After planting, add one inch of soil around the roots.
Vitex is a drought-tolerant shrub with a hardy growth habit. Its hardy, heat-loving foliage will thrive in your yard. It can be planted in raised beds or in the top of a slope, depending on the location and climate. Vitex tolerates most soil types and will benefit from the same high-nitrogen fertilizer as other plants. If you have any problems with weeds, make sure to water the plants frequently.
Oak Leaf
A worry-free shrub for North Texas, the Oak Leaf hydrangea is a good choice. Hardy in zones five to nine, the Oak Leaf hydrangea changes color in the fall and winter. It grows six to eight feet tall, and has an equally large width. In direct sunlight, it wilts and bounces back, but needs afternoon shade to thrive. Oak Leaf hydrangeas can withstand heat, drought, and other problems that are common with a shrub.
Despite its invasiveness, this plant is one of the best shrubs for north Dallas and Fort Worth. This plant prefers partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Its foliage remains green in the spring and summer, turning red and purple in fall and winter. The round-shaped leaves and flowers of this tree are particularly attractive. The mature height and foliage color is about 20 feet, and the leaves are bright red in the fall.
The Oak Leaf hydrangea provides year-round interest and makes a bold impact in the spring. The large, long-lasting flowers of this shrub contrast beautifully with the deep green foliage. Once the flowers fade, the bark peels off, adding a textural element to your landscape. Oak Leaf is one of the best shrubs for north Texas