If you live in the northern part of Texas, shrubs for north texas are a great choice for the landscape. This article discusses some popular choices, including Flame Acanthus, White Mistflower, Bridal Wreath Spireas, Turk’s Cap, and others. These plants are native to the region and are ideal for the landscape, as well as being attractive to wildlife. Read on to learn more about these plants and more!
Flame Acanthus
If you’re looking for a drought-tolerant native shrub for your landscape, consider adding a Flame Acanthus. This plant’s bright orange-red flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are also drought-tolerant. Flame Acanthus shrubs will reward you with non-stop flowering in late spring through early fall. Flame Acanthus shrubs for north Texas need a full, sunny location.
This southwestern native is a small, deciduous shrub native to northern Mexico and southwest Texas. It grows to around four or five feet tall, with large leaves and bright red blossoms in spring and summer. Because it attracts pollinators to its flowers, Flame Acanthus shrubs are great additions to landscapes. The striped blooms and contrasting bark add color and interest to any landscape.
The native Flame Acanthus is a five-foot shrub with long slender blooms. It is drought-tolerant, but if you water it more during hotter periods, you’ll get more flowers. Flame Acanthus shrubs for north Texas should be kept root-hardy, with temperatures reaching as low as Zone 7 during winter. They should be pruned in early spring before they leaf out.
Despite its small size, Flame Acanthus shrubs are native to the state. To propagate them, you can either take cuttings of this year’s growth or a seed of this shrub. The best time to propagate Flame Acanthus is when the danger of frost is gone. Then plant them in your garden after the risk of frost has passed. And don’t forget to water them regularly once they’ve grown.
White Mistflower
If you are looking for a flowering shrub that will attract pollinators, White Mistflower should be your choice. These plants bloom from late fall through early winter. They are an important source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insects. They grow between two and six feet tall and need full sun and good drainage. Alternatively, you can plant them in pots and grow them as a groundcover.
Fragrant White Mistflower is an ornamental shrub that produces clusters of nectar-rich flowers in the fall. It is a highly beneficial plant for pollinators, and is drought-tolerant. The shrub may eventually turn into a woody shrub, so hard pruning will be necessary to maintain a compact, neat appearance. Its white blooms are attractive throughout the year, but they are particularly attractive in the late fall.
While this native Texas plant is deciduous, it may stay semi-evergreen in colder climates. Its leaves are light green, triangular, and one to three inches long. The flowering period is generally shorter than other species, so if you can plant it in full sun, it will bloom even earlier. It will also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Whether you choose a shrub or a tree, you’re sure to get the most bang for your buck!
Bridal wreath spireas
A great addition to a landscape design is a Bridal Wreath Spirea. This medium-sized shrub produces cascades of delicate white blooms in the spring. Pruning after flowering will lead to the fading of the blooms. It is not a hedge type shrub and needs full sun for the best blooms. Bridal Wreath Spirea are hardy from USDA zones 5 through 8.
A few years ago, I planted a bridal wreath spirea in my garden. It grew to about 5 feet tall and 20 feet wide, and bloomed beautifully. The fragrant, double flowers are red and white and are accompanied by long brown stems. The plant needs full sun and should be spaced at least 10 feet from any other plants. Bridal Wreath Spirea is a beautiful plant that requires little pruning and will thrive in a north Texas landscape.
The bridal wreath spirea is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that features double white flowers. It blooms in early spring and transforms branches into steamers of fragrant white flowers. Once established, it needs little attention. Despite its similarity to rose bushes, it shares its name with Prunus. This group of stone fruits includes the Bridal Wreath Spirea. A wedding day is the perfect time to plant a Bridal Wreath Spirea!
Turk’s Cap
Although the species is technically a shrub, it actually behaves more like an herbaceous perennial. The Turk’s Cap shoots up from its thick roots in spring and summer, reaching up to six feet high. Despite its hardiness, it will not tolerate the cold temperatures of a harsh north Texas winter. However, if you do decide to plant it in your garden, you should consider a few considerations.
The Turk’s Cap plant is native to Texas and produces beautiful dark-red flowers in the summer. The blooming period lasts from mid-summer until the first winter frost, when the plant dies back. The flower-filled plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar. This plant is easy to grow and propagate. Although it will tolerate nearly any soil type, it is best planted in rich loam soil.
The Turk’s Cap is a fast-growing coarse-textured shrub that produces profusions of colorful turban-like blooms. Turk’s cap also tolerates the full-sun exposure, but is susceptible to mildew and other insect pests. Turk’s cap shrubs are drought-tolerant once established and do not require dead-heading. Some cultivars have variegated leaves and white flowers.
Rose creek abelia
A compact shrub that adds a splash of color to any lawn, Rose Creek Abelia grows to just four feet in height. Its glossy green foliage turns a rich purple as the weather cools. In the summer, its flowers are white with rose-colored sepals. In the fall, the flowers turn copper-rose, and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. However, if you’re planting this plant for its blooms, you may need to keep them pruned or wait until they’re in bloom.
The abelia shrub is easy to grow in the right conditions. It is drought tolerant, low-maintenance, and tolerates a wide range of soil types. Abelia prefers full sun, but it will also survive in a light shaded location. Glossy Abelia makes a wonderful foundation plant, border plant, and hedge plant. It blooms at various times of the year, so it’s a versatile choice for the landscape.
The rose creek abelia doesn’t have bright foliage, but it makes up for it by producing plenty of fragrant flowers and lush, glossy green foliage. The foliage turns burgundy during the cool season. Its compact growth habit makes it easy to maintain. Rose Creek Abelia is deer resistant and frost-resistant. They are easy to grow, and they go a long way with very little care. To ensure optimum growth, plant the shrubs five to six feet apart. For best results, place them in full sun and fertilize them in spring with a slow-release high-nitrogen fertilizer.
Red yucca
For a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden, consider growing a mass planting of Red Yucca. The foliage of this native shrub is red with curly white filaments. Its flowers are a bright, coral-pink tubular blossom that attracts hummingbirds. Once established, these plants are perfectly xeric and practically maintenance-free. However, they do need extra moisture in the middle of the summer.
Red Yucca is an excellent choice for northern Texas gardens because it grows in poor soil and doesn’t require any special care. The only maintenance it needs is occasional pruning of spent flower stems. Deer don’t eat the foliage, but they may eat the flower spikes. This shrub doesn’t have any significant pests or diseases. Although it is native to the southwest, it is hardy enough to tolerate urban conditions and poor soil.
The name “red yucca” refers to the color of the flowers, but the red variety has yellow flowers as well. These shrubs produce flower stalks throughout the year. The flowers will bloom in spring and continue into summer, while remaining low-maintenance. Some varieties grow up to nine feet tall, but most grow only a few feet. The flowers of Red Yucca attract hummingbirds and birds. You can even collect the seed pods to start a new plant. If you don’t have a lot of room for a new plant, you can simply divide an established clump and start a new one.
The Red Yucca starts sending up flower spikes in mid-spring and blooms for about a year. The mature plant will have ten flower stalks and reach seven feet. The flowers are small and tubular and have a yellow center. The woody seed pods are approximately two inches in diameter and contain seeds. These seeds are collected from the seed pods after drying. This shrub can grow in poor soil and thrive in containers.