Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service City of Austin growgreen.org an earthwise guide forCentral Texas Landscape Plants Native Adapted and online seachtool! Find yourperfect plant withour

Native and Adapted

Landscapean earthwise Plants guide for Central Texas

This guide was developed to help you in your efforts to protect and preserve our water resources. Index Key

Trees ...... 7 Native to: Evergreen or Deciduous: E - Edwards Plateau, Rocky, Western Zone: shallow, E – Evergreen Small Trees / Large Shrubs ...... 9 limestone or caliche soil (generally on the west SE – Semi-evergreen side of Austin) D – Deciduous Shrubs (including roses) ...... 15 B - Blackland Prairie, Eastern Zone: Deeper, dark, clay soils (generally on the east side of Austin) Water: Refers to the plant’s water needs during the growing Perennials ...... 25 B/E - Native to both Edwards Plateau and season after they are established. The majority of plants Blackland Prairie require more water while becoming established. For Austin’s current water restrictions, variances and other T - Native to Texas (not a part of Edwards Plateau or Yuccas/Agaves/Succulents/Cacti/Sotols .. 39 irrigation information visit www.WaterWiseAustin.org Blackland Prairie) VL – Very Low (Water occasionally, if no significant rain Hybrid plant with native Texas parentage Ornamental & Prairie Grasses ...... 41 X - for 30 days) For additional native plant information, visit the plant L – Low (Water thoroughly every 3-4 weeks if no Vines ...... 43 section of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower website at significant rainfall) www.wildflower.org M – Medium (Water thoroughly every 2-3 weeks if Groundcovers ...... 45 Height and Spread: no significant rainfall. Most plants in the guide Height and spread are provided in ranges. The maximum with this designation prefer shade so the soil does Turf ...... 50 heights reflect ideal conditions. not dry out as quickly) Utility Approved Trees: H – High (Water thoroughly every 5-7 days if no Invasive Plants to Avoid ...... 53 Plants appropriate for use near overhead and under- rainfall) Due to the City’s efforts to conserve ground utilities should not exceed 20’ (call 811 at water, there are only a few plants with this desig- least 3 business days before you plan to dig). nation and they should be placed in areas that are For more information on deer-resistant, fire-resistant, Light: naturally moist and/or receive stormwater runoff. rain garden and poisonous plants, see page 52 Sun – needs at least 6-8 hours of full, direct sun Wildlife: To help you create your own landscape design, Sun/Part Shade – can take anywhere from 4-8 hours X – Most Texas native plants provide greater wildlife resources are available to Austin citizens at of sun. Typically these plants bloom more in sun value than hybrid, non-native and/or exotic www.austintexas.gov/department/landscape-design but require less water in part shade plants. Flowers, nectar, leaves, fruits and nuts Shade – less than 4 hours of direct sun; or dappled provide food for wildlife; these plants also provide light for 6-8 hours essential cover for nesting and raising young. To

learn more visit: www.KeepAustinWild.com Key Intro

Gardening, “Austin-style”… The Grow Green plant guide was created to help you select native and adapted plants for the Austin area that are naturally drought tolerant, resistant to pests and diseases, and provide habitat and food sources for local wildlife. The less watering, fertilizing and chemical control required in your yard, the more you contribute to the conservation and protection of our precious water resources - our streams, lakes and aquifers. To grow a successful earth-wise landscape, plant the right plants in the right place. Plants from other parts of the country are often poorly suited to our climate and soils. Choosing native and adapted Central Texas plants is the sustainable, earth-wise alternative. Evaluate your planting environment and pick the plant species that will perform suitably under those conditions. The environmental conditions across Austin area vary quite a bit. The most important differences are soil depth and type, which are significant factors in ultimate plant height. In general, the deeper the soil is, the taller the plants will get. This is particularly important when planting trees. We hope you enjoy using this guide to bring a touch of Austin’s natural beauty to your own landscape. Visit www.GrowGreen.org for more earth-wise gardening information. Trees

Texas Ash Eastern Red Cedar Black Cherry Arizona Cypress

Bald Cypress Montezuma Cypress Cedar Elm Honey Mesquite

Bigtooth Maple Bur Oak Chinquapin Oak 6 Trees

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance General Maintenance: Eliminate crossing branches; shape a young tree in the first three years after planting to produce an attractive mature specimen. Avoid planting trees with fruit near sidewalks, pools and porches because they can be messy. For more tree care tips see the Grow Green Tree Care and Installation and Maintenance fact sheets. Did you know? Trees Trees receive protection within the city limits of Austin once they reach 19” in diameter on single-family lots, and 8” in diameter on multi-family and commercial properties. For more information visit www.austintexas.gov/treeportal or call (512) 974-1876.

Yellow- Fast-growing; native; only Ash appropriate for Austin area; provide good drainage; relatively Ash, Texas E 40-50' 40-50' Sun D Fall bronze VL x long life; provides nesting and cover; birds eat flowers and fruit; prune to shape or raise Fraxinus texensis foliage canopy if needed Cedar, Eastern Red Columnar, spreading shape; needs deep soil; good screen plant; native; Ashe Juniper, J. 30- Evergreen Juniperus virginiana var. B 15-25' Sun E Year round L x ashei, (mistakenly called Cedar) is a native alternative for shallow soils; 50'+ leaves virginiana does not need pruning White Cherry, Black Attractive shape; fall color; fragrant flowers; glossy leaves; fruit bearing; not for heavy clay 25- flower; Prunus serotina var. B 35' Sun D Spring L-M x soils; foliage can be fatal if consumed; provide moist location;attracts birds, butterflies and 50'+ yellow fall exima pollinators; prune for shape or to raise canopy foliage Cypress, Arizona 25- Blue-silver Suited to well-drained, limestone soils; attractive, peeling red bark; some disease problems; T 15-25' Sun E Year round VL x Cupressus arizonica 50'+ foliage native to Chisos Mountains; prune to shape, if needed

Cypress, Bald 60- Sun/Part Copper For riparian/moist, deep soil or poor drainage conditions only; foliage dries up in dry, hot B/E 35-50'+ D Fall M x Taxodium distichum 100' Shade foliage location; obtain plants of western seed source; does not need pruning

Cypress, Montezuma 60- Sun/Part Bronze Similar to Bald Cypress but faster growth and more adapted to dry conditions; may freeze in T 25-50'+ D Fall H x Taxodium mucronatum 100' Shade foliage severe winters; native to south Texas; does not need pruning

Elm, Cedar Sun/Part Gold Upright form, native; adapted to rocky soils; can withstand poorly drained, clay soils and/or B/E 50-75' 25-35' D Fall VL x Ulmus crassifolia Shade foliage moderately compacted soils; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed Honey Mesquite Creamy 2-3" long blooms; bright green foliage and weeping shape; very slow growing; thorns; March- Prosopis glandulosa var. B/E 25'-40' 25-30' Sun D white VL x excellent nectar source;Thornless Mesquite is Prosopis chilensis; prune to shape or raise Sept. glandulosa flowers canopy if needed Maple, Bigtooth Sun/Part Red, gold Best maple for alkaline soils; outstanding fall color; prune to shape or raise E 20-50' 20-30' D Fall M x Acer grandidentatum Shade foliage canopy if needed

Oak, Bur 50- Large Large, majestic tree, very adpatable; provide plenty of space and deep soil; moderate growth B/E 30-50'+ Sun D Spring VL x Quercus macrocarpa 70'+ acorns rate; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed

Oak, Chinquapin 50- Yellow and Stately form; provide deep soil; moderate growth rate; prune to shape or raise B/E 30-40' Sun D Fall L x Quercus muhlenbergii 70'+ rust foliage canopy if needed 7 Trees

Lacey Oak Mexican White Oak Southern Live Oak

Texas Palmetto Pecan Mexican Sycamore Texas Red Oak Small Trees/ Large Shrubs Small Trees/ Anacacho Orchid Anacua Arroyo Sweetwood Mexican Buckeye 8 Trees

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Oak, Lacey 30- Sun/Part Blue-green Ideal for small urban yards; slow growth rate; will grow on shallow, limestone soils; resistant E 25' D VL x Quercus laceyi 50'+ Shade foliage to oak wilt; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed

Oak. Mexican White 45- Handsome tree; provide deep soil; sheds leaves in spring when new leaves emerge; small T 30-40' Sun SE VL x Quercus polymorpha 60'+ population native to West Texas; resistant to oak wilt; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed Oak wilt susceptible; provide large open space; evergreen but sheds leaves in spring as new Oak, Southern Live 40- Sun/Part Evergreen leaves emerge; if planting in shallow soil, use Escarpment Live Oak, Q. fusiformis, which B/E 50’+ E Year round L-VL x Quercus virginiana 60’+ Shade leaves is more drought tolerant; prune only during hottest and coldest months; paint all wounds immediately to help prevent spread of oak wilt Well adapted to rocky soils; susceptible to oak wilt; use western seed source for red oaks; Oak, Texas Red 60- Red foliage E 15-30' Sun D Fall L x Shumard Oak, Q. shumardii is a taller, alternative, but only for deep, well-drained soil; prune Quercus texana 75'+ in fall to shape or raise canopy Palmetto, Texas / Small Sun/Part Not a true tree; found in moist, wet locations and/or those areas with occasional flooding; Small Trees/Large Shrubs Palm Texas Sabal T 45' 15' E Spring white L-M x Shade provides food for birds and other wildlife; prune only to remove dead fronds Sabal texana or S. mexicana flowers

Pecan 60- For riparian/moist, deep soil conditions only; tall impressive tree; nut producing; susceptible to B 60-75' Sun D H x Carya illinoensis 75'+ disease and insects; many cultivars available Sycamore, Mexican Sun/Part Yellow/ For riparian/moist, deep soil conditions only; fast-growing; resistant to bacterial leaf scorch; 60' 40' D Fall H x Platanus mexicana Shade orange may not be cold tolerant; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed For small trees see the TREE section General Maintenance Comments; for large shrubs, if a plant is multi-stemmed leave lower foliage to create screening or to “limb up” remove lower branches as Small Trees/Large Shrubs needed; see individual species notes White Anacacho Orchid Tree 6-12' Sun/Part Excellent understory tree; protect from winter winds; prefers well-drained soil; fragrant T 6-12' D Spring or pink L x Bauhinia lunarioides Shade flowers attract butterflies and bees; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed flowers Fast-growing; often suckers or is multi-trunked; provide well-drained, alkaline soil; may die Anacua (Sandpaper Tree) 20- Sun/Part Spring - White T 15-30' SE L x back in severe winters; edible fruit; attracts birds; bee nectar source; prune to shape or raise Ehretia anacua 25'+ Shade summer flowers canopy if needed White up to Arroyo Sweetwood Sun/Part flowers; Fast-growing shrub, often multi-trunked; nice foliage; prefers alkaline soil; fragrant, showy 20'+ 15' D Spring VL x Myrospernum sousanum Shade gold fall flowers; attracts butterflies, birds and bees; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed foliage

Buckeye, Mexican 12-20' Sun/Part Early Pink Multi-trunked; use as understory shrub; needs 1/2 day of sun; 1" fragrant blooms; yellow E 12-20' D L x Ungnadia speciosa Shade spring flowers fall foliage; does not need pruning 9 Red Buckeye Carolina Buckthorn Cherry Laurel Crape Myrtle Small Trees/ Large Shrubs Small Trees/

Eve’s Necklace Goldenball Leadtree Possumhaw Holly

Desert Willow Yaupon Holly Huisache Kidneywood 10 Small Trees/Large Shrubs

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Buckeye, Red 10-20' Red Red, funnel-shaped flowers; leaves drop early at end of summer; attracts hummingbirds; B/E 10-15' Shade D Spring L-M x Aesculus pavia var. pavia flowers prune for shape only

Carolina Buckthorn 12-20' Sun/Part Yellow Understory tree with glossy leaves;can withstand periodic flooding; red berries attract wildlife; B/E 10-15' D Fall/winter L x Frangula caroliniana Shade foliage prune to shape or raise canopy if needed

Cherry Laurel 15- Sun/Part White Screening plant; avoid using in hot dry locations; requires deep soil and good drainage; is T 15' E Spring M x Prunus caroliniana 20'+ Shade flowers susceptible to iron chlorosis; wildlife food; 'Bright and Tight' can be used as a large hedge

varies Often too big for selected space, so note mature size of cultivar (dwarf cultivars available); Crape Myrtle if under varies Sun D Summer Varies L-M needs good air circulation; choose powdery mildew resistant cultivars; aphids can be a Lagerstroemia indica 20' problem; occasionally reseeds; remove suckers but do not chop tops

varies White, Desert Willow if under Sun/Part Spring to Open, airy structure creates light shade for underplantings; native; trumpet-shaped, 3" long E 15-20' D pink or VL x Chilopsis linearis 20’ Shade fall flower; provide well-drained soil; prune for shape or to raise canopy; remove suckers if needed burgundy 15- Eve’s Necklace Sun/Part Spring to Light pink Small, understory tree; native; 4-6" drooping flower clusters; which turn into namesake seed E 20'+ 10-20'+ D VL x Styphnolobium affine Shade fall flowers pods; seeds are poisonous; prune to shape or raise canopy, if needed

12- Small, understory tree with 1" round globe-like fragrant blooms;native; airy foliage casts Goldenball Leadtree Sun/Part April to Gold E 20'+ 12-15' D VL x light shade for underplantings; provides cover, nesting and nectar; prune for shape or to raise Leucaena retusa Shade October flowers canopy if needed

Large multi-stemmed, shade tolerant shrub; red berries on female plants attract birds in Holly, Possumhaw 12-20' Sun/Part Red B/E 12' D Fall/winter M x winter; tolerates poor drainage; prune for shape if needed; similar to Yaupon Holly but loses Ilex decidua Shade berries its leaves in winter; prune for shape if needed

Large, evergreen, multi-stemmed, shade tolerant shrub; red berries on female plants attract Holly, Yaupon 12-20' Sun/Part Red B 10-15' E Winter L-M x birds in winter; tolerates poor drainage; fruits best in full sun; poisonous berries; prune for llex vomitoria Shade berries shape if needed

Huisache 15- Spring Yellow Excellent native tree for waterwise gardens; fragrant blooms; forage for birds and other small T 20' Sun SE VL Acacia farnesiana 20'+ blooms flowers creatures; prune for shape or to raise canopy if needed

Fast-growing, native shrub with open, airy foliage; fragrant flowers; blooms off and on Kidneywood 8-15' Sun/Part Spring to White E 6-8' D VL x through growing season; foliage smells citrusy when crushed; attracts butterflies and bees, Eysenhardtia texana Shade fall flowers prune for shape if needed 11 Mountain Laurel Mexican Olive Windmill Palm Texas Persimmon Small Trees/ Large Shrubs Small Trees/

Mexican Plum Pomegranate Mexican Redbud

Roughleaf Dogwood Mexican Silktassel Evergreen Sumac Retama 12 Small Trees/Large Shrubs

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance 12- Slow-growing evergreen native; showy purple flowers with grape bubble gum fragrance; Mountain Laurel, Texas Sun/Part Purple E 20'+ 8-12' E Spring VL x poisonous seeds; native to rocky, limestone cliffs; provide good drainage; prune to shape or Sophora secundiflora Shade flowers raise canopy if desired Furry-textured foliage; fruit can be messy so don't plant near driveways/sidewalks; top may Olive, Mexican 15' Sun/Part Spring/ Gray green T 15' D VL x die in hard freeze; some reports fruit edible but not palatable; prune to shape or raise canopy Cordia boissieri Shade Summer foliage if needed Palms are not true trees; tropical-looking, fan-shaped fronds; furry-looking trunks; painful Palm, Windmill Sun/Part Dark 25' 7-10' E green L-VL x spines; avoid west sun; hardy to 5o F; remove dead fronds as needed; Trachycarpus fortunei Shade foliage can be heavy-feeders 12- Multi-trunked, slow-growing native shrub; smooth, gray bark; native to shallow, rocky Persimmon, Texas Sun/Part White E 20'+ 8-12' D Spring VL x limestone soils; female trees bear fruit which attract wildlife but can be messy; prune to Diospyros texana Shade flowers shape or raise canopy if needed 15- Great understory tree; earliest spring bloomer; provide good drainage and fair amount of soil; Plum, Mexican Sun/Part White B/E 20'+ 15-20' D Spring L x fragrant flowers are nectar source; edible fruit in July-Sept; larval host; prune to shape or Prunus mexicana Shade flowers raise canopy if needed varies Pomegranate if under Summer Orange Some cultivars bear edible fruit; dwarf fruiting and non-fruiting cultivars are available; will varies Sun SE L x Punica granatum 20’ thru fall flowers grow on shallow, rocky, limestone soil; thorny stems

Redbud, Mexican Cercis canadensis var. 10-15' Mexican variety has small wavy leaves; Texas variety has leaves that are larger and less ‘mexicana’ Sun/Part Early Pinkish E 10-15' D L-VL x wavy; provide well-drained site; Eastern Redbud not recommended; prune to shape, raise Redbud, Texas Shade spring purple canopy or remove suckers Cercis canadensis var. 15-20' ‘texensis’ Retama 12-20' Sun/Part Spring to Yellow Appropriate for dry soils; green trunk and branches; seeds out; root suckers; thorns; fast- T 12-20' D VL x Parkinsonia aculeata Shade fall flowers growing; short-lived; prune to shape or raise canopy if needed Roughleaf Dogwood 12'-20' Sun/Part White Give lots of space; thicket-forming; suckers extensively; use for natural areas and habitat B/E 15-20' D Spring L x Cornus drummondii Shade berries gardens; tolerates alkaline soil; good nectar and seed source Silktassel, Mexican 5-11' Sun/Part Green Extremely drought and disease tolerant; must have well-drained soil to do well; fast-growing; Garrya ovata spp. E 5-11' E Spring L x Shade flowers good substitute for Ligustrum lindheimeri

Sumac, Evergreen 8-10' Sun/Part Late White Glossy leaves turn burgundy in cool season; fuzzy, orange/red berries provide food for birds E 6-8' E summer- L x Rhus virens Shade blooms and other wildlife; needs good drainage; prune as needed to maintain natural form winter 13 Flameleaf Sumac Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum Sandankwa Viburnum Little Walnut Small Trees/ Large Shrubs Small Trees/

Wax Myrtle Xylosma Shrubs Abelia American Beautyberry Agarita Apache Plum 14 Small Trees/Large Shrubs

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance 12 - Orange/ Sumac, Flameleaf 10 - Sun/Part Give lots of space; thicket-forming suckers can go out 20'; native to limestone soils; provides B/E 15'+ D Fall red fall VL x Rhus lanceolata 20'+ Shade food for bees, mammals, and birds; no pruning necessary foliage Viburnum, Rusty White Good understory tree; provide deep, well-drained soils; slow-growing; yellow, orange, and red 15-20' Sun/Part Late Blackhaw B/E 10-15' D spring and flowers; L x fall color; fall fruit favored by birds; prune to shape or raise canopy as needed Shade Viburnum rufidulum fall fall foliage after blooming Viburnum, Sandankwa 6-8' Sun/Part White Provide deep soil and good drainage; fairly fast-growing; prune to shape as needed after 6-8' E Spring M Viburnum suspensum Shade flower blooming White Walnut, Little Grows in limestone soil; provides good cover, nesting; nuts provide food for wildlife; poisonous T 18-20' 20' Shade D Spring; fall flowers; M x Juglans microcarpa flowers; prune for shape or to raise canopy as needed nuts 12 - Fast-growing evergreen screen; provide deep soil; foliage aromatic when crushed; dwarf Wax Myrtle Sun/Part Blue B 15’+ 15' E Winter M x cultivars available at 8-10' height; provides food and cover for wildlife; prune for shape or to Morella cerifera Shade berries raise canopy if needed Large, loose, airy shrub or small tree; glossy foliage; inconspicuous flowers; adaptable to Xylosma 12-20' Sun/Part White 8-15' SE Spring M most soils; heat tolerant; occasional scale or spider mites; hardy to 10o F; can be pruned as Xylosma congestum Shade flowers tree or hedge Shrubs Shrubs To maintain a natural look, selectively prune to shape if needed but do not shear

Abelia, Glossy Sun/Part Summer Pink/white Fast-growing, very adaptable, dense, evergreen hedge; fragrant flowers; 3-4' dwarf cultivars 6' 6' E L-M Abelia x grandiflora Shade to fall flowers available; check label for specifics; selectively prune errant stems if too wild-looking

Agarita Yellow Native, evergreen shrub; bluish-green, holly-like foliage; fragrant early spring flowers; prickly Sun/Part Early Berberis trifoliata E 3-7' 3-6' E flowers; VL x leaves not pedestrian friendly but provides excellent nesting for birds; red edible berries; Shade spring (Mahonia trifoliata) red berries pruning not necessary

American Beautyberry Great native understory shrub; provide dependable moisture and deep soil; attractive berries B 4-6' 6' Shade D Fall/winter Purple fruit L-M x Callicarpa americana in fall and winter; wildlife food; graceful structure does not need pruning

White Multi-stemmed; 2" showy blooms; good for erosion control; adaptable to dry, well-drained, Apache Plume Sun/Part E 4-6'+ 4-6' SE Spring flowers; L limestone, sandy and clay soils; provides nectar, cover; attracts bees, butterflies, birds; Fallogia paradoxa Shade o pink fruit evergreen to 20 F 15 Shrubs

Japanese Aralia Barbados Cherry Purple Baptisia Bottlebrush

Wooly Butterfly Bush Coralberry Cotoneaster

Desert Broom Elbow Bush Flame Acanthus Black Dalea 16 Shrubs

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Aralia, Japanese Late Cream Large, tropical-looking foliage; inconspicuous blooms; water from below to reduce foliage 10' 10-12' Shade E summer/ M Fatsia japonica early fall flowers disease; may die back in harsh winter; remove yellow foliage as needed White to Barbados Cherry Sun/Part March to 1/2" delicate, crepe-paper flowers followed by red berries that are prized by birds; evergreen T 4-6'+ 2-3' SE pale pink L-M x Malpighia glabra Shade Dec. above 25o F flowers Baptisia, Purple up to Spring blue/ Tap-rooted plant; prefers well-drained soil; tolerates limestone, most parts of plants poisonous; (Wild Indigo) T 3' Sun D to early L-M x 5' purple attracts butterflies and bees Baptisa australis summer

Bottlebrush Spring/ Red Unusual, tropical-looking flowers; provide well-drained soil; drought tolerant; pest and disease 8' 6' Sun E L Callistemon citrinus Summer flowers resistant; many cultivars available; prune for natural look if needed

Butterfly Bush, Wooly Sun/Part Late Orange South Texas native shrub with fuzzy, silvery blue-green leaves; interesting 1/2" flower; T 4-6' 4-6' D spring to L x Buddleja marrubiifolia Shade fall flowers provide good drainage; winter hardy, attracts butterflies; prune for natural look if needed

Coralberry Good native for erosion control; stems root to form colony; provide rich, moist soil and good Sun/Part Late fall Magenta Symphoricarpos B 2-3' 3' D M x air circulation; provides cover and berries for wildlife; cut back in winter if gets leggy; control Shade and winter berries orbiculatus runners as required Adaptable evergreen shrubs; many species and cultivars available; foliage varies from silver- Cotoneaster Sun/Part Red 3-5' 4-7' E M gray to dark green; check label for specifics; attractive fleshy berries; prune for natural look if Cotoneaster spp. Shade berries needed

Dalea, Black Purple Native to dry, limestone soils; requires little water; long roots will find water some distance E 1-3' 3' Sun D Summer VL x Dalea frutescens flowers away; excellent nectar source; may shear back after first frost browns leaves

Desert Broom White Multi-stemmed shrub; very adaptable; readily colonizes disturbed areas; use in wildscapes; 3-6'+ 3-4' Sun SE Fall L x Baccharis sarothroides flowers may shed leaves during drought

Thicket-forming, irregular-shaped shrub; use in natural areas or wildlife habitats; non-showy Elbow Bush Sun/Part E 4-6' 4-5' D Spring White VL x flowers provide spring nectar for many insects; berries eaten by birds and small mammals; Forestirera pubescens Shade prune to shape if needed

Flame Acanthus Medium-sized native shrub can be used as low hedge; orange, tubular flowers attract Sun/Part Summer Orange- Anisacanthus quadrifidus E 3-5' 3-4' D VL x hummingbirds and butterflies; re-seeds aggressively; if frost browns leaves, cut back by 1/3 Shade to fall red flowers var. wrightii to 1/2 before spring growth begins 17 Shrubs

Fragrant Mimosa Bush Germander Greek Myrtle Indian Hawthorne

Dwarf Burford Holly Dwarf Yaupon Holly Nellie R. Stevens Holly

Japanese Yew Globe Mallow White Mistflower Mock Orange 18 Shrubs

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Fragrant Mimosa Spring Pink E 6-8' 6-8' Sun D to mid- VL x Needs good drainage; prickly stems; tolerates poor caliche soil; little maintenance necessary Mimosa borealis summer flowers Lavendar/ Germander, Bush Sun/Part Don't over water; attractive silvery-gray green foliage; prune errant stems for a natural look, 4-6' 4-6' E Summer blue L Teucrium fruticans Shade shaping not necessary flowers

Greek Myrtle 10- Sun/Part Spring to White Fine-textured evergreen shrub or small tree; fragrant flowers; heat and drought tolerant; good 5-8' E L-M Myrtus communis 12'+ Shade summer flowers substitution for Boxwood; prune only to shape as needed

White Adaptable evergreen shrubs; many cultivars available; look for disease resistant and cold Hawthorn, Indian Sun/Part 4-6' 4-6' E Spring or pink L-M hardy cultivars; check label for specifics; attractive fleshy berries; pruning usually not Raphiolepis indica Shade flowers necessary

White Holly, Dwarf Burford Sun/Part Spring/ Use as evergreen hedge or screen; adapts to many soil types; susceptible to scale insects; 4-6' 3-4' E blooms; L Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’ Shade Winter non-dwarf cultivars available; prune for natural look red berries

Holly, Dwarf Yaupon Sun/Part Year Evergreen Low, mounding, evergreen shrub; maintains a formal shape; good subsitute for Boxwood; X 2-4' 2-4' E L Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ Shade Round Foliage pruning not usually necessary; hybrid with native Texas parentage; pruning not necessary

Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Red Inconspicuous blooms in spring; female plants produce red berries if not sheared; suceptible Ilex cornuta 8-10' 5-6' Sun E Fall/winter L-M berries to iron chlorosis and scale insects; berries attract wildlife; prune to shape ‘Nellie R. Stevens’

Japanese Yew Sun/Part Dark green Narrow, upright evergreen shrub; provide well-drained soil; slow-growing; prune to shape if 10-20' 5-10' E Year round L-M Podocarpus macrophyllus Shade foliage needed

Orange, Mallow, Globe Summer pink or Provide good drainage and fertile soil; flowers attract bees and butterflies; seeds eaten by T 2-5' 2-5' Sun D L x Sphaeralcea ambigua to fall purple seed-eating birds and small mammals; lightly prune for shape flowers Rounded shape; grows in most soils; fragrant blooms in fall; attracts butterflies, moths and Mistflower, White Sun/Part White E 3-5' 2-3' D Fall L x hummingbirds; cut back by 1/2 in winter before new growth begins, if needed to maintain Ageratina havanensis Shade flowers compactness

White/ Fragrant flowers; avoid use in poorly drained soil; medium fast growth; fruit has no major Mock Orange Sun/Part 8-12' 6-8' D Mid-spring yellow L-M landscape interest; disease and pest free; prune non-flowering woody stems immediately Philadelphus coronarius Shade flowers after flowering 19 Shrubs

Texas Dwarf Palmetto Pineapple Guava Pittosporum ‘Belinda’s Dream’ Rose

‘Cecile Brunner’ Rose ‘Grandma’s Yellow’ Rose ‘Knockout’ Rose

‘Livin’ Easy’ Rose ‘Marie Daly’ Rose* ‘Martha Gonzales’ Rose ‘Mutabulis’ Rose 20 Shrubs / Roses

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Palmetto, Texas Dwarf Sun/Part White Not a true shrub; trunkless native palm; tropical-looking but tough; tolerates poor drainage; B/E 3-5' 4-6' E Spring M x Sabal minor Shade flowers 1-6' flower clusters; drought tolerant after established; prune only to remove damaged fronds

Pineapple Guava Spring Pink and 6-10' 6-8' Sun E to early L-M Likes well-drained soil; a little cold tender; prune for desired shape Feijoa sellowiana summer red blooms

Creamy- Broad-leaved evergreen makes a good screen; glossy leaves; fragrant flowers; provide well- Pittosporum Sun/Part 8-10' 7-9' E Spring white M drained soil; 'Variegata' has leaves with white edges; dwarf cultivars available; susceptible to Pittosporum tobira Shade flowers scale insects; may be damaged in severe winter; pruning not necessary

RosesROSES Prune back by 1/3 in late winter; remove spent blooms to encourage repeat blooms as needed

Rose, Belinda's Dream Spring to Pink 4' 4' Sun SE M Repeat bloomer; fragrant; disease resistant; good shrub form with large blooms Rosa ‘Belinda's Dream’ frost flowers

Rose, Cecile Brunner Spring to Pink 3-4' 3-4' Sun SE M Repeat bloomer; disease resistant; easy to grow and care for Rosa ‘Cecile Brunner’ frost flowers

Rose, Grandma's Yellow Spring to Yellow The official "Yellow Rose for Texas", repeat bloomer; purest and most disease-resistant yellow 4-5' 3' Sun SE M Rosa ‘Grandma's Yellow’ frost flowers rose; fragrant flowers; very thorny

Rose, Knock Out Spring to Red 3' 3' Sun SE M Purple new growth; repeat bloomer; cultivar showing disease resistance Rosa ‘Knock Out’ frost flowers

Rose, Livin’ Easy Spring to Coral to 4' 3' Sun SE M Repeat bloomer; showing good disease resistance; upright growth habit Rosa ‘Livin’ Easy' frost orange Rose, Marie Daly Sun/ Part Spring to White to Antique rose; repeat bloomer; fragrant, very few thorns; disease tolerant; 'Marie Pavie' is Rosa ‘Marie Daly’, 3' 3' SE M Rose, Marie Pavie Shade frost pale pink white version (see insert) Rosa ‘Marie Pavie’ Rose, Martha Gonzales Sun/ Part Spring to Red 3' 3' SE M Antique rose; repeat bloomer; few thorns; disease tolerant Rosa ‘Martha Gonzales’ Shade frost flowers

Copper Rose, Mutabilis Spring to Antique rose; very drought tolerant; copper yellow flowers turn to a pretty pink, repeat 6' 8' Sun SE yellow to M Rosa ‘Mutablis’ frost bloomer; disease resistant pink 21 Shrubs

‘Nearly Wild’ Rose ‘Old Blush’ Rose Upright Rosemary Texas Sage

Flowering Senna Skyflower Fragrant (Aromatic) Sumac

Sweet Almond Verbena Thryallis (Golden Showers) Turk’s Cap 22 Shrubs / Roses

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Rose, Nearly Wild Spring to 3' 4' Sun SE Deep pink M Single pink bloom; repeat bloomer; disease resistant; needs soil with compost added Rosa ‘Nearly Wild’ frost

Rose, Old Blush Spring to 5' 5' Sun SE Deep pink M Antique rose; repeat bloomer; disease resistant Rosa ‘Old Blush’ frost Shrubs continued Rosemary, Upright On and off Culinary herb; upright shrub; good drainage required; prone to disease problems in wet 4' 4-6' Sun E Pale blue L-M Rosmarinus officinalis all year conditions; Trailing Rosemary, R. officinalisvar. prostratus makes good groundcover

Purple, Gray leaves but green-leaved and compact cultivars also available; blooms off and on Sage, Texas Spring to pink or T 5-8'' 4-5' Sun E L-VL x through the growing season; provide well-drained soil; prune for natural look; Leucophyllum frutescens summer white do not shear or hedge flowers

Senna, Flowering Sun/Part Summer Yellow Dark green leaves, showy bloomer, adapted to caliche soils; susceptible to extremely cold 6-8' 4-6' SE L-M Cassia corymbosa Shade to fall flowers weather; prune for shape or to raise canopy; cut back 1/2 in late winter if damaged by freeze

Purple Skyflower, Duranta Sun/Part Summer Fine texture; yellow fruit, cold tender; provide fertile, well-drained soil; more flowers in full 5-10' 4-10' E or white L-M Duranta erecta Shade to frost sun; many cultivars available; cut back after freeze but before new spring growth flower

Sumac, Fragrant Fragrant foliage; leaves have spicy fragrance when crushed; smaller varieties available; fruits Sun/Part Vibrant fall (Aromatic) B/E 6-9' 4-6' D Fall L x ripen early, attract wildlife; prune errant stems for natural look; Shade leaves Rhus aromatica shaping not necessary

Sweet Almond Verbena Sun/Part Spring White Multi-branched, upright habit, adaptable; fragrant flowers; blooms on and off all summer; 4-8'+ 8' SE thru M-L x Aloysia virgata Shade summer flowers attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds; diesback in severe winter; prune to shape

Thyrallis, Spring to Easy to grow; needs room to spread; tolerates most soils; prefers well-drained soils; hardy to (Golden Showers) 4-6' 4' Sun E Yellow L frost 25o F; lightly prune if needed, to reduce legginess Galphimia glauca

Turk's Cap Red Sun/Part Late Forms expanding colonies; but easy to contain; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; top of Malvaviscus arboreus E 2-6' 3-5' D spring to flowers; L x Shade plant may freeze; cut back to keep confined, when leggy, or if needed after freeze var. ‘Drummondii’ fall red fruit 23 Perennials

Artemesia Beebalm Yellow Bird of Paradise

Black-eyed Susan Bulbine Red Bird of Paradise

Mexican Butterfly Weed Calylophus Cast Iron Plant Catmint 24 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Mild winters and/or protected plants are may eliminate the need to cut them back; if the plant looks good, leave it alone; if it needs rejuvenating or you PerennialsPerennials want to encourage more compactness, most perennials will respond positively if cut back 1/3 to 1/2. In general it is best to cut back perennials in winter before spring growth begins. Artemisia Blue-gray Aromatic, lace-like; low water use and low maintenance; cut back to 4" in late winter before 1-2' 3-6' Sun E Year round VL Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ foliage new spring growth Lavendar, Showy native perennial with many cultivars; grows on a variety of soils; nectar source; Beebalm Sun/Part pink or B 2-5' 2-3' D Summer L-M x attracts butterflies, birds and hummingbirds; fragrant foliage; cut back to 4" in late winter Monarda fistulosa Shade white before new spring growth flowers Red/ Dependable summer bloomer with very showy, tropical-looking flowers; heat tolerant; top Bird of Paradise, Red Summer 5-6'+ 3-6' Sun D orange L will be damaged by freeze but roots are hardy to 15o F; prune for shape only; mulch to Caesalpinia pulcherrima to fall flowers prevent winter kill of roots

Bird of Paradise, Yellow Spring to Yellow with Light airy foliage; tropical look; dependably hardy; disease and pest resistant; seeds 6-8' 6-12' Sun D L Caesalpinia gilliesii fall orange are toxic; prune for shape only; mulch to prevent winter kill of roots

Black-eyed Susan Yellow Sun/Part Daisy-like blooms in summer; butterfly nectar; can grow native from seed;Rubeckia fulgida var. Rudbeckia hirta B/E 1-2' 1-2' D Summer with dark L-M x Shade sullivantii 'Goldsturm' is a cultivar with larger blooms; prune back in late winter var. pulcherrima centers

Bulbine Spring to Orange or Aloe-like leaves; cold tender; may not survive harsh winter unless protected; trim off bloom 2' 2.5' Sun E VL Bulbine frutescens fall yellow stalks as they decline

Yellow Butterfly Weed, Mexican A. currasavica is most common in nurseries; milkweeds are essential to Monarch butterfly Sun/Part Summer and/or (Tropical Milkweed) 3-4' 1-2' D L x survival; foliage is eaten by caterpillar stage; A. tuberosa is difficult to establish due to taproot Shade to fall orange Asclepias currasavica and is short-lived; try it and A. asperula and A. viridis from seed flowers Calylophus Sun/Part Spring to Yellow Good rock garden plant; needs good drainage; 'Compact Gold' is a low-growing variety; good (Square Bud Primrose) E 1-2' 1-2' E VL x Shade summer flowers for use as groundcover; no maintenance needed Calylophous berlanderieri

Cast Iron Plant Good understory plant for dry shade; large, long green leaves; leaf edges will scorch if too 3' 2-3' Shade E L Aspidistra elatior much sun; remove damaged foliage to 3" height as needed

lavendar Silvery green foliage; provide well-drained soil and afternoon shade; seeds are sterile so Catmint Sun/Part Summer 1-2' 1.5 - 3' D blue L-M x it will not spread; attracts bees and butterflies; cut back to 3-6" after freeze damage but Nepeta X faassenii Shade to fall flowers before spring growth 25 Perennials

Chile Pequin (Petin) Red Columbine Columbine

Coralbean Coreopsis Batface Cuphea Cuphea ‘David Verity’

26 Blackfoot Daisy Chocolate Daisy Copper Canyon Daisy Englemann Daisy Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Chile Pequin Sun/Part Summer White Red peppers are edible and very hot!; perennial only in mild winter; reseeds easily; birds love E 2-4' 2-4' D L x Capsicum annuum Shade to fall flowers the fruit; cut back to 3-6" after freeze damage but before new spring growth

Columbine, Red Sun/Part Red Prefers moist, yet well-drained soils; reseeds; dormant in summer without water; susceptible to E 1-2' 1-2' SE Spring M x Aquilegia canadensis Shade flowers leaf miners; attracts some hummingbirds; prune off spent foliage and seedheads in late May

Columbine, Sun/Part Yellow Prefers moist, yet well-drained soils; reseeds; dormant in summer without water; susceptible to Aquilegia chrysantha T 1-2' 1-2' SE Spring L-M x Shade flowers leaf miners; attracts some hummingbirds; prune off spent foliage and seedheads in late May var. ‘Hinkleyana’

Good understory plant; blooms on long stalks;sharp spines; attracts hummingbirds; seeds Coralbean Sun/Part Red T 5' 4' D Spring L x are poisonous and not eaten by wildlife; will freeze back; remove tall bloom shoots after Erythrina herbacea Shade flowers flowering; cut back after freeze and before spring growth

Butterfly plant; covered with yellow daisy-like flowers; native to east and southeast Texas Coreopsis, Lance-leaf Sun/ Part Spring to Yellow T 1-1.5' 1.5-2' D L-M x 'Sunray' and 'Baby Sun' are tighter, more compact; prune or shear off spent blooms to Coreopsis lanceolata Shade Summer flowers encourage more flowers

Red and Cuphea, Batface Sun/Part Late Appropriately named; very heat tolerant; cold tender; cut back to 6" after cold damage occurs 1' 1' D spring to purple Cuphea llavea Shade but before spring growth frost flowers

Cuphea, ‘David Verity’ Summer Orange Provide, well-drained soil; cut back to 3" height after cold damage occurs but 2-3' 2-3' Sun D L Cuphea ‘David Verity’ to fall and yellow before spring growth

Daisy, Blackfoot White with Spring and Short daisy-like blooms all spring and summer; occasionally reseeds; requires dry conditions; Melampodium E 6-12" 1-1.5' Sun E yellow VL x summer excellent rock garden plant; can be temperamental when transplanting; prune back if leggy leucanthum centers

Daisy, Chocolate Sun/Part Late Yellow Likes dry, rocky limestone, plant has chocolate scent; nectar source for bees and other T 1-2' 2' D L-M x Berlandiera lyrata Shade summer flowers insects; use in natural area or habitat garden; can be grown from seed; no maintenance

Daisy, Copper Canyon Yellow Daisy-like flowers; strongly-scented leaves; native to Mexico; can prune plants to size mound 3' 4' Sun D Fall L Tagetes lemmonii flowers you want; stop shearing by mid-summer to allow fall flowers

Easy to grow native perennial; good for natural areas, meadows and habitat gardens; reseeds Daisy, Engelmann Sun/Part Spring Yellow B/E 1.5-2' 2' E to mid- M x easily moving around the garden; flowers open in late afternoon; attracts birds; seeds Engelmannia peristenia Shade flowers summer commercially available; remove spent bloom stalks 27 Perennials

Damianita Datura

Fall Aster Firecracker Fern Esperanza River Fern

Firebush Frostweed Gaura Gayfeather 28 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Golden Low-growing; mounding; use in rock garden; mainly blooms in spring and then on and off Damianita Spring E 1 1.5 - 2' Sun E and some yellow VL x through growing season; drought hardy; aromatic foliage; provide well-drained soil; attracts Chrysactina mexicana summer flowers bees; prune in early spring to shape

Large Large, night-blooming, white, trumpet-shaped flowers; native; all parts are poisonous, attracts Datura or Jimson Weed Sun/Part Spring to E 4-5' 4-5' D white L x bees, butterflies, and moths; may reseed; cut back to 6-8" after cold damage and before new Datura wrightii Shade fall flowers spring growth

Showy blooms; native species has narrow leaves; new cultivars provide color options; top Esperanza/Yellow Bells Summer Yellow or T 4-8' 4-6' Sun D through L-M x will die back after freeze but usually returns from roots in spring; remove spent blooms as Tecoma stans orange Fall needed; cut back to 6-8" after cold damage but before new spring growth

Purple/ Fall Aster Sun/Part Native perennial with fine-textured flowers; profuse fall bloomer; nectar source; colonizes but E 2-3' 2.5-3' D Fall lavender L x Aster oblongifolium Shade easy to control; lightly prune if needed through spring and summer to keep compact flowers Red or Fern, Firecracker Sun/Part Spring to 3' 3' E white L Needs moderately rich, well-drained soils not a true fern; prune spent flower stalks Russelia equisetiformis Shade winter flowers

Fern, River B/E 2-3' 3' Shade D M-H x Likes shady, moist areas; prune dead fronds before spring time growth; mulch well Thelypteris kunthii

Firebush Summer Orange- Tubular flowers attract hummingbirds; turns burgandy in fall; needs protection in severe 3-4.5' 4-5' Sun D M x Hamelia patens to Fall red flowers winters; prune to 6" above ground after first hard freeze and before new spring growth

Forms colonies; nectar source; attracts bees and butterflies; stem ruptures with freeze creating Frostweed colon- White E 3-6' Shade D Fall/winter L-M x ice crystal formations (inset photo); commercial availability limited; cut back to 6" after cold Verbesina virginica izes flowers damage occurs and before new spring growth

Gaura Sun/Part Spring to Pink or Tall flower spikes with 1" flowers that that resemble fluttering butterflies; attracts butterflies; B 2-3' 3' D L x Gaura lindheimeri Shade Summer white/pink cut back to 3" after first hard freeze

Gayfeather Aug. to Purple to Likes well-drained limestone soil; best if kept dry; great nectar source for butterflies and E 1-3' 1-1.5' Sun D VL x Liatris mucronata Dec. rose pink other insects; cut back to 3" after first hard freeze 29 Perennials

Green Germander Ghost Plant Gregg Mistflower Perennial Hibiscus

Mexican Honeysuckle ‘Indigo Spires’ Salvia Bicolor or Butterfly Iris

Lamb’s Ear Hymenoxys Lantana (hybrid) Texas Lantana 30 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Pink, Germander, Green up to Shrubby; clump forming; dark evergreen, aromatic foliage; needs well-drained soil; no pruning 1-2' Sun D Spring purple, L-M Teucrium chamaedrys 1' necessary lavendar

Ghost Plant Sun/Part Grayish Easy to grow with good drainage, light blue to gray, pink foliage; succulent leaves break off Graptopetalum 7-12" 6-12" E Spring VL x Shade pink leaves easily (and readily re-root); attracts bees; no maintenance necessary paraguayense

Gregg Mistflower Sun/Part Summer Blue Forms colonies, but easy to contain; tolerates poor soil; can take full sun but does best in B/E 1-2' 2-4'+ D L-M x Conoclinium greggi Shade to fall flowers morning sun or part shade; attracts butterflies; cut back to 3"if needed after hard freeze

Hibiscus, Perennial Summer Bright red Showy blooms can reach 8-10" across; many cultivars available are hybrids; provides nectar X 3-5' 4' Sun D M x Hibiscus spp. to frost blooms for hummingbirds; H. moscheutos H. coccineus; cut back to 6" after hard freeze

Honeysuckle, Mexican Sun/Part Spring to Orange Hummingbird plant; grayish foliage; long bloom period; prune back as needed to encourage 3' 4' SE L x Justicia spicigera Shade frost flowers fullness

Hymenoxys Sun/Part Yellow Daisy-like blooms grow from small tuft; prefers dry, well-drained soils; good in rock garden; (Four Nerve Daisy) E 1' 1' E Spring-fall VL x Shade flowers prune off spent bloom stalks Tetraneuris scaposa

Indigo Spires Sun/Part All Blue/ x 3-4' 5-7' D L-M x Allow room to mound and spread; shear back by 1/3 in summer Salvia 'Indigo Spires' Shade summer purple

Creamy Iris, Bicolor Sun/ Part Spring Forms clumps of long, narrow, iris-like foliage; Buttefly Iris,D. iriodoides, has wider leaves 4' 2-3' E to early yellow w/ L Dietes bicolor Shade and white flower with blue and yellow markings; remove unsightly foliage as needed summer markings

Lamb's Ear Gray fuzzy Tolerates dry soil; used for foliage not flowers; remove unsightly foliage as needed; avoid 1' 1.5' Sun D Year round L Stachys byzantina leaves overhead watering

Lantana (hybrid) Spring to Many varieties; butterfly delight; prolific blooming (photo: 'New Gold'); can be cold tender; cut X 2-4' 4' Sun D Varies L x Lantana x hybrida frost back to 6" after freeze and before new spring growth

Orange Lantana, Texas Summer Flowers begin yellow and turn orange; give lots of room; attacts butterflies; stems become B/E 3-5' 4-5' Sun D and yellow L x Lantana urticoides to fall thorny with age; cut back in winter as desired to keep in bounds flowers 31 Perennials

Trailing Lantana Lion’s Tail Maximillian Sunflower Mexican Mint Marigold

Fall Obedient Plant Mexican Oregano Gulf Coast Penstemon

Rock Penstemon Garden Phlox Plumbago Hill Country Penstemon 32 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Lavendar Lantana, Trailing Sun/Part Spring to May be used as a groundcover; very tolerant of poor soils; resistant to lantana lacebugs; 1-1.5' 4'+ SE or white L Lantana montevidensis Shade frost attracts butterflies; do not plant near preserves flowers

Lion's Tail Late Orange Unusual, multi-tiered bloom; provide well-drained soil; seeds out readily; do not plant near 4-6' 4-6' Sun E spring - L Leonotis leonurus fall flowers preserves; prune after flowering to maintain compact form

Maximilian Sunflower up to Sun/Part Yellow Forms colony, so plant with plenty of space toward back of garden; easy to grow; seed is B/E D Fall L-M x Helianthus maximiliani 10' Shade flowers commercially available; cut back stalks after freeze and birds have harvested seeds

Yellow/ Mexican Mint Marigold Sun/Part Tarragon-flavored culinary herb; spreads over time; shear in early summer 2-3' 2-3' D Fall orange L Tagetes lucida Shade to encourage compactness flowers

Obedient Plant, Fall Sun/Part Tolerates poor drainage; spreads aggresively by underground rhizomes, but easy to contain; P. B 2-4' 4'+ D Fall Lavendar M x Phystostegia virginiana Shade angustifolia is spring-blooming relative; cut back to 6" after fall bloom

Oregano, Mexican Sun/Part Lavender/ Aromatic foliage; edible leaves; will sprawl if not pruned; cut back top 1/2 after bloom and to 3' 4' E Summer L Poliomintha longiflora Shade pink 3-4" after cold damage and before spring growth

Penstemon, Gulf Coast 1.5- Sun/Part Attracts humingbirds; seeds out readily; remove flower stalks before they set seed T 1-1.5' SE Spring Lavendar L x Penstemon tenuis 2.5' Shade to avoid spread

Penstemon, Hill Country 1.5- Sun/Part Hot pink to E 1.5' D Spring L x Good hummingbird plant; needs well-drained soil; cut back flowers after blooming Penstemon triflorus 2.5' Shade red

Penstemon, Rock Spring/ E 1-1.5' 2' Sun E Cherry red L x Needs well-drained soil; attracts hummingbirds; trim if leggy Penstemon baccharifolius summer

Phlox, Garden Sun/Part Pink/white Tall bloom spikes all summer; susceptible to powdery mildew; attracts butterflies; cut back to 3' 2' D Summer M x Phlox paniculata Shade flowers 3" after hard freeze and before spring growth

Plumbago Sun/Part Sky blue Light green foliage; does best with morning sun and afternoon shade; attracts hummingbirds; 3-4' 4-6' D Summer L-M x Plumbago auriculata Shade or white cut back to 6" if hard freeze damage occurs 33 Perennials

Missouri Primrose Purple Coneflower Rock Rose

Dwarf Ruellia Cedar Sage Cherry Sage Jerusalem Sage

Majestic Sage Mealy Blue Sage Mexican Bush Sage Penstemon Sage 34 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Primrose, Missouri Sun/Part Yellow Silver foliage; large, yellow, buttercup-like flowers that open in the evening; may go dormant B/E 1-1.5' 3' D Spring L x Oenothera macrocarpa Shade flowers in summer; interesting seed pods; cut back to 3" after freeze damages leaves

Violet or Purple Coneflower Sun/Part Spring to Daisy-like flowers; native; good butterfly plant; seed available for native species; hybrid T 1-3' 3'+ D white L x Echinacea purpurea Shade summer selections also available; remove flower stalks after birds have harvested seeds flowers

Rock Rose Sun/Part Small native shrub with 1.5" hibiscus-like blooms; more prone to powdery mildew in shade; E 3' 3' D Summer Pink L x Pavonia lasiopetala Shade very few blooms after spring; reseeds freely; attracts butterflies; cut back by 1/3 in late winter

Blue/ Ruellia, Dwarf Sun/Part Spring to Petunia-like flower; dwarf varieties include 'Katie' or 'Bonita'; reseeds profusely; taller types are 8"-1' 1' D purple to L Ruellia brittoniana Shade summer invasive; do not plant near preserves; prune taller species to 3" after first frost browns leaves pink

Sage, Cedar Shade/Part Spring to Reseeds freely; red bloom spikes bring color to shady spots; great for hummingbirds; remove E 1-2' 1-2' D Red VL x Salvia roemeriana Shade summer seed heads after flowering, then scatter in new areas to expand population

Sage, Cherry Red, many 1" long blooms; comes in a variety of colors; hummingbirds love the red ones; tough, may Sun/Part Spring to (Autumn Sage) E 2-3' 2-3' E other M x bloom less after 4-5 years; cut back mature plants by 1/3 to 1/2 after spring or fall bloom if Shade frost Salvia greggii colors needed to rejuvenate

Sage, Jerusalem Spring to Yellow Unusual flowers; multi-tiered; attractive gray green foliage; remove spent bloom stalks and 2-3' 3-4' Sun E L Phlomis fruticosa Summer flowers ratty foliage as needed

Blue or Sage, Majestic Sun/Part Spring to Attractive green foliage and large florets on spikes; cut back to 6" after cold weather browns 3-5' 4-5' D purple L Salvia guaranitica Shade Summer leaves and before new spring growth begins flowers Will grow in most soils; attracts hummingbirds and bees; easy to grow from seed; the cultivar Sage, Mealy Blue Spring to Blue B/E 2-3' 2-3' Sun D x S. farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’ has dark blue flowers; remove spent bloom stalks to encourage Salvia farinacea Summer flowers flowering; cut back mature plants to 6” in late winter before new spring growth begins

Sage, Mexican Bush Late Purple and Silver-green, lance-like foliage; new growth white and fuzzy; an all purple flowering type is 4-5' 4-5' Sun D summer L x Salvia leucantha to fall white available; cut back after frost browns leaves and before new spring growth

Sage, Penstemon/ Tall, spiked blooms provide vertical accent and nectar for hummingbirds in summer; attractive Sun/Part Summer Magenta Big Red Sage E 3-4' 1-2' E L x glossy leaves form evergreen rosette (basal leaves) in winter; Shade to fall flowers Salvia penstemonoides remove spent bloom stalks at base 35 Perennials

Russian Sage San Luis Sage Tropical Sage Lindheimer Senna

Shrimp Plant Skeletonleaf Goldeneye Heartleaf Skullcap

Pink Skullcap Wright’s Purple Skullcap Society Garlic Spider Lily 36 Perennials

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Sage, Russian Late Blue Fine-textured, slivery green lacey leaves; spiky flower stalks; needs good drainage; cut back 3' 3' Sun D Summer L Perovaskia atriciplifolia to Fall flowers to 3" after first freeze browns leaves and before new spring growth

Sage, San Luis Sun/Part Summer Red 3-4' 3-4' E L x from Mexico Salvia microphylla Shade to fall flowers

Sage, Tropical Sun/Part Late Short-lived perennial; reseeds profusely; dwarf varieties available; outstanding hummingbird B 2-3' 1-1.5' D spring to Red L x Salvia coccinea Shade fall plant; attracts butterflies; cut back in early summer to 3" and after first frost browns leaves

Senna, Lindheimer Sun/Part Late Yellow Gray foliage; provide well-drained soil; very tolerant of poor, rocky soils; prune back after frost E 3-4' 3-4' D summer L x Cassia lindheimeriana Shade to fall flowers browns leaves

Does best in morning sun, afternoon shade; great hummingbird plant; best when massed; Shrimp Plant Sun/Part Spring to Copper, red 3-4' 3-4' D L flowers resemble shrimp; do not plant near preserves; cut back to 6" in winter to encourage Justicia brandegeana Shade fall or yellow bushiness

Skeletonleaf Goldeneye Sun/Part Summer Yellow Mound of daisy-like flowers; attractive fine-textured foliage; provide well-drained soil; cut E 3-4' 4-6' SE VL x Viguiera stenoloba Shade to frost flowers back to 6" in winter to encourage bushiness

Skullcap, Heartleaf Late May Blue Colonizes and spreads easily; flowers attract butterflies; may be dormant in summer; little Scuttelaria ovata subsp. E 2' 2' Shade E to early L x flowers maintenance required bracteata June

Skullcap, Pink Sun/Part Pink Low growing; very tidy; mounding plant; cut back by 1/3 after bloom if needed to keep 1' 3' E Summer L Scutellaria suffrutescens Shade flowers compact

Skullcap, Wright’s Purple Sun/Part Spring- Purple Native, low water use; drought and heat tolerant; showy blooms; cut back by 1/2 after bloom B/E 6-10" 1' E L Scutellaria wrightii Shade summer flowers if needed to keep compact

Society Garlic 1.5- Sun/Part Spring to Pink Provide well-drained soil; solid or variegated leaf forms available; bruised foilage has onion 1.5' E L-M Tulbaghia violacea 2.5' Shade summer flowers aroma; remove spent bloom stalks

Late Spider Lily Sun/Part spring White Large 7" white flowers; glossy strap-like leaves grow in clumps; will die back after freeze and T 1-2' 1-2' D L-M Hymenocallis lirisome Shade to early flowers stay dormant until spring summer 37 Perennials

Spiderwort Texas Betony Winecup Yarrow

Zexmenia Agave Basket Grass Yuccas/Agaves/Succulents/Cacti/Sotols Prickly Pear Cactus Nolina Texas Sotol 38 Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Purple Spiderwort Spring to Fast spreading; dormant in summer, woodsy; edible; nectar source for insects; cut back to 6" T 1-3' 2' Shade D or pink L x Tradescantia spp. fall in winter or to increase blooms flowers

Texas Betony Sun/Part Summer Coral/red Constantly blooming; can be used as a groundcover; nice gray green foliage; attracts T 1-1.5' 2-3' D L x Stachys coccinea Shade to fall flowers hummingbirds; stems can be brittle; shear regularly to encourage fullness and bloom

Winecup, Perennial Sun/Part Spring Magenta Sprawling habit great for filling in between plants; will go dormant in summer without B/E 6"-1' 4-5' D to early L x Callirohoe involucrata Shade summer flowers supplemental water; larval host plant; cut back to rosette in winter

Yarrow Sun/Part Late Forms groundcover; fern-like leaves; butterflies enjoy nectar; larval host plant for Painted 1-1.5' 3' E spring and varies x Achillea spp. Shade summer Lady butterfly; remove spent blooms; cut back to basal foliage after frost browns leaves

Zexmenia 1.5- Sun/Part Spring to Golden Blooms continuously though not profusely; use in combination with other blooming plants; E 2-3' SE L x Wedelia texana 2.5' Shade Frost flowers reseeds; periodic shearing will encourage repeat blooming and fullness Yuccas/Agaves... Yuccas/Agaves/ These plants require very little, if any maintenance but they all must have well- Yuccas/Agaves/Succulents/Cacti/Sotols drained soil. Old blooms stalks should be removed at the base; old leaves can be Succulents/Cacti/Sotols removed for a neater appearance; wear heavy duty gloves and eye protection White to Agave spp. are available in many sizes, leaf types and hardiness; after blooming plant dies Agave spp. Sun/Part Spring/ creamy but leaves "pups"; agave weevil is new pest to watch for; Century Plant (A. americana); varies varies E VL Agave spp. Shade Summer white and Parry's Agave (A. parryi var. truncata); Queen Victoriae Agave (A. victoiae-reginae); yellow Squid (A. bractosa); no maintenance required

Basket Grass Cream- Sun/Part Not a true grass; grass-like mounding form effective on slopes; keep away from walkways as (Sacahuista) E 2' 3' E Fall colored VL x Shade leaves have sharp edges; remove old bloom stalks at base Nolina texana plume

Likes well-drained, alkaline soil; may become shrub-like; parts are edible; purple fruit; Cactus, Prickly Pear B/E varies varies Sun E varies varies L x many types available including spineless - check label for size, flower color, hardiness and Optunia spp. distinguishing attributes

Nolina Sun/Part Tan E 10-12' 4-5' E Summer L x 10' tall spike of small, tan flowers; remove old leaves from trunk for neater appearance Nolina lindheimeriana Shade flowers

Sotol, Texas Sun/Part Early Long blade-like leaves with sharp edges (not pedestrian-friendly); needs space; good barrier E 3-4' 3-4' E L x Dasylirion texanum Shade summer plant; requires good drainage; remove old bloom stalks at the base 39 Yuccas

Yucca Paleleaf Yucca Red Yucca Twistleaf Yucca

Little Bluestem Indian Grass Ornamental Grasses Meadow Sedge Bamboo Muhly Big Muhly Inland Sea Oats 40 Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Deer typically eat blooms but not foliage; Yucca spp. are available in many sizes, leaf types Sun/Part Spring Mostly Yucca spp. varies varies E and/or VL and hardiness; Paleleaf (Y. pallida): Twistleaf (Y. ropicola); Softleaf (Y. recurvifolia); Shade white summer Big Bend (Y. rostrata); remove old bloom stalks at the base

Yucca, Paleleaf Sun/Part White Leaves pale blue-green; deer will eat bloom but not foliage; B 1' 2' E Summer VL Yucca pallida Shade flowers remove old blooms stalks at the base

Yucca, Red Spring to May colonize; deer will eat blooms but not foliage; attracts hummingbirds; remove old bloom E 2-4' 4' Sun E Coral spike VL x Hesperaloe parviflora Summer stalks at the base; H.funifera is Giant Yucca

Yucca, Twistleaf Sun/Part Older leaves are twisted; deer eat blooms but not foliage; nectar attracts nocturnal moths; E 1-2' 2' E Summer White L Yucca rupicola Shade larval host plant for the Yucca Giant Skipper; remove old bloom stalks at the base Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grasses The Muhly’s are all good options as accents or in groups. They stay in mounding forms and can be cutback once a year if needed. Ornamental Grasses The prairie grasses are best used in restoration, prairie, meadow or natural plantings.

Prairie plant appropriate in mass plantings in meadow, natural areas or restoration project; Bluestem, Little Copper B/E 3-4' 1.5' Sun D Fall L larval host plant for several Skipper butterflies; cut back to 6” in winter before Schizachyrium scoparium foliage new spring growth

Indiangrass Bright Prairie plant appropriate in mass plantings in meadow, natural areas or wetlands; tall seed 3-5' 5' Sun D Fall M-H Sorghastrum nutans Gold heads in fall; reseeds; cut back to 8” height in winter prior to new spring growth

Inland Seaoats Summer Ivory Good understory plant; graceful, drooping wheat-like seed heads, reseeds easily; appropriate B/E 2-4' 3-6'+ Shade D L-M x Chasmanthium latifolium and fall seeds for woodlands; prefers moist areas; cut back to 4" in winter

Sedge, Meadow Sun/Part Green Clumping sedge; coarser texture than most sedges and is one of the tallest; trim to contain; B/E 1-1.5' 1.5' E Spring M Carex perdentata Shade Foliage can remove seedheads at end of season

Fine- Silver-green, fine-textured foliage; hardy but stems brittle; blooms stalks turn attractive straw Muhly, Bamboo Sun/Part Late 4-5' 3-4' D summer to textured L x color in winter; selectively prune stalks to maintain elegant shape; Muhlenbergia dumosa Shade winter seed stalks cut back in winter if needed White Muhly, Big Sun/Part Clumping, blue-green grass; smaller native alternative to Pampasgrass; featherlike blooms in E 3-4' 3-4' D Fall flowers on L-M x Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Shade fall;attracts wildlife; rake or cut back in winter 6' stalk 41 Deer Muhly Gulf Muhly Pine Muhly Sideoats Grama Ornamental Grasses Ornamental

Switch Grass Alamo Vine Carolina Jessamine Vines Fig Vine Coral Honeysuckle Crossvine 42 Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Feathery Muhly, Deer Sun/Part Tidy clump grass that maintains a round shape; commercial availability may be limited; cut T 1-1.5' 1-1.5' D Fall seed L x Muhlenbergia rigens Shade back in winter heads

Muhly, Gulf Sun/Part Pink seed T 2-1/2' 2' D Fall L-M x Wispy seed heads provide great fall color; especially when backlit; cut back in winter Muhlenbergia capillaris Shade heads

Feathery Muhly, Pine T 1-3' 1-3' Sun D seed VL x Nicely shaped bunchgrass; stiff needles; no maintenance required Muhlenbergia dubia heads Sideoats Grama Sun/Part State grass of Texas; side hanging seed pods; easy to grow from seed; drought tolerant; cut T 2-3' 1' D Fall L Bouteloua curtipendula Shade back to 6” height in winter prior to new spring growth

Upright, habit; tall seed heads in fall; usually has a reddish tint; prefers moist areas; prairie Switchgrass Sun/Part Reddish B/E 6' 4' D Fall L-H plant appropriate in mass plantings in meadow, natural areas or wetlands; reseeds; cut back Panicum virgatum Shade tint to 8” height in winter prior to new spring growth; numerous cultivars available Vines VinesVines Most vines prefer their roots to be shaded while the vegetation grows in dappled light to full sun.

White Fast-growing, twining vine; easy to grow from seed; tolerates poor soil and alkaline soil but Alamo Vine Sun/Part spring - E 12' 10-12' D flowers w/ L-M needs good drainage; spreads by rhizomes; poisonous seed; blooms in afternoon; nectar for Merremia dissecta Shade fall red throat butterflies; prune to direct and control growth

Carolina Jessamine Sun/Part Early Yellow T 6-20' E M x Twining vine; fragrant; attracts hummingbirds; poisonous if ingested Gelsemium sempervirens Shade Spring flowers

Crossvine Sun/Part Orange Tendril vine attaches to wall; very aggressive climber; 'Tangerine Beauty' variety has bright T 6-30'+ SE Summer L x Bignonia capreolata Shade flowers coral blooms; attracts hummingbirds; prune to direct and control growth

Vine attaches to wall; very aggressive; not recommended for wood structures; do not plant Fig Vine Sun/Part 6-30'+ E M near preserves; free of insects and diseases; susceptible to hard freezes; prune to direct and Ficus pumila Shade control growth

Late Honeysuckle, Coral Sun/Part Coral Twining vine for smaller structures; attract hummingbirds; fruit-eating birds; prune to direct T 6-12' SE winter- L-M x Lonicera sempervirens Shade early flowers and control growth spring 43 Vines

Star Jasmine Mexican Flame Vine Passion Vine Lady Banksia Rose

Virginia Creeper Texas Wisteria Groundcover Trumpet Vine Aztec Grass Clover Fern Gregg Dalea 44 Vines

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Jasmine, Star Sun/Part Spring to White Fragrant blooms; glossy leaves; poisonous if ingested; aggressive in shady areas; do not plant Trachelospermum 20' 12-16' E L Shade Summer flowers near preserves; prune to direct and control growth jasminoides

Mexican Flame Vine Not aggressive twining vine with thick glossy leaves; provides quick cover for chainlink fence; Sun/Part Spring to Orange Pseudogynoxys 10'+ D L x dies back in severe winter; attracts bees, butterflies, and birds; prune to Shade Fall flowers chenopodioides direct and control growth

Passion Vine Sun/Part Early Lavender Tendril vine; perennial; food for several species of butterfly larva; exotic-looking flower; T 6-15' D Spring to L-M x Passiflora incarnata Shade Summer flowers aggressive growth; spreading; prune to direct and control growth

Rose, Lady Banksia White to Fast-growing, climbing rose; provide sturdy support and lots of space; thornless, disease free; 20+' Sun E Spring M Rosa banksiae yellow white flowers are fragrant; prune after spring bloom to control and direct growth

Reddish- Not recommended for wood structures; attracts hummingbirds; aggressive spreader; plant Trumpet Vine Sun/Part B/E 6-40'+ D Summer orange L x where roots can be confined; 'Madame Galen' and 'Georgia' have larger blooms; prune to Campsis radicans Shade flowers direct and control growth

Virginia Creeper Sun/Part Scarlet fall Vigorous vine or groundcover; not recommended for wood structures; pest free; many birds Parthenocissus B/E to 40'+ D Fall L x Shade foliage eat fruit; fruit is poisonous quinquefolia

Wisteria, Texas Sun/Part Bluish-lilac High heat tolerance; fragrant; plants can become chloratic on alkaline soils; flowers attract T 25-30' 3-6' D Spring M x Wisteria frutescens Shade flowers several insect species; prune to direct and control growth Groundcovers

Groundcovers Some groundcovers are great turf alternatives. They are most effective planted in large masses to form a solid cover on the ground. Groundcovers Most are very low maintenance.

Aztec Grass Varigated Clumping grass-like groundcover; similar to Liriope with white variegated leaves; no pests or 1' 1-1.5' Shade E M Ophiopogon intermedius foliage diseases; variety of cultivars available - check label for specifics; no pruning necessary

Clover Fern Sun/Part Tough groundcover with clover-like leaves; does not require much water but likes it; spreads Y 6"-1' 2' D No flowers L Marsilea macropoda Shade by runners; dies back during severe winters; no pruning necessary

Dalea, Gregg Summer Purple Good for slopes; silvery blue-green leaves; dry soil; winter-hardy; mostly fall flowers attract T 6”-1’ 2-4'' Sun SE L x Dalea greggii to fall flowers bees and butteflies; seeds eaten by birds and small mammals; pruning not necessary 45 Groundcovers

Frogfruit Creeping Germander Golden Groundsel

Iceplant Leadwort Plumbago Liriope Horseherb

Monkey Grass Mountain Pea Oregano Pigeonberry 46 Groundcovers

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance

Frogfruit Sun/Part Spring to Native groundcover; spreads rapidly; small flower; larval host plant to butterflies; can tolerate B/E 6-8" 1.5-2' D White L-M x Phyla nodiflora Shade fall poor drainage; commercial availability may be limited; cut back to 3" in winter Pink and Germander, Creeping Low mounding form; silver foliage; dark green cultivar available; requires well-drained soil; 4-6" 1.5-2' Sun E Summer purple L Teucrium cossonii pruning not necessary flowers Golden Groundsel Yellow Colonizes and spreads by runners but is easy to control; blooms in spring; is an evergreen (Round-leaf ragwort) E 1.5' 1-2' Shade E Spring L-M x flowers rosette most for the year; attracts butterflies; pruning not necessary Packera obovata Recommended for revegetation; tolerates some foot traffic; great for dry shade; naturally Horseherb Sun/Part Spring to Yellow B/E 8-10" 1' SE VL x abundant in shady areas and lawns - but limited commercial availabilty; can mow as needed Calyptocarpus vialis Shade fall flowers to maintain preferred height Iceplant purple to Iceplant is the common name for 3 generas; fast-growing, groundcover for hot, dry sites; Aptenia spp. 6" 12" Sun SE Spring-fall yellow VL great for hanging baskets; has thick green succulent leaves; attracts bees and butterflies; no Delosperma spp. flowers pruning necessary Malephora spp.

Leadwort Plumbago Sun/Part Blue Deep blue flowers and green foliage with burgundy tinge in cool weather; cut back if needed Ceratostigma 6-12" 3-5' D Summer L Shade flowers in winter plumbaginoides

Liriope Sun/Part Purple Grass-like clumps of evergreen foliage; requires more water in sun; cultivars of varying height 12-18" 12" E Summer M Liriope muscari Shade Spikes available; check plant label for details; cut back in winter if needed

Monkey Grass Great lawn alternative in shade; provide fertile, well-drained soil; clusters of flowers close to (Mondo Grass) 4-8" 12+" Shade E M the leaves; dwarf form also available; do not plant near preserves; Ophiopogon japonicus cut back in winter if needed

Mountain Pea Sun/Part Purple Loose-textured, fast-growing, spreading groundcover; good substitutue for Asian Jasmine; 8-12" 2-3' SE Spring L Orbexilum pedunculatum Shade flowers limited commercial availability; shear occasionally to promote compact growth

Oregano White to Sprawling plant; pungently aromatic; flavorful leaves used in cooking; 10"-2' 2' Sun E Summer L-M Origanum vulgare rosy pink cut back to 3"in winter if needed

Pigeonberry Spring to White/pink Spreads rapidly; tolerates moist or dry soil; tiny attractive red berries are prized by birds; may B/E 1-1.5' 2' Shade D M x Rivina humilis fall flowers go dormant in summer; limited commercial availability; prune for natural look 47 Groundcover

Purple Heart Lyre Leaf Sage Santolina Sedges

Sedum (varieties) Silver Ponyfoot Snakeherb

Verbena Violet Wavy Scaly Cloak Fern Wooly Stemodia 48 Groundcovers

Common Name Texas NativeHeight Spread Light Evergreen/DeciduousSeasonal InterestColor/FeatureWater WildlifeComments and Maintenance Purple Requires more water in sun but very drought tolerant once established; roots may rot in Purple Heart Sun/Part Spring to leaves 1' 3' E L poorly drained soil; not fully cold hardy in severe winter unless in protected location; prune to Setcreasea pallida Shade fall w/pink direct and control growth flowers

White to Sage, Lyre Leaf Sun/Part purplish Great for dry shade but can grow in full sun; reseeds easily so may move in garden; attracts T 1-2' 1' E Spring L-M x Salvia lyrata Shade blue hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies flowers Santolina (Lavender Cotton) Yellow Shrubby groundcover; fine-textured, aromatic evergreen foliage; requires excellent drainage; 1-2' 1-2' Sun E Spring VL Santolina flowers not long-lived; green leaf species also available chamaecyparissus Grassy, clumplike foliage; plant in masses for groundcover; Berkeley C. tumicola; Meadow Sedges Sun/Part Evergreen most varies E Year-round C. perdentata; Texas, C. texensis; check label for specifics on height, hardiness and water Carex spp. Shade leaves are L needs; no pruning necessary Sedum (Stonecrop) Sun/Part Succulent plants with many species, leaf types, flower colors; check label for specifics; good 6" 1' E Summer White L Sedum spp. Shade drainage required; withstands shallow, poor soil; no pruning necessary

Silver Ponyfoot Sun/Part Silver-gray Attractive silver gray foliage on low-growing runners; good drainage is critical; do not over T 2-4" 2.5' SE Year round L x Dichondra argentea Shade leaves water; native to west Texas; no pruning required

Snakeherb Sun/Part Late Lavender Prefers dry caliche soils; upright stems, blooms mainly in spring but on/off through fall after T 6-12" 1.5' spring to L Dyschoriste linearis Shade summer flowers rain; no pruning required varies Spreading habit; fine-textured leaves; needs good drainage; attracts butterflies; there are Spring to Verbena spp. up to Sun SE varies L x many types of verbenas available commercially check labels for details; native Praire Verbena fall 18" is V.bipinnatifida;cut back to 3" if needed in winter Violets Violet T 4-6" 8-10" Shade D Spring x Reseeds easily; will move around in garden; lighter purple bloom than houseplant Viola missourensis flowers

Wavy Scaly Cloak Fern Sun/Part Feathery Xeric fern; drought tolerant; low water use; heat and cold tolerant; may go partially dormant T 1' 3' SE Astrolepis sinuata Shade fronds; with less water; no pruning needed

Wooly Stemodia Sun/Part Purple Delicate purple blooms contrast with gray foliage; good cascading plant for pots; needs good T 3'+ D Summer L x Stemodia lanata Shade blooms drainage; prune unattractive foliage 49 Sustainable landscape practices promote reducing turfgrass use because of its potential high water use and higher maintenance from mowing and nutri- tional needs. If you decide to use turf then choose it wisely and keep the area small. If you decide not to use turf consider using one of the groundcovers listed in this guide as a lawn alternative. If you already have a lawn, check out the Grow Green Lawn Care and Lawn Problems fact sheets.

No turfgrass is perfect for all sites in Central Texas. Austin Water watering restrictions may be more limiting during times of drought, so it is best to select one of the warm-season turfgrasses listed below. During extended periods of drought these grasses will turn brown, wilt and go semi-dormant. They also go dormant during the winter months.

Turfgrass species and variety selection depends largely on the following considerations: Turf Grasses Turf • Water use • Soil depth and quality: Regardless of the species, to use the least amount of water you must provide at least 4-6” of • Amount of sun or shade tilled, or otherwise un-compacted soil, which will encourage turfgrasses to develop deep, extensive root systems that allow • Use and how much foot traffic it will receive them to persist. If you have a site with limited or compacted soil, suitable turfgrass quality may be difficult to maintain • Maintenance requirements during periods of drought

What are the most common types of soil in the Austin area?

There are three main types: 1. Western Zone, Edwards Plateau: Rocky hills west of MOPAC/ Loop On the west side of town the highly alkaline limestone and caliche soils are shallow and the rock can be exposed. In those areas the soil depth can be a matter of inches. 2. Intermediate Zone, Combination and Disturbed Soils: In the central parts of Austin (running north and south) where the Eastern and Western Zones intersect and overlap there are intermediate areas that are a mix of shallow to moderately deep soils inter- mingled in areas with soil brought in during construction. Due to the potential variability, identify specific soil types on your site to determine your best approach. 3. Eastern Zone, Blackland Prairie: Imagine a line that runs paral- lel to IH 35 but 4-5 miles further east; that is the beginning of the deep, dark, clay prairie soils. Due to their tiny particle sizes, heavy clay soils do not have a lot of air spaces and typically do not drain very quickly. Adding compost or expanded shale improves its aeration and drainage. 50 Warm-season Turfgrasses from Low to Medium water use: Turf Grasses Zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica): Low - medium water use / Full sun or partial shade / Tolerates some foot traffic. Zoysiagrass spreads by rhizomes and stolons producing a dense turf. Within the zoysiagrass genus, japonica species are typically coarse-textured while matrella species are typically finer textured. However, much like Bermudagrass there are also interspecific crosses of each. Zoysiagrasses require less mowing and fertilization than Bermudagrass and are often considered lower maintenance for those reasons. It is best established from sod due to slow germination and growth that make it difficult to establish from seed. Like Bermudagrass, be sure to stay ahead of the rhizome and stolon growth into planting beds as it is wicked to try and eradicate if it is left to invade. It is slower than Bermudagrass in invading but will do so… and even in shaded beds! Sod: ‘Palisades’, ‘Jamur’, ‘El Toro’, or ‘Crowne’ Seed: ‘Zenith’ and ‘Compadre’

Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides Very low water use / Full sun / Tolerates light foot traffic It does not have a dense canopy so it is more susceptible to weed invasions than other turfgrasses. Fewer weeds will invade with a more natural look by mowing 2 to 4 times per year on the highest mowing height adjustment. It does best in areas with 25 inches or less of annual rainfall. Overseeding turf or mixing the seed with other shortgrass species is one way to produce a denser turf. See Shortgrass Prairie Seed Mixes Sod: ‘609’, ‘Density’, ‘Prairie’, ‘Prestige’ Seeds: Common, ‘Texoka’, ‘Bison’, ‘Bowie’, ‘Comanche’, ‘Topgun’

Shortgrass Prairie Seed Mixes Low water use / Full sun / Tolerates light foot traffic Several commercial native seed mixes are available that combine Buffalograss, Buchloe dactyloides, Curly Mesquite, Hilaria belangeri and Blue Grama Grass, Bouteloua gracilis; short wildflowers can also be added to create a short-grass meadow. Seeds: Native grasses (wildflowers) mix

Bermudagrass hybrids that do not produce viable seed Low-medium water use / Full sun / Tolerates high foot traffic. Bermudagrass produces a dense canopy and is the most widely used turfgrass species for golf course and athletic turf in the southern United States. It is also popular for home lawns. The hybrids have a finer leaf texture than common types and create a denser turf that performs better under more frequent use, mowing, watering and fertilization. Hybrid varieties of Bermudagrass (interspecific crosses ofC. dactylon and C. transvaalensis) are most often planted as sod and produce seedheads that are sterile. As a result, most hybrids do not pose the same invasive threat as Common Bermuda types and are preferred for use in the landscape. All Bermudagrass varieties have the potential to be invasive to neighboring plant beds and gardens due to their aggressive growth from rhizomes and stolons. Sod, plugs or sprigs: ‘Celebration’, ‘GN1’, ‘Grimes EXP’, ‘Tex Turf’, ‘TifSport’, ‘Tifway 419’ Special Note: Common Bermuda, Cynodon dactylon Common Bermuda is listed as one of Austin’s Top 24 Invasive Plants in the City’s Invasive Species Management Plan and is not accepted on Austin Water’s Xeriscape Plant list. It is not recommended for use in home lawns. Common Bermudagrass, as well as improved varieties 51 of Common, that are left unmowed produce viable seeds that can escape the garden may invade natural areas. How much rainfall does Austin receive per year? On average 32 inches of rain per year with very little in summer.

How hot and cold does it get?

Heat: The average temperature highs in the summer months are above 90o F, so plants that need cool summer temperatures, like peonies, lilacs or fuchsias, will not do well. Summer heat is the biggest stress when planting, so the best time to plant is the fall; worst time to plant late spring – summer. Cold: Austin is in Zone 8b where the average extreme minimum is 15 – 20o F. Our temperatures don’t usually go below 20o F – but in severe winters they can. Plants that are susceptible to damage in severe winters should be planted in protected areas, such as on the south or west side of your house and well-mulched before cold weather arrives.

Where can I get information about rain gardens?

Rain Gardens - A rain garden is a low vegetated area that absorbs and filters rain water runoff that comes from roofs, sidewalks, and driveways. Many of the plants featured in this guide can be expected to grow successfully in a residential rain garden. Visit www.austintexas.gov/raingardens to learn how to build one.

Why was the deer resistance rating removed from this version of the guide? Deer Resistance - This rating was removed from this version because after consulting numerous information sources it is clear that there is Frequently Asked Questions very little consensus on which plants specifically are “deer resistant.” To be safe, all woody plants in areas with deer need to be protected when the plants are young and until they can grow above the browse line. Plant characteristics that may deter deer: • Aromatic plants like rosemary, most of the salvias and lantanas • Prickly, spiny or thorny foliage or stems like agarita, cactus, sotols (deer often eat the flowers) • Bad-tasting sap like star jasmine • Fuzzy leaves like Texas sage and lamb’s ear • Other approaches to deter deer include fencing, repellents and scare devices.

Where can I find out more information about which plants to choose when designing a fire-resistant landscape?

Firewise Plants - Building a fire-resistant landscape isn’t as simple as only looking at plant selection. It includes a variety of factors from the slope of the landscape, building materials in and around the home to choosing the right plant for the right location. For more details on deter- mining the right plant for the right place and how you can help build defensible space around your home visit: www.austintexas.gov/WildfireEnviroBMPs

Where can I find more information about plants that are poisonous to humans and pets?

Poisonous Plants - This guide includes some comments on plant’s toxicity but it should not be considered exhaustive resource on the topic. For poisoning emergencies call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222 For more information on common plants that are poisonous to animals visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/posion-control plants. 52 You may also call ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (there may be a consulting fee). AUSTIN’S TOP INVASIVE PLANTS TO AVOID Plants to Avoid Invasive plants are those that spread into areas where they are not native. Their introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

The following plants have already invaded preserves and greenbelts in Austin. They These plants travel by runners and rhizomes. While they are spread by seeds, berries and spores that can be easily transported long distances. For not generally transported long distances, they can invade more information about Austin’s invasive species, visit www.austintexas.gov/invasive nearby or “downstream” areas. Avoid planting near parks and preserves.

Common Name Botanical Name Non-Invasive Alternatives Bermudagrass, Common Cynodon dactlyon Hybrid Bermudgrasses (with sterile seeds) Non-Invasive Common Name Botanical Name Catclaw Vine Macfadyena unguis-cati Carolina Jessamine, Crossvine Alternatives Leadwort Plumbago, English Ivy Hedera helix Chinaberry Melia azedarach Chinquapin Oak, Texas Red Oak Mountain Pea Chinese Parasol Tree Firmiana simplex Arizona Cypress Vinca major & Leadwort Plumbago, Vinca Chinese Pistache Pistacia chinensis Chinquapin Oak, Texas Red Oak V. minor Mountain Pea Chinese Tallow Triadica sebifera Bigtooth Maple, Texas Redbud, Red Oak Wisteria Wisteria sinensis, Passion Vine Chinese Wisteria Wisteria sinensis Passion Vine (non-native species) W. floribunda

Elephant Ear Colocasis esculenta Arrowhead, Crinum Lily, Tuckahoe Evergreen Yaupon, Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Japanese Hollyfern Cyrtomium falcatum River Fern Bamboo Muhly Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Coral Honeysuckle Johnsongrass Sorghum halepense Little Bluestem, Bushy Bluestem Kudzu Pueraria montana var. lobata Virginia Creeper Lilac Chaste Tree Vitex agnus-castus Mexican Buckeye Paper Mulberry Broussonetia papyrifiera Cherry Laurel, Texas Persimmon Phontina, Red Tip Photinia x fraseri Cherry Laurel, Possumhaw, Silktassel Photina, Tawainese Photinia serratifolia Cherry Laurel, Possumhaw, Silktassel Privets, Large Leaf Ligustrum japonicum, Cherry Laurel, Yaupon L. lucidum, L. vulgare Privets, Small Leaf Ligustrum quhoui, L. sinense Possumhaw, Wax Myrtle, Yaupon Sacred Bamboo Nandina domestica Bush Germander, Texas Sage Scarlet Firethorn Pyracantha coccinea Evergreen Sumac, Yaupon Already have these plants? Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima Chinquapin Oak, Lacey Oak Most plants can be controlled by trimming back berries, seedheads or runners.

THIS PLANT LIST IS ONLY A RECOMMENDATION AND HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS LAWFUL TO SELL, DISTRIBUTE, IMPORT OR POSSESS A PLANT ON THIS LIST UNLESS THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 53 LABELS THE PLANT AS NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANT LIST. Common Name Page # Ash,Abelia, Texas Glossy 715 Cuphea,Viburnum, ‘David Sandankwa Verity’ 2715 HorseherbSkyflower, Duranta 4723 PassionLantana, Vine Trailing 4533 Bluestem,Santolina Little(Lavender Cotton) 4149 Cedar,Agarita Eastern Red 715 Cypress,Walnut, Little Arizona 715 HuisacheSumac, Fragrant (Aromatic) 1123 PecanLion’s Tail 933 IndianSedge, Grass Meadow 41 Cherry,Agave spp. Black 739 Cypress,Wax Myrtle Bald 715 HymenoxysSweet Almond (Four Verbena Nerve Daisy) 3123 Penstemon,Maximilian Sunflower Gulf Coast 33 InlandSedges Seaoats 4149 Cypress,Alamo Vine Arizona 743 Cypress,Xylosma Montezuma 715 IceplantThyrallis, (Golden Showers) 4723 Penstemon,Mexican Mint Hill Marigold Country 33 Sedge,Sedum Meadow(Stonecrop) 4149 Cypress,American Bald Beautyberry 715 Daisy,Abelia, Blackfoot Glossy 2715 IndiangrassTurk’s Cap 4123 Penstemon,Obedient Plant, Rock Fall 33 Muhly,Senna, BambooFlowering 4123 Cypress,Anacacho Montezuma Orchid Tree 79 Daisy,Agarita Chocolate 2715 IndigoArtemisia Spires 3125 Persimmon,Oregano, Mexican Texas 1333 Muhly,Senna, BigLindheimer 4137 Elm,Anacua Cedar (Sandpaper Tree) 79 Daisy,American Copper Beautyberry Canyon 2715 InlandBeebalm Seaoats 4125 Phlox,Penstemon, Garden Gulf Coast 33 Muhly,Shrimp Deer Plant 4337 HoneyApache Mesquite Plume 715 Daisy,Apache Engelmann Plume 2715 Iris,Bird Bicolorof Paradise, Red 3125 PigeonberryPenstemon, Hill Country 4733 Muhly,Sideoats Gulf Grama 43 Maple,Aralia, JapaneseBigtooth 717 Dalea,Aralia, BlackJapanese 17 JapaneseBird of Paradise, Yew Yellow 1925 PineapplePenstemon, Guava Rock 2133 Muhly,Silktassel, Pine Mexican 4313 Oak,Arroyo Bur Sweetwood 79 Dalea,Barbados Gregg Cherry 4517 Jasmine,Black-eyed Star Susan 4525 PittosporumPhlox, Garden 2133 SideoatsSilver Ponyfoot Grama 4349 Oak,Artemisia Chinquapin 257 DamianitaBaptisia, Purple (Wild Indigo) 2917 KidneywoodBulbine 1125 Plumbago 33 SwitchgrassSkeletonleaf Goldeneye 4337

Common Name Oak,Ash, TexasLacey 97 DaturaBottlebrush or Jimson Weed 2917 Lamb’sButterfly Ear Weed, Mexican 3125 Plum,Primrose, Mexican Missouri 1335 AlamoSkullcap, Vine Heartleaf 4337 Oak.Aztec Mexican Grass White 945 DesertButterfly Broom Bush, Wooly 17 LantanaCalylophus (hybrid) 3125 PomegranatePurple Coneflower 1335 CarolinaSkullcap, Jessamine Pink 4337 Oak,Baptisia, Southern Purple Live (Wild Indigo) 917 DesertCoralberry Willow 1117 Lantana,Cast Iron TexasPlant 3125 Primrose,Rock Rose Missouri 35 CrossvineSkullcap, Wright’s Purple 4337 Oak,Barbados Texas Cherry Red 917 ElbowCotoneaster Bush 17 Lantana,Catmint Trailing 3325 PurpleRuellia, Coneflower Dwarf 35 FigSkyflower, Vine Duranta 4323 Palmetto,Basket Grass Texas (Sacahuista) /Palm Texas 939 Elm,Dalea, Cedar Black 717 LeadwortChile Pequin Plumbago 4727 PurpleSage, Cedar Heart 4935 Honeysuckle,Snakeherb Coral 4349 PecanBeebalm 925 Esperanza/YellowDesert Broom Bells 2917 Lion’sColumbine, Tail Red 3327 Redbud,Sage, Cherry Mexican (Autumn Sage) 1335 Jasmine,Society Garlic Star 4537 Sycamore,Bird of Paradise, Mexican Red 925 Eve’sElbow Necklace Bush 1117 LiriopeColumbine 4727 Redbud,Sage, Jerusalem Texas 1335 MexicanSotol, Texas Flame Vine 4539 AnacachoBird of Paradise, Orchid Yellow Tree 925 FallFlame Aster Acanthus 2917 Mallow,Coralbean Globe 1927 RetamaSage, Majestic 1335 PassionSpider Lily Vine 4537 AnacuaBlack-eyed (Sandpaper Susan Tree) 925 Fern,Fragrant Firecracker Mimosa 2919 Maple,Coreopsis, Bigtooth Lance-leaf 727 RockSage, Rose Mealy Blue 35 Rose,Spiderwort Lady Banksia 4539 ArroyoBluestem, Sweetwood Little 941 Fern,Germander, River Bush 2919 MaximilianCuphea, Batface Sunflower 3327 Rose,Sage, Belinda’sMexican BushDream 2135 TrumpetSumac, Evergreen Vine 4513 Buckeye,Bottlebrush Mexican 917 FigGreek Vine Myrtle 4319 MexicanCuphea, ‘DavidFlame Verity’Vine 4527 Rose,Sage, Penstemon/Big‘Cecile Brunner’ Red Sage21 35 VirginiaSumac, CreeperFlameleaf 4515 Buckeye, RedMexican 119 FirebushHawthorn, Indian 2919 MexicanDaisy, Blackfoot Mint Marigold 3327 Rose,Sage, ‘Grandma’sRussian Yellow’ 2137 Wisteria,Sumac, Fragrant Texas (Aromatic) 4523 CarolinaBuckeye, Buckthorn Red 119 FlameHolly, Dwarf Acanthus Burford 1719 Mistflower,Daisy, Chocolate White 1927 Rose,Sage, KnockSan Luis Out 21 37 AztecSweet Grass Almond Verbena 4523 CherryBulbine Laurel 1125 FragrantHolly, Dwarf Mimosa Yaupon 19 MockDaisy, OrangeCopper Canyon 1927 Rose,Sage, LadyTropical Banksia 4537 CloverSwitchgrass Fern 4543 CrapeButterfly Myrtle Bush, Wooly 1117 FrogfruitHolly, Nellie R. Stevens 4719 MonkeyDaisy, Engelmann Grass 4727 Rose,Senna, Livin’ Lindheimer Easy 2137 Dalea,Sycamore, Gregg Mexican 459 Texas Betony 39 DesertButterfly Willow Weed, Mexican 1125 FrostweedJapanese Yew 2919 MountainDamianita Laurel, 1329 Rose,Shrimp Marie Plant Daly 2137 Frogfruit 47 Thyrallis, (Golden Showers) 23 Eve’sCactus, Necklace Prickly Pear 1139 GauraMallow, Globe 2919 MountainDatura or PeaJimson Weed 4729 Rose,Skeletonleaf Marie PavieGoldeneye 2137 Germander, Creeping 47 Trumpet Vine 45 GoldenballCalylophus Leadtree 1125 GayfeatherMistflower, White 2919 Muhly,Esperanza/Yellow Bamboo Bells 4129 Rose,Skullcap, Martha Heartleaf Gonzales 2137 Golden Groundsel 47 Turk’s Cap 23 Holly,Carolina Possumhaw Buckthorn 11 Germander,Mock Orange Bush 19 Muhly,Fall Aster Big Aster 4129 Rose,Skullcap, Mutabilis Pink 2137 Horseherb 47 Verbena spp. 49 Holly,Carolina Yaupon Jessamine 1143 Germander,Palmetto, Texas Creeping Dwarf 4721 Muhly,Fern, Firecracker Deer 4329 Rose,Skullcap, Nearly Wright’s Wild ‘Purple 2337 Iceplant 47 Viburnum, Rusty Blackhaw 15 HuisacheCast Iron Plant 1125 Germander,Pineapple Guava Green 3121 Muhly,Fern, River Gulf 4329 Rose,Society Old Garlic Blush 2337 Leadwort Plumbago 47 Viburnum, Sandankwa 15 KidneywoodCatmint 1125 GhostPittosporum Plant 3121 Muhly,Firebush Pine 4329 Rosemary,Spider Lily Upright 2337 Liriope 47 Violets 49 MountainCedar, Eastern Laurel, Red 137 GoldenballRose, Belinda’s Leadtree Dream 1121 NolinaFrostweed 3929 RoughleafSpiderwort Dogwood 1339 Monkey Grass 47 Virginia Creeper 45 Olive,Cherry, Mexican Black 137 GoldenRose, ‘Cecile Groundsel Brunner’ 4721 Oak,Gaura Bur 729 Ruellia,Texas Betony Dwarf 3539 MountainWalnut, Little Pea 4715 Palm,Cherry Windmill Laurel 1311 GreekRose, ‘Grandma’sMyrtle Yellow’ 1921 Oak,Gayfeather Chinquapin 729 Sage,Winecup, Cedar Perennial 3539 OreganoWavy Scaly Cloak Fern 4749 Persimmon,Chile Pequin Texas 1327 GreggRose, KnockMistflower Out 3121 Oak,Germander, Lacey Green 931 Sage,Yarrow Cherry (Autumn Sage) 3539 PigeonberryWax Myrtle 4915 Plum,Clover Mexican Fern 1345 Hawthorn,Rose, Livin’ Indian Easy 1921 Oak.Ghost Mexican Plant White 931 Sage,Zexmenia Jerusalem 3539 PurpleWinecup, Heart Perennial 4939 PomegranateColumbine 2713 Hibiscus,Rose, Marie Perennial Daly 3121 Oak,Gregg Southern Mistflower Live 931 Sage,Agave Lyrespp. Leaf 4939 Sage,Wisteria, Lyre Texas Leaf 4945 Redbud,Columbine, Mexican Red 1327 Holly,Rose, DwarfMarie PavieBurford 1921 Oak,Hibiscus, Texas Perennial Red 931 Sage,Basket Majestic Grass (Sacahuista) 3539 SantolinaWooly Stemodia (Lavender Cotton) 49 Redbud,Coralbean Texas 1327 Holly,Rose, DwarfMartha Yaupon Gonzales 1921 ObedientHoneysuckle, Plant, Mexican Fall 3331 Sage,Cactus, Mealy Prickly Blue Pear 3539 SedgesXylosma 4915 RetamaCoralberry 1317 Holly,Rose, NellieMutabilis R. Stevens 1921 Olive,Hymenoxys Mexican (Four Nerve Daisy) 1331 Sage,Nolina Mexican Bush 3539 SedumYarrow (Stonecrop) 4939 RoughleafCoreopsis, DogwoodLance-leaf 1327 Holly,Rose, PossumhawNearly Wild ‘ 1123 OreganoIndigo Spires 4731 Sage,Sotol, Penstemon/Big Texas Red Sage 3539 SilverYucca, Ponyfoot Paleleaf 4941 Silktassel,Cotoneaster Mexican 1317 Holly,Rose, YauponOld Blush 1123 Oregano,Iris, Bicolor Mexican 3331 Sage,Yucca Russianspp. 3741 SnakeherbYucca, Red 4941 Sumac,Crape Myrtle Evergreen 1311 HoneyRosemary, Mesquite Upright 723 Palmetto,Lamb’s Ear Texas Dwarf 2131 Sage,Yucca, San Paleleaf Luis 4137 VerbenaYucca spp. spp. 4941 54 Sumac,Crossvine Flameleaf 1543 Honeysuckle,Sage, Texas Coral 4323 Palmetto,Lantana (hybrid) Texas /Palm Texas 931 Sage,Yucca, Texas Red 2341 VioletsYucca, Twistleaf 4941 Viburnum,Cuphea, Batface Rusty Blackhaw 1527 Honeysuckle,Senna, Flowering Mexican 3123 Palm,Lantana, Windmill Texas 1331 Sage,Yucca, Tropical Twistleaf 3741 WavyZexmenia Scaly Cloak Fern 4939 Wooly Stemodia 49 Botanical Name Page # Botanical Name FraxinusAbelia x grandifloratexensis 157 ViburnumCoreopsis suspensum lanceolata 1527 CassiaLantana corymbosa montevidensis 2333 PhlomisLantana fruticosaurticoides 3531 YuccaSalvia rupicolaguaranitica 4135 JuniperusAcacia farnesiana virginiana var. virginiana 711 JuglansCornus drummondiimicrocarpa 1513 DurantaLantana erectaurticoides 2331 PhloxLantana paniculata montevidensis 33 SchizachyriumSalvia ‘Indigo Spires’ scoparium 4131 PrunusAcer grandidentatum serotina var. exima 7 MorellaCotoneaster cerifera spp. 1517 RhusLantana aromatica x hybrida 2331 PhylaLeonotis nodiflora leonurus 4733 SorghastrumSalvia leucantha nutans 4135 CupressusAchillea spp. arizonica 397 XylosmaCuphea, congestum‘David Verity’ 1527 AloysiaLeonotis virgata leonurus 2333 PhystostegiaHelianthus maximiliani virginiana 33 ChasmanthiumSalvia lyrata latifolium 4149 TaxodiumAesculus paviadistichum var. pavia 117 AbeliaCuphea x grandiflorallavea 1527 GalphimiaLeucaena glaucaretusa 2311 PittosporumTagetes lucida tobira 2133 CarexSalvia perdentatamicrophylla 4137 TaxodiumAgave spp. mucronatum 397 BerberisCupressus trifoliata arizonica 157 MalvaviscusLeucophyllum arboreus frutescens var. ‘Drummondii” 23 PlatanusPhystostegia mexicana virginiana 933 MuhlenbergiaSalvia penstemonoides dumosa 4135 UlmusAgeratina crassifolia havanensis 719 MahoniaDalea frutescens trifoliata 1517 25Liatris mucronata 29 PlumbagoPoliomintha auriculata longiflora 33 MuhlenbergiaSalvia roemeriana lindheimeri 4135 ProsopisAloysia virgata glandulosa var. glandulosa 723 CallicarpaDalea greggii americana 1547 ArtemisiaLiriope muscari ‘Powis Castle’ 2547 PodocarpusPenstemon tenuismacrophyllus 1933 MuhlenbergiaSantolina chamaecyparissus rigens 4349 AcerAnisacanthus grandidentatum quadrifidus var. wrightii 717 FallogiaDasylirion paradoxa texanum 1539 Monardallex vomitoria fistulosa 2511 PoliominthaPenstemon trifloruslongiflora 33 MuhlenbergiaSchizachyrium capillaris scoparium 4341 QuercusAptenia spp. macrocarpa 477 FatsiaDatura japonica wrightii 1729 CaesalpiniaLonicera sempervirens pulcherrima 2543 ProsopisPenstemon glandulosa baccharifolius var. glandulosa 733 MuhlenbergiaScutellaria suffrutescens dubia 4337 QuercusAquilegia muhlenbergii canadensis 727 MalpighiaDelosperma glabra spp. 1747 CaesalpiniaMahonia trifoliata gilliesii 2515 PrunusPhlox paniculata caroliniana 1133 BoutelouaScutellaria curtipendulawrightii 4337 QuercusAquilegia laceyichrysantha var. ‘Hinkleyana’ 279 BaptisaDichondra australis argentea 1749 BulbineMalephora frutescens spp. 2547 PrunusPlumbago mexicana auriculata 1333 PanicumScuttelaria virgatum ovata subsp. bracteata 4337 QuercusArtemisia polymorpha ‘Powis Castle’ 925 CallistemonDietes bicolor citrinus 1731 RudbeckiaMalpighia glabrahirta var. pulcherrima 2517 PrunusOenothera serotina macrocarpa var. exima 735 MerremiaSedum spp. dissecta 4349 QuercusAsclepias virginiana currasavica 925 BuddlejaDiospyros marrubiifolia texana 1713 AsclepiasMalvaviscus currasavica arboreus var. ‘Drummondii’ 2525 PseudogynoxysEchinacea purpurea chenopodioides 4735 GelsemiumSetcreasea pallidasempervirens 4349 QuercusAspidistra texana elatior 925 ymphoricarposDuranta erecta orbiculatus 1723 CalylophousMarsilea macropoda berlanderieri 2547 PunicaPavonia granatum lasiopetala 1335 BignoniaSophora secundifloracapreolata 4313 SabalAster oblongifoliumSabal texana or S. mexicana 929 CotoneasterDyschoriste spp.linearis 1749 AspidistraMelampodium elatior leucanthum Nepeta X faassenii 2527 QuercusRuellia brittoniana laceyi 935 FicusSorghastrum pumila nutans 4341 CaryaAstrolepis illinoensis sinuata 949 DaleaEchinacea frutescens purpurea 1735 CapsicumMerremia annuumdissecta 2743 QuercusSalvia roemeriana macrocarpa 735 LoniceraStachys byzantinasempervirens 4331 PlatanusBaccharis mexicana sarothroides 917 BaccharisEhretia anacua sarothroides 179 AquilegiaMimosa borealis canadensis 2719 QuercusSalvia greggii muhlenbergii 735 TrachelospermumStachys coccinea jasminoides 4739 BauhiniaBaptisa australis lunarioides 917 ForestireraEngelmannia pubescens peristenia 1727 AquilegiaMonarda chrysanthafistulosa var. ‘Hinkleyana’ 2725 QuercusPhlomis fruticosapolymorpha 935 PseudogynoxysStyphnolobium affinechenopodioides 4711 EhretiaBauhinia anacua lunarioides 9 AnisacanthusErythrina herbacea quadrifidus var. wrightii 1727 ErythrinaMorella cerifera herbacea 2715 QuercusSalvia guaranitica texana 935 PassifloraTagetes lemmonii incarnata 4727 MyrospernumBerberis trifoliata sousanum 915 MimosaEysenhardtia borealis texana 1911 CoreopsisMuhlenbergia lanceolata capillaris 2743 QuercusSalvia farinacea virginiana 935 RosaTagetes banksiae lucida 4733 UngnadiaBerlandiera speciosa lyrata 927 TeucriumFallogia paradoxa fruticans 1915 CupheaMuhlenbergia llavea dubia 2743 RaphiolepisSalvia leucantha indica 1935 ParthenocissusTaxodium distichum quinquefolia 477 AesculusBignonia capreolatavar. pavia 1143 MyrtusFatsia japonicacommunis 1917 Cuphea,Muhlenbergia ‘David dumosa Verity’ 2741 RhusSalvia aromatica penstemonoides 2335 WisteriaTaxodium frutescens mucronatum 477 FrangulaBouteloua caroliniana curtipendula 1143 RaphiolepisFeijoa sellowiana indica 1921 MelampodiumMuhlenbergia lindheimerileucanthum 2741 RhusPerovaskia lanceolata atriciplifolia 1537 OphiopogonTecoma stans intermedius 4729 PrunusBuddleja caroliniana marrubiifolia 1117 IlexFicus cornuta pumila ‘Burfordii’ 1943 BerlandieraMuhlenbergia lyrata rigens 2743 RhusSalvia virens microphylla 1337 MarsileaTetraneuris macropoda scaposa 4731 LagerstroemiaBulbine frutescens indica 1125 IlexForestirera vomitoria pubescens ‘Nana’ 1917 TagetesMyrospernum lemmonii sousanum 279 RivinaSalvia coccineahumilis 4937 DaleaTeucrium greggii chamaedrys 4731 ChilopsisCaesalpinia linearis gilliesii 1125 FrangulaIlex cornuta caroliniana ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ 1911 EngelmanniaMyrtus communis peristenia Nepeta x faassenii 2719 RosaCassia banksiae lindheimeriana 4737 PhylaTeucrium nodiflora cossonii 47 StyphnolobiumCaesalpinia pulcherrima affine 1125 PodocarpusFraxinus texensis macrophyllus 197 HrysactinaNolina lindheimeriana mexicana 2939 RosaJusticia ‘Belinda’s brandegeana Dream’ 2137 Teucrium cossoniifruticans 4719 LeucaenaCallicarpa retusaamericana 1115 phaeralceaGalphimia glaucaambigua 1923 DaturaNolina texanawrightii 2939 RosaViguiera ‘Cecile stenoloba Brunner’ 2137 PackeraThelypteris obovata kunthii 4729 IlexCallirohoe decidua involucrata 1139 AgeratinaGarrya ovata havanensis spp. lindheimeri 1913 TecomaOenothera stans macrocarpa 2935 RosaScuttelaria ‘Grandma’s ovata subsp.Yellow’ bracteata 2137 CalyptocarpusTrachelospermum vialis jasminoides 47 llexCallistemon vomitoria citrinus 1117 PhiladelphusGaura lindheimeri coronarius 1929 OblongifoliumOphiopogon intermedius 2947 RosaScutellaria ‘Knock suffrutescens Out’ 2137 ApteniaTrachycarpus spp. fortunei 4713 AcaciaCalylophous farnesiana berlanderieri 1125 SabalGelsemium minor sempervirens 2143 RusseliaOphiopogon equisetiformis japonicus 2947 RosaScutellaria ‘Livin’ wrightii Easy’ 2137 DelospermaTradescantia spp. spp. 4739 EysenhardtiaCalyptocarpus texana vialis 1147 FeijoaGraptopetalum sellowiana paraguayense 2131 ThelypterisOptunia spp. kunthii 2939 RosaTulbaghia ‘Marie violacea Daly’ 2137 MalephoraTulbaghia violacea spp. 4737 TexasCapsicum Sophora annuum secundiflora 1327 PittosporumHamelia patens tobira 2129 HameliaOrbexilum patens pedunculatum 2947 RosaHymenocallis ‘Marie Pavie’ lirisome 2137 CeratostigmaUlmus crassifolia plumbaginoides 477 CordiaCarex perdentata boissieri 1341 RosaHelianthus ‘Belinda’s maximiliani Dream’ 2133 VerbesinaOriganum virginicavulgare 2947 RosaTradescantia ‘Martha spp.Gonzales’ 2139 LiriopeUngnadia muscari speciosa 479 TrachycarpusCarex spp. fortunei 4913 RosaHesperaloe ‘Cecile parvifloraBrunner’ 2141 GauraPackera lindheimeri obovata 2947 ‘RosaStachys ‘Mutablis’ coccinea 2139 OphiopogonVerbesina virginica japonicus 4729 DiospyrosCarya illinoensis texana 139 RosaHibiscus ‘Grandma’s spp. Yellow’ 2131 LiatrisPanicum mucronata virgatum 2943 RosaCallirohoe ‘Nearly involucrata Wild’ 2339 OrbexilumViburnum rufidulumpedunculatum 4715 PrunusCassia corymbosamexicana 1323 RosaHymenocallis ‘Knock Out’ lirisome 2137 TeucriumParkinsonia chamaedrys aculeata 3113 Achillea‘Rosa ‘Old spp. Blush’ 2339 OriganumViburnum suspensumvulgare 4715 PunicaCassia lindheimerianagranatum 1337 RosaIlex cornuta ‘Livin’ Easy’ ‘Burfordii’ 2119 GraptopetalumParthenocissus paraguayense quinquefolia 3147 WedeliaRosmarinus texana officinalis 3923 RivinaViguiera humilis stenoloba 4937 CercisCeratostigma canadensis plumbaginoides var. ‘mexicana’ 1347 RosaIlex cornuta ‘Marie Daly’‘Nellie R. Stevens’ 2119 ConocliniumPassiflora incarnata greggi 3147 AgaveRudbeckia spp. hirta var. pulcherrima 2539 SetcreaseaViola missourensis pallida 49 Cercis canadensis var. var. ‘texensis’ ‘mexicana’ 13 RosaIlex decidua ‘Marie Pavie’ 2111 HibiscusPavonia lasiopetalaspp. 3135 NolinaRuellia texanabrittoniana 3935 SalviaWedelia lyrata texana 4939 ParkinsoniaCercis canadensis aculeata var. ‘texensis’ 13 RosaIlex vomitoria ‘Martha Gonzales’ ‘Nana’ 2119 JusticiaPenstemon spicigera baccharifolius 3133 OptuniaRusselia spp. equisetiformis 3929 SantolinaWisteria frutescens chamaecyparissus 4947 CornusChasmanthium drummondii latifolium 1341 ‘RosaJuglans ‘Mutablis’ microcarpa 2115 TetraneurisPenstemon scaposatenuis 3133 NolinaSabal minor lindheimeriana 3921 CarexXylosma spp. congestum 4915 GarryaChilopsis ovata linearis spp. lindheimeri 1311 RosaJuniperus ‘Nearly virginiana Wild’ var. ‘virginiana’ 237 SalviaPenstemon ‘Indigo triflorus Spires’ 3133 DasylirionSabal Sabal texanum texana or S. mexicana 399 SedumYmphoricarpos spp. orbiculatus 4917 RhusChrysactina virens mexicana 1329 ‘RosaJusticia ‘Old brandegeana Blush’ 2337 DietesPerovaskia bicolor atriciplifolia 3137 YuccaSalvia spp.coccinea 4137 DichondraYucca pallida argentea 4941 RhusConoclinium lanceolata greggi 1531 RosmarinusJusticia spicigera officinalis 2331 StachysPhaeralcea byzantina ambigua 3119 YuccaSalvia pallidafarinacea 4135 DyschoristeYucca rupicola linearis 4941 ViburnumCordia boissieri rufidulum 1513 LeucophyllumLagerstroemia frutescens indica 2311 LantanaPhiladelphus x hybrida coronarius 3119 HesperaloeSalvia greggii parviflora 4135 ViolaYucca missourensis spp. 4941 55 Astrolepis sinuata 49 For additional earthwise landscaping information and an online plant database, visit www.growgreen.org

Photo Credits: (L) = large image (S)= small inset image Contributing Organizations: References: Ray Mathews: Cover Far South Nursery: Arroyo Sweetwood American Society of Landscape Architects, Austin Bender. K. and Damude. N., Texas Wildscapes: (L, S), Catmint (L), Desert Broom (L), Greek Myrtle (L), Mountain Parks Foundation, Capital Area Master Naturalists, Gardening for Wildlife, TWPD, 2007 Pea (L, S), Texas Dwarf Palmetto (L), Roughleaf Dogwood (L), Countryside Nursery, Far South Growers, Keep Correll and Johnston, Manual of the Vascular Austin Beautiful, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower San Luis Sage (L), Sweet Almond Verbena (L), White Mistflower Plants of Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, Center, McNeal Growers, National Wildlife 1996 (L) Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Andy and Sally Federation, Native Texas Nursery, Texas A&M, Wasowski: Alamo Vine (L), Apache Plume (L), Beebalm (L), The Great Outdoors, The Natural Gardener, Texas Simpson, Benny, A Field Guide to Texas Trees, Flameleaf Sumac (S), Golden Groundsel (L), Huisache (L,S), Lyre A&M Extension Service/Travis County, TreeFolks, Texas Monthly Press Texas Monthly Press, 1988 Leaf Sage (S), Maximilian Sunflower (L), Purple Baptisia (L), Turfgrass Producers of Texas Wasowski A. and Wasowski, S., Native Texas Snakeherb (L), Switch Grass (S); Joseph A. Marcus: Carolina City Departments: Plants Second Edition; Landscaping Region by Region, Texas Monthly Press, 1997 Buckthorn (L), Datura (L), Lyre Leaf Sage (L), Pine Muhly, Austin Energy, Austin Resource Recovery, Austin Roughleaf Dogwood (L), Purple Wright’s Skullcap (L), Wavy Water Utility, Office of Sustainability, One Stop Shop Comments: Scaly Cloak Fern (L); Lee Page: Mealy Blue Sage (L); Melody –LUR, Parks and Recreation Department, Public We recognize that there are many other plants Lytle: Frostweed (S); Myra B. Allison: Frostweed (L); Norman Works, Watershed Protection Department With well deserving of selection and we welcome your comments and suggestions regarding any new G. Flaigg: Little Walnut (L, S); Paul Cox: Clover Fern (L); R.W. special thanks to all the City of Austin staff past and present, who have contributed to the guide. additions and changes you think would be useful. Smith: Purple Baptisia (S); Rachel Cywinski: Anacua (L); W.D. Please call 512-974-2550 or email us through and Dolphia Bransford: Flameleaf Sumac(L), Spider Lily (L), With special thanks to all the City of Austin staff past www.growgreen.org . and present, who have contributed to the guide Merideth O’Reilly: Anacua (S), Chocolate Daisy (L), Fragrant Sumac(S), Gregg Mistflower (S), Mexican Olive (L,S), Tropical Milkweed(S) Native Texas Nursery: Eve’s Necklace (L, S), Texas Maximum sales price Redbud (L, S) Plant Resources Center and Bio406d at the outside Austin: $2.00 University of Texas at Austin: Elbowbush (L), Gayfeather (S), 5th Edition, 2013 Texas Persimmon (S), Evergreen Sumac(L,S),Violets (L, S) Revised 2013

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