Common Name: American Beauty Berry Botanical Name: Callicara

Home , Berry (botany), Bignoniaceae, Senna corymbosa, Shrub

Common Name: American Beauty Berry

Botanical name: Callicara americana

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Part Shade Water Requirement: Low Hardiness/Zone: 6 thru 10 Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 3-5ft with equal spread; Width/Spacing:4 to 6 ft wide Flower Color: Small, pink Blooming Period: May, June, July Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Birds and butterflies Deer Resistant: No Plant Use: Valuable as a wildlife food plant. Good understory shrub. Pests and diseases:

American beautyberry is a wonderful, large understory shrub with a naturally loose and graceful arching form. In the fall and early winter, the branches are laden with magenta purple (sometimes white) berry clusters that look spectacular as the leaves drop in autumn. It is useful as a screen in swampy or wooded locations or under shade trees in a garden setting. It can be cut to 12 above the base each winter to encourage more compact growth, flowers and fruit. It can also be left to mature naturally into a tall woody shrub. The shrub may temporarily defoliate and lose developing fruit during periods of prolonged summer drought

Bark light brown on the older wood, reddish brown on younger wood. Bark smooth, with elongate, raised corky areas (lenticels); twigs round to 4 sided, covered with branched hairs visible under a l0x hand lens. Leaves in pairs or in threes, blades half as wide as long and up to 9 inches long, ovate to elliptic, pointed or blunt at the tip and tapered to the base; margins coarsely toothed except toward the base and near the tip, teeth pointed or rounded; lower surface of young leaves covered with branched hairs. Flowers small, pink, in dense clusters at the bases of the leaves, clusters usually not exceeding the leaf petioles.

The seeds and berries are important foods for many species of birds, particularly the Northern Bobwhite. Foliage is a favorite of White-tailed Deer.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAAM2

http://forestry.about.com/od/silviculture/p/am_bberry.htm

Extension programs service people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating A member of The Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program

Common Name: Anacacho Orchid Tree

Botanical name: Bauhinia lumariodes

Type: Small tree or medium shrub Light Requirement: Sun, partial sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: Medium Height: 8 to 12 feet Width/Spacing: 6 to 10 feet Flower Color: White or pink Blooming Period: Spring Plant Form or Habit: Large shrub, small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous. Split resembling cloven hoof. It may hold its leaves during mild winters. Butterfly or bird attracter: Bees, butterflies and birds Deer Resistant: No Plant Use: Shrub or small tree

Although increasingly available from specialty nurseries, Anacacho orchid tree is rare in Texas, growing only in the Anacacho Mts. west of Uvalde and one other small site. It is more common in Mexico. Its delicate, unusual leaves are divided into pairs of two oval leaflets, and showy white or pink flower clusters resembling orchids appear from March through May. In its native habitat in Texas it grows on rocky limestone canyons, and needs well-drained soils to thrive. Its unique foliage and showy flowers make it a beautiful specimen plant, or as a container plant for small areas. If grown in afternoon shade, it is an open graceful tree. If grown in full sun, it is bushier and fuller. It is small enough to be included in a large flowerbed.

Orchid trees make a gorgeous display with its silvery-gray bark and white flowers that resemble orchids. It is a rapid-growing tree and does best when planted on the south side of a building, protected from winter winds. It can be nipped back by extremely cold winters.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/bauhinialunarioid.htm http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/potw_anacacho.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BALU

Common Name: Arroyo Sweetwood

Botanical name: Myrospermum sousanum

Plant Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Hardiness/Zone: 8a to 10b Heat/Drought Tolerance: Very Height: 10 to 20 ft Width/Spacing: 20 ft wide Flower Color: White Blooming Period: Mid spring Plant Form or Habit: Bush grown form Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies. Bees and birds Deer Resistant: Unknown Plant Use: Ornamental, small tree Pests and diseases:

Unknown to science until 1982, this small tree with highly fragrant flowers makes a special addition to any yard in Austin. Discovered in Mexico by Texas botanist Lynn Lowrey, Arroyo Sweetwood prefers rocky limestone slopes like those of the gullies and stream banks (arroyos) where it was found. Grows quickly to form a deciduous, shrubby tree up to 20 feet tall, and as wide, and will bear numerous small white flowers in the spring. These flowers emit a very strong cinnamon / vanilla scent that will fill your yard. The wood is also very fragrant when cut, hence the 'sweetwood' part of the common name. Arroyo Sweetwood is native to soils which are very similar to ours, so feel free to put it in any area with dry, rocky, limestone-based soil. Should only require water for establishment, and full sun is fine. It will make a great shade tree to plant on the west side of your house. Its bushy growth form will shade the structure in the warmer months of the year and allow light into the windows once the leaves drop.

A small deciduous tree to 15-20 feet. Fragrant, cream colored flowers. Attracts butterflies, bees, and birds. Likes alkaline soils and full sun. Also drought tolerant. Native to Mexico.

Source of data: http://www.landscapemafia.com/LandscapePlants/arroyo-sweetwood

http://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=1300

Common Name: Texas Ash

Botanical name: Fraxinus texensis

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun, part shade Water Requirement: Medium Height: 30 – 40 feet Width/Spacing: 40 feet wide Flower Color: Green Blooming Period: April, May, June Plant Form or Habit: Tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies – larval host- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Deer Resistant: None Plant Use: Shade and bird habitat, fruit-birds

Texas ash is a small tree, 30-45 ft. tall, of limestone hills and canyons with an attractive, densely branched canopy. Pinnate leaves have brilliant fall color. Leaflets usually 5, rounded, not as elongate as in Red Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Wings usually not extending beyond the middle of the seed.

Confined to Texas, except for a northern extension into the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma. This southwestern relative of White Ash (Fraxinus americana) has fewer and smaller leaflets and smaller fruit and is adapted to a warmer, less humid climate; some consider it a variety of that species.

Soil Description: Rocky soils; often of Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type Conditions Comments: Texas ash is a small tree with an attractive, densely branched canopy. Pinnate leaves have brilliant fall color. Long-lived and healthy. Very drought-tolerant. Low water requirements. Use Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, Blooms ornamental, Attractive, Long-living, Fruits ornamental

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=FRTE

Common Name: Chitalpa

Botanical name: Chilopsos x Catalpa

Plant Type: Tree Light Requirement: Full sun Water Requirement: Hardiness/Zone: 7 - 9 Heat/Drought Tolerance: Height: Width/Spacing: Flower Color: One-inch light pink and white trumpets are centered with purple-streaked yellow landing strips for bees and hummingbirds Blooming Period: Summer, spring & fall Plant Form or Habit: deciduous, mid-sized tree Foliage Color and Texture: Bright apple-green lance- shaped leaves Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Plant Use: Ornamental, Pests and diseases:

The American native plants Catalpa bignoides and Chilopsis linearis were crossed to create this rugged, but garden-worthy hybrid, sometimes listed as x Chitalpa tashkentensis. There is a light fragrance to the funneled blooms that hummingbirds sup from all summer long. Its willowy limbs arch upwards to create an oval silhouette that bends safely to strong winds. It is reported that the 'Pink Dawn' cultivar produces more ruffled flowers than the 'White Cloud' variety. For all its graces, its best may well be that this sterile blooming tree produces no seeds – therefore no Chitalpa weeds in the garden beds.

Chitalpa 'Pink Dawn is an attractive small to medium sized ornamental tree that seems to have inherited the best features of both parents, being both beautiful and ideally suited to most of the soils and climates of the American Southwest. Among the best features of 'Pink Dawn are the abundant clusters of showy pale pink flowers with each cluster containing from 15 to 40 flowers. The 1 inch long flowers have a funnel-shaped throat with conspicuous purple nectar guides that line the inside and emerge to give orchid striping to the flared pink petal lobes. Flowering initiates in May in Southern California and continues well into late fall

Source of data: http://www.maggiesgarden.com/Plant_Profiles/Plant_This/Chitalpa/chitalpa.html http://www.smgrowers.com/info/chitalpa.asp

Common Name: Chinkapin Oak

Botanical name: Quercus muehlenbergii

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Medium Height: 40 to 60 feet Width/Spacing: 20 to 40 feet wide Flower Color: Yellow, green, brown Blooming Period: April - May Plant Form or Habit: Tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous leaf Butterfly or bird attracter: Insects, birds, Deer Resistant: None Plant Use: Tree, shade

One of our region’s most underutilized deciduous native oaks and our latest Texas SuperstarTM is Quercus muehlenbergii, which is most commonly known as chinkapin oak or chinqapin oak. Although this member of the beech family (Fagaceae) can obtain a larger size in the eastern U.S., it usually grows to be a handsome medium size shade tree in the 30' to 50' tall range in many of our urban or suburban Texas landscapes. Thus, chinkapin oak remains more in scale with residential plantings than some larger shade trees.

The handsome foliage emerges reddish to green and matures to a dark lustrous green in late spring. Foliage of chinkapin oak is not frequently bothered by insect or diseases, remaining presentable throughout the growing season. In some years chinkapin oak will also develop a pleasing yellow, orange- brown, to rich brown fall color. As a young plant the canopy is typically and upright oval, with the crown eventually becoming more rounded and spreading with age.

Tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions is one of the chinkapin oak¹s best characteristics. Chinkapin oaks are very heat tolerant, thriving even in El Paso. Once established chinkapin oaks can also withstand considerable drought. Chlorosis (yellowing of the foliage) so common on many trees in high pH soils is seldom a problem with chinkapin oak. Trees actually grow better on a neutral to somewhat alkaline soil, which is good news for many of us in Texas, but this species also tolerates acid soils. Trees exhibit tolerance to a wide range of temperatures, growing well in USDA zones 9a (the upper Texas Coastal Plain) to 5 (Central U.S. Plains to the Midwest). Growth rates are moderate on most sites. Although chinkapin oaks have been reported to contract oak wilt, they are also reported to be less susceptible than many alternative red oak or live oak species in Texas landscapes.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMU http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/oakchinkapin/oakchinkapin.html

Common Name: Common Tree Senna

Botanical name: Senna corymbosa

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Medium Height: 6 to 10 ft Width/Spacing: 6 ft wide Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Late summer Plant Form or Habit: Tree shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, and bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Ornamental small tree

This member of the Senna genus is well known for its profuse display of golden-yellow blooms in late summer. Dense, pea-like foliage provides great shade for the side of a building, yet allows winter sun through because the plant is deciduous. Common Tree Senna requires full sun and well-drained soil, and with only minimal water should easily reach 7 feet tall and as wide. Native to South America, it has naturalized in parts of the Southern US but hasn't proved invasive. Common Tree Senna is deer resistant, and attracts loads of butterflies and bees while in bloom.

Argentina senna is another name for the common tree Senna. It is a member of the Fabaceae family of plants. Senna corymbosa and Cassia corymbosa are the scientific names of this plant. This type of Senna is native to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It grows in the southern United States, such as Texas and Florida

Showy yellow blossoms that attract butterflies appear on the branches throughout the summer months. The common tree Senna propagates by forming seeds inside long pods.

Source of data: http://www.landscapemafia.com/LandscapePlants/common-tree-senna http://www.austinenergy.com/customer%20care/other%20services/Tree%20Pruning/replacementTrees.htm

Common Name: Desert Willow

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Height: 12 to 36 feet Width/Spacing: Flower Color: White, pink, purple Blooming Period: April - September Plant Form or Habit: Tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous, willow-like light green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects, birds Deer Resistant: Moderate Plant Use: Ornamental tree

Desert-willow is a 15-30 ft., slender-twigged, small tree or large shrub often with leaning trunk and open, spreading crown. Leaves are deciduous, willow-like, light green, both opposite and alternate, 4–12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. The blossom is funnel-shaped, 1–1 1/2 inches long, spreading at the opening into 5 ruffled, petal-like lobes. The flower is dark pink or purple, often with white or yellow and purple streaking within the throat. The catalpa-like flowers are borne in terminal racemes By early autumn the violet-scented flowers, which appear after summer rains, are replaced by slender seedpods, 6–10 inches long, which remain dangling from the branches and serve to identify the tree after the flowers are gone.

Despite its name, this species is not related to willows.

Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Rocky, limestone soils. Conditions Comments: Desert-willow is a slender-twigged, small tree or large shrub with pale-pink, lavender-streaked, catalpa-like flowers borne in terminal racemes. The ensuing seed pods are pencil thin. Deciduous leaves are willow-like and light green. Desert Willow is important in erosion control and is planted also as an ornamental.

Use Ornamental: Showy, Fast growing, Attractive, Blooms ornamental Use Wildlife: Nectar-hummingbirds, Nectar-insects, Seeds-granivorous birds

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLI2

Common Name: Desert Willow – Bubba

Botanical name: Chilopsis Linearis

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Height: 10 to 15 feet Width/Spacing: 10 to 15 ft Flower Color: Pink, purple Blooming Period: Summer into fall Plant Form or Habit: Upright shrub/small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous, willow-like light green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects, birds Deer Resistant: Moderate Plant Use: Ornamental tree

The Desert Willow 'Bubba' has become one of the most popular Chilopsis linearis cultivars because of it's beautiful and fragrant trumpet shaped pink-burgundy flowers. The Desert Willow produces large clusters of flowers towards the tips of the branches which persist from late spring to early fall. This cultivar of Desert Willow is also popular because it does not typically produce seed pods. Desert Willows have airy and rounded to spreading crowns that can be utilized as a large shrub or pruned into tree form. The Desert Willow is highly tolerant of drought and heat and performs best in sunny, dry or well drained sites. For landscapes that do not have the optimal drainage for Desert Willows then raised beds can be built. The leaves on a Desert Willow have a soft and fine texture that measure 5 to 7 inches long and 1/4 to 1/2 wide. In the fall Desert Willows produce a simple yellow color. The Desert Willow is an excellent choice for courtyards, patios and west Texas themed landscapes.

Despite its name, this species is not related to willows.

Source of data: http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=1355

http://www.tree-land.com/trees_desert_willow_bubba.asp

Common Name: Bigtooth maple

Botanical name: Acer grandidentatum

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun, part shade Water Requirement: Medium Height: 50 feet Width/Spacing: 40 feet wide Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Spring Plant Form or Habit: Small medium tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: None Plant Use: Shade and bird habitat

Bigtooth maple is one of the most attractive and interesting Texas trees. Native to the sheltered canyons of the Edwards Plateau (these are the maples of Lost Maples State Park), the Lampasas Cut Plains and the high country of the Trans-Pecos, it is a small tree up to 50 feet tall. It grows in limestone and igneous soils and is relatively drought tolerant. Mature trees have beautiful red and yellow fall color. The trees in the Edwards Plateau are found in two confusing forms: A. grandidentatum var. grandidentatum (bigtooth maple), which has three- to five-lobed, toothed leaves, and var. sinuosum (Uvalde bigtooth maple), whose toothless leaves are three-lobed. However, both types of leaves can sometimes be found on the same tree.

Flowers are small, yellowish, and found in clusters appearing in early spring. Bigtooth maple usually only flowers every 2-3 years

Water Requirements: medium low

Soil Requirements: alkaline adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/acergrandidentatum.htm http://www.wildflower.org/

Name: Oak – Lacey

Botanical name: Quercus Laceyi

Lacey oak is a beautiful small to medium size deciduous tree with a minor identity problem, being known alternately as Quercus laceyi or Quercus glaucoides. Most folks simply call it lacey oak, but other common names it has worn over time include blue oak, canyon oak, encino robie, mountain oak, smoky oak, and rock oak. Most of these common names refer to the tough conditions in central and south Texas where this species resides or are related to its handsome blue-green foliage.

Regardless of the name, this plant has much to offer as a landscape plant in its native Texas. Leaves expand as a soft pink color, turning a handsome blue-green as they mature lending the plant an intriguing smoky air. The foliage is seldom bothered by insects or disease. Fall color varies from brown to yellow. Growth habit will vary with local environmental conditions, with the ultimate size ranging in most cultivated landscapes from 30' to 35' in height and spread. One of the best attributes of lacey oak is it's picturesque irregularly rounded crown. With this crown placed atop a stoutish trunk baring platy gray bark it makes a handsome addition to Texas landscapes, resembling a miniature white oak, but of tougher constitution.

Lacey oak is highly tolerant of heat, drought, and high pH soils once established. Full sun to light afternoon shade with morning sun are the best exposures. Lacey oak will survive on well drained clay soils, but it grows best on well drained limestone soils.

Lacey oak is a Texas SuperstarTM, but even superstars have limits. Limitations for lacey oak include an intolerance to poorly drained soils, a moderate growth rate, and a tendency to need some initial minor pruning to maintain a strong central leader.

Landscape utilization of lacey oak might include placement as a specimen plant, small to medium size lawn or shade tree, or site it to shade a patio. This species would be a natural in native Texas landscapes and naturalized plantings, where the acorns can serve as a wildlife attractant. Xeriscapes or low water use landscapes are perfect conditions for growing lacey oak. For a bit of the unusual, try growing lacey oak as a specimen in large containers to accent courtyards or entryways to large buildings. The picturesque growth habit of this species would be accentuated if it were used as a bonsai plant.

Lacey oak deserves frequent consideration when discussing smaller shade trees that will stay in scale with residential landscapes. This beautiful tree will add a touch of the Texas hill country to your urban landscape.

Source: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=qula

Common Name: Mexican Buckeye

Botanical name: Ungnadia speciosa

Type: Small tree or large shrub Light Requirement: Sun, partial sun Water Requirement: Low Height: 15 to 30 feet Width/Spacing: 8 to 12 feet Flower Color: Pink Blooming Period: Spring Plant Form or Habit: Large shrub, small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous, golden yellow in fall Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Shrub or small tree

Mexican buckeye occurs mostly west of the Brazos River on the well drained limestone soils on stream banks of damp canyons in South, Central and West Texas, east to Dallas County. Its pink flowers bloom simultaneously as it leafs out with light bronze colored leaflets which turn pale green during the growing season. Its fall color is bright golden yellow. In its spring flowering aspect it is thought to somewhat resemble eastern redbuds. This plant may be used as a large, coarse multi-trunk shrub or trained into a small tree. Basal pruning in late spring will maintain the tree form. As it is a tall spreading plant it makes an attractive tall background shrub or deciduous screen, but because of its spreading nature it is not well suited near the street. Mexican buckeye's round black somewhat shiny seeds are contained within a coarse, dark brown 3 valued capsule which somewhat resembles buckeye (Aesculus spp.) seeds. However, the two species are not related.

Fruit Characteristics: 3-celled, 3-valved capsule with up to 3 shiny round black seeds

Soil Requirements: neutral alkaline

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/shrubs/ungnadiasp1466.jpg http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=unsp

Name: Mexican Redbud

Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Mexican redbud is smaller in stature, has smaller, glossier, and more wavy-edged leaves, and is more drought tolerant than Texas redbud. It grows as a multi- trunked tree on hard limestone soils in west Texas. It cannot tolerate poorly drained soils, and must be planted in a well-drained site.

Plant Habit or Use: large shrub small tree

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: rose-purple

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: small flattened pods and seeds

Height: 10 ft. to 15 ft.

Width: 10 ft. to 15 ft.

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements: medium low

Soil Requirements: adaptable

Some confusion as to its botanical name and relationship to other redbuds. Sometimes Mexican Redbud (C. c. var. mexicana) is distinguished from the Texas Redbud (C. c. var. texensis ). However, other authorities consider that the two varieties represent environmentally induced morphologies (i.e. more leathery leaves in more xeric conditions) and lump both under C. c. var. texensis.

Source: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=cecam http://www.larsenfarmnursery.com/trees/redbud.htm

Common Name: Mexican White Oak

Botanical name: Quercus polymorpha

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun, part shade Water Requirement: Medium Height: 36 to 72 feet Width/Spacing: Flower Color: Green Blooming Period: March, April, May Plant Form or Habit: Tree Foliage Color and Texture: Semi-evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: birds Deer Resistant: None Plant Use: Shade and bird habitat

This species is widespread in Mexico and found in a few West Texas canyons. It is a relatively fast growing oak, and practically evergreen in Austin. It is more resistant to oak wilt and other diseases and pests than other oaks. It is also tolerant of drought and alkaline soils.

Mexican White Oak does not have any significant insect or disease problems. A member of the white oak group, it is resistant to oak wilt. As with many trees deer may browse the foliage of Mexican white oak when the tree is small but don't bother larger trees. This oak starts off growing very upright and rather pyramidal in form but finishes out into a more rounded form, making it an excellent shade tree. Foliage remains on the tree late in the season dropping before the emergence of new leaves. Mexican white oak does well in a variety of soils including our high pH central Texas soils.

Semi-evergreen foliage that emerges in shades of light pink to rose red in the spring after the previous season’s leaves fall. It was first found near Monterrey, Mexico -- hence it’s other common name of Monterrey oak. Popular for shade and bird habitat, it also offers fall color, responding to a cold snap with a show of brilliant red, orange and yellow.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=qupo2 http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/potw_mex_woak.htm

Common Name: Pomegranate

Botanical name: Punica granatum L.

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: low Height: 20 or 30 ft Width/Spacing: 6 to 10 ft Flower Color: Scarlet red Blooming Period: Spring Plant Form or Habit: Large shrub or small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Moderate Plant Use:

An attractive shrub or small tree, to 20 or 30 ft (6 or 10 m) high, the pomegranate is much-branched, more or less spiny, and extremely long-lived, some specimens at Versailles known to have survived two centuries. The leaves are evergreen or deciduous, opposite or in whorls of 5 or 6, short-stemmed, oblong- lanceolate, 3/8 to 4 in (1-10 cm) long, leathery. The seeds represent about 52% of the weight of the whole fruit. The leaves are glossy and have a narrow, lance shape. In most places they are deciduous, but in the warmer climates may be evergreen. The flowers are tube shaped and over 1" long. They are a brilliant scarlet red, and are very attractive to hummingbirds. The flowers are self-pollinating, though fertility is improved through cross pollination.

The pomegranate fruit is approximately 2.5-5" wide. It has a red, leathery rind. Each seed is encased in pulp and sectioned off by walls. Harvest when the color has developed and makes a metallic sound when tapped. They can be stored for a long time if kept around 32-40F.

The pomegranate does best in well-drained soil, though it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soils from acid loam to alkaline soil. The pomegranate shrub is drought tolerant, though irrigation is needed for proper fruit production, per the California Rare Fruit Growers. Water every 2-4 weeks during the dry season when you are establishing new shrubs. Pomegranates are prone to producing suckers, so remove them as they appear.

Fertilize in November and March for the first two years. Otherwise, not much fertilizer is usually needed in subsequent years.

Source of data: http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/commonshrubs/p/Pomegranate.htm

Common Name: Rusty Blackhaw

Botanical name: Viburnum rufidulum.

Type: Tree Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Low Height: 18 ft sometimes taller Width/Spacing: 35 ft Flower Color: White Blooming Period: March & April Plant Form or Habit: Small tree Foliage Color and Texture: lustrous bright green Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: unknown Plant Use: Texas native, reliable fall color, showy or fragrant flower, attaractive seeds or fruit, seeds or fruit eaten by wildlife.

Rusty Blackhaw grows from east to central Texas along streams or woodland edges. Although it is generally an understory tree, it is most attractive in the open in full sun. It has lustrous bright green glossy leaves, beautiful clusters of white flowers in spring, and attractive blue fruit in fall. The leaves turn pink to mauve to dark purple in autumn. Rusty Blackhaw can grow on almost any soil as long as it is fairly well drained. In shaded, moist areas, it usually occurs as a single tree, although there may be two or three in an area. In areas with less rainfall, however, it occurs on exposed calcareous hillsides in drifts and groves of sometimes up to 100 plants.

Excellent specimen tree with few problems, Showy flowers, needs good drainage, slow grower.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/viburnumrufidulum.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIRU

Common Name: Texas Pistachio Mexican pistachio, American pistachio

Botanical name: Pistacia mexicana Kunth Synonyms: Pistacia texana

Type: Tree- large shrub Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Height: 12 -20 ft Width/Spacing: Flower Color: White Blooming Period: March - August Plant Form or Habit: Shrub or small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Glossy foliage Butterfly or bird attracter: Fruit attracts birds Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Waterwise garden

Copall pistachio is a large, airy, rounded shrub or multi-trunked small tree, 12-20 ft. tall. Its glossy foliage, reddish in spring, dark-green later, is pinnately compound. Clusters of small, white flowers are followed by clusters of red, nut-like drupes on females. These become almost black on drying.

This uncommon, handsome evergreen is drought-resistant and grows well in full sunlight and merits planting as an ornamental in warm, dry climates. In spring the new dark red foliage is showy. Clusters of small, white flowers are followed by clusters of red, nut-like drupes on females. These become almost black on drying. The fruit attracts birds. Texas pistachio (Pistacia texana) doesn’t produce nuts, nor is the fruit edible, but this small beautiful tree (or large shrub) is a great addition to a waterwise garden.

Also known in English as American pistachio, wild pistachio and Mexican pistachio and in Spanish as Lentisco, it is the only pistachio species native to the Americas. While the tree is not an evergreen, in warmer areas of the southwest it can keep its leaves all winter.

The plant is highly drought-tolerant and can thrive in alkaline soils. It is also heat-tolerant and can tolerate high salt content. The tree has no pH preferences. However, Texas pistachio does need to have well- drained soil. It can be raised in sun or partial shade. It is also highly resistant to insect damage.

Birds feed on the fruit, but deer do not care for the tree, which makes it a highly attractive plant in areas with high deer populations.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=pime4

Common Name: Texas Mountain Laurel

Botanical Name: Sophora secundiflora

Plant Type: Shrub, medium tree Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 15 - 25 feet Width/Spacing: 5- 15 feet wide Flower Color: Purple, fragrant Blooming Period: Feb. March Plant Form or Habit: Shrub, small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Specimen shrub

Texas mountain laurel grows in limestone soils in Central and Southwest Texas and to 5000 feet in the Chisos and Davis Mountains. This slow growing evergreen may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained to a single or multi-trunk tree. The pinnate leaves with their lustrous, leathery upper surface provide year long beauty, enhanced in mid-spring by the densely-flowered racemes of lavender or violet pea flowers having the scent of grape Kool Aid. The black, somewhat constricted seedpods contain red to red-orange seeds which are sometimes used in jewelry. Both seeds and flowers are quite poisonous and contain narcotic properties. In zones colder than Zone 8, flowering is not reliable because of late freezes which damage the buds. Texas mountain laurel is difficult to successfully transplant from the wild. Fortunately it is being produced by a number of growers and is fairly available.

Texas Mountain Laurel is the symbol of native Texas plants. It grows well in good soil conditions but still looks dark green and healthy when growing out of a rocky outcropping. This evergreen shrub tree can be trimmed lightly and occasionally to form a denser shrub to screen a view. It can also be trimmed up into a multi trunked tree form. It grows slowly but can reach to well over 20 feet in time. Provide no pruning and care and Texas Mtn. Laurel will still form an attractive plant. Provide the plant with full sun to partial shade and excellent drainage. Its only pest problem is the Genista caterpillars which occasionally will feed on the plant's foliage but which may be easily controlled with an application or two of B.t. spray.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/sophorasecund.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sose3

Common Name: Texas Redbud

Botanical name: Cercis Canadensis

Type: Small tree Light Requirement: Sun, partial shade Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 15 to 20 feet Width/Spacing: 15 to 20 feet Flower Color: pink to magenta Blooming Period: March, April Plant Form or Habit: Small tree Foliage Color and Texture: Thick, waxy upper surface. Butterfly or bird attracter: Bees, butterflies, months and birds Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Showy, attractive, understory tree or accent tree

Texas redbud grows on thin, calcareous well-drained soils west of eastern redbud's native habitat. It is smaller and more drought tolerant than its eastern relative, with thick, leathery, much smaller leaves that have wavy margins. The waxy upper surface of the leaves helps retard transpiration. It is most commonly multi-trunked.

Its clusters of flowers appear in early spring and continue to bloom as the large, bluish-green leaves develop. Leaves heart shaped to kidney shaped, rounded at the tip. Flowers rose purple, in small clusters along the branches, appearing before the leaves, in March or early April. Fruit a reddish brown flat pod up to 4 inches long and pointed at the tip. Deciduous leaves turn gold or red in fall. Seedpods are reddish- purple and persist into the winter.

Texas redbud is larger in stature, has larger leaves, and is less drought tolerant than Mexican redbud.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/cerciscanadensisvar.texens.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECAT

Common Name: Vitex Shoal

Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus 'Shoal Creek'

Plant Type: Shrub Light Requirement: Full Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 15 feet Width/Spacing: 15 feet wide Flower Color: Lavender blue Blooming Period: Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies & hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Specimen shrub

The old Vitex had small spikes of flowers that were pale lilac, mauve, off-white or light pink. The blooms were small and unimpressive. Horticulturists now have identified and tested improved varieties such as 'Montrose Purple', 'LeCompte' and 'Shoal Creek' which have 8- to 12-inch long spikes. These varieties will all be marketed under the name, 'Texas Lilac' Vitex. This cultivar of Vitex was selected for it vigorous growth habit, large flower spikes and it produces the best blue-purple flowers. Vitex are large multistemmed shrubs that that maintain fairly dense, symmetrical and rounded canopies. Vitex also have some spring interest because the new branch growth has a showy purple color that turns red-brown and lastly a pale gray color as the branch matures. Vitex have medium to fine textured leaves that are 3 to 4 inches long with 5 to 7 leaves per stem. Vitex have a gray-green leaf with a lighter silver-gray color underside and in the fall the leaves develop a purple tint. In early summer Vitex begin producing silvery gray buds on the tips of each stem that open to a beautiful display of lavender blue flowers that are extremely fragrant. Each cluster of flowers that the Vitex produces has dense rings of lavender blue flowers and each cluster can range from 8 to 12 inches long. Vitex continue this process over several weeks until the clusters completely blanket the entire canopy which are relished by butterflies and hummingbirds. The Vitex can tolerate most soil conditions, provided they are well drained, and will flourish in full sun. The Vitex is designated as a Texas Superstar Shrub by Texas A&M University. Common Names: Vitex, Chaste Tree, Texas Lilac, Lilac Chaste Tree.

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.

Source of data: http://www.tree-land.com/trees_vitex_shoal_creek.asp

Common Name: Artemesia - Powis Castle

Botanical name: Artemesiax Powis Castle

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: High Water Requirement: Low Hardiness/Zone: 4 - 8 Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 3 ft Width/Spacing: 3ft Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Rarely flowers Plant Form or Habit: Evergreen woody perennial, or shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Leaves are finely dissected like filigreed silver lacework. Silvery gray foliage Butterfly or bird attracter: No Deer Resistant: Usually Plant Use: Rock garden, herb garden or stand alone specimen

Aromatic, lace-like; blue-gray foliage; berries are beautiful; low water use and low maintenance

Additional comments: Powis Castle benefits from pruning to keep it in a compact mound. But don't prune in fall; prune when new growth starts in spring. Has a tendency to up and die rather unexpectedly. Non- Native – adapted. 36” x 30” wide, (cutting propagated). This is a much underused ornamental sage. With dissected silver- gray foliage, it is the perfect companion plant to use with other flowering perennials and ornamental grasses to bring out interesting contrasts of leaf color and texture. It almost never flowers, thus maintaining its neat appearance with no extra effort. Not at all fussy as to soil type, “Powis Castle” is also quite drought tolerant. Zones 4-9.

Source: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=207

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/herbaceous/artemisiapowis.html

Common Name: Texas Betony

Botanical name: Stachys coccinea

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 14 - 18 tall Width/Spacing: 12-18 inches apart Flower Color: Red Blooming Period: March to October Plant Form or Habit: Sprawling Foliage Color and Texture: Semi-evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds , butterflies Deer Resistant: Some Plant Use: Perennial garden, containers, ground cover

West Texas native plant with bright red tubular flowers that are great at attracting hummingbirds. Texas Betony has a long bloom season, from spring until fall. Leaves are soft and fuzzy and the plant has a mat forming growth habit. Great for borders, mixed perennial beds as well as containers.

Texas Betony is a member of the mint family, as its distinctly square stems suggest. Its elongate red flowers are similar to those of the locally native Cedar Sage another member of the mint family. Texas Betony can grow up to 3 ft. tall, but tends to sprawl. It is used as a border plant in both sunny and shady locations.

Texas Betony is great for attracting hummingbirds. Its bright red, tubular flowers bloom from spring to fall. Remove spent spikes to keep the blooms coming. The soft and fuzzy leaves also are attractive and have a pungent but not off-putting smell. This plant is a favorite nectar source for Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies. The plant will often persist through the winter, though it may die down to the crown. This Texas native can be found naturally in the mountains of the Trans-Pecos and as far west as Arizona. Being a perennial, it returns each spring. Texas Betony doesn't require much water once established, another plus. And average soil is fine for it to thrive. You can use it in shade, too. What's not to like?

Source of data: http://www.plantsfortexas.com/plants/stachys_texas.html http://www.mostlytexasnatives.com/contact_18.html

Common Name: Butterfly Weed

Plant Type: Perennial herb Light Requirement: Sun to part shade Water Requirement: Medium Hardiness/Zone: Native Texas wildflower Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 11/2 ‘ 2’’ Width/Spacing: 2’ Flower Color: Yellow or orange blooms Blooming Period: April to September Plant Form or Habit: Herb Foliage Color and Texture: Green leaves Butterfly or bird attracter: Birds, butterflies and bees Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Summer flowers, perennial garden, low water areas

This bushy, 1 1/2-2 ft. perennial is prized for its large, flat-topped clusters of bright-orange flowers. The leaves are mostly alternate, 1 1/2–2 1/4 inches long, pointed, and smooth on the edge. The yellow-orange to bright orange flower clusters, 2–5 inches across, are at the top of the flowering stem. The abundance of stiff, lance-shaped foliage provides a dark-green backdrop for the showy flower heads. This showy plant is frequently grown from seed in home gardens. Its brilliant flowers attract butterflies. Because its tough root was chewed by the Indians as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments, Butterfly Weed was given its other common name, Pleurisy Root. Although it is sometimes called Orange Milkweed, this species has no milky sap.

Soil Description: Prefers well-drained sandy soils. . Conditions Comments: Butterfly weed has an interesting and unusual flower structure. Plant it among other mid-sized perennials. Inevitably butterfly weed will get aphids; you can leave them for ladybugs to eat or spray the insects and foliage with soapy water. Aphids can also be removed by blasting the plant with a high pressure stream of water

Source of data: Howard Garrett’s Plants for Texas http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=124

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASTU

Name: Delosperma - Ice Plant - Variegated

Genus of 150 or more species of evergreen or semi- evergreen shrubs and mat-forming succulents. The hardy ice plant has triangular leaves, which are borne in opposite pairs, and give way to daisy-like flowers all summer long. Native to South Africa

Delosperma Variegated sports delicate magenta blooms amidst variegated white and light green foliage. The perennial, Delosperma, is commonly referred to as Ice Plant and is a succulent. The Delosperma will spread over and around rocks, does well in full sun, under trees in the shade, and will gracefully flow over the sides of containers and baskets. The Delosperma is most desired for its rapid growth rate, low maintenance and beautiful trailing growth habit. Although it prefers full sun, the plant will still prosper with some shade as well. Delosperma will mature to approximately 4-8” tall and about 18-24” wide. Space about 8-12” apart and not too deep! Delosperma works very well in containers and baskets too!

Source: http://www.sedanfloral.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=447 http://www.saundersbrothers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=1491&typeID=

Name: Delosperma - Ice Plant

Genus of 150 or more species of evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs and mat-forming succulents. The hardy ice plant has triangular leaves, which are borne in opposite pairs, and give way to daisy-like flowers all summer long. Native to South Africa

 Plant in a coarse well-drained soil within a pH range of 6.0-7.5.  Does not tolerate wet feet and prefers a rocky/sandy loam.  Where not hardy, ice plants can be grown as an annual.  Great plant for hot dry areas.  In extreme drought conditions the leaves may drop while blooming will continue. The succulent leaves will return from the tuber once moisture is returned to the soil.  If growing in containers use regular garden soil or add sand to the potting medium. Most peat based mediums stay too soggy in winter for Delosperma plants.

Delosperma is a terrific, long blooming perennial groundcover for hot, dry, sunny areas. Combine them with other drought tolerant plants such as Junipers, Sedums, and Sempervivums.

Plants are well watered and allowed to dry thoroughly before water is added again. If too much water is added, the roots will rot, so avoid overwatering. Fertilize only once during the growing season with a very dilute solution. Use a balanced fertilizer diluted to ¼ of the strength recommended on the label. Whether grown in containers or in the landscape this is really a great plant to grow.

Source: http://streambankgardens.com/Delosperma_Hardy_Ice_Plant.html

Name: Delosperma - Ice Plant - mixed varieties

Genus of 150 or more species of evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs and mat-forming succulents. The hardy ice plant has triangular leaves, which are borne in opposite pairs, and give way to daisy-like flowers all summer long. Native to South Africa

Delosperma is a terrific, long blooming perennial groundcover for hot, dry, sunny areas. Combine them with other drought tolerant plants such as Junipers, Sedums, and Sempervivums.

Source: http://streambankgardens.com/Delosperma_Hardy_Ice_Plant.html

Common Name: Nanho Purple

Botanical name: Buddleia davidii 'Nanho Purple'

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun Water Requirement: Medium Height: 3 to 5 Width/Spacing: 2 to 4 ft spread Flower Color: Lavender purple Blooming Period: June - September Plant Form or Habit: Shrub, arching spreading Foliage Color and Texture: Willowy, gray green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, bees, birds Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Cut flowers, decorative shrub

Deciduous shrub with low-spreading foliage. Long, tapering and fragrant rich purple flowers adorn this plant all summer. Attracts butterflies. Full sun produces best growth and flowering results. Spring fertilization is recommended. Plant is drought tolerant once established. Remove dead flowers for repeat bloom. Cut to ground in spring. Outstanding profusion of blue flowers. Drought and deer resistant. Great cut flower.

'Nanho Purple' is a butterfly bush cultivar which features lavender-purple flowers on a compact plant. It is a deciduous shrub with an arching, spreading habit which typically grows to 3-5' tall if not cut back in late winter and 2-3' tall if cut back. Features spike-like terminal clusters (to 6" long) of lavender-purple flowers which bloom from June to September and sometimes to first frost. Flowers are fragrant, and, as the common name suggests, very attractive to butterflies. Willowy gray-green foliage. Popular fresh cut flower. Provides valuable summer and early fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom. Best grown in massed plantings in borders, cottage gardens, rose gardens or butterfly gardens.

Rapidly becoming the most popular shrub in America, Butterfly Bush is a must for every late summer perennial garden. A hallmark of the Blue Butterfly Bush is the lightly scented clusters of flowers measuring one to two feet in length. Aptly named, the butterfly bush attracts loads of butterflies and is also a favorite of hummingbirds. In northern areas of the country, they will die back to the ground in winter. Reappearing in very late spring, you will be amazed at how quickly the Blue Butterfly Bush once again grows shrub. Outstanding when planted in full sun. Zones 5-9.

Source of data: http://www.directgardening.com/detail.asp?ProductID=7547 http://www.mynurserydirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=361&typeID=10

Name: Mint – Cat

Catnip plants can attain a size of 3' x 3'. Their small lilac flowers grow in clusters. The stems of these fragrant plants have the squarish shape typical of the mint family, whether herb or weed (creeping charlie, for instance). Catnip plants enjoy sun and are drought-tolerant, making them good candidates for sunny, dry areas where many other flowers would struggle.

Catnip plants can be grown in planting zones 3-9. Grow catnip plants in full sun to partial shade. Like so many herbs, this perennial thrives in poor soil that is well-drained. Catnip plants like a slightly alkaline soil. Unless you can tolerate damage, protect catnip plants from cats by, e.g., fencing it off. Pinch them often while they're growing, to obtain dense, well-shaped plants. Harvest upon flowering, on a dry, sunny day. Late morning is a good time to harvest -- after the dew has dried but before the day heats up. Cut off the whole plant at the base and hang it upside down as soon as possible in a dark, dry, well-ventilated place (e.g., an attic) to minimize loss of volatile oil.

The many blue flowers each plant produces grows to a height of 12 to 15 inches. Each plant should be spaced 18 inches apart. Recommend you put the plant in well drained soil. It is a perfect plant to place in those dry areas you always forget to water.

The catmint blooms in June and July. It’s recommended as ground cover for planting below shrubs. Or it also works as a sunny blue border plant. It is an aromatic plant.

You can remove spent flowers to produce a second bloom. Trim unwanted growth to keep it looking well groomed. The flowers of the catmint tend to be a lavender color. The leaves are gray-green.

Source: http://landscaping.about.com/od/herbplants/p/catmint_plants.htm http://www.youcanlearnseries.com/Landscape/Plants/Catmint.aspx

Common Name: Fall Aster, Hill Country Aster

Botanical name: Aster oblongifolius,

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Hardiness/Zone: 7-10 Heat/Drought Tolerance: Medium Height: 1 - 3’ Width/Spacing: 1 2’ Flower Color: Purple/lavender Blooming Period: Fall Plant Form or Habit: Herb Foliage Color and Texture: narrow leaves and stems are sparsely covered with short hairs Butterfly or bird attracter: Nectar source Deer Resistant: No Plant Use: Borders, fall color, cutting garden Pests and diseases: Cutworms, powdery mildew, and root rot. Can be over watered easily

Fall aster creates dazzling purple mounds in the fall season. It slowly colonizes by stolons so thin regularly to control it. The plant may open up if it gets too top heavy so it is a good idea to keep it thick by pruning it back by no more than half in June. After it goes dormant wait to cut back to the basal rosette in late fall early winter.

This native perennial plant is 1-2' tall, branching frequently to create a bushy appearance. The slender stems are rather stiff and slightly pubescent; the lower stems turn brown and become slightly woody during the fall. The alternate leaves are up to 2" long and ½" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the stems; they are typically one-half the maximum size or a little less. They are linear to linear- oblong, slightly pubescent, and smooth along the slightly ciliate margins. These leaves are rather densely crowded along the stems (particularly the upper stems) and sessile.

Source of data: Howard Garrett’s Plants for Texas

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=140

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=syob

Common Name: Mexican Bush Honeysuckle Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun/light shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 4X4 feet high Width/Spacing: 4 ft. wide Flower Color: Orange Blooming Period: Spring until winter Plant Form or Habit: Evergreen shrub Foliage Color and Texture: simple, velvety, ovate, slender, 3in long Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Border, accent shrub, containers

Mexican Honeysuckle is a small shrub that isn't fussy, blooms most of the year, and is attractive to hummingbirds. With yellow-green leaves and bright orange flowers, Mexican honeysuckle grows 2 to 4 feet tall and spreads 3 to 6 feet wide. The soft, velvety leaves become larger in partial shade locations. Clusters of bright orange, narrowly tubular flowers appear almost any time of the year.

Mexican Honeysuckle prefers light shade to full sun exposure. It is fairly drought tolerant, but looks better and grows larger when given regular supplemental water in the summer. It has a moderate to fast growth rate and is not particularly fussy about soil. It grows equally well in a loose, amended soil or in native, unimproved soil. The primary requirement is good drainage. Water weekly in summer, every other week in the winter.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/aransas/mexicanhoneysuckle.htm http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Justicia_spicigera.html http://www.horticultureunlimited.com/landscape-plants/mexican-honeysuckle.html

Native and Adapted Landscape Plants by Texas Cooperative Extension, City of Austin

Common Name: Blue Mist Spirea

Botanical name: Caryopteris clandonensis

Blue Mist, Bluebeard, Blue Spirea or Caryopteris-- whatever you want to call it, this delightful late- summer bloomer is a magnet for butterflies and a big asset in the late-summer border. Caryopteris has true blue flowers and is hardy, tough and easy to grow.

The Caryopteris in our gardens are hybrids of several Asian species. They are generally referred to as Caryopteris x clandenensis, although there are some other species on the market. Caryopteris is a sub- shrub; it can die back to the ground each winter like a herbaceous plant, or in warmer climates it can grow as a woody shrub. Caryopteris leaves are generally silvery green, although variegated and golden-leaved varieties exist. The leaves are small and narrow, reminding one of willow leaves. In some varieties they are serrated at the edges, on others the edges are smooth and the leaf may be slightly lobed. The flowers are carried on whorled spikes at the end of stems. The long stamens stick out of each flower and the petals of the flowers have tiny extensions, which give the flower clusters a feathery appearance. Caryopteris flowers are generally blue, although pink forms exist. Butterflies and bees are very attracted to Caryopteris flowers. The flowers are said to have a slight scent.

Size of mature Caryopteris plants is about 3 feet by 3 feet.

Caryopteris is one of the few shrubs that will bloom in light or part shade. They also do well in full sun. They are hardy from Zone 9 to at least Zone 5. In Zone 5 Caryopteris may die back to the ground but will make substantial growth in spring and will bloom by late summer. Caryopteris blooms on new wood, so all winter-damaged wood can be safely pruned off in early spring without losing the flowers. In fact, Caryopteris often has a better shape and looks fuller if it is cut back to about half it's size each spring, regardless of winter damage. Be a little patient with them in the spring, as they are often slow to leaf out.

Caryopteris should be watered regularly, but don't fertilize unless your soil is quite poor. Too much fertilizer makes more leafy growth than flowers. They begin blooming in late summer and continue

Source of data: http://www.life123.com/home-garden/trees-shrubs/landscape-shrubs/caryopteris-beautiful-in-blue.shtml

Common Name: Dwarf Barbados Cherry

Plant Type: Shrub Light Requirement: Dappled shade, part shade, full sun Water Requirement: Low Hardiness/Zone: 9 Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 3-4 feet Width/Spacing: 1 ½ - 2 ½ feet apart Flower Color: White to pale pink Blooming Period: March to December Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, birds Deer Resistant: No Plant Use: Use as hedge, or accent shrub

Barbados Cherry develops into a thick, rounded canopy of fairly delicate foliage . Small pink flowers appear periodically from April to October and are followed about one month later by bright red, tart-tasting, 1-inch fruits which are high in vitamin C.

This is an outstanding small evergreen shrub for central and south Texas. Leaves are a glossy dark green with an abundance of multi-colored pink flowers from late Spring through the Fall. Flowers are followed by attractive bright red berries that are prized by songbirds. Barbados cherry grows to a maximum height of 3-4' and is easily hedged for a more formal look. It is drought and cold tolerant and will keep its leaves on down to the mid 20's. In unusually cold winters, the plant may freeze to the ground but quickly recovers its original size.

Source of data: Wasowski’s Native Texas Plants http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAGL6 http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=81

Common Name: Texas Sage – San Jose

Leucophyllum sp. 'San Jose'

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

GROWTH HABIT: Shrub

LIFE CYCLE: Perennial

LEAF DURATION: Evergreen

FLOWER COLOR: Pale Lavender/pink

HEIGHT & SPREAD: 4' - 5' X 4'- 5

COMMENTS: A compact form of Cenizo (Leucophyllum) that appears to be a natural hybrid that is sterile. Sage green leaves and pale lavender blooms.

A tidier form of the familiar Leucophyllum with bluish lavender flowers and a more compact form. Needs good drainage and limited water

Source of data: http://www.nativetx.com/shrubdetail.php?ID=LSAN http://tc.templejc.edu/cgi-bin/Landscape.asp?search=p234

Common Name: Compact Texas Sage

Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Compactum’

Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Compactum’ is slow growing with dense growth habit, only 3-5’ tall with a 3-5’ spread. This Texas Sage will tolerate wind, heat, drought, and salt. The shrub, however, is not good for areas with high rainfall and high humidity. Compact Texas will flower from late spring until fall, usually after a rain, hence its other common name of Barometer Bush. The flowers are pink and bell-shaped and contrast nicely with the silvery-gray foliage. This shrub shears well and can be used as hedges, in mass plantings and in containers.

Purple sage grows best in gravelly lime rock soils, but it isn't picky about pH. This species does not like fertilizer or compost and will be reluctant to bloom in rich soil. The plants tend to sprawl and get leggy as they age. To prevent this, keep the soil dry and lean and tip prune to encourage dense foliage and compact branching. Purple sage grows slowly, so hedges of this species do not require very frequent pruning.

Light: Purple sage prefers full sun, but can get by on 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. Moisture: Purple sage must have exceptionally well drained soil. Water it conscientiously until it is well established, then treat it like the desert plant it is. Overwatered plants will get floppy and resist blooming.

Source of data: http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Leucophyllum_Compacta.html http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

Common Name: Santolina, Gray - Lavender Cotton Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/shade Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: Medium Height: 18 inches to 24 inches Width/Spacing: 18 – 24 inches Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Summer Plant Form or Habit: Rounded Foliage Color and Texture: Silver Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract bees Deer Resistant: Yes, rabbit resistant Plant Use: Borders, foundation plant, color massed in beds, rock gardens

18” x 36” wide, (cutting propagated). Make ample use of evergreen Santolina in your xeriscape to enjoy it for the colorful yellow button flowers and aromatic silver-gray foliage. Shear off faded flowers in late summer and trim as needed in mid-spring to shape and tighten the foliage. Grows best in sandy or loam soils; avoid clay. With a little extra shearing to remove faded flowers and tighten up the shape in early spring, it gives you garden the look of age and maturity.

Useful for blending contrasting colors together; shears well; will not tolerate wet feet; high humidity is problematic.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

In its native Mediterranean region, gray santolina, also known as lavender cotton was used medicinally as an astringent and as an antiparasitic. It was later used in England as an ornamental, and appreciated for its lavender-like scent.

Source of data:

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/85620/#facts

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/herbaceous/santolinachamae.html

Common Name: Mexican Bush Sage

Botanical name: Salvia Leucantha

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 2 – 4 ft tall Width/Spacing: 2-4 ft wide Flower Color: Purple Blooming Period: Late summer Plant Form or Habit: Lose spreading mound Foliage Color and Texture: Grayish green Butterfly or bird attracter: Attracts butterflies, insects Deer Resistant: Plant Use: Ornamental, cut flowers

Mexican bush sage, with its graceful arching stems and soft downy foliage, is a favorite salvias. The fuzzy purple calyces are the main show, and these persist even after the actual flowers have fallen off, making Mexican bush sage one of the few salvias suitable for use as a cut flower. It may also be used in everlasting arrangements as the calyces retain their color after drying. The butterflies that seem to materialize out of the blue in autumn are drawn like magnets to this and other late blooming salvias.

Full sun is best, but Mexican bush sage can tolerate afternoon shade; it may tend to get leggy and top heavy, however, if it has to reach for the sun. Mexican bush sage can tolerate some drought - better than most salvias. USDA Zones 8 - 10. Mexican bush sage is sometimes grown as an annual. It needs a long season to grow and doesn't start blooming until very late summer or even into autumn. Mexican bush sage is easy to propagate from root cuttings and stems that have rooted where they touch the ground. Ordinary stem cuttings can also be rooted.

Give Mexican bush sage plenty of room. It grows and grows all summer long - and the foliage is attractive - but the real show doesn't start until autumn. As it flowers, the plant spreads outward and is subject to fall over and break off stems. Remove flower clusters as they age to reduce the weight on the stems. It might be a good idea to prune back your Mexican bush sage in early summer to promote a bushier habit and to keep it from getting so top heavy that stems break off.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=15935 http://www.floridata.com/ref/s/salv_leu.cfm

Common Name: Blackfoot Daisy

Botanical name: Melampodium leucanthum

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 6-12” Width/Spacing: 1-2’ Flower Color: White with yellow centers Blooming Period: March thru November Plant Form or Habit: Sturdy Mounding Plant Foliage Color and Texture: Fine Texture green, to grey green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects and birds Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Rock gardens, borders

Blackfoot Daisy is a central Texas native that thrives on the limestone outcroppings of the hill country. A low, round, bushy plant with flower heads of 8-10 broad white rays surrounding a small yellow central disk. Plains Blackfoot or Blackfoot daisy is a low, bushy, mounded perennial, 6-12 in. tall and twice as wide. It is covered with narrow leaves and 1 in. wide, white, daisy-like flowers. The white rays are toothed at the tips and surround yellow disk flowers. These honey-scented flower heads are solitary and terminal on slender stalks.

At first glance, Blackfoot Daisy appears to be the twin of White Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa), but flower heads of the latter species have 4-6 broad white rays and a narrow base of several overlapping scales. Both may be found in the same habitat, but the range of White Zinnia does not extend as far south as Blackfoot Daisy.

Soil Description: Dry, rocky, calcareous soils. Rocky, Gravelly Sandy, Limestone-based, Caliche type It is heat and drought tolerant. Good drainage is essential to its success. In late winter, older plants can be cut back halfway to keep them compact. Rich soil and abundant water will likely produce many more flowers in the short-term, but may consequently shorten the lifespan.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/aransas/blackfootdaisy.htm http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MELE2

Common Name: Coreopsis – Lance Leaf

Botanical name: Coreopsis lanceolata

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 1 ft to 3 ft Width/Spacing: Flower Color: Butter yellow Blooming Period: Spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Erect Foliage Color and Texture: shiny, deep green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects and birds Deer Resistant: Somewhat

Plant Use: Ornamental

This Daisy like flower with eight yellow rays on single, elongated stems makes an excellent cut flower that lasts about seven to ten days. A drought tolerant plant, it blooms continuously from June through July creating a fantastic summer display and it can tolerate some shade in sandy soils. Under ideal conditions this beautiful wildflower will bloom its first year its foliage makes an attractive ground cover throughout the year.

Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies. It is 1-2 1/2 feet tall and has leaves 3-4 inches long, opposite; sometimes alternate near the top where the leaves are fewer. Some of the leaves are deeply cut, almost forming 3 leaflets. Flower heads are yellow, 1-1 1/2 inches across. The yellow center or disk flowers stand out distinctly from the ray flowers, which appear to be attached just below them. Ray flowers are 4-lobed. The yellow, daisy-like flowers occur singly atop long, naked peduncles. This native species has branching stems at base and often forms sizable colonies along roadsides and in old fields.

It should have frequent deadheading to keep it in bloom well into the summer.

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=132 http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=cola5 http://www.americanmeadows.com/WildflowerSeeds/Species/LanceleafCoreopsisseeds.aspx?gclid=CIH27OaO1qUCFchA2goduWfkkQ

Common Name: Standing Cyprus, Texas plume, Red Texas star, Red gilia

Plant Type: Biennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 2 - 4 ft Width/Spacing: Flower Color: Red, orange, yellow Blooming Period: May, June, July Plant Form or Habit: Herb Foliage Color and Texture: sparse, green narrow Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds Deer Resistant: None Plant Use: Ornamental, hummingbird attractor

The stiff, unbranched, 2-4 ft. stem of this sparsely leaved biennial can reach 6 ft. Showy, red, tubular flowers, widely flaring at the rim, are marked with orange or yellowish spots inside. Flowers are arranged in a thick spike, opening from the tip of the stem downward.

Native Habitat: Dry, sandy or rocky fields; open woods. Central and east Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, or limstone

Conditions Comments: Standing cypress is stunningly beautiful and easy to cultivate in garden settings. Showy, red, tubular flowers, widely flaring at the rim, are marked with orange or yellowish spots inside. Flowers are arranged in a thick spike, opening from the tip of the stem downward. When the bloom stalk is through blooming, you can prune it off to allow replacement stalk to grow and flower. After flowering ceases, allow seeds to completely mature before moving for reseeding or collecting seed to plant in a new area.

Maintenance: The first year of growth will produce a ferny rosette, followed by a flower spike the second year. When the spike has bloomed out, cut it off, and new spikes will be formed.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=IPRU2

Common Name: Dianthus – Firewitch

Botanical Name: Dianthus gratianopolitanus – Fire Witch

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Very low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 4 to 6 inch high Width/Spacing: 12-18 inches wide Flower Color: Magenta-pink Blooming Period: April thru September Plant Form or Habit: Spreading perennial Foliage Color and Texture: Gray-green Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Border Plant. Rock Gardens, groundcover

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Fire Witch' has evergreen, blue-green linear foliage and showy, profuse, fragrant magenta-pink blooms Spring-Fall. Very good performer. Its spreading tendency makes it an outstanding groundcover, particularly on dry slopes. Many plants placed together create a pool of deep blue foliage when not in bloom.

Tough, beautiful, and easy-to-grow. Recommended for borders, rock gardens, along walks or paths, and for edging. Grown close together, it is an excellent groundcover. With its grassy blue-green foliage and profuse blooming time, 'Fire Witch' is one not to miss. Deadhead to promote continued bloom. Dianthus needs a sunny site with well-drained soil, but will tolerate some shade in the afternoon. Heat and humidity resistant, cold tolerant and moderately tolerant of salt. Deer tend to avoid. Moderate growth rate. Mature size 6" high and 12-18" wide, spacing 6-12".

Source of data: http://classygroundcovers.com/item----161&affl=google-dianthus-baths-pink?gclid=COGXktWI95oCFQQRswod63lAdw

Common Name: Dianthus – Bath’s Pink

Botanical Name: Dianthus gratianopolitanus – Bath Pink

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Very low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 4 to 6 inch high Width/Spacing: 12-18 inches wide Flower Color: Pink Blooming Period: April thru September Plant Form or Habit: Spreading perennial Foliage Color and Texture: Gray-green Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Border Plant. Rock Gardens, groundcover

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink' has evergreen, gray-green linear foliage. Showy, profuse, fragrant pink blooms with magenta rings cover the plant April-June.

Its spreading tendency makes it an outstanding groundcover, particularly on dry slopes. Many plants placed together create a pool of deep blue foliage when not in bloom.

Tough, beautiful, and easy-to-grow. Recommended for borders, rock gardens, along walks or paths, and for edging. Grown close together, it is an excellent groundcover. With its grassy blue-gray foliage and profuse blooming time, 'Bath's Pink' is one not to miss. Deadhead to promote continued bloom. Dianthus needs a sunny site with well-drained soil, but will tolerate some shade in the afternoon. Heat and humidity resistant, cold tolerant and moderately tolerant of salt. Deer tend to avoid. Moderate growth rate. Mature size 4-6" high and 12-18" wide, spacing 6-12". Named for Jane Bath of Stone Mountain, GA, who discovered it. A 1994 Herbaceous Perennial Georgia Gold Medal Winner.

Source of data: http://classygroundcovers.com/item----161&affl=google-dianthus-baths-pink?gclid=COGXktWI95oCFQQRswod63lAdw

Common Name: Dianthus – Frosty Fire

Botanical Name: Dianthus x allwoodii

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Very low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 6 inch high Width/Spacing: 8-12 inches wide Flower Color: Magenta-pink Blooming Period: April thru September Plant Form or Habit: Mounding Foliage Color and Texture: Silvery blue Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: High Plant Use: Border Plant. Rock Gardens, groundcover

The Dianthus ‘Frosty Fire’, Dianthus x allwoodii, is a wonderful double red flowered Dianthus. With its grassy blue-gray foliage and profuse blooming time, ‘Frosty Fire’ is one not to miss. Dianthus ‘Frosty Fire’ has a plant spread of 8-12” and a height of 6”. Dianthus will bloom from midsummer to early fall. In order for a longer bloom time, deadhead the blooms continuously throughout the summer.

Dianthus needs a sunny site with well-drained soil, but will tolerate some shade in the afternoon and humidity. These fragrant, spicy dove like flowers look wonderful as a border plant, rock gardens, along walks or paths, for edging and a definite in cottage gardens.

Source of data: http://www.gatewaygardens.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=58

Common Name: Purple Coneflower - Bravado

Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea Bravado

Plant Type: Perennial – none native adapted Light Requirement: Sunny/Part shady Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: Medium Height: 1- 4’ Width/Spacing: 1-1 ½’ Flower Color: Rosy Pink Blooming Period: Mid-spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Bushy Foliage Color and Texture: Grayish to green, rough Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, insects and birds Deer Resistant: Somewhat Plant Use: Borders, meadows, mixtures, floral gardens

Glorious rosy-pink blooms bobbing atop hardy native plants that bloom freely over a very long season--is there a simpler or more beautiful plant for the garden than this Coneflower? Unlike other Echinaceas, Bravado holds its extra-wide petals out flat, offering up even more color from late spring until the cold fall weather sets in. The blooms are 4 to 5 inches wide, their hue varying from light cotton-candy pink to deep magenta-tinged rose. And the cheery golden-brown cones, which bring in the butterflies and bees, are superb for drying and using in Everlasting arrangements!

These long-stemmed, bushy plants reach 4 feet tall, holding their blooms overhead like gay umbrellas on very sturdy stems. Superb for a large planting anywhere, they show to particular advantage in the back of the border, drifting across a perennial bed, or in any naturalized woodland or meadow setting. They bloom the first year and for many years thereafter, lasting through the worst heat and dry weather summer has to offer. The flowers are also superb in the vase--if you can tear them away from the butterflies, that is! A natural treasure, Coneflower belongs in almost every garden with space for plenty of colorful, long-lasting blooms!

They start out an unusual pastel pink, but by the time the petals have reached their full width, the bloom is a richer pink verging into purple, with magenta cone that grows larger & darker as it matures. A small clump will be a large clump in three years, & can be divided either spring or autumn. Excellent for the xeriscape garden, low-maintance mixed border, cutting garden, or containers.

Source of data: http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/0794 http://www.paghat.com/echinacea-bravado.html

Common Name: Esperanza – Orange Jubilee

Botanical Name: Tecoma X 'Orange Jubilee'

Plant Type: Perennial. Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Medium Hardiness/Zone: Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 12 ft tall. Width/Spacing: 8 ft across Flower Color: Orange Blooming Period: Late Spring thru Fall Plant Form or Habit: shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Vibrant green Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds and bees Deer Resistant: Plant Use: Summer flowers, perennial garden, low water areas

The Orange Jubilee is an evergreen shrub that loves sun and heat. It blooms from late spring through early fall. These desert plants are drought resistant, and do well in almost any soil. The Orange Jubilee blooms are bright orange and tubular; they look like elongated bells, which is why some people call them Orange Bells plants. This desert plant attracts hummingbirds and bees. The leaves are a vibrant green color. Orange Jubilee plants will get 8 feet tall or more, and several feet wide. Orange Jubilees can be trimmed to control size and can be shaped, but most are left natural allowing branches to get longish and weepy. If they get frost damaged in the winter, just cut them back and they will grow again in the spring.

Orange Jubilee is an upright shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet across if not frozen back for a couple of winters. The rich green, lush looking foliage gives this hybrid shrub a subtropical appearance. The compound leaves are about 6 inches long by 4 inches wide and are divided into 9 to 11 leaflets. Clusters of orange-red, bell-shaped flowers appear from spring to fall in Southern Arizona. Orange jubilee attracts hummingbirds and produces few seed pod.

Orange Jubilee is moderately drought tolerant, surviving on minimal supplemental water during the summer. However, this plant will look more lush and flower more profusely when given regular supplemental water from spring until fall. Tecoma X 'Orange Jubilee' can be grown in a variety of soil types. It will tolerate our rocky, native soil as well as a rich soil with a lot of organic matter included. When in a rocky, native soil, orange jubilee is more tolerant of inconsistent watering.

Source: http://www.horticultureunlimited.com/landscape-plants/jubilee-orange.html http://phoenix.about.com/od/desertplantsandflowers/a/orangejubilee.htm

Extension programs service people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national originTexas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating A member of The Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program.

Common Name: Esperanza – Mayan Gold (dwarf)

Botanical Name: Tecoma stans 'Mayan Gold'

Plant Type: Perennial. Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Medium Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 2 – 3 ft. Width/Spacing: Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Late Spring thru fall Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Vibrant green Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds and bees Deer Resistant: Plant Use: Summer flowers, perennial garden, low water areas

This plant has awesome bright green foliage and vibrant masses of unique yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Mayan Gold will grow as tall as two or even three feet by the end of the season, throwing up more blooms the entire time.

A 2009 release from Pan American Seed. This variety of Esperanza loves the heat and humidity! Brilliantly blooming small shrub with golden trumpet shaped flowers. Perfect plant for patio pots. Species reaches 20' in zone 9-11, but works as a showy annual shrub that may also re-seed in North TX. Dry hardy in ground. Full/part sun. Zones 9-11.

Tecoma stans is a species of flowering perennial shrub in the trumpet vine family, Bignoniaceae, that is native to the Americas. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in warm climates. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant produces pods containing yellow seeds with papery wings.

Select a site in full sun for best blooming, but it also performs nicely in morning sun and afternoon shade. Grow esperanza in large containers around the porch, patio or deck, or plant in fertile, well-drained soil in the tropical-style garden. Amend heavy, poorly drained soil with the addition of 3 to 4 inches of organic matter and till to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.

While preparing the soil, incorporate 2 pounds of a slow-release, 12-6-6 fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area. Dig the planting hole two to three times as large as the root ball and plant at the same depth it is growing in the container.

Feed container-grown plants with a diluted water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every other week or use controlled-release granules according to the formula recommendation. Keep in mind that daily watering and high temperatures usually mean fertilizing more often. Feed those in the landscape every four to six weeks with light applications of fertilizer.

Source: http://www.paintedflowerfarm.com/pages/plants/nonnatives/esperanza,mayangold.htm

Common Name: Lantana New Gold

Botanical name: Lantana x 'New Gold'

Plant Type: Semi-hardy Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: Very High Height: 12 to 15 inches tall Width/Spacing: 18 to 24 inches wide Flower Color: Gold- yellow Blooming Period: April till frost Plant Form or Habit: Spreading Foliage Color and Texture: Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies Deer Resistant: Mostly Plant Use: Container, mass planting, rock gardens

New Gold Lantana is a trailing form which produces masses of golden-yellow flowers from Spring to Frost! A butterfly magnet that is useful in the garden as an edger, in mass plantings or in containers. Easy to grow and drought tolerant. DO NOT prune in Fall. Cut back when new growth begins to emerge in spring. First off, never prune your perennial lantana in the Fall or Winter as this will insure death of the plant. Prune lantana only in Spring when new growth begins to emerge. Cut away all dead branches to a point just above where new growth is emerging. Lantana can also be sheared during early to mid-Summer to encourage new budding and flowers.

Lantana is one of those maverick plants that actually does best when it gets so hot and miserable outside that all but the most dedicated gardeners call a two month hiatus to await more hospitable conditions. New Gold, a compact, free-flowering lantana with golden-yellow blooms, will bloom its heart out as we enrich the electric company.

New Gold Lantana should be used en masse in the garden in sunny beds large enough to have an impact on you and the butterflies that frequent it. In flower beds, it should be spaced 16 to 18 inches apart in any reasonable garden soil.

Source of data: http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/New_Gold_Lantana.htm http://www.groundcover.com/info/lantana-newgold.html http://wilsonbrosnursery.com/Plants/Plant-Files/Perennial-Plants/Lantanas/Lantana-New-Gold.aspx

Common Name: Lantana Silver Mound

Botanical Name: Lantana x Silver Mound

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: Very High Height: 24 inches Width/Spacing: 3 – 4 feet Flower Color: Creamy white – yellow centers Blooming Period: Spring till frost Plant Form or Habit: Mounding Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Groundcover, hanging baskets, containers

Dense clusters of creamy white blooms with lemon yellow centers. Numerous, 1 to 1 1/2 inch flower blossoms cover dark green ovate leaves from spring until the frost. Blooms continuously in frost-free areas; prune in early spring as new growth begins to emerge.

Trailing growth is excellent for use as groundcover or tumbling from hanging baskets. Excellent annual for colder climates. Evergreen in frost-free climates.

Use as a groundcover in mass plantings and banks, in containers and baskets, or even as a hedge. A very versatile plant, plus it is a butterfly and hummingbird magnet. Deer and rabbit resistant. Plant in the spring and water as needed during the first growing season, thereafter it is considered heat and drought tolerant.

Source of data: http://www.bloomindesigns.com/product/WLANASILVERMO/Lantana-camara-Silver-Mound---18-Flat.html

Common Name: Lantana Camara Hardy Pink

Botanical Name: Lantana x Camara Hardy Pink'

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: Very High Height: 1 to 3 feet Width/Spacing: 3 – 6 feet Flower Color: Yellow to pink as they age Blooming Period: Spring till frost Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Mass plantings, groundcover, containers

Lantana is a commonly cultivated shrub native from southernmost Texas to Central America. Ornamental flower clusters are produced throughout the summer and are a favorite of butterflies and other nectar-feeding insects. Flower color is normally yellow, but many different cultivated varieties have been developed with different colors. This cultivar has flowers that change color from yellow to pink as they age.

There are many named varieties and hybrids of lantana available that are more compact, bloom earlier, produce more colorful flowers, or hold their flowers better in bad weather than the "common" type. Some new varieties are also almost sterile (rarely set seed), which means deadheading is not as important for continuous bloom and it is unlikely to become invasive.

Lantana provides summer color. In winter, some gardeners prune back lantana to keep the plants from getting too large. The stems become thorny especially with age, so caution is necessary when cutting them back. The blue-black fruit clusters are poisonous.

Use as a groundcover, in mass plantings and banks, in containers and baskets, or even as a hedge. A very versatile plant, plus it is a butterfly and hummingbird magnet. Deer and rabbit resistant. Plant in the spring and water as needed during the first growing season, thereafter it is considered heat and drought tolerant.

Source of data: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Plantanswers/publications/lantana/lantana.html http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/laca.html

Common Name: Lantana New Gold

Botanical name: Lantana x 'New Gold'

Name: Mexican Mint Marigold

Scientific Name: Tagetes lucida

Mexican Mint Marigold is a native to Central America and has small golden yellow marigold-like flowers. This Marigold will bloom from late summer to early winter providing show stopping color for fall. This is a great plant to put next to other fall bloomers such as Salvia leucantha. The foliage has a refreshing smell that is anise-like, reminds me of black jelly beans! Tagetes lucida has excellent drought and heat tolerance as well as tolerance to poor soils, but must be planted in a spot with good drainage. Mexican Mint Marigold can get 12-24" tall and should be spaced at least 18" apart. Tagetes lucida is part of the Plants For Texas® Program, meaning it was Texas Grown, Tested in Texas to perform outstanding for Texas Gardens.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8-10 Plant Use: Tender Perennial Exposure: Full Sun Water Requirements: Medium to Low

Sweet licorice flavor brightens salads and main dishes. Pretty, golden yellow flowers bloom all summer. Thrives in warmer climates where French tarragon will not grow. Medicinal: Stimulant and diuretic. Improves digestion.

"Mexican mint marigold has a lot to offer. It thrives in the hot, humid South, where many herbs languish; its small, bright flowers blossom in fall when other herbs have played out for the season; its licorice-anise flavor is a successful stand-in for French tarragon; and it looks good in the garden.

In the humid South, where French tarragon is difficult to grow, mint marigold is a fine culinary substitute. The flavor is almost indistinguishable from that of tarragon, but because mint marigold breaks down more quickly when heated, it's best if added at the end of cooking. In salads, vinegars, oils, or quick-cooking recipes, substitute it for tarragon in equal proportions. - Crafts - "Mint marigolds dried leaves add fragrance to potpourris and sachets. Harvest the long stems just before frost when they are tipped with yellow-gold flowers.

Source: http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Tagetes.html&h=3 http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8181-mexican-mint-marigold.aspx

Common Name: Gregg’s Blue Mistflower

Botanical Name: Eupatorium greggii

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 24 inches Width/Spacing: 18-24 inches Flower Color: Blue, purple Blooming Period: Spring to frost Plant Form or Habit: Upright perennial Foliage Color and Texture: Opposite, toothed leaves Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies Deer Resistant: No Plant Use: Ground cover, border plant

Gregg’s Mist flower is a Central Texas Native that you can enjoy all summer. Texas Ageratum will start blooming early spring and continue until frost and can bloom all year in warmer areas. Since blue is much a hard to find color for the garden, the appeal of Gregg’s Mist flower is the thistle-like blue blooms that the Queen Butterflies loves. It is also a good nectar source to most other butterflies.

It has an extensive root system, and will come up from the roots after the winter. In cases like this, we suggest waiting until you are sure the plant has finished blooming, and then cut the stalks down to about 3 inches from the ground. There usually will be a green leaf crown still growing close to the ground. These stalks left above the ground are just a marker so we know where to expect the mistflowers to start coming up in the spring. Mistflower is adapted to most soil types, but is especially suited to heavy textured and to highly organic soils. Natural stands are found on moist to wet sites, such as low woods, wet meadows and ditches. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=cogr10

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/herbaceous/eupatoriumcoeles.html

Common Name: Ruellia - White

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun to part shade Water Requirement: Medium to Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 10 – 12 inches Width/Spacing: 16 – 18 inches Flower Color: White Blooming Period: Spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Clumping Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Flower beds, containers, groundcover

This selection is similar to the familiar blue or pink-flowered Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoninana) but it is a more compact plant with snow white blossoms. It has a shrubby growth habit and it is easy to control its size and shape with pruning. For blooming it requires good root fertilization and bright- moderate lighting.

Ruellia plants are moderately susceptible to spider mites and some other plants pests that can damage leaves. It is a good idea to give them an overnight dunk underwater once every month–you can sink the plant and its planter right in the fish tank–as a preventative measure to discourage insect pests.

Dozens of crystal white blooms cover dwarf 10-12 inch plants throughout summer. A heat loving variety, Ruellia thrives in wet and dry conditions in full sun. This new variety is ideal for borders in the garden with a spread of 16-18 inches and makes a great companion in pots and containers.

Source of data: http://hydrophytesblog.com/ripariumsupply/?page_id=4&category=13&product_id=12

Common Name: Ruellia - Katie Dwarf white, blue, pink

Botanical name: Ruellia brittoniana

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun to part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 1 ft -1 ft Width/Spacing: 1 ft – 1 ft Flower Color: Blue, white, pink Blooming Period: Spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Clumping Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Flower beds, containers

Katie Ferguson of Texas found this dwarf form of our native ruellia, and this plant has taken Texas by storm. Ruellia 'Katie' makes a 6" tall x 12" wide clump with lance-shaped green leaves.

The dwarf, less-aggressive version of the species is Katie dwarf Ruellia (sometimes called Nolan's dwarf). It works nicely in an informal front-of-the-border grouping or as a groundcover in narrow spaces, "Katie needs no deadheading, and will continue to flower all season long, and is just as tough as its species parent, able to grow in hot, dry neglected spots.

Dwarf ruellia is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial with long, narrow, dark green leaves. It is compact, growing to one foot tall by one to two feet wide. This prolific bloomer produces large tubular flowers from spring until frost. ‘Katie’ has blue flowers, ‘Rosa’ has pink, and ‘Blanca’ has white. Cut plants back in late winter to remove frost damage and encourage new growth. This ruellia may be planted in full sun or part shade. It is an excellent choice for containers and oasis zones. Dwarf ruellia has a tendency to naturalize in moist soils, and the seedlings may have the larger growth habit of regular Ruellia brittoniana. To avoid this mixture, seedlings should be removed. It is root hardy to 10°F. USDA Zone 8.

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=168 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/ruellia/ruellia.html,

http://www.mswn.com/Plant%20Info%20Sheets/Ruellia%20brittoniana%20Dwarf.pdf

Common Name: Ruellia - Pink

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun to part shade Water Requirement: Medium to Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 10 – 12 inches Width/Spacing: 16 – 18 inches Flower Color: Pink Blooming Period: Spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Clumping Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Flower beds, containers, groundcover

The Mexican petunia is a tender evergreen perennial that forms colonies of stemmy stalks that are distinctly vertical in aspect and hold attractive dark green, leaves oppositely at the nodes. Dwarf ruellia plants never get over 5" tall and the flowers are bunched right in with the leaves on very short stems. Although the blossoms each last only one day, there are usually plenty of buds forming so that there is a succession of new blooms over long periods. The leaves of this ruellia are dark green and very slender. As with the other ruellias, this flower does well under quite a variety of conditions, including full sun to shade, as well as dry to damp. They are rather cold-tender and can sometimes be killed by a very hard freeze, but most of the time they come back from the roots. Mexican petunia can be grown indoors as a houseplant in bright light. Mexican petunia is a water plant that becomes very aggressive with access to abundant moisture. Survives dry spells once established. When growing Mexican petunia indoors water freely when in active growth but water only when dry in winter. Zones 8-10

Source of data: http://www.mylittleplants.com/servlet/Detail?no=230

Common Name: Ruellia - Blue Shades

Botanical name: Ruellia brittoniana

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun to part shade Water Requirement: Medium to Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 1 – 2 ft Width/Spacing: 1 ft – 2 ft Flower Color: Blue Blooming Period: Spring to summer Plant Form or Habit: Clumping Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Flower beds, containers, groundcover

Ruellia humilis ‘Blue Shade’ is a native groundcover in areas of the Eastern US, including Texas. The foliage is a deep olive green color and the leaves are hairy. The growth habit is very compact only getting 1-2 feet tall with a equal spread, in fact this Ruellia is often used as a groundcover in Central Texas. Wild Petunia will bloom from late spring until fall, the flowers are petunia-like and a lavender to lilac blue color. Ruellia humilis ‘Blue Shade’ prefers a well drained soil and should not be over watered.

Source of data: http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Landscape/Ruellia_BlueShade.html

Common Name: Ruellia - Blue Shades

Botanical name: Ruellia brittoniana

Source of data: http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Landscape/Ruellia_BlueShade.html

Common Name: Ruellia - Katie Dwarf white, blue, pink

Botanical name: Ruellia brittoniana

Katie Ferguson of Texas found this dwarf form of our native ruellia, and this plant has taken Texas by storm. Ruellia 'Katie' makes a 6" tall x 12" wide clump with lance-shaped green leaves.

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=168 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/ruellia/ruellia.html,

http://www.mswn.com/Plant%20Info%20Sheets/Ruellia%20brittoniana%20Dwarf.pdf

Common Name: Rudbeckia – Cherry Brandy

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta ‘ Cherry Brandy’

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade Water Requirement: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 20 to 24 inches Width/Spacing: 12 to 16 inches Flower Color: Red Blooming Period: Spring, summer Plant Form or Habit: Foliage Color and Texture: Course hairy textured Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract butterflies, bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Border, container plant, cut flower

Cherry Brandy rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy') grows 2 feet tall and wide and has 3- to 4-inch diameter, cherry-red blooms that form in early summer and flower until frost. The plant is heat-and drought-tolerant and adapts to most soil conditions. It makes a great addition to a perennial border and also grows well in containers.

This fantastic garden performer produces robust, bushy plants that will add height to borders. Growing to 60cm (24in), the strong plants will produce a mass of stems, each enhanced by an attractive rich, cherry- red single bloom. It is perfect for planting in drifts in the border or in large containers on the patio.

There are 25 species of Rudbeckia including perennials, biennials and annuals. All are native to North America and are generally found growing in the East and Midwest, though they have now naturalized throughout most of the United States and can be seen in fields and gardens from Canada to Mexico.

A member of the Aster family, the rudbeckia’s daisy-like flowers come in single, semi-double and fully- double forms in a range of colors from lemon-yellow to gold, chestnut, mahogany, and bronze, as well as multi-colored blooms. Most species are in bloom from midsummer through fall. Plants have coarse- textured, hairy green leaves.

Source: http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?item=1.455.270 http://www.garden.org/subchannels/flowers/perennials?q=show&id=3113

Common Name: Rudbeckia – Cherokee Sunset

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade Water Requirement: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 30 inches Width/Spacing: 12 to 16 inches Flower Color: Golden browns Blooming Period: Spring, summer Plant Form or Habit: Foliage Color and Texture: Course hairy textured Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract butterflies, bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Border, container plant, cut flower

In 2002, having been developed by Thompson & Morgan’s flower breeders, Rudbeckia ‘Cherokee Sunset’ was launched; a stunning double flowered Rudbeckia in a colour palette of rich golden-brown autumnal shades. The variety quickly became established as a best-seller around the world and picked up the accolade of an All American Selections Winner.

The rich blooms are from yellow and orange to bronze and mahogany. The blooms are 3 to 4 1/2 inches across and can be semi-or fully double with a growth habit 30 inches tall and they hold up better against mildew better than other Gloriosa Daisies.

Large blooms, in shades of golden yellow, orange, bronze and mahogany make up this stunning blend. Rudbeckia Cherokee Sunset has free branching plants, with strong stems, which flower over a long period from midsummer to early autumn.

Wonderful, free flowering daisies in colors from yellow to bronze and mahogany. You can have them for years, but the original plants will only last a season or two. The plants self-seed readily, and if you learn to recognize the slightly hairy seedlings and allow a few to develop where you want them, you can have as many as you want.

Source: http://www.tandmpics.com/res/pdf/press/TMPRUK09.05%20Rudbeckia.pdf http://ezinearticles.com/?Gloriosa-Daisies-For-Your-Container&id=4953007

Common Name: Rudbeckia – Irish Eyes

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta ‘Irish Eyes’

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade Water Requirement: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 30 inches Width/Spacing: 12 to 18 inches Flower Color: Yellow Blooming Period: Midsummer - fall Plant Form or Habit: Foliage Color and Texture: Course hairy textured Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract butterflies, bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Border, container plant, cut flower

If you would like a Rudbeckia with a green eye, look no farther than Irish Eyes. This plant has a green cone and single flowers opening 4 to 5 inches across. With its foliage reaching about 30 inches tall, Irish Eyes are striking and unusual. They are grown as an annual or short-lived perennial.

Vase life: 7 to 14 days. Known as gloriosa daisy, coneflower and black-eyed Susan, this favorite North American native species blooms nonstop -- even in partial shade -- from midsummer until frost.R. hirta 'Irish Eyes' has 5-inch, single yellow, green-eyed flowers. Most rudbeckias reach 24 to 42 inches. Rudbeckia is tough. Technically a biennial or short-lived perennial, it is often treated as an annual. Hardy in all zones. Harvest flowers with tight centers, strip leaves, and condition in cool water spiked with sugar before arranging.

Source: http://www.americanmeadows.com/perennials/black-eyed-susan-irish-eyes http://www.garden.org/subchannels/flowers/perennials?q=show&id=191&page=2

Common Name: Russian Sage

Botanical name: Perovskia atripliciflolia

Plant Type: Perennial - non Native adapted Light Requirement: Sunny Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 3 ft Width/Spacing: 3 ft Flower Color: Small blue flowers Blooming Period: Summer Plant Form or Habit: Shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Fine-textured; silvery green lacy leaves Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous Butterfly or bird attracter: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds Deer Resistant: Usually Use: Flower beds and boarders

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is neither Russian, nor is it a sage. It was, however, named after a Russian diplomat (B. A. Perovski) by Russian botanist (S. G. Karelin) around 1840. Russian sage is actually native to Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries in that region) and Tibet. There are only seven species of Perovskia, but it is a member of the mint family (Labiateae) and there are over 5,500 genera in that family.

The “sage” misnomer comes from the smell of the leaves when crushed. The aroma produced is really sage-like and very pleasant. Cultivation of the plant began immediately after it was discovered and named. The plant is deciduous. The stems are grayish white and the distinctive and attractive silver- green leaves are a real eye-catcher. However, what makes this plant extremely desirable are its abundant tiny lavender flowers that bloom in late spring and continue to early fall.

Flowering happens only on new growth, so the plant should be drastically cut back in early spring before it begins to sprout new leaves. Cutting it back to the ground will not harm Russian sage.

One of the great things about Russian sage in a desert garden is that it is very tolerant of dry soils with high pH and high salt levels and it is considered drought-tolerant. In addition to growing well in the desert, it also grows well in gardens by the sea because of its tolerance to high salt concentrations.

Source of data: http://www.gardening-tips-perennials.com/russiansage.html#ixzz0xwF3DTX1

Russian Sage in The Desert: It's not Russian nor Sage, but a beautiful plant nevertheless http://desertgardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/russian_sage_in_the_desert#ixzz0xwFK0FQn

Common Name: Augusta Duelberg – White

Botanical name: Salvia farcincea

Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought: High Height: 30" tall Width/Spacing: 4' wide Flower Color: White Blooming Period: May till frost Plant Form or Habit: Bush Foliage Color and Texture: Bright green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Bedding, containers, perennial boarders

‘Augusta Duelberg', named by discoverer Greg Grant after Henry's wife, is a white-flowered version of mealy blue sage. Like Henry, it is a tall, beautiful, early spring flowering Texas native perennial that needs very low maintenance and is tough enough to handle heat, cold and Texas summers. Use it in containers, perennial borders, water-wise gardens. This plant needs little water once established. If you want the flowers to rebloom, shear back between bloom cycles. Like "Henry', this is one you'll

This splendid selection of the Texas native Salvia farinacea makes a compact 30" tall x 4' wide specimen, topped from May until frost with hundreds of spikes of silvery-white flowers. Obviously heat- and drought-tolerant, this salvia has been a real standout

Named a Texas SuperStar by Texas A&M University.

Source of data: http://www.plantdel.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/06823.html http://www.tamus.edu/systemwide/06/04/research/superstars.html

Common Name: Henry Duhlberg – Blue

Botanical name: Salva farcincea

Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Full Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought: High Height: 3 feet Width/Spacing: 3 Feet Flower Color: Blue Blooming Period: Spring till frost Plant Form or Habit: Bush Foliage Color and Texture: Bright green Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies, bees Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Bedding, containers

Low maintenance, heat tolerant, native perennial with masses of showy blue flowers

Notes: Spikes of showy blue flowers from spring until frost. More floriferous than other cultivars. Texas native plant; found by Greg Grant in a small central Texas cemetery. Taller with bluer and more floriferous flowers and larger and greener leaves than modern cultivars. Not preferred by deer.

Low maintenance, heat tolerant, native perennial with masses of showy blue flowers. Zone 7. Flowers: Spikes of showy blue flowers from spring until frost. More floriferous than other cultivars. Care: Shear frequently between bloom cycles to promote rebloom. Foliage: Healthy, larger and greener than the species, mildew resistant. Exposure: Full sun. Heat tolerant, Duelberg sage is a showy, blue flowered perennial which blooms vigorously from spring until frost

Named a Texas SuperStar by Texas A&M University.

Source of data: http://www.plantanswers.com/salvia.htm http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/salvia/salvia.html

Common Name: Skullcap - Pink

Botanical name: Scutellaria suffrutescens

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 1 ft Width/Spacing: 3 ft. wide Flower Color: Pink Blooming Period: Spring to fall Plant Form or Habit: Evergreen shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Thyme-like foliage Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract butterflies, insects and/or birds Deer Resistant: Somewhat Plant Use: Border, rock garden, containers

Plant this skullcap in full sun or part sun and watch the blooms from May to November. It makes a great border plant. It can reach up to one foot in height, but in part sun spreads out and rarely obtains it full height.

Shear back by 1/3 after bloom. Low growing; very tidy; mounding plant

Scutellaria suffrutescens is a drought tolerant, heat loving, sun loving plant that is great for the Texas Garden. Scutellaria suffrutescens is in the mint family along with other drought tolerant plants such as Salvias, the flower is reminiscent of tiny snapdragon flowers. The flowers are rose-red to pink in color and small, but they are plentiful which more than makes up for their size, usually Skullcap will hold its bloom from late spring until early fall.. Pink Texas Skullcap has Thyme-like foliage and has a dense growth habit, remaining neat and compact. It can however benefit and responds well to the occasional shearing, which will prevent it from getting thin in the middle. Use Pink Texas Skullcap for rock gardens, on dry hillsides, xeriscaping, or even for container gardening!

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/potw_pinkskullcap.htm

http://www.nativesoftexas.com/pink_skullcap.htm

Native and Adapted Landscape Plants by Texas Cooperative Extension, City of Austin

Common Name: Turks Cap, Big Momma

Botanical name: Malvaviscus drummondii ‘Big Momma’

Plant Type: Annual herbaceous perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 5 ft Width/Spacing: 2ft wide Flower Color: Red 2-3” Blooming Period: Spring till fall Plant Form or Habit: Spreading Foliage Color and Texture: Dark green Evergreen/Deciduous: Semi-evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds, butterflies Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Ornamental for shade

Turk’s cap is a good ornamental for a shady site, but is aggressive and must be controlled to keep it from taking over.

This deer-resistant 2005 introduction from Texan Greg Grant produces flowers that are over 1/3 larger that the typical form. Malvaviscus 'Big Momma' emerges in late spring and quickly rises to 6' tall, topped from midsummer until frost with bright orange flowers, swirled like a turk's cap.

This shrubby plant has showy red flowers and leaves that are intermediate between the parent species (which see). A relatively recent Texas introduction by Greg Grant, this should prove a garden worthy plant that is likely to be a bit more cold-hardy than the Malvaviscus arboreus parent. Some consider Malvaviscus drummondii to be a variety of Malvaviscus arboreus.

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/viewdetails.cfm?plant_id=119

http://www.woodlanders.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=1967

Common Name: Turks Cap, Pink

Botanical name: Malvaviscus arboreus var drummondii

Plant Type: Annual herbaceous perennial Light Requirement: Sun/part shade Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 2’ to 3’ft Width/Spacing: 2 ft wide Flower Color: Pink Blooming Period: Spring till fall Plant Form or Habit: spreading Foliage Color and Texture: Dark green Evergreen/Deciduous: Semi-evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Hummingbirds, butterflies Deer Resistant: Yes Plant Use: Ornamental for shade

This spreading shrub, often as broad as high, grows 2-3 ft., sometimes reaching 9 ft. Bright-red, pendant, hibiscus-like flowers never fully open, their petals overlapping to form a loose tube with the stamina column protruding, said to resemble a Turkish turban, hence its most common name, Turks cap. Especially useful in shady situations.

Can bloom all winter into spring in a mild winter, sun/part shade, drought tolerant but will tolerate wet, dormant in winter, hummingbirds, birds. Fruit for wildlife; susceptible to freeze; spreads aggressively; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Turk’s cap is a good ornamental for a shady site, but is aggressive and must be controlled to keep it from taking over.

Source of data: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAARD

Common Name: Zexmania

Botanical name: Wedelia texana

Plant Type: Perennial Light Requirement: Sun Water Requirement: Low Heat/Drought Tolerance: High Height: 2 to 3 ft Width/Spacing: 3 ft. wide Flower Color: Yellow, orange Blooming Period: May thru October Plant Form or Habit: Small shrub Foliage Color and Texture: Semi-evergreen Butterfly or bird attracter: Attract butterflies, insects and/or birds Deer Resistant: Somewhat Plant Use: Perennial garden, rock garden, rocky hillsides

Periodic shearing encourages repeat blooming and fullness. Blooms continuously though not profusely; use in combination with other blooming plants, re-seeds.

Zexmenia if a perennial with yellow flowers and a long booming period (May to October). It is very drought tolerant when established. Grow in full sun in a well drained location. Deer may leave this plant alone.

Zexmenia is a truly tough Texas plant. It blooms from late spring to frost, sporting yellow flowers above the mat of foliage. This low-growing native perennial reaches about 2 feet in height and is very drought tolerant once established. Deer tend to leave it alone. Give Zexmenia a full sun to part shade location with good drainage. Shear it back periodically to encourage fresh re-growth and lots more blooms

Source of data: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/searchplantresults.cfm?commonname=Zexmenia&submit8=Submit http://www.nativesoftexas.com/zexmenia.htm http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/potw_zexmenia.htm