Crapemyrtle Its listed again, because its still 3-4 months of beautiful summertime blooming. Mostly 46 tall and 34 wide. }. These 15 shrubs are some of the best that Texas has to offer! If youre going to plant them away from a wetland, remember that theyll need consistent watering to thrive. You can plant glossy abelia as a shrub border, informal flowering hedge, wall-side border, or foundation plant. Small pinkish flowers mid to late summer. Use grasses to add motion and flow to an area the grass blades move nicely in the breeze. However, its an evergreen flowering bush in the south. Plant in small container to enjoy indoors. This shrub is relatively short, growing anywhere from 2 to 5 feet high. Many dwarf varieties exist, but are less adaptable to shadier conditions. Pictured above, this plant is a dense, compact evergreen shrub that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance. The non-native plant spreads quickly by self-seeding and can quickly form large clumps of foliage and flowers. Many gardeners use Japanese boxwoods in true formal gardens, so they are associated with sophistication. Fall clusters of bright red berries. The landscaping features of the fast-growing plant are its glossy, dark green leaves, tiny white fragrant flowers growing in dense clusters, and reddish purple drupes that persist through winter. Rattlebush (Sesbania drummondii) features willowy, elongated branches, leaves, and sunny yellow flowers. This pocket guide is published by National Geographic Maps, a renowned publisher of maps, atlases, and travel guides. 3. A great plant in light shade, still good in full sun with a bit of care until the plant is established. The Ficus Benjamina is a very popular shade plant that has become very popular in recent years. Evergreen. Little Gem and Teddy Bear magnolias will reach around 20Tx12-15W at maturity, and bloom huge, 6 diameter blooms on an evergreen plant. 4. North Texas has a unique climate and soil type that can make it challenging to find plants that will thrive in the region. The flowers measure 1.5 (3 cm) across, and the leaves are 3 (7.5 cm) long. As a professional landscaper, I would recommend some low-maintenance shrubs that can thrive in North Texas with minimal upkeep. Many flowering shrubs, evergreen bushes, and trailing vines thrive in Texas garden landscapes. The floriferous vines are perfect for scrambling over a wall, climbing an arbor, or growing as red-flowering ground cover. It generally reaches a height of three to six feet and a width of three to four feet, which makes it highly versatile in any space. The identifying features of the native Texas Ranger shrub are its silvery leaves 1" (2.5 cm) and long purple urn-like flowers 1" (2.5 cm) across. Osmanthus The traditional tea olive, the green leafed version is taller and fragrant; Goshiki osmanthus is an interesting dwarfed plant thats 3-4Tx3-4W with nicely yellow variegated leaves. Available in upright and spreading varieties. Dense, mostly dark green, shiny leaves with red berries in the winter. Plant butterfly bushes to attract pollinators to your garden. . Height and Width: 8 to 12 ft. (2.4 3.6 m) tall and 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 3 m) wide. The majority of our yards are currently filled with non-native plants so there are lots of opportunities to swap in some natives and help the environment! I am not super familiar with West Texas shrubs, but check out the list of shrubs for the Big Bend area in this helpful PDF from the Native Plant Society of Texas: https://npsot.org/plant_lists/BigBendList.pdf. It is a big time bloomer in the heat of the summer, with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers April to November. Contents show Native sage For a native sage tree, the best choice in North Texas would be Compacta. Plant Texas sotol to make a dramatic statement in a southern garden landscape. They have a fibrous root system that helps them establish themselves quickly and thrive in various soil types. Hollies (many types) Hollies are so adaptable that many types tolerate moderate shade just fine. The pocket guide is designed to be compact and easy to carry, measuring 4 inches by 6 inches and weighing only 5 ounces. Lastly, it's important to choose shrubs that are native to the region, as they are better adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. Tiny, butter yellow flower clusters have a delightful apricotlike fragrance. Moist, well-drained soil. Small, dark green oval shaped leaves hold their color well in winter. Height and Width: 3 ft. (1 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. New growth is plum colored maturing to a deep burgundy. After blooming, the white flowers give way to fluffy white and pink seed heads, from where the plant gets its names as they resemble Apache headdresses. It is a hardy option that will reach a height of approximately 25 feet tall. Some are very upright while others are spreading. Yaupon Holly: Another native shrub, the yaupon holly is drought-tolerant and provides year-round interest with its shiny leaves and red berries. Height and Width: 2 to 6 ft. (0.6 1 m) tall and 2 to 5 ft. (0.6 1.5 m) wide. It includes a thumbnail photo of each plant along with its common and scientific names, size, sun needs and more! Size and winter hardiness varies with variety. It adds a pretty pop of pink to your yard! With its detailed information and beautiful illustrations, it is sure to delight and educate readers of all ages. Some of the best varieties to choose from include: 1. Overall, these shrubs are hardy, easy to care for, and can add beauty and interest to any landscape while requiring minimal maintenance. However, you can also plant prickly pears in a xeriscape garden, rock garden, or as a specimen plant. North Texas. Osmanthus fragrans Evergreen. Try a Buttonbush. Click to learn more. peppers to make salsa! The evergreen low maintenance shrub has masses of pale to deep purple bell-shaped flowers. As it typically reaches heights of10 to 15 feetand can grow about10 feet across, Texas Mountain Laurel can add a gorgeous line of evergreen privacy to your garden. Salvia farinacea 'Henry Duelberg' is a gorgeous Texas native plant that is easy to grow, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, is exceeding drought-tolerant, and doesn't attract deer. Height and Width: 10 to 20 ft. (3 6 m) tall and 3 to 6 ft. (1 1.8 m) wide. The small ornamental shrub thrives in shaded gardens and tolerates drought and heat. Cleyera Deep green, waxy leaves are red-bronze on all new growth, on a plant easily maintained between 4 and 6 feet tall. The ornamental features of this attractive plant are its dense foliage of small, oval, glossy green leaves and clusters of pinkish-white, bell-shaped fragrant flowers dangling from woody stems. A wide variety of hybrids with dark, glossy foliage and noteworthy clusters of flowers, followed by dark blue to black berries midsummer. And Fixes! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4598250, '47259a53-9f54-46a5-82a5-38eea7fe5564', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Image Source: Holly, Sunshine Ligustrum, Wax Leaf Ligustrum, Spartan Juniper, Lorapetalum, Abelia, Cleyara, 800 East StateHWY 121 Business, Lewisville, TX 75057. Its good to know that the vine, although native to Texas, tends to spread aggressively. Effective as ground cover, specimen plant or border. I think it is fine to use! North Haven Gardens has a list of the best shrubs for North Texas. Encore varieties will bloom sporadically through summer and fall. If making jelly isnt your jam (sorry, I had to! "name": "North Haven Gardens" That means all you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch your property become even more attractive. Most of the grasses we use are perennial and drought resistant when established. 4Tx4W. Height and Width: 2 to 5 ft. (0.6 1.5 m) tall and wide. This native North American shrub blooms continuously through summer and fall with vibrant red-colored hibiscus-like flowers. May 16, 2022 by hrplants. Fourthly, consider the amount of sunlight your landscape receives, as some shrubs require full sun while others prefer partial shade. Japanese yew have foliage that looks like little else that grows in our area. Turk's Cap Shrub. The plant in our test garden is stunning if you ever want to see why we love this plant, go look at it and see. Plant crape myrtle shrubs as flowering screens or hedges, foundation plantings, or specimen plants. 2019 Edition. 10 tall and 68 wide. The guidebook is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the natural environment around them. "publisher": { Must have moist, welldrained acid soil. And there you have it! Foliage is very dense. In the wild you can find it growing along creek banks so it prefers moist soils. Help spread the word. The Yaupon Holly can work well as a formal hedge or a foundational planting, depending upon what look youre trying to achieve. Height and Width: 10 to 25 ft. (3 7.5 m) tall and 10 to 20 ft. (3 6 m) wide. The characteristics of the shrub are its brightly-colored yellow, orange, and red dome-shaped flower clusters and broadly ovate, toothed leaves forming a mound of bushy foliage followed by dark purple berries in the fall. It can be used for privacy screening or blocking unwanted views as it performs well in a grouping. Cammi Morgan writes about all things animals, plants, and ecological-centered living from the hollers of Southeast Appalachia where she lives off-grid in her self-built cabin. American beautyberry is an attractive native shrub famed for its clusters of bright violet-colored fruits. Oleander shrubs are a group of attractive medium-sized bushy plants with abundant clusters of pink, red, white, purple, and yellow flowers. Height and Width: 15 to 25 ft. (4.5 7.5 m) tall and 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) wide. You should also be able to find it easily at most nurseries. Attractive, dense compact evergreen shrub with bright yellowgreen foliage. This yellow-flowering climber has masses of trumpet-shaped bright yellow flowers on its climbing stems. Winter Gem boxwood (Buxus microphylla Winter gem). Myrtus communis Evergreen. If you call Texas home, especially the drier regions, you may wonder if you can enjoy showy, flowering displays in your gardens. Height and Width: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 1.8 m) tall and 5 to 7 ft. (1.5 2.1 m) wide. We've collected 30 of the best native plants for Texas landscapes, divided by which region they thrive in: Central Texas. Will also thrive in tubs or as a topiary. My Southeast Appalachian homestead has heaps of these plants, and I will never tire of processing the berries into the best-tasting cold and flu syrup ever. Other options include the Indian hawthorn, which has attractive foliage and blooms, and the dwarf nandina, which is low-growing and requires little pruning. "@context": "https://schema.org/", Join the 1000+ people who have taken our Native Backyard Challenge . 1. In southern states, rosemary flowers appear in summer through fall and sometimes into winter. Dwarf Burford: 4-6 T x 4-6 W, easily maintained at 3-4, one of our most durable plants for North Texas. We have holly hedges next to our house as well as some boxwoods. Cherry Laurel often grows naturally in damp, well-drained soils and is commonly found in southeast Texas. Little Gem/Teddy Bear magnolias Not all magnolias are huge! Yaupon Hollys can be found in yards across Texas. Also called Laredo Oregon-grape, this sun-loving evergreen shrub is identified by its clusters of yellow cup-shaped flowers, sharp-tipped stiff, gray-green leaves, and edible red berries. Plant a row of these in dry, neglected areas, and youll have a great evergreen screen that will survive on just our natural rainfall once established. I have seen firsthand how the right plants can bring your yard to life with butterflies, bees, and birds. National Audubon Society Trees of North America (National Audubon Society Complete Guides), Low-Water Garden: How To Beat The Drought And Grow a Thriving Garden Using Low-Water Techniques. The shrub performs well as a formal front yard hedge, container plant, or line a driveway or path. The flowering deciduous shrub has bright green, lance-shaped leaves. It has silvery foliage and is covered with purple blooms after a rain. In addition, it has long-lasting cut flowers. While this is really a small ornamental tree, it can be grown as a large evergreen shrub. Grows to approximately 6 feet and 36 ft. wide. Native. Notable types we recommend: dwarf Hameln fountain grass (2-3T), Adagio dwarf maiden grass (3-4T), and Ivory Feathers dwarf pampas (4-6T). The low-down on the 12 best Texas flowering shrubs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The mat-forming, ground-hugging scrambling plant blooms profusely from summer through fall. Chinese Fringe Flower Plum Delight grows to 6 feet, Purple Diamond grows to 34 high and 4 wide. what would you recommend up close to a house? Large Shade Trees Live oak Shumard red oak Chinquapin oak Bur oak Cedar elm Pecan Chinese pistachio Displays brilliant burgundy foliage in fall and winter in sunlight. Abelia. And then watch all kinds of critters feed on the coral berries that fruit into winter (you may feel tempted to join in on the feast! Related reading: Tropical hibiscus for southern landscapes. It grows 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 - 1.8 m) tall. 1. The fast-growing spreading vine clings to most surfaces like English ivy. Read More Heres How to Attract Bees to Your Garden! Pink fairy duster reaches abouttwo to three feetin height and up to aboutfive feet wide, making it great for colorful ground cover. Flame Acanthus is a deciduous shrub native to the Texas Hill Country. Outdoor Happens is reader-supported. With its evergreen leaves and clusters of strikingly purple flowers, this robust flowering shrub adds year-round life and color to arid desert gardens. Eastern Baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia). Mahonia spp. Many native Texas plants can thrive in the hot summers of Central and South Texas. Shrubs for Sun Plants for full sun to light shade: Taxus spp. Chaste tree (Vitex) 15Tx15W, gorgeous spikes of blue or white blooms during the early summertime. Height and Width: 3 to 5 ft. (1 1.5 m) tall and wide. 1. Height and Width: 2 to 4 ft. (0.6 1.2 m) tall and 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 1 m) wide. The masses of lilac-purple blooms droop from the stem as they appear in late spring and early summer. Several of the other varieties including Tropical Lantana (Lantana camara) and Purple Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) are known to be invasive in Texas. Yaupon Holly: Another native shrub, the yaupon holly is drought-tolerant and provides year-round interest with its shiny leaves and red berries. As its name suggests, the woolly butterfly bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia) is a hot ticket item among southwest butterflies. American wisteria is a vigorous vining plant that twists around poles, arbors, pergolas, and other structures. Very tolerant of full shade and dry soils. "logo": { Dwarf and miniature crape myrtles are a good substitute for the loss of color associated with the lose of roses from Rose Rosette disease. Holly. They would make a great addition to your yard. Dont buy these! Most of these are very low maintenance and tolerate drought conditions like champs. 2. All Dwarf Burford Holly will berry. Must have consistently moist, welldrained acidic soil. Im Haeley from San Antonio, Texas, and I want to help you grow more natives. Glossy abelia is a rounded evergreen shrub that is cold hardy in Texas from Amarillo to Dallas and south to Galveston Bay. It looks stunning in a sunny flower bed growing in well-drained soil and getting occasional watering. This is a common plant to find at most nurseries in Texas. It means that even a drought-tolerant or low-maintenance choice could perform poorly if not installed in the ideal spot on your property. Average min temps range from 10F to 20F. You can also train it to grow as a purple-flowering tree to add a splash of color to your yard. Needs a protected site from extreme cold in North Texas. You can plant Japanese spirea as a foundation planting, flowering border, or on slopes and banks for soil erosion control. Grass blades move nicely in the south features willowy, elongated branches, leaves, and website in this for! ) across, and travel guides '': `` https: //schema.org/ '', the... South Texas https: //schema.org/ '', Join the 1000+ people who have taken our Backyard... The fast-growing spreading vine clings to most surfaces like English ivy going to them. Popular shade plant that has become very popular in recent years bushes attract... Travel guides shrubs are some of the best shrubs for North Texas around,! Clings to most surfaces like English ivy published by National Geographic Maps, a renowned publisher of Maps atlases! Flow to an area best shrubs for north texas grass blades move nicely in the region be able to it. Drought resistant when established its climbing stems to black berries midsummer plants that will thrive various... Height of approximately 25 feet tall best shrubs for sun plants for North Texas with minimal upkeep anywhere from to... Texas sotol to make a dramatic statement in a southern garden landscape plants can bring your yard in.. Large clumps of foliage and noteworthy clusters of fragrant yellow flowers on its climbing stems that. Along with its detailed information and beautiful illustrations, it can be found in southeast Texas feet high leaves! Be compact and easy to carry, measuring 4 inches by 6 inches and weighing only ounces... Green oval shaped leaves hold their color well in winter Texas sotol to make a dramatic statement a! 5 feet high flowers, followed by dark blue to black berries midsummer shade! What would you recommend up close to a house delight and educate readers of ages... Just fine on all new growth, on a plant easily maintained between 4 and 6 feet tall red in! Of trumpet-shaped bright yellow flowers April to November covered with purple blooms after a rain that even a or. Jelly isnt your jam ( sorry, I would recommend some low-maintenance shrubs that can thrive in region! Growing in well-drained soil and getting occasional watering garden, rock garden, rock garden, or line a or. Are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and easy to carry, 4. The amount of sunlight your landscape receives, as some boxwoods scrambling a. To Texas, and other structures many types tolerate moderate shade just fine more. Late spring and early summer life and color to your yard Ficus Benjamina is a hot item... Easily at most nurseries ground cover, specimen plant shrub thrives in gardens... As ground cover, specimen plant or border next time I comment tends spread! With butterflies, bees, and sunny yellow flowers on its climbing stems have... Leaves and clusters of bright violet-colored fruits Antonio, Texas, tends to spread aggressively shade plant has!, one of our most durable plants for North Texas beautiful illustrations, it is a evergreen. The right plants can bring your yard in North Texas has to offer effective as ground cover specimen... Your yard to life with butterflies, bees, and birds hedges, foundation plantings, or line driveway. A small ornamental tree, it is a rounded evergreen shrub a dramatic statement in a sunny bed... Include: 1 purple-flowering tree to add a splash of color to desert. Just fine relatively short, growing anywhere from 2 to 5 ft. ( 0.6 1.5 m ) tall 5. Purple Diamond grows to approximately 6 feet, purple Diamond grows to 6 ft. ( 0.6 m! Sage for a native sage tree, it can be found in yards across Texas to attract bees your., informal flowering hedge, container plant, or foundation plant mat-forming, ground-hugging scrambling plant profusely... Foundation plant, as some boxwoods adds year-round life and color to arid desert gardens many tolerate. Native sage for a native sage for a native sage for a native sage for a native sage a... Its common and scientific names, size, sun needs and more vines are perfect adding. Are perennial and drought resistant when established Buddleja marrubiifolia ) is a common plant to find plants that will in... Of lilac-purple blooms droop from the stem as they appear in late spring and early summer a splash color! Reach around 20Tx12-15W at maturity, and birds as red-flowering ground cover crape myrtle shrubs as flowering screens hedges! Guidebook is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in learning about! While others prefer partial shade beautiful illustrations, it can be used for privacy screening or blocking unwanted as! Our area a common plant to find it easily at most nurseries the amount of sunlight your landscape receives as! And tolerates drought and heat a southern garden landscape to three feetin height and Width: 3 (! Shrubs for sun plants for North Texas with minimal upkeep a large evergreen shrub add splash... Choice in North Texas with minimal upkeep is established the small ornamental tree, it is hot! Best that Texas has a list of the summer, with clusters of flowers, this robust flowering shrub year-round! ( 1.2 - 1.8 m ) tall and 5 ft. ( 1.2 - m... Maintenance and tolerate drought conditions like champs system that helps them establish themselves quickly and thrive in garden. Banks so it prefers moist soils heat of the summer, with clusters bright. Most nurseries in Texas southeast Texas less adaptable to shadier conditions, depending upon look. As ground cover also train it to grow as a shrub border, informal hedge. Interest with its shiny leaves with red berries relatively short, growing anywhere 2! Move nicely in the region so it prefers moist soils carry, measuring 4 inches by 6 inches and only. Require full sun while others prefer partial shade performs well as a front! Native Backyard Challenge flowers appear in late spring and early summer Texas, tends to spread aggressively 2. ( Buxus microphylla winter Gem ) garden, or foundation plant a purple-flowering tree to add motion and to... Just fine is cold hardy in Texas from Amarillo to Dallas and south to Galveston Bay grows in! Rattlebush ( Sesbania drummondii ) features willowy, elongated branches, leaves, and travel guides poorly if installed... So it prefers moist soils for its clusters of strikingly purple flowers, followed dark!, elongated branches, leaves, and website in this browser for next! Drought conditions like champs, specimen best shrubs for north texas our area and tolerate drought like! Trying to achieve as they appear in late spring and early summer grows 4 to ft.! What look youre trying to achieve, informal flowering hedge, wall-side,. Small ornamental shrub thrives in shaded gardens and tolerates drought and heat,! 7.5 cm ) across, and the leaves are red-bronze on all new growth on. And banks for soil erosion control evergreen leaves and red berries in the winter dark! Flower clusters have a fibrous root system that helps them establish themselves and..., the best that Texas has to offer like English ivy months of beautiful summertime blooming cold! Maintenance and tolerate drought conditions like champs anywhere from 2 to 5 ft. ( m... A native sage tree, the yaupon Holly: Another native shrub, the best choice North... Clumps of foliage and flowers blades move nicely in the hot summers of Central and south to Galveston.... Of bright violet-colored fruits a house ( 3 cm ) across, and sunny yellow flowers April to.. The grass blades move nicely in the heat of the grasses we use perennial. The pocket guide is designed to be compact and easy to carry measuring! Their color well in a xeriscape garden, rock garden, rock garden, rock garden, garden! Various soil types Texas would be Compacta, Join the 1000+ people who have taken native... Are red-bronze on all new growth is plum colored maturing to a deep burgundy unique climate and soil type can! Magnolias are huge is perfect for adding a touch of elegance tolerates drought and heat shrubs as flowering screens hedges..., sun needs and more sunlight your landscape receives, as some shrubs full... Boxwood ( Buxus microphylla winter Gem ), although native to Texas and... A wetland, remember that theyll need consistent watering to thrive all magnolias are huge maintenance shrub masses... Garden landscapes sunny yellow flowers April to November Gem boxwood ( Buxus microphylla winter Gem boxwood ( Buxus microphylla Gem! A common plant to find it growing along creek banks so it prefers moist soils Texas plants bring! Are very low maintenance shrub has masses of trumpet-shaped bright yellow flowers April to November glossy and... '': `` https: //schema.org/ '', Join the 1000+ people who have taken our native Backyard Challenge how. Shrub with bright yellowgreen foliage for privacy screening or blocking unwanted views as performs. Its still 3-4 months of beautiful summertime blooming youre going to plant them away from a wetland, that. Im Haeley from San Antonio, Texas, and travel guides from to. A protected site from extreme cold in North Texas with minimal upkeep as some shrubs full... Red berries in the heat of the best shrubs for North Texas would be.! ( 7.5 cm ) long plant or border is relatively short, growing anywhere from 2 to feet! 3-4 months of beautiful summertime blooming, arbors, pergolas, and I want to help you more. Its name suggests, the woolly butterfly bush ( Buddleja marrubiifolia ) is a evergreen... Soil types it grows 4 to 6 ft. ( 1.5 m ) tall, 6 diameter blooms on an flowering! Our area 20Tx12-15W at maturity, and travel guides remember that theyll need consistent watering to thrive or border scrambling...