Cameron County Master GardenerGardening practices in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Water Wise Plants for the Rio Grande Valley

Waterwise Plant Listing – Printable

 

Water-wise Plants for the Rio Grande Valley
Common Name, Scientific Name Native Mature   Size (height / width in feet) Sun   Exposure Notes
Dwarf Shrubs   (1-3 feet tall)    
Cast-iron plant, Aspidistra elatior 3′   x 2′ partial   shade / shade dark   green, bold textured, donkey ear-shaped foliage; use as contrast to fine   textured shrubs
Carissa Boxwood Beauty, Carissa macrocarpa 2′   x 2′ sun   / partial shade compact   mounded shrub
Holly fern, Cyrtomium falcatum 3′   x 4′ partial   shade / shade bold   textured fern; year round glossy green foliage; suffers some foliage damage   during hard freezes; use as contrast to fine textured plants  and as groundcover
Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parvifolia Central   Texas 2′   x 2′ sun upright,   stiff foliage; striking red flowers on 4-5 foot tall spikes; use in masses   and for texture contrast
Dwarf yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria nana 3′   x 2′ sun   / partial shade Dense   rounded, evergreen shrub; small white flowers in spring; salt spray tolerant
Liriope, giant, Liriope gigantea 2-3   by 2-3 sun   / shade fine   textured, straplike leaves; use in masses or as large groundcover
Nandina, Nandina spp. 1   x 1 to 5′ x 3′ sun   / shade varieties   range from tall standard to compact to many new dwarfs; reddish,   medium-textured, evergreen foliage; red berries in fall on standard and   compact forms
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis 1′   tall sun   / partial shade prostrate/trailing   form; fragrant herb with bluish green foliage; blue flowers; extremely heat   tolerant
Small shrubs   (3-5 feet tall)
Japanese aralia, Fatsia japonica 5′   x 5′ partial   shade / shade bold   textured, palmlike foliage; use as specimen or contrast to fine textured   shrubs
Buford holly, Ilex cornuta burfordil 5′   x 4′ and 8′ x 6′ sun   / shade dwarf   and standard forms; glossy, medium textured, evergreen foliage; use as hedge   , backdrop, or wall/screen
Dwarf Chinese holly, Ilex cornuta rotunda 5′   x 5′ sun   / shade glossy,   medium textured, evergreen foliage; use as hedge, backdrop, or short   wall/screen
Primrose Jasmine, Jasminum mesnyi 5′   x 6′ sun   / partial shade sprawling   evergreen shrub; fine textured foliage; lemon yellow blooms in late winter to   spring
Lantana, Lantana spp RGV   Native 1′   x 3′ to 6′ x 6′ sun Widely   used in RGV; various colors flowers; mounding or trailing; foliage has   pungent scent; tolerates nearly any soil, spider mites are an occasional   problem.
Split Leaf philodendron, Philodendron   selloum 4′   x 4′ partial   shade / shade bold   textured, tropical shrub; use for tropical effect and as contrast to fine   textured shrubs and ferns
Indian Hawthorn, Raphiolepis indica 3′   x 4′ sun   / partial shade spring   flowering; blue berries in the fall; medium textured, evergreen foliage
Rose, shrub/landscape, Rosa spp. various   depending on variety sun Look   for EarthKind roses – much more trouble-free
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis 5′   x 5′ or creeping sun   / partial shade aromatic,   evergreen shrub; can be trimmed and shaped; trailing variey can serve as   ground cover or in a pot
Medium   Shrubs (6-9 feet tall)
Pride of Barbados, Caesalpinia pulcherrima 9′   x 6′ sun Flashy   orange, yellow, red blooms; fast grower; easily grown from seed; can become a   weed problem; tolerates drought, reflected heat, and salty air
Elaeagnus, Elaeagnus pungens 6′   x 6′ sun   / partial shade medium   textured, gray green, evergreen foliage
Althea, Hibiscus syriacas 9′   x 6′ sun   / partial shade old   fashioned, upright, summer flowering shrub; deciduous, medium textured   foliage; many flower colors (white to purple) in single and double forms
Italian Jasmine, Jasminum humile 6′   x 7′ sun   / partial shade sprawling   evergreen shrub; fine textured foliage; fragrant yellow summer flowers
Juniper, ‘Sea Green’ & ‘Pfitzer; Juniperus   chinensis  5′   x 5′ sun fountainlike   shrub with arching branches; fine textured, mint green foliage; use as hedge   or mass plantings; many other junipers available but most not as dependable
Cenizo or Texas sage, Leucophyllum spp.  RGV   Native 7′   x 4′ sun new   varieties available of this native shrub; dusty gray to green evergreen   foliage; Purple, pink or white bloom intermittent in summer
Agarita, Mahonia or Berberis trifoliate RGV   Native 6′   x 5′ sun   / partial shade hollylike,   blue green, evergreen foliage; yellow spring flowers; red edible berries;   drought tolerant
Barbados Cherry, Malpighia glabra RGV   Native 7′   x 6′ sun   / partial shade dense,   evergreen shrub; dark green leaves; fine textured stems and suckering make   this plant a good substitute for boxwood; fragrant flowers; cherry-like   berries
Turk’s Cap, Malvaviscus arborus Native 6′   x 4′ sun   / shade Spreads   from root suckers and seeds; dark green maple-like leaves; red twisted   mallow-like flowers; hummingbird favorite
Fragrant Sumac, Rhus aromatica West   Texas native 8′   x 10′ sun Fine   textured shrub with dark glossy leaves; aromatic foliage; easy care
Pittosporum, Pittosporum tobira 9′   x 9′ sun   / shade green,   medium textured foliage on large evergreen shrub; variegated green/white   variety available
Pomegranate, Punica granatum 3′   x 2′ and  8′ x 6′ sun dwarf   and large, upright varieties available; carnation like orange blooms; orange   to maroon edible fruit
Dwarf palmetto, Sabal minor 7′   x 5′ sun   / shade bushy,   trunkless native palm; extremely bold foliage
Esperanza or Yellow Bells, Tecoma stans West   Texas Native 6′   x 4′ sun Deciduous   suckering shrub; yellow flowers occur sporadically from late spring to frost;   prune occasionally to maintain structure
Large   Shrubs/Small Trees (10-25 feet tall)
Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamerops humilis 12′   x 12′ sun multi-trunked,   fan palm; very cold-hardy; can be grown in containers; smallish green to   blue-green leaves
Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis Native   to west Texas 20′   x 15′ sun small   deciduous tree with willow-like foliage;    blooms spring – fall; white, lavender, or maroon flowers; desert tree
Mexican Olive or Anacahuita, Cordia   boissieri RGV   Native 10′-15′   x 20′ sun   / partial shade Large   showy white flowers from March through October; dark green foliage; messy   ‘olives’ so don’t plant over driveways or sidewalks.
Texas persimmon, Diospyros texana Native 10-15   by 10-15 sun large   shrub to small tree; deciduous foliage; light gray trunk; female and male   plants; fruit edible by wildlife
Nellie R Stevens’ holly, Ilex aquifolium x   I. cornuta 20-30   by 10-12 sun   / partial shade large,   upright, evergreen; glossy, medium textured foliage; red berries; use as   specimen or screen
Possumhaw holly, Ilex decidua 8-12   by 8-12 sun   / partial shade similar   to yaupon holly yet deciduous; red to orange berries; use as specimen or   grouping
Yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria Native 10-15   by 10-15 sun   / shade large,   upright, evergreen, fine textured foliage; red to orange berries; great plant   for wildlife
Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia spp. and hybrids 2   x 2 to 25 x 25 sun dwarf   shrub to multitrunked, huge shrub; summer blooming; many varieties
Wax Myrtle, Myrica cerifera 10-15   x 10-15 sun   / partial shade olive   green evergreen foliage; unique foliage aroma; use as specimen to screen;   dwarf variety available
Oleander, Nerium oleander 4   x 4 & 6-10 x 6-10 sun dwarf   and standard forms; evergreen foliage; vibrant summer blooming; many   varieties available; use as hedge or screen
Cherry laurel, Prunus caroliniana 6-10   x 4-6 sun   / shade glossy,   medium textured, evergreen foliage; treelike shrub; use as single specimen,   cluster, or screen
Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora Native   to CentralTexas 15′   x 10′ sun   / shade multitrunked,   evergreen tree/shrub; purple spring flowers smell like grape Kool-aid; use as   specimen or screen
Vitex or Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus castus 15′   x 12′ sun multitrunked   large shrub; palmate foliage; blue, lavender,    or white flowers; summer blooming; use as specimen or screen;   deciduous
Spanish Daggers, Yucca treclueana RGV   Native to   15′ tall sun Classic   arid landscape plant; sword-like foliage; cluster of creamy white bell-shaped   waxy flowers. Can withstand drought, salt, pollution
Trees
Anacua or Sandpaper Tree, Ehretia anacua RGV   Native 25′   x 30′ sun   / partial shade Dark   green foliage; small white flowers in spring followed by golden berries;   often two flowering/fruiting per year; sometimes suckers from roots
Fan-Tex Ash, Fraxinus velutina ‘Rio Grande’ 40′   x 30′ sun deciduous;   round canopy; first cultivated in San Antonio; usually does not set seed
Chinese Fan Palm, Livistonia chinensis 25′   x 20′ slow-growing;   cold hardy to San Antonio and Austin; pale yellow blooms; striking dark   purple seeds
Mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa RGV   Native 30′   x 30′ sun Native   tree that cast filtered shade.  Log   taproots allow tree to survive in arid regions.  Trees can be single or multi trunk in form.
Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa Texas   Native 50′   x 60′ sun deciduous;   wide canopy; largest acorns of native Texas oaks; large leaves with rounded   lobes; white oak
Chinquapin Oak, Quercus muhlenbergii Texas   Native 50′   tall sun deciduous;   light gray bark; leaf edges are toothed; can have Autumn color; attracts   humminbirds; larvae host for grey hairstreak
Monterrey or Mexican White Oak, Quercus   polymorpha 40′   x 35′ sun semi-evergreen   rounded to oval tree with blue-green leaves; tolerates humidity well;   hybridizes with Loquat Oak
Live Oak, Quercus virginiana Texas   Native 40′   x 60′ sun Appears   evergreen but drops leaves and reflushes each spring; massive, widespreading   canopy; dark green leaves; butterfly host; sometimes colonizes from roots
Texas Sabal Palm, Sabal mexicana RGV   Native 25′   x 12′ canopy sun Native   to Brownsville; naturalized throughout Cameron County; spineless light green   fan palm; cross-hatch trunk design
Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum Texas   Native 70′   x 40′ sun Deciduous   conifer; conical shaped, becoming flat topped in older age; sage green ferny   foliage; terra-cotta hue in Autumn; heartwood is resistant to decay
Montezuma Cypress, Taxodium mucronatum RGV   Native 70′   x 40′ sun Evergreen   in mild climates, but deciduous after a freeze.  Fast growing with strong weeping   branches.  Interesting bark.  Can have orange-brown fall color.
Cedar Elm, Ulmus crassifolia Native sun Deciduous,   droopy branches with corky ridges; rough bark similar to cedar; small leaves;   yellow fall foliage some years
Mexican Fan Palm, Washingtonia robusta 60′   x 15′ crown sun   / partial shade Fastest   growing palm; naturalized throughout RGV; moderately salt tolerant
Ground Covers/Vines
Coralvine or Queens Wreath, Antiganon   leptopus climing   to 20′ sun   /  partial shade Pink   summer blooms, bright green foliage; drought tolerant; salt tolerant;   deciduous
Louisiana Artemesia/White Sage, Artemesia   ludoviciana Native   to all of Texas except RGV 1′-3′ sun   / partial shade aromatic   leaves have a white fuzziness; responds well to mowing; spreads by   rhyzomes;
Mondo/Monkey grass, Ophiopogon japonicus 6″-12″ partial   shade / shade Evergreen   with lavender blooms in late spring/ summer; propogate by division; plant in   shade; can be trimmed every few years to retain a tidy look
Passion Vine, Passiflora incarnata Native climbing   to 10′ sun   / partial shade Herbaceous   vine; purple and white blooms in summer; spreads by seed; butterfly plant;   delicate perennial
(Green or Gray) Lavender Cotton, Santolina   chamaecyparisus or virens Mediterranean 18   x 24 sun Fragrant   mounding shrub;  Narrow grey-green   leaves; small yellow flowers, but mainly grown for foliage; clipping can be   hung in closets as moth repellant
Hens-and-Chicks, Sempervivum tectorum 4″   tall sun rosettes   of succulent leaves; spread by suckering at base of plants; good in rock   gardens and containers
Asian Jasmine, Trachelospermum asiaticum spreading   6-12′ sun   / light shade Dark   green small leaves;  cold hardy;   drought hardy; trim occasionally but slow to grow back after a drastic   pruning
Ornamental Grasses
Inland Sea Oats, Chasmanthium latifolium Central   to South Texas 4   x 3 partial   sun / shade clumping   grass; drooping oat-like flower spikes; seeds eaten by small mammals and   birds
Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana 10   x 6 sun   / partial shade Striking   large clump; showy blooms; remove grasses/weeds thoroughly from planting bed   prior to planting; sharp leaves are difficult to work around
Mexican feather grass, Nassella tenuissima West   Texas Native 18″   x 18″ sun   / partial shade delicate   feathery leaves; billow nicely with the slightest breeze; self-sows freely
Dwarf Fountain grass, Pennisetum   alopecuroides ‘Hameln‘ 24″   x 18″ sun compact   growth; finely textured foliage; late summer cream colored feathery blooms;   tough
Purple fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum   ‘Rubrum’ 4′   x 3′ sun Neat   clumps of purplish-maroon blades;    redish flower spikes throughout summer; good wildlife (bird) cover;   trim in late winter