Ajuga –Carpet Bugle. (HxW: 6″ x 6-12″) Shade. Plant 8-12″ apart. A good evergreen groundcover for a shaded area although it can take sun if it receives adequate moisture. Leaves mostly basal, dark green. Flowers in close clusters or spikes of lavender blooms. Blooming in spring or early summer. Spreading habit.
American Beautyberry– (HxW: 3-6′ x 3-6′) Full sun to part shade. Texas NATIVE. Medium water needs. Likes organic soil. Small white flowers in summer turn to showy magenta berries. Attracts birds.
Artemisia– (HxW: 1-2′ x 3-4′) Full sun. Likes well-drained soil. Moderate water needs at planting, less frequent watering when established. Drought tolerant. Aromatic silvery grey foliage.
Blackfoot Daisy-(HxW: 18”x18”) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Plant 12-18” apart. High heat tolerance and low water requirements. Good drainage is essential. Great choice for poor soil. Blooms spring-fall.
Bay Laurel– (HxW: 10′ x 5′) Full sun but does not like harsh reflective heat. Likes rich, well-drained soil. Water at plant base rather than wetting leaves; avoid over-saturation. Allow top inch to dry out between waterings.
Butterflyweed Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa– (HxW: 18-24″ x 15″). Full sun. Texas NATIVE milkweed. Host plant for the monarch butterfly. Full sun and drought tolerant. Dislikes being transplanted due to long taproot. Cut back in winter.
Carpet Angel® Shasta Daisy (HxW: 4-5″ x 24″) Full sun but appreciates afternoon shade in summer. Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Low growing perennial with frilly flowers and long-lasting blooms. Spreading habit.
Cast Iron Plant– (HxW: 12-36″ x 12-36″) Full shade. (Direct sun can scald leaves.) Medium water needs. Upright growth pattern, makes an attractive accent plant. Named for its hardiness.
Catmint Walker’s Low (HxW 18” X 18”) Full sun to part shade. Can benefit from part shade during hottest part of summer. Thrives in well-draining, dry soil. Drought tolerant once established. Will die back in winter and return from the ground in spring. Spreading growth habit.
Coneflower – (HxW 18-24” x 12-16”) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Well-drained soil with modest amounts of compost or other organic soil amendments. Good air circulation prevents powdery mildew. Drought tolerant once established. Will die back in winter and return from the ground in spring. Makes great cut flowers. Leave seed heads in the winter for the birds. Clumping growth habit.
Coreopsis ‘Uptick Gold & Bronze’ – (HxW: 12-18” x 18-24”) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Average water needs. Prefers evenly moist soil but no standing water. Deadheading promotes continual blooms.
Dianthus ‘Firewitch’ – “Pinks” (HxW: 6-12” x 12-24”) Full sun with afternoon shade in summer appreciated. Well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. Does not like wet feet. Evergreen with pink blooms in spring. Low maintenance plant.
Drift® Rose– (HxW: 1.5′ x 2.5′) Full sun. Newly planted roses like consistent moisture, once established moderate water needs. Likes well-drained rich, organic soil. Low growing shrub with long lasting blooms. Prune back in late winter.
Fall Aster– (HxW: 3′ x 4′) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Low to medium water needs. Likes well-drained soil. Once established, don’t overwater. Fragrant flowers that bloom October-November. Attracts butterflies.
Firecracker Bush Bouvardia ternifolia – (HxW: 2-4′ x 2-3′) Full to part sun. Texas NATIVE. Well draining soil with moderate moisture. Prune back by 1/3 mid season to encourage more blooms. Benefits from deadheading. Prune dead branches in late winter.
Flame Acanthus– (HxW: 3-5′ x 3-4′) Full sun, tolerates light shade. Texas NATIVE. Likes deep weekly watering. Drought tolerant. Pest and disease resistant. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Four Nerve Daisy – (HxW: 6-12” x 8”) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Can tolerate some afternoon shade, Prefers soil slightly dry and needs excellent drainage. Thrives in poor soil.
Gaura (HxW: 18-24” X 12”) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Water sparingly. Tolerates heat and drought. Prefers well drained soil. Will die back in winter and return from the ground in spring. Grows a very long taproot which is great for drought tolerance but try not to transplant them once they are established in your landscape. Upright growth habit.
Gregg’s Mist Flower- (HxW: 18” x 30”) Sun to part shade. Texas NATIVE. Plant 2-3’ apart in well-drained soil. Grows extensive root system. Dies back in winter; comes back from rhizomes. Queen butterflies use the nectar to attract mates and protect eggs from predators.
Ice Plant– (HxW: 3” x 18-24”) Full sun. Low water needs (water more often in summer). Likes well-drained soil. Plant 15-18” apart. May go dormant with brown woody stems in winter. Don’t pull up; it will come back as the soil warms. Great for rock gardens, border edges or containers.
Lantana ‘New Gold’ & Trailing Lavender – (HxW: 2-3’ x 2-3’) Full Sun. Texas Superstar®. Can act as a perennial in our area. Can survive “normal” winters. Extra protection required if extreme temp drops. Prefers well-drained soil. Water deeply to establish a root system during the first season. Drought tolerant once established. Space 3-5’ apart as ground cover. Dies back to the ground in winter. Prune to the ground. New growth occurs late spring when soil has warmed. Mounding habit. Non-invasive, sterile hybrid.
Mexican Bush Sage– (HxW: 3-4’ x 3-4’) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Texas Superstar®. Tolerates drought once established but does best with regular moisture in well-drained soil. Winter hardy Zones 8-10. Mulch well before the first frost and add extra protection if extreme winter temperatures are expected.
Pincushion– (HxW: 12-18” x 15”) Full sun. Prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter/compost. Drought tolerant once established. Clumping growth habit, easily divided.
Platycodon (Balloon Plant)– (HxW: 1-2′ x 1-1.5′) Full sun to part shade, protect from intense afternoon sun. Likes well-drained organically rich soil. Leave plant stems in winter to mark spot and avoid disturbing crown when clearing ground in spring so roots are not disturbed.
Plumbago– (HxW: 3-5’ x 4-5’) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Prefers well-drained soil. Water regularly. Drought tolerant once established. Tender perennial. Heavily mulch and protect during winter. If winters are extreme, Plumbago does well in containers if brought indoors during freezing weather.
Rose of Sharon– (HxW: 6-8′ x 4-6′) Full sun. Water deeply and regularly when young, when established water weekly or when dry. Likes moist, organically rich soil. Heat tolerant. Makes shrub or small tree that flowers late spring -fall.
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Black-eyed Susan– (HxW: 2’ x 2-3’) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Plant 18-30” apart in well-drained soil. Will die back in winter and return from the ground in spring. Stems can be cut back or left as protection and food for wildlife in winter. Disease and drought resistant. Deadhead to encourage reblooming.
Ruellia ‘Katie’ Dwarf Mexican Petunia – (HxW: 8” x 12”) Full sun. Plant 12” apart. Tolerates wet or dry soil, but flowers best with occasional fertilizing. Will stay green in light frosts but dies back in heavy freeze until spring warmth. Spreads quickly by self-seeding and rhizomes.
Salvia Greggii (Autumn Sage)– (HxW:2-3’ x 2 x3’) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Plant 18-24” apart in well-drained soil. Allow to dry between watering except in extreme heat. Likes high nitrogen fertilizer. Trim to thicken. Beginning the 2nd year trim back plants by 1/2 in early February and 1/3 in August. Hummingbirds and butterflies love them.
Saliva ‘Black and Blue’– (HxW: 3-4’ x 3-4’) Full sun. Plant in evenly moist, well-drained soils. Prefers organically rich soil. Cut back stems or deadhead to encourage additional bloom. Will die back in winter and regrow from the ground. Spreading growth habitat.
Salvia Henry Duelberg- (HxW: 3’ x 3’) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Texas Superstar®. Plant 24” apart in well-drained soil. Doesn’t like wet feet. Drought and sun tolerant. Will die back in winter. Grows taller than most other salvias and is known for its resilience.
Salvia ‘May Night’ – (HxW: 18″ x 18″) Full Sun. Well drained soil and drought tolerant once established. Prune back spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming, and after flowering, cut the plant back to basal growth to keep it compact. Favorite of pollinators.
Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’- (HxW: 18-30” x 24-30”) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Plant in well drained soils. Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. Avoid excessive water and fertilization. Dies back in winter and returns when the ground warms. Refrain from pruning to the ground until established.
Santolina ‘Gray’ – (HxW: 2′ x 3′) Full sun. Well draining soil. Very drought tolerant. Prune in winter to keep compact mounding shape. Does not need fertilizer.
Sedum Lemon Ball– (HxW: 6” x 12-15”) Full sun. Plant 12” apart in well-drained soil. Does not like wet feet. Great on berms and retaining walls. Dies back in winter and returns when the ground warms. Bright yellow-green color.
Spirea Double Play®– (HxW:18-24″ x 18-24″) Full sun to part sun. Average water needs. Drought tolerant. Neat mounding habit. Flowers spring-fall. 2022 Flowering Shrub of the Year.
Skullcap– (HxW: 8” x 1.5’) Full sun. Texas Adapted. Grows best in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. Do not overwater.
Texas Primrose – (HxW: 1’ x 2-3’). Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Very heat tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently-allow soil to dry out between watering. Needs good drainage. Low maintenance and drought tolerant.
Texas Rock Rose Pavonia– (HxW: 3’ x 3’) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Texas Superstar®. Heat and drought tolerant once established. Does well in a variety of different soils. Prefers well drained soil. Goes dormant in winter and can be pruned back to 6-8” each season prior to active growth.
Turk’s Cap Red– (HxW: 2-9’x 3-5’) Full sun to shade. Texas NATIVE. Blooms heavily and grows vigorously in full sun. Heat and drought tolerant once established.
White Mistflower – (HxW: 3-6′ x 3-5′) Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Well drained soil and very drought tolerant. Shear the plant heavily in late winter or early spring to promote dense growth and more abundant blooms in the fall.
Yarrow ‘Milly Rock’– (HxW: 2-3′ x 1-2′) Full sun. Likes well-drained soil. Average to dry watering needs-dislikes excessive moisture. Removing spent flowers will encourage reblooming.
Zexmenia – (HxW: 18-24″ x 18-24″)Full sun. Texas NATIVE. Drought tolerant. High heat tolerance and low water requirements. Prune mid-summer to encourage more blooms. Shrubby habit.