Supporting Strategic Goal #10
Become a
Successful, Environmentally Sustainable Community
Table of Contents
PLANT INDEX
2
INTRODUCTION
3
KEY
4
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
5-6
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
7-9
PERENNIALS
10-14
SHRUBS
15-17
TREES
18-20
IRRIGATION DOs AND DON’Ts
21
THE TOP 50
Common Name & Botanical Plant Name Index
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Page 2
PERENNIALS
COMMON NAME
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
BOTANICAL NAME
BLUE GRAMA
Bouteloua gracilis
PAGE #
7
AUTUMN SAGE
Salvia greggii
10
BUSHY BLUESTEM
Andropogon glomeratus
7
BAT FACE CUPHEA
Cuphea llavea
10
GULF MUHLY
Muhlenbergia capillaris
7
BLACK EYED SUSAN
Rudbeckia hirta
10
INDIAN GRASS
Sorghastrum nutans
7
BRAZOS PENSTEMON
Penstemon tenuis
10
INLAND SEAOATS
Chasmanthium latifolium
8
CONEFLOWER
Echinacea purpurea
11
LINDHEIMER’S MUHLY
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
8
COPPER CANYON DAISY
Tagetes lemmonii
11
LITTLE BLUESTEM
Schizachyrium scoparium
8
EARLY SUNRISE
Coreopsis grandiflora
11
MEXICAN FEATHER GRASS
Nassella tenuissima
8
FLAME ACANTHUS
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
11
SIDEOATS GRAMA
Bouteloua curtipendula
9
INDIAN BLANKET
Gaillardia pulchella
12
SWITCH GRASS
Panicum virgatum
9
SOUTHERN WOOD FERN
Thelypteris kunthii
12
MEALY BLUE SAGE
Salvia farinacea
12
OBEDIENT PLANT
Physostegia virginiana
12
PINCUSHION FLOWER
Scabosia columbaria
13
ROCK ROSE
Pavonia lasiopetala
13
TEXAS BETONY
Stachys coccinea
13
TEXAS COLUMBINE
Aquilegia chrysantha
13
TROPICAL SAGE
Salvia coccinea
14
ZEXMENIA
Zexmenia hispida
14
SHRUBS
PAGE #
COMMON NAME
BOTANICAL NAME
PAGE #
AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY
Callicarpa americana
15
CORALBERRY
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
15
COMMON NAME
BOTANICAL NAME
PAGE #
ESPERANZA
Tecoma stans ‘Esperanza’
15
BUR OAK
Quercus macrocarpa
18
MEXICAN BIRD OF PARADISE
Caesalpinia gelliesii
15
CEDAR ELM
Ulmus crassifolia
18
PRIDE OF BARBADOS
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
16
DESERT WILLOW
Chilopsis linearis
18
RED YUCCA
Hesperaloe parviflora
16
EASTERN RED CEDAR
Juniperus virginiana
18
TEXAS DWARF PALMETTO
Sabal minor
16
EVE’S NECKLACE
Sophora affinis
19
TEXAS KIDNEYWOOD
Eysenhardtia texana
16
REDBUD
Cercis canadensis
TEXAS LANTANA
Lantana horrida
17
19
SHUMARD OAK
Quercus shumardii
TEXAS SAGE
Leucophyllum frutescens
17
19
Malvaviscus arboreus
17
SOUTHERN LIVE OAK
Quercus virginiana
TURKS CAP
19
Myrica cerifera
17
TEXAS ASH
Fraxinus texensis
WAX MYRTLE
20
YAUPON HOLLY
Ilex vomitoria
20
TREES
Introduction
Page 3
The development of this Native Plant Guide is a result of the City of Irving’s Strategic Plan initiative. Specifically, the guide supports Goal
# 10 of the Strategic Plan to “Become a successful, environmentally, sustainable community.” The native plant guide was developed as
an educational tool to make citizens aware of the positive qualities of native Texas plants and assist them in developing landscapes featuring native plants.
Qualities of Native Texas Plants
Use of native Texas plants present many advantages to the gardener. Native plants are adaptive to the climate and soil type of the
North Texas region. Specific desired qualities are:
♦
Extremely drought tolerant with most plants requiring nominal supplemental watering.
♦
Plants are largely maintenance free with respect to pruning and trimming.
♦
They are resistant to pests and diseases.
♦
They require little or no assistance from fertilizer.
Plant Selection
There are hundreds of plants native to Texas. The plants included for this publication were selected by a committee of city staff. Members of this committee have extensive experience in working with native plants. The 50 plants selected represent the preferred native
plants of the committee based on a variety of factors. Factors included in the selection process were prior experience with the plants
and the desire to provide a broad range of plant types.
Plant Height (ft):
Average height of plants at maturity
Light Requirements
Shade
Sun
Plant Spread (ft):
Average width of plants at maturity
Ornamental Value:
Description of plants
Partial Sun
Water Demand
After plants are established (typically after 1 year)
Very Low
Wildlife Value:
Primary focus on attracting Birds and
Butterflies
Very Low - Low
Low
Deciduous:
Plant loses leaves during the year
Evergreen:
Plant has leaves year round
Low - Medium
Medium
Water occasionally during
dry conditions
Water thoroughly every
weeks if no rainfall
Water thoroughly every
weeks if no rainfall
Water thoroughly every
weeks if no rainfall
Water thoroughly every 5-7
if no rainfall
very
5-6
3-4
2-3
days
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
WATER WISE TIPS: For the do-it-yourselfer, long term success and satisfaction with your planting will depend greatly on how much attention you give to conditioning your soil before planting.
There are many different soil types in Texas ranging from sand to clay, from acid to alkaline. Amending soils can reduce your water demands. Consult a Certified Professional for special tips on
how to condition your planting soil for optimum plant growth, water wise conservation and long-term development in your area of the state. Start from the ground up for a beautiful lowmaintenance landscape that will provide beauty and enjoyment for years to come.
PREPARING PLANTING BEDS AND GENERAL PLANTING
INSTRUCTIONS
7.
Dig holes in the newly prepared planting beds just large
enough to accommodate the rootball.
1.
Have a plan for the bed shape and size. Measure and
stake designated area.
8.
2.
Spray the staked area with glyphosate weed-killer to
eliminate established weeds and grass. Follow label
instructions. Allow two weeks for complete results.
Remove the plant from the container. Turn small containers over and tap lightly on the bottom. Plant should
slip out easily. (If not, water lightly, and repeat removal
process.) Keep the rootball intact when planting. You
may wish to add time-release fertilizer into the planting
hole at this time.
3.
Rototill or turn soil with shovel to a depth of 8 to 12
inches. Remove rocks, roots and debris.
9.
4.
WATER WISE TIP: Spread a 4-5” layer of pine bark or
other organic soil conditioner over the bed area and
incorporate. In heavy clay soil, you may wish to add
washed river sand and gypsum to help loosen soil and
provide good drainage.
Set the rootball in the planting hole so that the top of
the rootball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in
around the rootball carefully with soil, eliminating all air
pockets.
5.
6.
If your soil is extremely alkaline, now is the best time to
incorporate soil sulphur and other soil acidifier/
micronutrient fertilizers. Ask your Certified Professional
for the best formula for your area.
After tilling in your soil amendments, rake the bed
smooth and place your plants in position.
10. Build a temporary water basin around the plant to allow easy, thorough watering the first year.
11. Water thoroughly using a mixture of water and root
stimulator. This will help establish your plant in its new
home faster and promote maximum growth the first
season.
12. WATER WISE TIP: Finally, apply a thick layer (3” minimum) of organic mulch around your new plants to help
conserve moisture and discourage weeds.
PLANTING IN OLD BEDS OR UNPREPARED SOIL
(When it is not practical to prepare a planting bed.)
1.
Dig the hole twice as wide and only as deep as the
rootball. Digging deeper results in loose soil under the
rootball causing the rootball to settle too deep in the
hole later.
2.
When the native soil is dug from the hole, make a
planting mix. A general mix would consist of 1/2 native
soil and 1/2 pine bark or other organic soil conditioner.
Check with your Certified Professional for complete
recommendations.
3.
Follow Preparing Planting Beds and General Planting
Instructions steps 8 through 12.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Page 6
SPECIAL PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the general planting instructions on page 5 with the following additions.
Balled and Burlapped Plants
• Do not remove the natural burlap wrapping from the rootball. Once the burlapped rootball is correctly positioned in the planting hole, untie the twine
holding the burlap around the trunk of the plant. Ask your Certified Professional if they recommend, in Irving, folding the burlap on the top of the ball
below the soil level, at planting.
• Prune back 30% to 50% of the side branches to compensate for roots lost during the digging process.
Bare-Root Plants
• Keep roots packaged, moist, and protected from freezing until planting time.
• Soak roots in a mixture of water and root stimulator immediately before planting.
• Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the plant’s present root system. Cut off any broken or dead roots.
• Set the plant in the hole so that the original soil line (usually visible on the trunk) is even with the natural level of the surrounding ground.
• Prune back 40% to 60% to compensate for roots lost during digging.
Plants in Biodegradable Fiber Pots
• Do not remove the plant from the pot. Plant pot and all.
• Once the pot is in the planting hole, cut off the rim with a sharp knife below soil level. Also, slice the sides of the pot several times to allow roots to exit
as the pot slowly decomposes.
WATER WISE TIP
Mulching Pays Off
• Conserves moisture… cuts water bills
• Protects roots from rapid fluctuations of soil
temperatures in summer and winter, promoting
healthier growth
• Retards weed growth… less weeding
• Reduces erosion and soil compaction
• Enriches soil as it decays
• Beautifies landscape beds
Time-release fertilizers promote Steady Growth
Safe, non-burning time release fertilizers make it possible to
provide months of feeding action in the planting hole at
planting. A Certified Professional can suggest the best fertilizer formula for your needs.
Mass Planting Guide
Use this table to guide you in purchasing the correct amount of Number of Square Feet
plants (annuals, perennials, ground
covers) to mass plant your specific
garden area size. Ask your Certified 10 sq. ft. (2x5’ area)
Professional to recommend the
best spacing between plants, then 25 sq. ft. (5x5’ area)
refer to the table to determine approximately how many plants you
50 sq. ft. (10x5’ area)
will need, based upon the number
of square feet in your planting area.
100 sq. ft. (20x5’ area)
Spacing between plants/Approximate number of plants needed
6”
8”
10”
12”
14”
16”
18”
24”
40
23
15
10
8
6
5
3
100
57
36
25
19
14
12
7
200
113
72
50
37
28
23
13
400
225
144
100
74
56
45
25
Page 7
Page 7
ORNAMENTAL
ORNAMENTALGRASS
GRASS
Blue Grama
Botanical Name:
Bushy Bluestem
Bouteloua gracilis
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Light Required:
Very Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Crescent moon-shaped seed heads
from blueish gray to straw-colored
when dried
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets – green to
cinnamon in fall to buffy gold
when dried
Months of Bloom:
June – November
Months of Bloom:
September – November
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen: Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Water Demand:
Texas Smartscape™:
Larry Allain, USGS NWRC
Texas Smartscape™:
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Wildlife Value:
Notes: Can be used in lawns. Nice for use in dry floral arrangements.
Botanical Name:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Very attractive bunch grass for moist areas. Especially pretty in the fall.
Will tolerate light shade. Tolerates poor drainage. A beautiful grass for a dry floral
arrangement. Warm-season perennial.
Gulf Muhly
Indian Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Andropogon glomeratus
Sorghastrum nutans
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low –Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Feathery, deep pink to
purple cloud-like flowers
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets a deep
yellow
Months of Bloom:
October
Months of Bloom:
October – November
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Dark green glossy leaves erupt into a gorgeous profusion of pink to purple
in the fall. Also known as Autumn Blush Muhly.
Texas Smartscape™:
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Notes: This gorgeous grass was a major component of tallgrass prairie. Striking
accent plant or member of pocket tallgrass prairie. Clumping grass, green or
blue leafed. Does well in a naturally moist rich swale area. Warm-season perennial bunch grass. Dormant in winter.
ORNAMENTAL
ORNAMENTAL
GRASS
GRASS
Inland Seaoats
Botanical Name:
Page 8
Lindheimer’s Muhly
Chasmanthium Iatifolium
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Water Demand:
Low –Medium
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets green to
buffy tan
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets silvery
green to golden tan
Months of Bloom:
June – October
Months of Bloom:
July – August
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: In moist soils and shaded areas, this beautiful grass makes a solid mat. Big
drooping spikelets are especially fetching when turned to whitish gold in the fall.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: This is a highly attractive bunch grass. Large clumping grass, use as a
screen. Serves as a striking accent plant in any garden. Plant sports silvery
golden plumes in the fall. Warm-season perennial.
Little Bluestem
Botanical Name:
Mexican Feather Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium
Botanical Name:
Nassella tenuissima
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets bluegreen to silvery gold
Months of Bloom:
August – December
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Most wide-ranging bunch grass in the state, a dominant of the tallgrass prairie.
Blue leafed, needs good drainage but tolerant of a wide variety of moisture & drought.
Little bluestem is a symphony of beautiful color changes through the year from bluegreen to coppery gold in the fall.
Cynthia McKenney
Texas A&M University
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Spread (ft):
1½ foot
Ornamental Value:
Spikelets start out
silver and fade to gold
Months of Bloom:
June – August
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Notes: Cool season grass. Great in flower gardens or as an enhancement in a
desert-scape with yucca and prickly pear. Dormant in winter or drought.
ORNAMENTAL GRASS
Page 9
Switch Grass
Sideoats Grama
Botanical Name:
Bouteloua curtipendula
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Panicum virgatum
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Yellowish spikelets arranged
down stem
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets green turning
deep, rich gold
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Months of Bloom:
August – September
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Wildlife Value:
Birds, butterflies
Notes: Our state grass is a strong perennial and works well as a garden accent.
Competes well with short grasses but not tallgrass prairie grasses. Seed heads on
one side of stem. Great choice for wildflower meadow garden. Warm-season perennial bunch grass. Dormant in winter.
Texas Smartscape™:
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Notes: Gorgeous tallgrass can be used as dramatic accent plant. Large clumping
grass, green or blue leafed. Has airy, filigreed seedhead. Can also be used in small
pocket prairie. Warm-season perennial bunch grass.
PERENNIALS
Autumn Sage
Page 10
Bat Face Cuphea
Botanical Name:
Botanical Name:
Salvia greggii
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red, White, Pink, Salmon
Ornamental Value:
Red, purple
Months of Bloom:
April - October
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), butterflies
(nectar source)
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Semi-evergreen and shrub-like. Shear it to keep it looking better and encourage blooms. Also known as Greggs Salvia.
Courtesy Missouri
Botanical Plantfinder
Notes: Heat tolerant, unique blooms that resemble a bat’s face. Needs welldrained soil.
Brazos Penstemon
Black Eyed Susan
Botanical Name:
Rudbeckia hirta
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Cynthia McKenney
Texas A&M University
Cuphea llavea
Penstemon tenuis
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1½ foot
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Pink
Months of Bloom:
May – September
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies (nectar
source)
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies,
Bees
Notes: Short lived, reseeds. Excellent for summer color. Fuzzy foliage. Deadhead
spent flowers to prolong blooming.
Joseph A. Marcus and the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Spike flowers above foliage. Cut back after bloom. Deadhead spent flowers if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season.
PERENNIALS
Page 11
Coneflower
Botanical Name:
Copper Canyon Daisy
Echinacea purpurea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Purple, white
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Months of Bloom:
September – October
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Birds, Butterflies (nectar
source)
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Ernie Edmundson,
Master Gardener
Notes: Excellent for wildlife and cut flowers. Herbal plant. Long lived, reseeds.
Notes: Licorice scent foliage. Trim back by one-third several times during the
growing season to maintain compactness and prevent sprawl. Also known as
Mexican Bush Marigold.
Early Sunrise
Botanical Name:
Flame Acanthus
Coreopsis grandiflora
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Tagetes lemmonii
Anisacanthus quadrifidus
var. wrightii
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Months of Bloom:
June – October
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies (nectar
source)
Notes: Do not let them go bone dry or they will go dormant. Also known as
Dwarf Coreopsis.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar
source & larval food source)
Notes: Tubular flowers. One of the toughest and easiest plants to grow. Excellent
for wildlife.
PERENNIALS
Indian Blanket
Page 12
Southern Wood Fern
Botanical Name:
Gaillardia pulchella
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Joseph A. Marcus and the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low - Medium
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow/Red
Ornamental Value:
Light green foliage
Months of Bloom:
June – July
Months of Bloom:
none
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Butterflies
Notes: Short lived, multi-colored blooms, reseeds. Heat and drought tolerant. Welldrained soil. Occasionally shear for compact appearance.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Botanical Name:
Not Significant
Notes: Resprouts mid-spring, hardiest and most common fern for our area.
Mealy Blue Sage
Obedient Plant
Salvia farinacea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Thelypteris kunthii
Physostegia virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Low - Medium
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Ornamental
Value:
Months of
Bloom:
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Light Blue
Ornamental Value:
Pink, white
Months of Bloom:
April – September
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
May – October
Deciduous
Birds (especially hummingbirds),
butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Grown as an annual. 6"-8" upright spikes of flowers. Needs well drained
soils. Cut to the ground.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds (specifically hummingbirds)
Notes: Clump, flowers above foliage. Very easy to grow. 4"-6" flower spikes.
PERENNIALS
Page 13
Rock Rose
Pincushion Flower
Botanical Name:
Botanical Name:
Scabosia columbaria
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Lavender, Pink
Ornamental Value:
Pink
Months of Bloom:
February – November
Months of Bloom:
April – September
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies (nectar source)
Birds (specifically
hummingbirds),
Butterflies
Stan Shebs
Notes: Dark green foliage, needs good drainage. Blooms decline in hot weather.
Texas Betony
Botanical Name:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: 1/2" miniature rose-pink hibiscus flowers all season long. Reseeds freely.
Texas Columbine
Stachys coccinea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Mrs. W. D. Bransford and the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Pavonia lasiopetala
Aquilegia chrysantha
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
June – November
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar
source)
Notes: Tubular flowers. Oval, green leaves. Tolerates heat and humidity.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Longer lived. Light morning sun. Excellent in dry woodland gardens. Some
water is required to prevent summer dormancy.
PERENNIALS
Tropical Sage
Botanical Name:
Zexmenia
Salvia coccinea
Botanical Name:
Zexmenia hispida
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Page 14
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red/White
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
March – November
Months of Bloom:
April – October
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Birds (specifically hummingbirds),
Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Spike flowers above foliage, reseeding, tender perennial. Shear it to keep it
smaller.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Reliable bloomer, very drought tolerant. Blooms forever. If used in shade,
plant in dry soil.
SHRUBS
Page 15
American Beautyberry
Botanical Name:
Coralberry
Callicarpa americana
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
5 feet
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Purple
White
Months of Bloom:
August – September
Ornamental
Value:
Months of Bloom:
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Birds
April – May
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Purple or white berries in winter.
Notes: Purple/Pink berries in winter. Lime green new foliage in early spring.
Esperanza
Botanical Name:
Mexican Bird of Paradise
Tecoma stans 'Esperanza'
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Caesalpinia gelliesii
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low– Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low—Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Height(ft):
7 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
7 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
April - October
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
C. Mueller
Texas A&M University
Notes: Cut down in winter, drought tolerant.
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Red stamens. Can be trained as a tree.
SHRUBS
Page 16
Pride of Barbados
Botanical Name:
Red Yucca
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Hesperaloe parviflora
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow/Red
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Bees
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Stan Shebs
Notes: Tall spikes of flowers.
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
June – September
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Not Significant
Notes: Flowers above foliage, sharp points.
Texas Dwarf Palmetto
Botanical Name:
Texas Kidneywood
Sabal minor
Botanical Name:
Eysenhardtia texana
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
8 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Ornamental Value:
White
Ornamental Value:
White
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Campbell & Lynn Loughmiller and the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Tropical look, tolerates poor drainage.
Not Significant
Joseph A. Marcus and the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Heavy Spring and Fall spike blooms.
Butterflies, Bees
SHRUBS
Page 17
Texas Lantana
Botanical Name:
Texas Sage
Botanical Name:
Lantana horrida
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Leucophyllum frutescens
Water Demand:
Very Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Height(ft):
6 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red/Yellow
Lavender/Purple
Months of Bloom:
May – September
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Ornamental
Value:
Months of
Bloom:
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
May – October
Evergreen
Bees
Texas Smartscape™:
Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Notes: 2” cluster of blooms, drought tolerant.
Notes: Several varieties available, gray/silver leaves.
Turks Cap
Botanical Name:
Wax Myrtle
Malvaviscus arboreus
Light Required:
Botanical Name:
Myrica cerifera
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Ornamental Value:
Blue
Months of Bloom:
May - October
Months of Bloom:
November – February
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Butterflies
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: 1½” Hibiscus-type flowers. Shaped like small turbans. Easy to
grow.
Birds
Texas Smartscape™:
Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: A fast growing large shrub that can be trained as a multi-trunked
tree. Flowers indiscriminate, blue berries.
TREES
Page 18
Bur Oak
Cedar Elm
Botanical Name:
Quercus macrocarpa
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Dr. Dotty Woodson,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
60 feet
Plant Height(ft):
45 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
30 feet
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Shady
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Birds
Notes: Large leaves, distinctive bark, acorns the size of golf balls.
Majestic, fast-growing shade tree.
Desert Willow
Botanical Name:
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds
Notes: Each tree is uniquely shaped. Small, sandpaper-like leaves and
rough, corky bark. Likes alkaline soil; yellow fall color.
Eastern Red Cedar
Chilopsis linearis
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™:
Dr. Dotty Woodson,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Ulmus crassifolia
Juniperus virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
25 feet
Plant Height(ft):
30 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental
Value:
Months of Bloom:
White, pink, burgundy, purple
Ornamental Value:
Accent plant/screening
Months of Bloom:
Winter
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Mammals
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
May - October
Deciduous
Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds
Notes: Trumpet-shaped, orchid-like white or pink or burgundy or purple
blooms all summer long.
Texas Smartscape™:
Dr. Wayne Mackay,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: One of the best evergreens for screening and wildlife. Female
produces blue berries in winter.
TREES
Page 19
Eve's Necklace
Redbud
Botanical Name:
Sophora affinis
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Cercis canadensis
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Plant Height(ft):
30 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
20 feet
Ornamental Value:
White, Pink
Months of Bloom:
April
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Not Significant
Texas Smartscape™:
Steve Schwartzman
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Pink, Lavender, White
Months of Bloom:
March – April
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Butterflies
Texas Smartscape™:
Dr. Dotty Woodson,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: Pink or white wisteria like flowers & black bead-like seedpods
in fall.
Shumard Oak
Botanical Name:
Notes: Pink, lavender and white flowers. Good understory tree or accent
plant.
Southern Live Oak
Quercus shumardii
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Quercus virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
50 feet
Plant Height(ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
50 feet
Ornamental
Value:
Months of Bloom:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Birds
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Texas Smartscape™:
Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Notes: Outstanding fall color – yellow to crimson to red. Likes alkaline
soil.
Notes: Evergreen leaves.
Birds
TREES
Texas Ash
Botanical Name:
Page 20
Page 23
Yaupon Holly
Fraxinus texensis
Botanical Name:
Ilex vomitoria
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low to Medium
Plant Height(ft):
40 feet
Plant Height(ft):
20 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Fall/Winter
Deciduous/
Evergreen:
Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies,
Mammals
Texas Smartscape™:
Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Birds
Texas Smartscape™:
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Red berries on females all fall and winter. Good for courtyards and
Notes: Intense yellow to orange fall color.
small spaces.
Page 21
T O P 1 0 I R R I G AT I O N
DOS AND DON’TS
1. Do check your system and keep it in good condition. Repair
broken heads or pipes before operating.
2. Don’t water during the heat of the day. It is best to water
between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., thus eliminating excessive
evaporation.
3. Do make sure your system is designed properly. Each head
should spray to the adjacent heads surrounding it, thus giving
even coverage.
4. Don’t water sidewalks or other hardscape items. Make sure the
water is only going on turf or plants and not running down the
street.
5. Do consider using drip irrigation for your bedding plants. Drip
irrigation applies the water directly to the base of the plant and
is absorbed directly by the plant.
6. Don’t water everyday as this contributes to shallow roots and
makes plants vulnerable to drought. It is better to water less
often for longer periods of time.
7. Do select plants with similar water needs to be located together
in one zone. You should select all plants on the same irrigation
zone that have the same general water requirements so as not
to waste water.
8. Don’t mix different types of heads: spray, rotary, drip on the
same zone. Each type of head requires different run times and
has different uses.
9. Do use a rain and freeze sensor. These devices will turn off the
sprinklers during rain and freeze events, thus eliminating
wasting water or ice accumulation.
10. Don’t water all areas alike. Turf areas will require different
amounts of water compared to landscape areas.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to the following for providing information included in this guide.
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Bonnie Arnold-Reese, Beautiful Landscapes
Larry Allain, USGS NWRC
Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Ernie Edmundson, Master Gardener
Campbell & Lynn Loughmiller and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Cynthia McKenney, Texas A & M University
Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Joseph A. Marcus and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Missouri Botanical Plantfinder
C. Mueller, Texas A&M University
Steve Schwartzman
Stan Shebs, Contributing Photographer
John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Texas Nursery and Landscape Association
Texas Smartscape™ Program produced through the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Storm Water Management
Program
Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Dotty Woodson, Ed. D. Texas AgriLife Extension Service
For additional information contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-721-2501