Xnei Landscape Plants
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an ear Central TexasXaied Landscape Plants
an earthwise guide for Central Texas
This guide was developed to help you in your efforts to protect and preserve our water resources.Small Trees / Large Shrubs
Shrubs
Perennials
Yuccas/Agaves/Succulents/Cacti/Sotols
Omamental Gras
Vines
Groundcovers
Raingardens
Bulbs / Water Plants
rf
Invasives
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Native to:
E_—- Edwards Plateau: Shallow lime-
stone or calichesoil (generally on
the west side of Austin)
B_— - Blackland Prairie: Deeper, dark
clay soils (generally on the central
and east side of Austin)
B/E - Native to both Blackland Prairie
and Edwards Plateau
T ~ Texas (outside of the immediate
‘Austin area)
+ Hybrid plant with native
Texas parentage
For additional native plant information, visit the
plant section of the Lady Bird Johnson Wild
flower Center s website at www.wildflowerorg,
Utility Approved Trees:
R) _~ Appropriate for use near overhead
and underground utilities
Evergreen or Deciduous:
= Evergreen
Evergreen
Most plants on the list are re
D- may be di
Water:
Refers to the plant's water needs after they
are established. All plants require more wate
when first planted
VL = Very Low (Water occasion-
ly during very dry condition)
L__- Low (Water thoroughly every
3-4 weeks if no rainfall)
M_—~ Medium (Water thoroughly
He - High (Water thoroughly
every 5-7 days if no rainfall)
Wildlife:
V Texas native plants provide grea
wildlite value than hybrid, non-
native andor exotic plants
Flowers, leaves, nuts. seed
berries provide food for w
including butterfies, insets, birds
and/or mammals
Deer Resistant:
When very hungry, deer will eat
almost any plant; the following
care guidelines:Gardening, “Austin-style”...
Our native landscape is the inspiration for this guide to earthwise
plant choices for Austin area gardens. The Grow Green plant list was
created to help you select beautiful native and adapted plants which
are naturally drought tolerant and resistant to pests and
diseases. The less watering, fertilizing, and chemical control
required in your yard, the more you contribute to the conservation
and preservation of our precious water resources - our streams,
lakes, and aquifers.
Native plants belong here; they thrive with minimal care and provide
habitat for local wildlife. We have chosen plants you should be able
to find without too much trouble. Some non-natives are also recom-
mended, for special situations, like shady areas, poorly drained soils
or for their deer resistance. Many plants were included simply for
their great beauty.
Some people move to Austin and try to surround themselves with
plants they are familiar with from their past homes. These plants are
often poorly suited to our climate and soils, By choosing native and
adapted plants, you become more knowledgeable about, more aware
of, and more connected to the land of Central Texas. Incorporate
them into your landscape for a garden style with a sense of place.
We hope you enjoy using this guide to recreate Austin’s natural
beauty in your own back yard.
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Prune forshane orto | //]
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Cypress, Arizona,
Taaxodiuin disticlnom
Prune for shape only
Mor ee ee
Ptornterusees
only Ash appropriate for Austi
relatively long life
provides nesting and co
Prefers deeper soils: good sereen pla
sakenly called Cedar) is ar
‘alternative for shallow soils
‘Well suited o fmestone soils, attractive, peeling
red bark: some disease problems; najuires
(Cypress, Montezuma
v
v|
v
v
Prune for shape of t9
canopy
Requires deep, moist soil conditions and mois
ture; Foliage dries up in dry, hot location: use
‘westem seed source only
Similar to Balel Cypress but fa
more adapted to dry, stessfll¢
reece it severe winters,
Jn Form adapted 19 rocky So
stand heavy, poorly drained elay soils and soils
that are moderately compacted susceptible t
powdery mildews
B-3" long blooms; Bri
cht green foliage and weep
ing shape; very slow growing: thors: excellent
alkaline soils: outsta
Prune for shape or
lOak. Chinquapin
Querews muhlenber
Urban Forestry/Tree Preservation
rune for shape or i
SIRIRIRTR TRIB
SeyTrees
« Small Trees/ Large Shrubs
Anacacho Orchid=
Caer
Ve eer onimerer treet rere tae
ion) Did You Know? Tr
Oak. Lavey
JQuereus lacey
ce eed
Rc eeens
mens eo
coer ver ae nearness
eal for small urban yards: stow
ates shallow limestone soil resist
Prune for shape of to
raise canopy if desired
GaSe:
ntenance fact sheet for
Eth
as
(Oak, Live (Southern)
Quercus virginia
"Oak, Escarpment Live
test and coldest months: thiol dope
wounds immediatel sialiesectt wee
Oak wilt susceptible; likes large open spaces:
ves in spring; i planting in
pment Live Oak which is
(Oak, Monterey
(Mexican White)
Que pha
Prune far shape of 10
fouk, Texas Red
Quercus rexana
* Oak, Shumard
Quercus shumareti
Paint any pruning
help prevent oak wilt
nas Pan
ICarva illinoinensis
Tall improve Woe:
erie or ape bee ‘dcep soils only’ susceptible t
Medium size leaves, handsome u
preiers di
Well adapted to rocky soils; susceptible to oak
wilt; use western seed source for red oaks:
IShumard Oak is an alternative, but only for deep]
ained soil
Food for migratory birds, tolerates moist, wet
locations and occasional flooding
Mexican
Small Trees
Prune for shape or requires
rapid growth
Avoid shallow soils
to bacterial leaf scorch ard drought 6
Prune for shape or
Preters well drained soil; flowers attrac
‘butterflies and bees
Anacacho Orchid Tr
Bauhinia lunariodes
Buckeye, Mexican
Uingnaadia spectose
Buckeye, Red
Multitrunk: shrubby: does well as
understory tree
[ Porscca iene
Gola Prine for shape orf T™ globes: fragrant Blooms fairy fast
aad, [vt raise eanapy: se toch erowsing! ary foliage eats fight shade for under-
sess ui ‘plantings: deer browse leaves
Hoty NeleR, Steven
Nellie R. Stevens’
Holly. Possumhaw
ites decidua
Sun
Sun! past
shade
Feb
Red
berries
Prune in mid-winter to
HM) | shape or to raise canopy
Prune for shape only er
to raise canopy
female plant produces red
berries if not sheared: inconspicuous blooms in
spring: susceptible to iron ehlorosis and
Striking red berries on bare brat
tolerates poor drainage; fruits best in full sun
Holly. Yaupon
lle tomiroria
top Tree
Protea rifotiat
12.207
@
Sun part
un Pa Winter
Sun part
‘Small shade tolerant tree, Females produce red
berries in winter that attract bi
lige of inscots and diseases: pai
Blooms have a citrus sea
pillars; adapted to most
host plant for eater-
tracts butterfliesSmall Trees/ Large Shrubs
Windmill PalmKidneywood
Eysenhardiia texana
Mountain Laurel, Texas
Sephora secundiffora
Spring tq White
fall | flowers
Prune for sh
to mise
Purple
flowers
consol] fits
ES ALLA
Showy flowers with stro
grape bubble gum
nels woord drain:
‘occasional caterpillar problems; slow gro
sqniys asin,
shade
Sun’ pant
Gy
foliage
raise canopy
Prine orstancorto [7]
F
d
Tinty textured follager bones can be messy 0
lon’t plant near drivewaysisidewalks; top may
cig in hard freed
Persimmon, Texas
[Diosparos tsar shade
Palm, Pindo
Palm, Jelly
Buia capinara
Sun’ part
White
Spring | anrite
female tees are fruit-bearing so can be messy
grows best in shallow, rocky
slow grower
Whitish|
Late | fiowers
Spring e
Prune in summer
removing only dead
fronds: may need iron
supplement
te
ers; plant on southern exposu
avoid planting on limes
= inconspicuous Mowers
one: do not plant near
woserves: hard
Palm, Windill
Trachycarpus fortunei
Mexican
Punica grananum shade
[Redbud, Mexican
ICercis canadensis
* Redbud, Texas
Pomegranate Sun! part
ing only dead fronds;
are heavy feeders
Dark grey
foliage
5 White
Spring | flowers
Prune for shape only or
to raise canopy if te
like shape is desired
yellow
{all color
Pinkish
purple
flowers |
Prune for shape oF to
raise canopy if desired:
prune suckers
Early
le shade!
[Parkinsonia aculeata, sun
* Similar plant; provides good alternative
pring to] Yellow
Tall | flowers
Prune for shape only or
Jo raise canopy ifdesived
ba
fan-shaped leaves
buildings where it can be appreciated up close:
ardiestof palms: painful
spines! often planted in clumps plat near
arieties are available: tolerates shallow
rocky limestone soil
Mexican’ variety has small wavy leaves
ikes well di
Tolerates dry soils green trunk and branche
seeds out: root suckers: thors: Fast #03 in
Short livedSmall Trees/ Large Shrubs
Shrubs
Abelia
AgaritamL
SQNAYS ABAD'T/
Extremely drought and disease tolerant; must
have well-drained soil to do well fast growing:
ood substitute for Burford Holly and Ligustrum|
Sitktassel, Mexican
Garrva ovata spp. | E
indheimeri
Suni pa 5 Prune as needed to main
shade satura form
White
blooms:
sui
winter foliage:
Slossy leaves tum burgundy in cool season: fuzzy.
‘orange’ red berries provide food for bitds and
‘other wildlife: needs good drainage
Sun
shade
Isumac. Evergreen
IRhus virens
tain natural form
Prine for shape oF to “Good understory tree; for deeper, well-drained
raise canopy right after soils; slow-growing; yellow, orange, and red
bloom ‘color fall frit favored by birds
Viburnum, Rusty
Blackhaw BE
Viburmum rufideduun
Sout |
Viburnum,
‘Sandankwa
Viburnum suspension
e Tor shape or
raise canopy right after
bloom
Sun!
shade
Requires deep soil and good drainage:
fairly fast-growing
Grows in limestone soil; nuts provide food for
wildlife; good cover and nesting for wildlife:
poisonous flowers
Walnut, Little
Juglans microcarpa
Prune for shape only
andior to raise canopy
Fast-growing screen: prefers deeper soils; foliage
Prune for shape only aromatic when crushed; dwarf varieties available
and/or to raise canopy a 8-10" height; great wildlife tree that provides
ood and year round cover
Wax Myrtle
Morella corifera
Sw part
Shae
berries
Wii
flower
red fol
age (new
Large, loose and airy shrub; inconspicuous
Can be trained as tree flowers; adaptable to most soils; heat tolerant
or hedge ‘occasional scale or red spider mites: hardy to
10° F., but may lose leaves in sharp frosts
IXylosma
Xplosnia congestum
Sun! part
shade Spring
Shrubs
Abelia, Glossy
Abelia grandifora
Sunipart
flowers
look: shaping
not necessary
sous blooms, proweet
{rom direct afternoon sun: can be
can be susceptible to tung
cuba
Aeuba japonica
RY AUK
ita
Berberis rifolita |
| Mahonia wifoliatoy
sr
bush grevn, holly ke foie
Shrub for birdsShrubsAmerican Beautyberry
(Callicarpa americana
Sle
Do not prune
wildlife food:
prefers dependable moisture: good
tunderstory shrub
Aralia, Japanese
i:
Barbados Cherry
Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus
Buttery Bush
Buckley david
si
Buuterily Bush, Wooly
Buddleja marrubiioli
o-12°] 10-12" | shade
Sun’ part
Par
Cream
flower
shade
shade
pring
fall
Remove yellow foliage
Minimal prus
maintain natural arching
shape
Tropical looking with inconspicuous bloom
Jwater from below to minimize wet foliage: mini
mal disease problems
TS" dalioate, crepe paper Nowers followed by
Jd berries that are prized by binds: dsvarf variety
(0 3") available
thors: best color i fill sun: needs good drain
e: dwarf form (10 2°) also available; plant only
Atropuurpurea’ species, others are invasive
unipart
shade
pink.
viole
purple
un/part
ICoralberry
Icotone
ICoroneaster spp.
Dalea, Black
Violet
Rowers
M
Shear back after bloom
to encourage more
blooms.
Prune for natural look:
shaping not necessary
Prune for a natura Loo
shaping not
May shear back after
first frast browns leaves}
Long bloom spikes are aromatie: prone to mite
problems: attracts butterflies
> flower, peach-fuz7 type Folia
1eeds good drainage: atracts
butterflies; native to south Texas
Spreads by runners: susceptible to powdery
‘mildew; does well in moist soil with
‘compost adled
Silver-gray to dark green fli
fleshy berries: susceptible to fire blight and
spider mites: other varieties available
Reguires little water, long roots will find water
some distance away: excellent nectar source,
does wel in poor soilsShrubsis pungens
VL i
eae
4
Pala
flowers
Olive-gray leaves; medium-fast grower, prefers
well-drained soil: large plant ean be controlled
‘with pruning b fant nica preserves,
Tay escape to areas with moist soil
s require
frequent pruning in a
‘confined space
Forestirera pubescens
Flame Acanthus
tnisacanthus quadrif] E
dus var. wrightit.
shade
10 fall
Prune to shape only
‘Cut back in half af
Elbow Bush e | so | 4s [8/0] | spring
saz} xge [Sun/pan] y [Summer| frst frost brow
for before spri
if desired
Fragrant Mimosa :
Mimosa borealis
Germander, Bush
Teucrium fruticans
6-8
46
owe
Little maintenance
rune the “wild hairs”
for a natural look, shap-
ing not necessary
x alraetive silvery
‘eray-green foliage
Hawthorne, Indian
Rhaphiotepis indica
4.6)
| +
White
or pink | M
Don't ove
“Eleanor Tabor"
Pruning not usually
Holly, Dwarf Burford
Hex cormuta “Burtordit
——————i
Holly, Dwarf Chinese
ex cornuta ‘Rotunda’
Holly, Dwarf Yaupon
Hex vomitoria "Nana | X
46)
shade
rod berries
Prune fora natural look,
Prune for natural look
susceptible to seale insects; thives
shaping not necessary ze
often used a
shaping not necessary
Pruning not usually
Low, mounding shrub; maintains a formal shape
Honeysuckle Bush,
White BE
Lonicera albiflora
Shade!
partsun | PY
White
blooms: | t.
uitfred bervies
Open and sprawling: fragrant in sp
owers attract butterflies and bees: berries
ct many birds
Prune for shape after
bloom