By using native plants in their landscaping plan, homeowners can be assured that their plants will thrive in the dry, sunny Texas climate. Native plants make good environmental sense as well, as they generally require less water and can survive for extended periods with little or no watering. Many also serve to attract butterflies and other wildlife, providing an additional level of beauty to these practical and attractive plantings. Here are five of the best native plants for Texas landscape design.
For a burst of color throughout the spring, the huisache daisy’s bright yellow blooms will brighten any yard. Also known as the butterfly daisy or honey daisy, this charming flower of the aster family has attractive foliage and a sweet scent that attracts butterflies; the flower grows up to one foot in height. Huisache daisies can be found growing in large quantities along Texas roads and highways, providing a solid blanket of golden color from March to June; they require partial shade in order to thrive. Because the huisache daisy flourishes in the dry conditions of Texas, it is an outstanding choice for environmentally conscious homeowners who want to conserve water.
The anacacho orchid tree, also known simply as the orchid tree, is so named for its springtime display of orchid-like flowers ranging in hue from soft white to pale pink. Standing six to twelve feet high, it is tolerant to Texas heat and does well on very little water, but requires a certain amount of shielding from harsh winter wind. After the flowers are gone, silver bark and dense green foliage make this a lovely ornamental tree all year round.
Also known as the hummingbird bush, flame acanthus is a native Texas honeysuckle shrub with reddish-orange flowers and light green leaves. Blooms appear in early June and persist throughout the fall, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with their sweet-smelling fragrance. Drought tolerant, this hardy plant prefers fairly moist soil for best results. It likes full sun and can survive extremes of hot and cold better than average. Pruning in winter produces a denser and more attractive plant for ornamental purposes.
With large, dramatic flowers ranging in hue from golden yellow to red and magenta, Indian blanket is a showy addition to any landscaping project. Also known as firewheel due to the firework-like appearance of its blooms, Indian blanket grows to one or two feet tall and spreads like a shrub. It does well in dry conditions and prefers full sun or partial shade; the sandier the soil, the more flowers it produces. Indian blanket is an excellent choice for first-time native plant gardening since it requires little care and is exceptionally hardy, even reseeding itself naturally at the end of its growing season. It attracts butterflies and stands up reasonably well to incursions by deer.
Because buffalograss is a native prairie grass endemic to Texas, it is an environmentally responsible and hardy alternative to other types of lawn grass. It requires little water to survive, and is tolerant of both sun and heat. Soft to the touch and varying in color between grayish green and blue-green, its flowers attract butterflies and, if left unmowed, it can provide homes for a variety of native wildlife. Buffalograss can grow to a height of one foot, but generally ranges between three and ten inches tall. It does best in clay loam, and goes dormant during extended droughts and in the winter.
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Realtors Property Resource and Austin real estate can be found on the net.
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