Landscaping IDEAS North Texas

Texas Superstar Plants identifies superior landscape plants for Texas. Combining the expertise of university and industry leaders, the cooperative program also promotes their introduction in the marketplace. With input from Texas A&M University horticulturists, nursery professionals, growers, arboretum and botanical garden representatives, and other experts, the program’s combined efforts bring superior landscape plants for Texas to the attention of consumers through an active marketing campaign.

Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’
This gorgeous Texas native is easy to grow, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, is exceeding drought-tolerant, and doesn’t attract deer. It grows between 2 feet and 3 feet tall and has flower spikes that are 1 foot long and covered in dark, purplish-blue flowers. Cutting back the spikes after the flowers are spent encourages the plant to rebloom. It can be in bloom virtually all season. Once established, this salvia is incredibly heat- and drought-tolerant. It’s perfect for water-wise gardeners. The only thing this plant doesn’t like is wet feet. Zones 7-9

Lacey oak Quercus laceyi, syn. Quercus glaucoides)
Some debate continues about the correct botanical name of this Texas native, but the common name is the same: lacey oak. A smaller oak, it reaches just 25-35 feet tall and wide, making it more in scale with residential gardens. The tree has a beautiful habit, resembling a miniature white oak. It makes a lovely shade tree and is also perfect in a native garden. Although lacey oak can be grown in east Texas, it is best adapted to the Hill Country and cultivated settings in west Texas. Lacey oak is highly tolerant of heat, drought, and high pH soils, once established. Zones 7-9

‘Texas Gold’ columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana ‘Texas Gold’)
Hinckley columbine is native to only one place in Texas and is very rare in the wild. ‘Texas Gold’, a selection of this rare plant, has buttercup-yellow flowers with long, attractive spurs and fernlike foliage. The bright blossoms light up a shady border. Columbine can be a short-lived perennial but will reseed itself if you let the seedlings grow. ‘Texas Gold’ reaches 2-3 feet tall. It prefers well-drained soil, part shade, and adequate moisture, though it will tolerate some heat. Zones 5-8

Source: www.bhg.com