Martin Byhower 7/26/26 Martin Byhower 7/26/26

Mexican Mint Marigold

Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) is one of the finest fall-blooming native plants for Central Texas, prized for its clouds of golden-yellow flowers and sweet anise-scented foliage. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun to part shade, attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and is generally ignored by deer. Its aromatic leaves can even be used as a culinary substitute for French tarragon, making it as useful as it is beautiful. Blooming from late summer into fall, Mexican Mint Marigold adds brilliant color to native landscapes when many other plants are fading.

Martin Byhower 7/20/26 Martin Byhower 7/20/26

Orange Zexmenia

Orange Zexmenia (Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida) is a tough, long-blooming Texas native perennial that lights up the garden with cheerful golden-orange, daisy-like flowers from spring through fall. Adapted to the heat, drought, and limestone soils of Central Texas, it thrives in full sun and asks for very little care once established. Its bright blooms attract a wide variety of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while its spreading habit makes it an excellent choice for naturalized plantings, meadows, slopes, and informal borders. Orange Zexmenia combines exceptional resilience with months of color, making it one of the most dependable native wildflowers for water-wise landscapes.

Martin Byhower 6/20/26 Martin Byhower 6/20/26

Gulf Coast Muhly

Gulf Coast Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is one of the most spectacular native ornamental grasses for Texas landscapes. In fall, airy clouds of pink to lavender flower stalks rise above the foliage, creating a soft, colorful display that glows in morning and evening light. The fine-textured foliage provides year-round interest and movement, adding beauty and contrast to gardens of all styles.

Gulf Coast Muhly thrives in full sun and adapts to a wide range of soils, including clay and occasionally moist conditions. It is drought tolerant once established, highly resistant to deer, and provides cover and nesting material for birds and other wildlife. Its low-maintenance nature and stunning fall color make it one of the finest ornamental grasses for Central Texas landscapes.