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

Button Bush

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is one of the best native shrubs for supporting wildlife in moist areas. Its unique, spherical white flowers resemble pincushions and bloom in summer, attracting a remarkable variety of butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by decorative seed heads that provide food for ducks and other birds, while the dense branching offers excellent cover for wildlife. Buttonbush thrives in consistently moist soils and even tolerates standing water, making it an outstanding choice for rain gardens, pond edges, low spots, or streambanks. Although it naturally prefers wet conditions, it can adapt to average garden soils with supplemental watering during dry periods.

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

Chile Pequin

Chile Pequin (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) is a hardy Texas native shrub-like perennial that produces hundreds of tiny, fiery red peppers beloved by birds but ignored by deer and most mammals. Delicate white flowers appear from late spring through summer, followed by bright red fruits that persist into fall, providing an important food source for mockingbirds, thrashers, cardinals, and many other songbirds. Thriving in dappled shade or morning sun, Chile Pequin is exceptionally heat and drought tolerant once established and makes an attractive addition to native gardens, woodland edges, and edible landscapes. The peppers are extremely hot and can be harvested for fresh or dried culinary use, adding both wildlife value and ornamental appeal to the garden.

Martin Byhower 7/14/26 Martin Byhower 7/14/26

Escarpment Live Oak

Escarpment Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis)

Escarpment Live Oak is one of the most dependable and iconic native shade trees of Central Texas. Evergreen and exceptionally long-lived, it provides dense, cooling shade throughout the year while thriving in the rocky limestone soils and hot, dry climate of the Edwards Plateau. Its broad, graceful canopy creates an inviting landscape feature, and its acorns provide an important food source for birds, deer, squirrels, and other wildlife. Highly tolerant of drought, heat, wind, and urban conditions, Escarpment Live Oak requires little maintenance once established. Its beauty, resilience, and year-round foliage make it one of the finest long-term shade trees for Georgetown and the surrounding Hill Country.

Martin Byhower 7/12/26 Martin Byhower 7/12/26

Lacey Oak

Lacey Oak is one of the finest native shade trees for Central Texas, combining exceptional beauty with outstanding toughness. Its distinctive blue-green leaves emerge with peach-colored new growth in spring, provide cooling summer color, and often turn golden yellow in fall. Slower growing than many shade trees, Lacey Oak develops a broad, graceful canopy that is perfectly sized for most residential landscapes. Native to the Edwards Plateau, it thrives in the rocky limestone soils around Georgetown and is highly drought tolerant once established. Resistant to oak wilt and requiring little maintenance, Lacey Oak provides excellent shade while producing acorns that support birds and other wildlife. It is an outstanding long-term investment for homeowners seeking a beautiful, durable native tree.

Martin Byhower 6/30/26 Martin Byhower 6/30/26

Mexican Plum

Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana)

Mexican Plum is a beautiful native small tree that announces the arrival of spring with a spectacular display of fragrant white blossoms before its leaves emerge. The flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, while the summer fruit is enjoyed by songbirds and other wildlife. Its attractive bark, glossy green foliage, and vibrant yellow fall color add year-round interest to the landscape. Adaptable and relatively drought tolerant once established, Mexican Plum thrives in full sun to part shade and is well suited to the limestone soils of Central Texas. Its ornamental beauty, wildlife benefits, and seasonal interest make it an excellent choice for residential landscapes and native gardens.

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

Mealy Blue Sage

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea) is one of the most reliable and longest-blooming native perennials for Central Texas gardens. Its spikes of blue to violet flowers provide months of color from spring through fall and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The cool flower color combines beautifully with yellow, orange, and red flowering natives, making it a valuable addition to mixed garden beds.

Mealy Blue Sage thrives in full sun and is remarkably tolerant of heat, drought, and a variety of soil conditions. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, native plant landscapes, and water-wise designs.