Martin Byhower 8/8/26 Martin Byhower 8/8/26

Frogfruit

Frogfruit Phyla nodiflora

Frogfruit is a tough, low-growing Texas native groundcover that spreads to form a dense green mat, making it an excellent alternative to traditional lawn in sunny or partly shaded areas. Tiny white-and-purple flowers appear for much of the warm season and are remarkably valuable to pollinators. Frogfruit is a host plant for several butterflies, including Phaon Crescent, White Peacock, and Common Buckeye, while its flowers attract numerous small native bees and other beneficial insects. It tolerates heat, drought, foot traffic, and a range of soils, although it looks its best with occasional moisture. It can spread enthusiastically where conditions suit it, which makes it especially useful between stepping stones, along pathways, as a living mulch, or where a low, wildlife-friendly groundcover is wanted.

Martin Byhower 7/25/26 Martin Byhower 7/25/26

Woolly Stemodia

Woolly Stemodia (Stemodia lanata) is a charming, low-growing Texas native perennial prized for its soft, woolly silver-gray foliage and delicate lavender flowers. Blooming from spring through fall, it attracts native bees and other pollinators while thriving in full sun, heat, drought, and rocky limestone soils. Its compact habit and attractive texture make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, edging pathways, and the front of native plant beds, where it provides year-round interest with very little maintenance.

Martin Byhower 7/19/26 Martin Byhower 7/19/26

Silver Ponyfoot

Silver Ponyfoot is a beautiful low-growing native Texas groundcover prized for its soft, silvery foliage that cascades gracefully over walls, containers, and garden edges. It thrives in full sun to part shade, tolerates heat and drought once established, and provides an attractive contrast to flowering perennials and shrubs. Its trailing habit makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens, dry landscapes, hanging baskets, and erosion control on slopes.