Texas plants are tough, and they need to be hardy! They have evolved to survive months of triple-digit heat in summer, hard freezes in winter, and extended droughts, sometimes followed by local "rain bombs". Below is a small sampling of the spectacular flora of Central Texas. I have included a few plants that are not strictly native to the area, but found within a few hundred miles, mostly south of the region. Some plants are cultivars. I can provide most of them, depending on the season. Below you will find– in separate sections with a heading above each name–, trees, evergreen shrubs and succulents/cactuses, perennials, grasses, groundcovers, and vines. And I have included a few annual wildflowers (which can be purchased as seed elsewhere), just because they are beautiful! Texas natives are tough and ask much less of the gardener, but they do need a bit of "tough love" . Be sure to mulch, mulch, mulch—but not to overwater them. In most cases, don't spray or fertilize them; and if and when you prune them, do so appropriately and at the right time (usually around Valentine's Day)! Of course, if I help you plan your garden and/or provide your plants, I am available to offer advice or suggestions before, during, and after you plant them-contact me whenever you have any questions. I can provide, in season, the plants below and many others. These include the deer-distasteful as well as "deer candy". Want a shade loving plant that produces red flowers, attracts hummingbirds, and can live in the worst possible soil? How about a deer resistant evergreen tree with bright berries in mid winter? A drought tolerant groundcover with velvety green leaves and lovely purple flower spikes? There are plants for every possible situation! To get growing, contact me by calling me at 310-487-3353 or email me at avitropic@sbcglobal.net
Native and Adapted Small to medium TREES
Two favorite all purpose ornamental trees: Yaupon and Texas Mountain Laurel
Yaupon: Evergreen, best bet for wildlife, any soil type, sun or shade, can be shrub or tree
Possumhaw in winter
Possumhaw: Deciduous, shade or sun, stunning red berries attract robins, waxwings, and more
Anacacho Orchid
Anacacho Orchid: Fragrant blooms, sun or shade, low water
Texas Redbud
Texas Redbud detail
Yaupon
Goldenball Lead Tree; Sun or shade, excellent pollinator plant
Ashe Juniper; much maligned but evergreen, deer resistant, any soil, low water
Goldenball Lead Tree detail
Goldenball Lead Tree
Yaupon with Cedar Waxwing
Texas Mountain Laurel: Best tree for our region! Relatively slow growing but does well in any soil type, sun or shade, low water, deer-resistant
Texas Mountain Laurel
Eve's Necklace: Not deer resistant, great blooms/pollinator plant
Eve's Necklace detail
Desert Willow: Great for xeriscaping, light foliage, beautiful flowers attract pollinators