Texas has some great native plants that don’t need much time, water, or money to flourish. These plants have adapted to our harsh summers, mild winters, and short growing seasons. Today, we’ll discuss some of the native plants available in North Texas.
Many people want to use native plants in their landscapes, because of their beauty, usefulness, and ability to attract wildlife.
These plants are generally easy to care for and thrive in the ever-changing, but not always ideal weather conditions. There is a wide variety of native plants that prefer the soil conditions found here in North Texas.
When planting your next flower garden or sprucing up your landscape design, consider adding some of these native plants. You won’t be disappointed.
Native Plants of North Texas
Here’s a quick list of the native plants you’ll learn about today.
- Texas Sage
- Turk’s Cap
- Blackfoot Daisy
- Red Yucca
- Glossy Abelia
- Lindheimer Muhly
Texas Sage
Turk's Cap
Blackfoot Daisy
Red Yucca
Glossy Abelia
Lindheimer Muhly
Texas Sage
Texas Sage is a woody tree-like shrub with silver to grayish-green leaves. This shrub blooms all the way from summer into fall. The flowers are a beautiful shade of lavender purple and usually start to bloom after it rains or when it’s humid. This plant is known for being maintenance-free, drought-resistant, and heat-tolerant. It needs full sun and well-drained alkaline soil. Texas Sage is also cold-hardy down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Turk’s Cap
Turk’s Cap is a native perennial with red flowers that never really open. People say the flowers resemble a Turkish turban and that is where the name, Turk’s cap came from. It does well in partial shade or full sun. Hummingbirds love Turk’s cap and it is a plant crucial to their migration. Butterflies are also attracted to its flowers. The flowers bloom from mid-summer into fall. In 2011, horticulturists from Texas A&M chose Turk’s cap to be named a “Texas Superstar Plant.”
Blackfoot Daisy
Blackfoot daisies grow in clumps that are 1-2 ft across. Their fragrance is honey-like. They prefer full sun, but can also withstand partial shade. The blooming season is from spring to fall. Birds sometimes nest in Blackfoot daisies, hummingbirds in particular. Butterflies also feed off their flowers.
Red Yucca
Oddly, Red yucca is not actually a yucca, but it produces soft, yucca-like evergreen leaves. It has long, thin leaves that grow up and out, resembling a fountain. The flowers range from pink to red and are coral-shaped. This native plant blooms from May through October. It is known for being extremely heat-tolerant as well as being cold-hardy.
Glossy Abelia
Glossy Abelia is an attractive shrub to grow in the North Texas area. This plant requires very little maintenance and is great as a hedge. It is also drought-tolerant, so it can survive during hot, dry summer days. The pale pink-white flowers will bloom from spring until winter.
Lindheimer Muhly
Lindheimer Muhly is a warm-season perennial grass that is native to Texas. It grows in a clump and then forms an upward arch. This plant has flowers that turn purple to red and then silver to white. The white then changes into gray and lastly, the gray turns brown. There are many types of great ornamental grasses. Lindheimer Muhly is especially great though because it grows well in all parts of Texas.
Wrapping Up Native Plants of North Texas
Select plants from the list above to add beauty and function to your landscape. When you choose native plants you are choosing plants that are drought tolerant and require very little work to maintain.
These plants also conserve water and provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Their roots improve soil quality, giving you less reason to fertilize your landscape.
Not only are native plants cheaper and easier to maintain, but they are also aesthetically pleasing.
