Everyone wants to know which full sun shrubs from Texas that they should be planting. North Texas is famous for its hot summers and very cold winters. Picking the right plants for your climate variations is key to having the garden of your dreams.
Part of landscaping installation is adding mulch once the shrubs and plants have been put in the ground.
Here are the top 8 full sun shrubs we are growing now in Texas. These are the best evergreen shrubs for North Texas home gardens and backyards.
Full Sun Shrubs for North Texas
- Rosemary
Rosemary
Rosemary, a fragrant shrub, is a part of the mint family and has a woody, evergreen aroma. Use its leaves for cooking, which makes it a versatile choice for the chef in the family. Rosemary requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. So make sure to give it plenty of sunlight when growing. Rosemary is drought tolerant once established.
This shrub is also known for its medicinal benefits, such as strengthening memory and lowering blood sugar. Generally, Rosemary shrubs grow to around 2-6ft tall. They start blooming in spring and finish their blooming season in late summer.
- China Rose
China rose is also easy to care for and thrives in well-drained soils. It blooms in many shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. It is also known as the flower of good luck, which makes it a popular choice among many cultures.
For best results, use fertilizer and place in a spot with plenty of sunlight. China rose is low maintenance, but does still require regular watering and occasional fertilization. These shrubs will grow anywhere from 8-16ft tall and they will bloom from spring to fall.
- Dwarf Yaupon Holly
This shrub is perfect for full sun gardens in North Texas. It can handle the heat and humidity of summer. The Dwarf Yaupon Holly comes in a variety of sizes. It is up to you to choose multi-stemmed or single-stemmed varieties. This is best evergreen shrub for the North Texas garden.
Dwarf yaupon holly shrubs are extremely cold tolerant and will be able to withstand our frigid Texas winters. They grow to be about 4-7ft tall. You’ll notice red berries and small white flowers blooming throughout the fall season.
Consider having your irrigation maintenance system checked out when planting new trees and shrubs.
- Rose Creek Abelia
Rose Creek Abelia is a particularly vibrant variety with purple and pink flowers. This hardy shrub can grow up to six feet tall and wide. The flowers of Rose Creek Abelia attract both bees and butterflies. It blooms from spring through fall and grows 2-3ft tall.
This shrub prefers full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It is typically grown as a hedge plant. Small white flowers will bloom from spring to fall.
- Sunshine Ligustrum
Privets is an evergreen shrub that adds vibrancy and life to any outdoor space. The Sunshine ligustrum is easy to care for. You need regular watering and occasional pruning when necessary. This shrub attracts butterflies.
Well-known for being a cold hardy shrub, it will survive the winters. They typically grow from 6-12 ft tall. This is a foliage plant, which means it doesn’t bloom! Instead, it produces bright, yellow leaves all year long. The Sunshine ligustrum is an excellent choice for any DFW landscape.
- Glossy Abelia
Glossy Abelia
Glossy abelia is a drought-tolerant and an easy-to-grow shrub. It has light green leaves on the top and deep green foliage on the bottom. Glossy abelia is an evergreen that is native to Texas, which means it can handle the heat and full sun. It grows about 3-6ft tall and has bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Glossy abelia blooms from early summer into late fall. This is a fragrant shrub, which is nice to plant by walkways and doorways, so guests can take in the sweet fragrance upon their arrival.
For more information about glossy abelia, read this information sheet published by Texas A&M University.
- Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle, an ornamental shrub, has many varieties. Some dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties grow only about 4-8ft tall. But the large varieties can grow up to 20ft tall. They have clusters of purple, pink, and white flowers. This full-sun shrub is drought-tolerant and resistant to diseases and pests.
This shrub is very adept at growing in many types conditions and soils. They also grow quickly. If you go with crape myrtles shrubs or trees, you will have pops of color all year long.
Dr. Jerry Parsons, a professor from Texas A&M University wrote an article titled, “Crape Myrtle-The Perfect Texas Landscape Plant.” He discusses the many pluses of having crape myrtles in your landscape.
- Cherry Laurel
This lovely compact evergreen shrub makes an ideal choice for any landscape. It has dark green glossy foliage and creamy white flowers.
Cherry Laurel is a hardy shrub and is easy to care for and maintain. It grows especially well in full sun, so it’s a great choice for gardens with lots of direct sunlight. Its long-lasting beauty and ease of care make it an excellent choice for any North Texas garden.
Conclusion
These shrubs can bring a dramatic look to any landscape and stand up to the hot summer temperatures of North Texas. With proper care, these shrubs can provide beautiful blooms and foliage throughout the year.
