Selecting Ornamental Plants for Texas Landscapes

Ornamental plants may be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, flowering plants, or grasses. These plants draw the eye by their vibrant color or unique appearance. They may be surrounded by a complementary bed of other plants or placed by themselves to accent an area.

Most of the growing regions of Texas offer challenges to the landscaper either because of freezing temperatures in winter, arid conditions in far west Texas, or the humidity in east Texas. However, there are several ornamental or decorative plants that can be grown anywhere in Texas. Selecting native ornamentals or those that are adapted to a wide range of conditions promises the gardener faithful and lasting service in the landscape.

Ornamental Grasses

Texas A&M Horticulture recommends the following ornamental grasses for Texas landscapes.

• Fountain Grass
• Pampas Grass
• Purple Autumn

These grasses prefer a sunny location and can be grown in all five regions of Texas. They have medium need for water and are generally disease free and not bothered by insects. Be aware that Pampas Grass grows tall—and its leaves can cut skin.

Purple Autumn Grass is a lovely plant with seed heads that have a purple tinge. They grow about four feet tall with feathery blossoms.

Fountain Grass, like the Purple Autumn Grass, has seed heads or blossoms that are feathery and can be cream-colored, pink, or purple in color. It grows in clumps about three feet high and work well with flowering plants or groundcovers.

Ornamental Trees

Ornamental trees are not as tall as shade trees and many are more like large shrubs. Small ornamental trees are ideal for providing a focal point or center in flower beds.

The Yaupon Holly offers evergreen leaves and red berries in winter on the female plants. These shrubs can become fairly tall—usually 12 to 15 feet. They tolerate shade and partial shade, but can be grown in full sun. These are hardy plants with few problems and can be grown as single plants or dense hedges.

Crape Myrtles are flowering shrubs that can be short—growing 3 feet tall or large shrubs that grow up to 30 feet tall depending on variety. Their colors range from white to pink, lavender, watermelon, and red. These plants prefer full sun in order to flower well and are the most popular ornamental shrub in Texas.

Members of the Acacias family are good examples of attractive ornamental trees. Varieties for Texas landscapes include the Fern Acacia, Prairie Acacia, Texas Prairie Acacia, and Texas Acacia. They tolerate some shade and offer white flowers in the summer and fall. They do not really like cold weather and so do best in hardiness zones 8 or higher.

Native Texas Plants by Sally Wasowski provides a comprehensive list of ornamental trees and shrubs for the home landscape with region specific planting guidelines.

Adding a few ornamentals provides an opportunity to be creative in the look and feel of a landscape. The diversity of color, shape, and texture is both interesting and gives a focal point that shows off the beds, areas, or architectural features.