Perennials make an easy to care for landscape. Perennials bloom year after year, and many will spread and fill in as time goes by. Using Texas native plants assures that the plants will thrive despite hot and sometimes dry summers.
Look for Texas natives at nurseries that carry native plants, or xeriscape plants. Xeriscape refers to plants that are adapted to dry conditions. What follows are the top 5 native Texas plants for Central Texas landscaping. These varieties are also deer resistant, which is a plus in Central Texas.
Salvia (Salvia greggii)
Salvia is native to the Trans Pecos of Texas, favoring the limestone outcrops and canyon lands of the area. Salvia comes in a wide variety of colors from white, to pinks and reds. It is a small, shrubby plant with fragrant leaves. The flowers bloom all summer long and into the fall. It prefers full sun. With too much shade it will become leggy. Cut it back to the main stem in January or February, to create full, new growth each year. Deer resistant.
Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacia)
Mealy blue sage is a beautiful purple-blue color and blooms throughout the summer. It will grow to about 2 feet in height and prefers full sun to partial shade. Mixed with salvia greggii, a red, white and blue landscape can be created. Deer resistant.
Lantana (Lantana spp.)
Technically this is a naturalized plant, meaning it is not native to Texas, but now makes Texas its home. Lantana is native to South America. Lantana makes an excellent ground cover, growing low and spreading year after year. The low, spreading varieties are white, cream, yellow, and purple. A more upright variety comes in a mottled pink or orange coloration. Lantana is a popular landscaping plant in Saudi Arabia, which is a testament to its heat tolerance. Deer resistant.
Cenizo or Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Cenizo is a medium-sized shrub which can reach 5-6 feet tall. It has a dense covering of silvery-green leaves and blooms with lovely lavender flowers. Flowers will bloom on and off throughout the spring and summer, depending on conditions. Cenizo prefers full sun and well drained soil. It makes a great border hedge. Deer resistant.
Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus drummondii )
Turk’s cap is a versatile flowering perennial that grows from full shade to full sun. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and produces deep red blooms similar to a partially opened rose. Its foliage is a deep green with roundish leaves. It grows wonderfully underneath oak trees. Deer resistant.
These 5 perennials will give a great start to any Central Texas landscape, and years of color, drought resistance and pleasure.
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