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15 Native Plants Every Texan Needs (Part 2)

Lanceleaf coreopsis will bloom even in partially shaded spotsLast week we discussed how you can make your landscaping and lawn care more manageable by selecting native Texas plants for your yard. For the first part of this article, which focused on native trees and shrubs, click here. In the following post, we’ll introduce you to a few of the most low-maintenance, drought-resistant perennials, grasses, and vines for the Bryan and College station areas.

Native Texas Perennials

While annuals require planting or seeding each year, perennials grow back year after year from a single planting. Some annuals self-seed easily, but true perennials grow from the same root system each year. Texas has a lot of beautiful native varieties to choose from.

• Flame Acanthus—The flame acanthus is an example of a xeriscape perennial that does fine without water but produces better blooms with a little watering. Hummingbirds are drawn to the beautiful orange-red blossoms.

• Calylophus—Calylophus produces gorgeous yellow blooms that are about two inches in diameter. It’s great for drawing in butterflies.

• Lanceleaf Coreopsis—Lanceleaf coreopsis is one of the easiest coreopsis flowers to grow. It requires almost no water and will bloom even in partially shaded spots. Deadheading and a little water will lengthen the bloom season.

• Fall Aster—The fall aster produces tons of showing blooms in the autumn. It needs full sun and will do well even in hard, rocky soils.

• Texas Lantana—The Texas lantana is an evergreen perennial that produces showy clusters of yellow and orange blooms. It flowers all summer long and tolerates shade as well as drought.

Native Texas Grasses

These grasses aren’t for lawns. They grow in showy clumps and add focus points to gardens, and they make fantastic screens and borders.

• Big Muhly Grass—Big Muhly grows to a height and width of four feet and produces a beautiful cascade of blue-green blades. It produces tall spikes of feathery white seeds in the fall. This grand display grass thrives in full sun, drought, and Texas heat.

• Mexican Feathergrass—Mexican feathergrass grows to about two feet in height and produces spikes of delicate white flowers.

Native Texas Vines

When vines are native to Texas, they withstand heat well and require very little watering. These showy examples produce a lot of flowers and provide a beautiful screen for old fences or retaining walls.

• Crossvine—A single crossvine can spread out over 30 feet and grow up to 70 feet high. It’s an evergreen plant with orange blooms that makes a wonderful addition to trellises or porches. It will not grow in full shade, but it thrives under any other light condition.

• Coral Honeysuckle—Coral honeysuckle should not be confused with the invasive Japanese honeysuckle that runs amok over trees and shrubs. This Texas native is much better behaved. It produces a multitude of showy flowers all summer long and attracts hummingbirds.

Now that we’ve covered a good range of the most ideal native plants to grow in your yard, you’re ready to get planting. For further assistance designing and installing landscaping, or for more information on plants ideally suited to the local climate, contact the experts at ABC Home & Commercial Services. You can even request a free estimate.

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