Canna indica
Plant Type: Perennial (D)
Mature Size: 3-6' H x 2-3' W
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance:
Divide in spring, regular watering
Freeze Tolerance & Care:
Hardy to 20°F, mulch in winter
Interest: Large, colorful flowers in red, yellow, orange
Cedar Elm
in Deciduous, Large Tree
Ulmus crassifolia
Plant Type: Tree (D)
Mature Size: 50-70 ft tall, 40-60 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Requires little pruning; occasional deep watering in drought is beneficial. Prune young trees for strong structure.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Benefits from mulch in extreme temperatures.
Interest: Small serrated leaves, drought-tolerant. Fall color.
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Plant Type: Tree/Shrub (D)
Mature Size: 10-25 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Moderate – Prune in late winter to encourage new blooms; tolerates some neglect. Benefits from annual deep watering.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Provide deep watering before freezes to prevent stress.
Interest: Long bloom season, many flower colors, and sizes.
var. Muskogee
var. Ebony Night
Crossvine
Dichondra micrantha
Plant Type: Perennial (E)
Mature Size: 3-6 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Toxicity: non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Requires deadheading for continuous blooms; thrives in moist soil. Medium. Best grown in sun/part shade. Leaves may turn purple and fall off during the winter. Flowering will begin late March-May. Hummingbirds love this vine and it works well in almost all areas.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Give the roots a good soak prior to a freeze event. Trim off brown after freeze if desired.May need occasional winter protection for young plants.
Interest: Trumpet-shaped orange flowers, attracts hummingbirds. Fast-grower.
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Plant Type: Small Tree (D)
Mature Size: 15-30 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Prefers full sun; thrives in well-drained soil. Requires occasional pruning for structure; remove spent flowers.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – May have some leaf dieback but recovers in spring.
Interest: Pink-purple flowers, attracts pollinators. Also known as a “Bubba Tree”
Drift Roses
Rosa 'Drift White'
Plant Type: Shrub (D)
Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Moderate – Requires deadheading for continuous blooms; light seasonal pruning.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Young plants may need covering during hard freezes.
Interest: Low growing and spreads quickly. February is ideal time for trimming back to 6-12”.
Dianella
Dianella tasmanica
Plant Type: Perennial (E)
Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Toxicity: Toxic
Maintenance: Low – Cut back old foliage occasionally; thrives with minimal attention. Water regularly, but do not overwater. Trim back dead leaves in spring.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Trim in early spring to promote fresh new growth.
Interest: Blue-green foliage, purple flowers.
Dichondra
in Deciduous, Groundcover
Plant Type: Ground Cover / Perennial (D)
Mature Size: 2-6” tall /1-3’ wide
Toxicity: non-toxic
Maintenance: Medium. Best grown in full sun to part shade. Will spread quickly if using as ground cover. Check to make sure soil is drying out prior to watering.
Freeze: These plants can go dormant in the winter and need to be trimmed back in late February. A good soak prior to freeze will help the roots stay healthy for next Spring’s growth.
Interest: Lush green groundcover, kidney-shaped leaves. Known as Silver Pony Foot
Dwarf Burford Holly
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana'
Plant Type: Shrub (E)
Mature Size:2-3 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Toxicity: Toxic
Maintenance: Low – Tolerates heat and drought well; occasional pruning helps maintain shape and best appearance.
Freeze Tolerance: Cold hardy – Tolerates snow and frost without significant damage.
Interest: Evergreen with red berries. Good for hedging. Wildlife-friendly.
Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal minor
Plant Type: Succulent
Mature Size: 4-6 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Virtually maintenance-free. Remove old fronds as needed. Tolerates wet or dry conditions once established.
Freeze Tolerance: Hardy to 0°F – Native and fully cold hardy in Central Texas.
Interest: Native palm with fan-like leaves. Adds tropical feel to shady spots.
Dwarf Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf'
Plant Type: Shrub (E)
Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – very easy to grow. Prefers light pruning to maintain shape. Best grown in full sun/part shade. Drought tolerant.
Freeze: Cold hardy – Best to mulch around the base in freezing temperatures. Give the roots a good soak prior to a freeze event. Cover for a prolonged (48 hour) event
Interest: Glossy green leaves, fragrant flowers.
Esperanza
Tecoma stans
Plant Type: Large Perennial (D)
Mature Size: 4-6 ft tall, 3-5 ft wide
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
Maintenance: Moderate – Cut back after frost. Deadhead to encourage blooming. Drought-tolerant once established.
Freeze Tolerance: Hardy to 25°F – Dies back to ground, returns from roots in spring.
Interest: Bright yellow trumpet blooms. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Fall Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Plant Type: Perennial (D)
Mature Size: 1-2 ft tall, 1-2 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Medium. Best grown in full sun/part shade. This plant will go dormant in the winter and should be trimmed back along with other perennials after the last freeze. New growth will begin late April/May and flowers will not appear until August-ish.
Freeze: Cold hardy – Survives deep freezes with minimal intervention. Give the roots a good soak prior to a freeze event. Trim back to ground a week or so after the last freeze.
Interest: Purple flowers, fall bloomer. Will pop-up early in spring, but not flower until fall.
Firebush
Hamelia patens
Plant Type: Shrub (D)
Mature Size: 4-6 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low –Best grown in full sun/part shade. Prune anytime to remove dead or damage pieces, trim during warm weather for desired shape. Spreads easily with minimal care.
Freeze: Cold hardy – Can tolerate brief freezes but benefits from mulch. Give the roots a good soak prior to a freeze event and cover with plant blanket. Trim back damage after last freeze to promote new growth in the spring.
Interest: Red-orange flowers, attracts hummingbirds
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Plant Type: Small Shrub (D)
Mature Size: 3-4 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Maintenance: Low – Prune in winter or early spring to maintain shape. Very drought-tolerant and pest-resistant.
Freeze Tolerance: Hardy to 0°F – Deciduous, returns each spring.
Interest: Red-orange flowers from summer to fall. Loved by hummingbirds. Texas native.
Foxtail Fern
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii'
Plant Type: Fern (E/D)
Mature Size: 1-2 ft tall, 2-3 ft wide
Toxicity: Toxic
Maintenance: Low – Trim dead fronds as needed; prefers well-drained soil. Thrives in humid conditions.
Freeze: Cold hardy – Minor winter dieback may occur; trim in early spring.
Interest: Soft, feathery fronds that resemble fox tails.