Guide to Your Garden

Plants that thrive in Austin

By Claire Newmark

Austin has been seeing increased frequencies of freezes and droughts, and because of this many plants have been lost. Below are some drought tolerant and freeze resistant native plants that you can add to your garden which will survive the seasons of freezing temperatures and little precipitation.

Texas Sage

The Texas Sage is often a compact shrub with bright pink-lavender flowers. It has soft grayish green leaves and grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. The Texas Sage attracts butterflies and other nectar insects and it’s highly deer resistant.

Texas Sabal Palm

The Texas Sabal Palm Tree is a native palm tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall. Its fan-like leaves are 4 to 6 feet long, and the tree can grow in a variety of soil conditions. The Texas Sabal Palm is mainly used as an ornamental plant, and in the summer, it creates round half inch berries.

Mexican Feather Grass

The Mexican Feather Grass is a grass-like plant with long, thin, silvery green leaves. It grows in both full sun and partial shade. The Mexican Feather Grass is highly deer resistant and it’s used as an accent grass in landscaping.

Eastern Redbud

The Eastern Redbud is a 15-30 foot tree and it has beautiful pink flowers in the spring. The tree grows in full shade or partial shade and it’s moderately deer resistant. The flowers can be added to food such as salads, bread, or pancakes. The Eastern Redbud also attracts native bees, bumble bees, and birds.

Fall Aster

The Fall Aster is a short flowering plant. It blooms in the fall and has purple or violet flowers. It grows in full sun or partial shade and is highly deer resistant. The Fall Aster is a nectar source and attracts native bees, butterflies, and birds.