The Town of Westlake Texas
Introduction The development of this Native Plant Guide is a result of the City of Irving’s Strategic Plan initiative. Specifically, the guide supports Goal # 10 of the Strategic Plan to “Become a successful, environmentally, sustainable community.” The native plant guide was developed as an educational tool to make citizens aware of the positive qualities of native Texas plants and assist them in developing landscapes featuring native plants.
Qualities of Native Texas Plants Use of native Texas plants present many advantages to the gardener. Native plants are adaptive to the climate and soil type of the North Texas region. Specific desired qualities are: •
Extremely drought tolerant with most plants requiring nominal supplemental watering.
•
Plants are largely maintenance free with respect to pruning and trimming.
•
They are resistant to pests and diseases.
•
They require little or no assistance from fertilizer.
Plant Selection There are hundreds of plants native to Texas. The plants included for this publication were selected by a committee of city staff. Members of this committee have extensive experience in working with native plants. The 50 plants selected represent the preferred native plants of the committee based on a variety of factors. Factors included in the selection process were prior experience with the plants and the desire to provide a broad range of plant types.
Page 7 Page 7
ORNAMENTAL ORNAMENTALGRASS GRASS Blue Grama Botanical Name:
Bushy Bluestem Bouteloua gracilis
Botanical Name: Light Required:
Light Required: Very Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Crescent moon-shaped seed heads from blueish gray to straw-colored when dried
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets – green to cinnamon in fall to buffy gold when dried
Months of Bloom:
June – November
Months of Bloom:
September – November
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen: Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Water Demand:
Texas Smartscape™: Larry Allain, USGS NWRC
Texas Smartscape™: John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Wildlife Value:
Notes: Can be used in lawns. Nice for use in dry floral arrangements.
Botanical Name:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Very attractive bunch grass for moist areas. Especially pretty in the fall. Will tolerate light shade. Tolerates poor drainage. A beautiful grass for a dry floral arrangement. Warm-season perennial.
Gulf Muhly
Indian Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Andropogon glomeratus
Sorghastrum nutans
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low –Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Feathery, deep pink to purple cloud-like flowers
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets a deep yellow
Months of Bloom:
October
Months of Bloom:
October – November
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Dark green glossy leaves erupt into a gorgeous profusion of pink to purple in the fall. Also known as Autumn Blush Muhly.
Texas Smartscape™: John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Notes: This gorgeous grass was a major component of tallgrass prairie. Striking accent plant or member of pocket tallgrass prairie. Clumping grass, green or blue leafed. Does well in a naturally moist rich swale area. Warm-season perennial bunch grass. Dormant in winter.
ORNAMENTAL ORNAMENTAL GRASS GRASS Inland Seaoats Botanical Name:
Page 8
Lindheimer’s Muhly
Chasmanthium Iatifolium
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Water Demand:
Low –Medium
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets green to buffy tan
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets silvery green to golden tan
Months of Bloom:
June – October
Months of Bloom:
July – August
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: In moist soils and shaded areas, this beautiful grass makes a solid mat. Big drooping spikelets are especially fetching when turned to whitish gold in the fall.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: This is a highly attractive bunch grass. Large clumping grass, use as a screen. Serves as a striking accent plant in any garden. Plant sports silvery golden plumes in the fall. Warm-season perennial.
Little Bluestem Botanical Name:
Mexican Feather Grass Schizachyrium scoparium
Botanical Name:
Nassella tenuissima
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets bluegreen to silvery gold
Months of Bloom:
August – December
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Notes: Most wide-ranging bunch grass in the state, a dominant of the tallgrass prairie. Blue leafed, needs good drainage but tolerant of a wide variety of moisture & drought. Little bluestem is a symphony of beautiful color changes through the year from bluegreen to coppery gold in the fall.
Cynthia McKenney Texas A&M University
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Spread (ft):
1½ foot
Ornamental Value:
Spikelets start out silver and fade to gold
Months of Bloom:
June – August
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Notes: Cool season grass. Great in flower gardens or as an enhancement in a desert-scape with yucca and prickly pear. Dormant in winter or drought.
ORNAMENTAL GRASS
Page 9
Switch Grass
Sideoats Grama Botanical Name:
Bouteloua curtipendula
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Panicum virgatum
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Yellowish spikelets arranged down stem
Ornamental Value:
Flowering spikelets green turning deep, rich gold
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Months of Bloom:
August – September
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies
Wildlife Value:
Birds, butterflies
Notes: Our state grass is a strong perennial and works well as a garden accent. Competes well with short grasses but not tallgrass prairie grasses. Seed heads on one side of stem. Great choice for wildflower meadow garden. Warm-season perennial bunch grass. Dormant in winter.
Texas Smartscape™: John Snowden, Blue Stem Nursery
Notes: Gorgeous tallgrass can be used as dramatic accent plant. Large clumping grass, green or blue leafed. Has airy, filigreed seedhead. Can also be used in small pocket prairie. Warm-season perennial bunch grass.
PERENNIALS Autumn Sage
Page 10
Bat Face Cuphea
Botanical Name:
Botanical Name:
Salvia greggii
Light Required:
Light Required: Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red, White, Pink, Salmon
Ornamental Value:
Red, purple
Months of Bloom:
April - October
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), butterflies (nectar source)
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Semi-evergreen and shrub-like. Shear it to keep it looking better and encourage blooms. Also known as Greggs Salvia.
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Plantfinder
Notes: Heat tolerant, unique blooms that resemble a bat’s face. Needs welldrained soil.
Brazos Penstemon
Black Eyed Susan Botanical Name:
Rudbeckia hirta
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Cynthia McKenney Texas A&M University
Cuphea llavea
Penstemon tenuis
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1½ foot
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Pink
Months of Bloom:
May – September
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies (nectar source)
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies, Bees
Notes: Short lived, reseeds. Excellent for summer color. Fuzzy foliage. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming.
Joseph A. Marcus and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Spike flowers above foliage. Cut back after bloom. Deadhead spent flowers if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season.
PERENNIALS
Page 11
Coneflower Botanical Name:
Copper Canyon Daisy Echinacea purpurea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low-Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Purple, white
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Months of Bloom:
September – October
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Birds, Butterflies (nectar source)
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Ernie Edmundson, Master Gardener
Notes: Excellent for wildlife and cut flowers. Herbal plant. Long lived, reseeds.
Notes: Licorice scent foliage. Trim back by one-third several times during the growing season to maintain compactness and prevent sprawl. Also known as Mexican Bush Marigold.
Early Sunrise Botanical Name:
Flame Acanthus Coreopsis grandiflora
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Tagetes lemmonii
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Months of Bloom:
June – October
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Do not let them go bone dry or they will go dormant. Also known as Dwarf Coreopsis.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Wildlife Value:
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source & larval food source)
Notes: Tubular flowers. One of the toughest and easiest plants to grow. Excellent for wildlife.
PERENNIALS Indian Blanket
Page 12
Southern Wood Fern
Botanical Name:
Gaillardia pulchella
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Joseph A. Marcus and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low - Medium
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow/Red
Ornamental Value:
Light green foliage
Months of Bloom:
June – July
Months of Bloom:
none
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Butterflies
Notes: Short lived, multi-colored blooms, reseeds. Heat and drought tolerant. Welldrained soil. Occasionally shear for compact appearance.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Botanical Name:
Not Significant
Notes: Resprouts mid-spring, hardiest and most common fern for our area.
Mealy Blue Sage
Obedient Plant Salvia farinacea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Thelypteris kunthii
Physostegia virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Low - Medium
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Height(ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Ornamental Value: Months of Bloom: Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Light Blue
Ornamental Value:
Pink, white
Months of Bloom:
April – September
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
May – October Deciduous Birds (especially hummingbirds), butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Grown as an annual. 6"-8" upright spikes of flowers. Needs well drained soils. Cut to the ground.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds (specifically hummingbirds)
Notes: Clump, flowers above foliage. Very easy to grow. 4"-6" flower spikes.
PERENNIALS
Page 13
Rock Rose
Pincushion Flower Botanical Name:
Botanical Name:
Scabosia columbaria
Light Required:
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
1 foot
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Lavender, Pink
Ornamental Value:
Pink
Months of Bloom:
February – November
Months of Bloom:
April – September
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies (nectar source)
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies
Stan Shebs
Notes: Dark green foliage, needs good drainage. Blooms decline in hot weather.
Texas Betony Botanical Name:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: 1/2" miniature rose-pink hibiscus flowers all season long. Reseeds freely.
Texas Columbine
Stachys coccinea
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Mrs. W. D. Bransford and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Pavonia lasiopetala
Aquilegia chrysantha
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
1½ foot
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
June – November
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Tubular flowers. Oval, green leaves. Tolerates heat and humidity.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Longer lived. Light morning sun. Excellent in dry woodland gardens. Some water is required to prevent summer dormancy.
PERENNIALS Tropical Sage Botanical Name:
Zexmenia Salvia coccinea
Botanical Name:
Zexmenia hispida
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Page 14
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
2 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red/White
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
March – November
Months of Bloom:
April – October
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Birds (specifically hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source)
Notes: Spike flowers above foliage, reseeding, tender perennial. Shear it to keep it smaller.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Reliable bloomer, very drought tolerant. Blooms forever. If used in shade, plant in dry soil.
SHRUBS
Page 15
American Beautyberry Botanical Name:
Coralberry
Callicarpa americana
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low-Medium
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
5 feet
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Purple
White
Months of Bloom:
August – September
Ornamental Value: Months of Bloom:
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Birds
Birds
April – May
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Purple or white berries in winter.
Notes: Purple/Pink berries in winter. Lime green new foliage in early spring.
Esperanza Botanical Name:
Mexican Bird of Paradise Tecoma stans 'Esperanza'
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Caesalpinia gelliesii
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low– Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low—Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Height(ft):
7 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
5 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
7 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Ornamental Value:
Yellow
Months of Bloom:
April - October
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/ Evergreen:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
C. Mueller Texas A&M University
Notes: Cut down in winter, drought tolerant.
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Red stamens. Can be trained as a tree.
SHRUBS
Page 16
Pride of Barbados Botanical Name:
Red Yucca Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Hesperaloe parviflora
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Ornamental Value:
Yellow/Red
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous Bees Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Stan Shebs
Notes: Tall spikes of flowers.
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
3 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
June – September
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Evergreen Not Significant
Notes: Flowers above foliage, sharp points.
Texas Dwarf Palmetto Botanical Name:
Texas Kidneywood Sabal minor
Botanical Name:
Eysenhardtia texana
Light Required:
Light Required: Water Demand:
Medium
Water Demand:
Very Low
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
8 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Ornamental Value:
White
Ornamental Value:
White
Months of Bloom:
April – May
Months of Bloom:
May – October
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Campbell & Lynn Loughmiller and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Tropical look, tolerates poor drainage.
Not Significant Joseph A. Marcus and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Notes: Heavy Spring and Fall spike blooms.
Butterflies, Bees
SHRUBS
Page 17
Texas Lantana Botanical Name:
Texas Sage Botanical Name:
Lantana horrida
Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Leucophyllum frutescens
Water Demand:
Very Low
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Plant Height(ft):
4 feet
Plant Height(ft):
6 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
6 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red/Yellow
Lavender/Purple
Months of Bloom:
May – September
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous
Wildlife Value:
Butterflies, Bees
Ornamental Value: Months of Bloom: Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
May – October Evergreen Bees
Texas Smartscape™: Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Notes: 2” cluster of blooms, drought tolerant.
Notes: Several varieties available, gray/silver leaves.
Turks Cap Botanical Name:
Wax Myrtle Malvaviscus arboreus
Light Required:
Botanical Name:
Myrica cerifera
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Very Low– Low
Water Demand:
Medium
Plant Height(ft):
3 feet
Plant Height(ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
4 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Red
Ornamental Value:
Blue
Months of Bloom:
May - October
Months of Bloom:
November – February
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Deciduous Butterflies
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: 1½” Hibiscus-type flowers. Shaped like small turbans. Easy to grow.
Birds
Texas Smartscape™: Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: A fast growing large shrub that can be trained as a multi-trunked tree. Flowers indiscriminate, blue berries.
TREES
Page 18
Bur Oak
Cedar Elm
Botanical Name:
Quercus macrocarpa
Botanical Name: Light Required:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Dr. Dotty Woodson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
60 feet
Plant Height(ft):
45 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
30 feet
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Shady
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Birds
Notes: Large leaves, distinctive bark, acorns the size of golf balls. Majestic, fast-growing shade tree.
Desert Willow Botanical Name:
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Birds
Notes: Each tree is uniquely shaped. Small, sandpaper-like leaves and rough, corky bark. Likes alkaline soil; yellow fall color.
Eastern Red Cedar
Chilopsis linearis
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Texas Smartscape™: Dr. Dotty Woodson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Ulmus crassifolia
Juniperus virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
25 feet
Plant Height(ft):
30 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value: Months of Bloom:
White, pink, burgundy, purple Ornamental Value:
Accent plant/screening
Months of Bloom:
Winter
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Mammals
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
May - October Deciduous Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds
Notes: Trumpet-shaped, orchid-like white or pink or burgundy or purple blooms all summer long.
Texas Smartscape™: Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: One of the best evergreens for screening and wildlife. Female produces blue berries in winter.
TREES
Page 19
Eve's Necklace
Redbud
Botanical Name:
Sophora affinis
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Cercis canadensis
Light Required:
Water Demand: Plant Height(ft):
30 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
20 feet
Ornamental Value:
White, Pink
Months of Bloom:
April
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous Not Significant
Texas Smartscape™: Steve Schwartzman
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
15 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Pink, Lavender, White
Months of Bloom:
March – April
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous Butterflies
Texas Smartscape™: Dr. Dotty Woodson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Notes: Pink or white wisteria like flowers & black bead-like seedpods in fall.
Shumard Oak Botanical Name:
Notes: Pink, lavender and white flowers. Good understory tree or accent plant.
Southern Live Oak Quercus shumardii
Botanical Name:
Light Required:
Quercus virginiana
Light Required:
Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low
Plant Height(ft):
50 feet
Plant Height(ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
50 feet
Ornamental Value: Months of Bloom:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Evergreen
Birds
Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Texas Smartscape™: Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Notes: Outstanding fall color – yellow to crimson to red. Likes alkaline soil.
Notes: Evergreen leaves.
Birds
TREES Texas Ash Botanical Name:
Page 20
Page 23
Yaupon Holly Fraxinus texensis
Botanical Name:
Ilex vomitoria
Light Required:
Light Required: Water Demand:
Low
Water Demand:
Low to Medium
Plant Height(ft):
40 feet
Plant Height(ft):
20 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
40 feet
Plant Spread (ft):
15 feet
Ornamental Value:
Shade
Ornamental Value:
Red
Months of Bloom:
Not Significant
Months of Bloom:
Fall/Winter
Deciduous/ Evergreen: Wildlife Value:
Deciduous
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Evergreen
Wildlife Value:
Birds, Butterflies, Mammals
Texas Smartscape™: Kathleen Cook, Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Botanical Gardens
Birds Texas Smartscape™: Randy Weston, Weston Gardens, Inc.
Notes: Red berries on females all fall and winter. Good for courtyards and Notes: Intense yellow to orange fall color.
small spaces.
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T O P 1 0 I R R I G AT I O N DOS AND DON’TS 1. Do check your system and keep it in good condition. Repair broken heads or pipes before operating. 2. Don’t water during the heat of the day. It is best to water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., thus eliminating excessive evaporation. 3. Do make sure your system is designed properly. Each head should spray to the adjacent heads surrounding it, thus giving even coverage. 4. Don’t water sidewalks or other hardscape items. Make sure the water is only going on turf or plants and not running down the street. 5. Do consider using drip irrigation for your bedding plants. Drip irrigation applies the water directly to the base of the plant and is absorbed directly by the plant.
6. Don’t water everyday as this contributes to shallow roots and makes plants vulnerable to drought. It is better to water less often for longer periods of time. 7. Do select plants with similar water needs to be located together in one zone. You should select all plants on the same irrigation zone that have the same general water requirements so as not to waste water. 8. Don’t mix different types of heads: spray, rotary, drip on the same zone. Each type of head requires different run times and has different uses. 9. Do use a rain and freeze sensor. These devices will turn off the sprinklers during rain and freeze events, thus eliminating wasting water or ice accumulation. 10. Don’t water all areas alike. Turf areas will require different amounts of water compared to landscape areas.