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Top 50 Landscaping Plants for All-Weather Resilience in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

BY DANI – MAY 2, 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to landscaping plants tailored for the diverse weather conditions of Texas. From scorching summers to mild winters and everything in between, Texas presents a unique challenge for gardening enthusiasts. However, with the right selection of plants, you can create a vibrant and resilient landscape that thrives throughout the year. In this article, we’ll explore 50 versatile plants that can withstand Texas’ varied climate, ensuring your garden remains lush and beautiful regardless of the weather.

1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens):

    • Ideal for: Hot and dry conditions
    • Features: Drought-tolerant, fragrant foliage, and vibrant purple flowers.
texas-sage-innovation-grounds
texas-sage-innovation-grounds

2. Lantana (Lantana camara):

      • Ideal for: Full sun, well-draining soil
      • Features: Heat-tolerant, attracts butterflies, and blooms in various colors.
lantana-camara
lantana-camara

3. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima):

    • Ideal for: Sunny locations, well-drained soil
    • Features: Fine-textured foliage, drought-tolerant, and adds movement to the landscape.
mexican-feather-grass-innovation-grounds
mexican-feather-grass-innovation-grounds

4. Texas Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and produces coral-colored flowers.
red-yucca-plant-innovation-grounds
red-yucca-plant-innovation-grounds

5. Agave (Agave spp.):

    • Ideal for: Well-drained soil, sunny locations
    • Features: Dramatic foliage, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance.
agave-innovation-grounds
agave-innovation-grounds

6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, and blooms in summer.
purple-coneflower-innovation-grounds
purple-coneflower-innovation-grounds

7. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Vibrant yellow flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
ratibida-columnifera-innovation-grounds
Ratibida Columnifera

8. Salvia (Salvia spp.):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Variety of colors, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
purple-salvia-landscaping-plants
PURPLE-SALVIA

9. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Velvety purple flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators.
mexican-bush-sage
https://dallascountymastergardeners.org/plant-of-the-month-mexican-bush-sage/

10. Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Texas state flower, drought-tolerant, and blooms in spring.
texas-bluebonnet-innovation-grounds
Texas Bluebonnet

11. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Attractive to hummingbirds, drought-tolerant, and blooms in spring.
mexican-honeysuckle-innovation-grounds
Mexican Honeysuckle

12. Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Red flowers, tolerant of various soil types, and attracts hummingbirds.
turk's cap
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=turks+cap&asset_id=652943551

13. Firebush (Hamelia patens):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Orange-red flowers, attracts butterflies, and drought-tolerant.
firebush-hamelia-patens
https://www.johnnybutterflyseed.com/2023/08/10/firebush-hamelia-patens-the-butterfly-haven-and-guardian-of-the-forest/

14. Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Purple flowers, attracts butterflies, and tolerates moist soil.
gregg's mistflower
gregg's mistflower

15. Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Drought-tolerant, vibrant red and yellow flowers, and attracts butterflies.
indian-blanket
indian-blanket

16. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Yellow flowers, aromatic foliage, and drought-tolerant.
damianita-innovation-grounds
Woolly Stemodia

17. Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Native to Texas, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
texas-lantana-innovation-grounds
Texas Lantana

18. Goldeneye (Viguiera dentata):

    • Ideal for: Full sun, well-drained soil
    • Features: Yellow daisy-like flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators.
viguiera-dentata-goldeneye
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.120420

19. Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Blue flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
mealy-blue-sage
mealy-blue-sage

20. Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Fragrant foliage, drought-tolerant, and attracts bees.
mexican-oregon-poliomintha-longiflora
mexican-oregon-Poliomintha-longiflora

21. Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Red and orange flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
caesalpinia pulcherrima
Caesalpinia pulcherrima

22. Soft Leaf Yucca (Yucca recurvifolia):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Architectural interest, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance.
yucca-recurvifolia
https://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/yuccarecurvifolia.html

23. Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Pink flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
rock-rose-innovation grounds
Rock Rose

24. Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Pink flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
rock-penstemon
rock-penstemon

25. Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Scarlet flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
salvia-roemeriana
https://www.gardenia.net/plant/salvia-roemeriana

26. Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Red flowers, attracts hummingbirds, and tolerates heat.
salvia-coccinea
coccinea

27. Heartleaf Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Purple flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts bees.
heartleaf-skullcap-scutellaria-ovata
https://mygardenersays.com/2014/07/29/heartleaf-skullcap-scutellaria-ovata-ssp-bracteata/

28. Gulf Coast Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Pink to purple plumes, drought-tolerant, and adds texture to the landscape.
gulf coast muhly (muhlenbergia capillaris):
https://www.wilsonbrosgardens.com/pink-muhly-cotton-candy-grass.html

29. Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Anise-scented foliage, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
mexican-mint-marigold
https://extension.msstate.edu/news/southern-gardening/2016/unappreciated-marigolds-are-dependable-colorful

30. Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: White or pink flowers, drought-tolerant, and blooms throughout the summer.
gaura-lindheimeri
gaura-lindheimeri

31. Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Red-orange tubular flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
flame-acanthus
https://www.facebook.com/BRITorg/photos/a.159504144088505/5608608289178036/?type=3

32. Prairie Verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Purple flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
prairie-verbena
prairie-verbena

33. Landscaping Plants Gregg’s Dalea (Dalea greggii):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Purple flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators.
dalea-greggi
dalea-greggi

35. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Evergreen foliage, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance.
dwarf-yaupon-holly
https://buchanansplants.com/plant-library/shrubs/dwarf-yaupon-holly/

36. Indigo Spires Sage (Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Blue flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators.
indigo-spires-sage
indigo-spires-sage

37. Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Yellow flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
yellow-bells
yellow-bells

38. Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Yellow flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
aquilegia-chrysantha
https://www.oceanproperty.co.th/th/

39. Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Yellow daisy-like flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators.
skeleton-leaf-goldeneye
https://southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/All_Species/Asteraceae/Viguiera%20stenoloba,%20Resinbush.html

40. Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Yellow flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
golden-groundsel
https://stonehousenursery.com/plant/packera-obovata/

41. Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa spp.):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Blue, pink, or white flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
pincushion-flower
https://www.thespruce.com/pincushion-flower-1316042

42. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Red or coral flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
hesperaloe_parviflora-red-yucca
https://store.ricardosnursery.com/products/hesperaloe-parviflora-red-yucca

43. Texas Betony (Stachys coccinea):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Red flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts bees.
texas-betony-stachys-coccinea
https://alchetron.com/Stachys-coccinea#google_vignette

44. Texas Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Fragrant white flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
texas kidneywood 20

45. Texas False Agave (Hechtia texensis):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Succulent foliage, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance.
texas-false-agave-hechtia-texensis
https://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/234.htm

46. Texas Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Ground cover, white flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
texas-frogfruit
https://www.thespruce.com/frog-fruit-growing-guide-5115479

47. Texas Red Star Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus):

    • Ideal for: Full sun to partial shade
    • Features: Red flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts hummingbirds.
texas-star-hibiscus-innovation-grounds
Texas Star Hibiscus

48. Texas Gold Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana):

    • Ideal for: Partial shade to full shade
    • Features: Yellow flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
texas-gold-columbine
https://www.gardencentermarketing.com/plantname/Aquilegia-chrysantha-var-hinckleyana

49. Texas Sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: Silver-gray foliage, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant.
texas-sagebrush
https://www.gardenia.net/plant/artemisia-ludoviciana-white-sage

50. Texas Wild Olive (Cordia boissieri):

    • Ideal for: Full sun
    • Features: White flowers, drought-tolerant, and attracts butterflies.
texas-wild-olive
https://mswn.com/plants/cordia-boissieri-texas-olive/
Read More About Drought Tolerant Plants

Conclusion:

With these 50 resilient landscaping plants, you can create a stunning garden that withstands the challenging weather conditions of Texas. Whether you’re dealing with scorching heat, drought, or occasional frost, these plants offer beauty, durability, and low maintenance. Remember to choose plants that suit your specific microclimate and soil conditions for the best results. Happy gardening!