Texas Native Plant Palette

Silver ponyfoot, native to west Texas is very well adapted to Austin, remaining semi-evergreen here. The leaves are a beautiful silvery color, and this creeping plant is great as a ground cover. It can also be used for the trailing element in containers and hanging baskets! Maintenance is optional but shearing in early spring will encourage fresh growth.

Interesting Fact: Silver ponyfoot is an erosion-resistant ground cover
Mature Size: 2-4inches H, 2.5ft W
Light Requirement: Sun to Partial Shade, more sun than shade though
Water Need: Low but water should be consistent, and soil must be well drained
Cold Hardiness: Zone 8 (10 to 15F) to 10 (35 to 40F)

Gaura, a deciduous perennial, is native to the Blackland Prairie of Texas, and very well adapted to Austin. This perennial has long flower stems coming from a central plant. The stems have 1 inch white or pink flowers that look like butterflies and attract them as well. The white flowered form has more greenish foliage while the pink flowered form often has pinky red tinged foliage. This plant is one that has a long taproot. If damaged by hard freeze, cut back to 6 inches before new spring growth. These plants also do not require a lot of fertilizer.

Interesting Fact: The name gaura comes from the Greek word gaûros, which means “superb”
Mature Size: 2-3ft H, 3ft W
Light Requirement: Sun to Partial Shade
Water Need: Low
Cold Hardiness: Zone 5 (-20 to -15F) to 9 (25 to 30F)

Agarita is an evergreen native to the Edwards Plateau and happily grows in Austin. It has gray green, spikey, and leaves resembling holly. The yellow, sweetly scented very early blooms produce bright red berries May through July. This is an important wildlife plant for bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals.

Interesting Fact: Agarita is a valuable source for honey production
Mature Size: 4-8ft H, 6ft W
Light Requirement: Sun to Partial Shade – taller in sun than shade
Water Need: Very Low
Cold Hardiness: Zone 7 (0 to 5F) to 9 (25 to 30F)

Mexican Plum is small tree native to both the Blackland Prairie and to the Edwards Plateau. Its white blooms are one of the earliest in Spring, appearing before the leaves. The flowers are pretty, scented, and followed by edible tart fruit turning from yellow to purple as it ripens. Mexican Plum is a larval host for the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and Cecropia moth (largest moths in North America) as well as being a nectar source for pollinators. The fruit is also important for many birds and mammals.

Interesting Fact: The fruit has a white coating which is a wild yeast and has been used to make a sourdough starter
Mature Size: 15-25ft H, 10-15ft W
Light Requirement: Sun to Partial Shade
Water Need: Low but needs good drainage
Cold Hardiness: Zone 6 (-10 to -5F) to 9 (25 to 30F)