{"id":14622,"date":"2019-05-02T01:41:29","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T04:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=14622"},"modified":"2024-12-15T01:49:32","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T04:49:32","slug":"best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Austin has a climate that sets it apart from the rest of the Lone Star State. The area gets more rainfall than other parts of Texas but is much less humid. Choosing native plants that already grow naturally in an Austin landscape is your best bet for creating a beautiful yard. Consider adding these six best native plants for your Austin garden.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-6b8c2281-b24e-47a2-af63-522c5101e059\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\"><\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#0-what-is-a-native-plant\" style=\"\">What is a Native Plant?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#1-best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\" style=\"\">Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#2-texas-wisteria\" style=\"\">Texas Wisteria<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#3-desert-willow\" style=\"\">Desert Willow<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#4-texas-sage\" style=\"\">Texas Sage<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#5-hill-country-penstemon\" style=\"\">Hill Country Penstemon<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#6-evergreen-sumac\" style=\"\">Evergreen Sumac<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#7-texas-red-yucca\" style=\"\">Texas Red Yucca<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#8-faq-about-native-plants-in-austin\" style=\"\">FAQ About Native Plants in Austin<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-what-is-a-native-plant\">What is a Native Plant?<\/h2>    <p>Native plants are plants that grow naturally in a given area. Texas native plants have adapted to their local environment and thrive in the state\u2019s USDA cold <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/hardiness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hardiness zones<\/a>, making them easier to maintain and keep alive during the winter.<\/p>    <p>Typically, native plants require less maintenance when grown in their natural environment and are often more drought- and disease-tolerant compared to non-native plants. As such, native plants are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/benefits-native-plants\/\">beneficial<\/a> for your lawn and your wallet. Whether you\u2019re looking for the best low-maintenance plants for Austin, Texas or want to try something new, these six native plants fit the bill.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\">Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden<\/h2>    <p>If you\u2019re looking for the best plants to grow in Austin, Texas, start with these six native species.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-texas-wisteria\">Texas Wisteria<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"498\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Texas Wisteria\" class=\"wp-image-62062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2-300x187.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2-646x402.jpeg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2-150x93.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/texas-wisteria-2-768x478.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Texas Wisteria<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>If you\u2019re looking for a beautiful cascade of purple flowers, look no further than <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/wisteriafrutes.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas wisteria<\/a>. This gorgeous plant is best added to the garden in the spring or fall. Plant it in well-drained soil that receives a lot of sun throughout the day.<\/p>    <p>Be careful where you plant it since it likes to climb and grows fast, which can choke out nearby plants. Allow it to grow up an arbor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/flowering-vines-for-your-yard\/\">trellis<\/a>, or fence line but keep it away from your home, so you aren\u2019t battling the plant for years to come.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Flowering vine<\/li>    <li><strong>Blooms: <\/strong>Purple flowers; blooms in spring and summer<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>5-9<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Prefers acidic, nutrient-rich soils high in organic matter<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial vine<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Medium; if there is no rainfall, water every 2-3 weeks<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>25-30 feet tall; 3-6 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Prune as needed to maintain desired shape and height. Heavy pruning should be done in spring, immediately after it flowers.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-desert-willow\">Desert Willow<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2.jpg\" alt=\"Chilopsis_linearis\" class=\"wp-image-62086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2-300x245.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2-646x527.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2-150x122.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-2-2-768x627.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stan Shebs<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>This native tree loves dry conditions and lots of sunshine. Plant a desert willow in a spot where it can grow up to 25 feet tall and 10 feet wide. This beautiful tree offers a large number of pink flowers that provide a sweet scent.<\/p>    <p>Hummingbirds flock to the blooms while birds will eat the large seed pods that appear later on in the year. The <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/natives\/CHILOPSISLINEARIS.HTM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">desert willow<\/a> may resemble a willow tree in physical appearance, but it isn\u2019t part of the willow family.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Small tree<\/li>    <li><strong>Blooms:<\/strong> White, light pink to light violet; summer and fall<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>7-11<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Adaptable, but prefers well-drained soils<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Low; water occasionally if no rain after 30 days<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>15-25 feet tall; 15-20 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Pruning and deadheading to encourage new growth; occasional removal of suckers (new growth at the bottom)<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-texas-sage\">Texas Sage<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1.jpg\" alt=\"texas sage\" class=\"wp-image-62078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1-646x485.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/5956822938_67616c59c4_c-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/time_anchor\/5956822938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">time anchor<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>It isn\u2019t hard to get Texas sage to grow in Austin\u2019s dry soil. This native plant has silver-gray leaves that grow up to 6 feet tall and wide at maturity. <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/leucophyllumfrutes.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas sage<\/a> offers gorgeous pink, purple, or lavender flowers that bloom all summer.<\/p>    <p>Many Austin homeowners use this plant along borders or to help create privacy. Plant this native beauty in a sunny spot where it can establish itself in the soil.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Shrub<\/li>    <li><strong>Blooms: <\/strong>Pink, purple, lavender flowers; summer and fall<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>8-10<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Well-drained, alkaline soil<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial&nbsp;<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Low to very low; water if 3-4 weeks without rain<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Semi-evergreen<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>5-8 feet tall; 4-6 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Don\u2019t sheer or clip into a hedge; prune as needed to maintain a natural shape<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-hill-country-penstemon\">Hill Country Penstemon<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1.jpg\" alt=\"Penstemon_triflorus_\" class=\"wp-image-62082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1-646x472.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1-150x110.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Penstemon_triflorus_close-1-768x561.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Penstemon_triflorus_close.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stan Shebs<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>Also known as Hill Country or scarlet beardtongue, Hill Country penstemon is a natural fit for Austin gardens. This perennial herb doesn\u2019t need a lot of sunshine and can do well in dry soil. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildflower.org\/plants\/result.php?id_plant=petr2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hill Country penstemon<\/a> offers brilliant red tube-shaped flowers that provide dramatic garden interest.<\/p>    <p>It\u2019s a common food source for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/best-pollinator-garden-plants\/\">area pollinators<\/a> like hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant only grows a few feet wide and tall at maturity so it won\u2019t crowd out neighboring flowers.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Herb<\/li>    <li><strong>Blooms: <\/strong>Red or pink; spring<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>5-8<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to part shade<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Prefers well-drained soil<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Low; water if 3 to 4 weeks without rain<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>1.5-2.5 feet tall; 1.5 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Cut back the flowers once they have bloomed<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-evergreen-sumac\">Evergreen Sumac<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1.jpg\" alt=\"Evergreen-Sumac\" class=\"wp-image-62084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1-646x486.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/796px-Evergreen-Sumac-c_4487584824-1-768x578.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Evergreen-Sumac-c_(4487584824).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homer Edward Price<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>This tree can reach up to 12 feet high and offers a shiny green color to your yard all year long. <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/rhusviren.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Evergreen sumac<\/a> produces small white summertime flowers that appear in clusters. It also produces fuzzy red fruits that look like red berries and attract bees and butterflies.<\/p>    <p>The glossy oval-shaped leaves are what the plant is known for. The dense growth structure of the leaves helps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/landscaping-for-privacy\/\">create privacy<\/a> for your yard while also providing shade.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Shrub<\/li>    <li><strong>Blooms: <\/strong>White flowers; late summer and fall<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>8-10<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Sun to partial shade<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Requires well-drained soil<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial shrub<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Low; water after 3-4 weeks without rain<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Evergreen<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>6-8 feet tall; 10 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Prune lightly to maintain form<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-texas-red-yucca\">Texas Red Yucca<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hesperaloe parviflora\" class=\"wp-image-62087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1-646x430.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz-1-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Hesperaloe_parviflora_2zz.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David J. Stang<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>This flowering succulent is drought tolerant and perfect for the Austin area. <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/hesperaloeparviflor.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas red yucca<\/a> offers slender green leaves along with tall spikes of blooms that dot the garden with a punch of color. It\u2019s also a favorite for hummingbirds and bees.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.austintexas.gov\/watershed_protection\/publications\/document.cfm?id=198301\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">native Texas plant<\/a>, it\u2019s low maintenance and needs little water to thrive. The evergreen leaves keep their color year-round, making it a common winter interest plant.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Plant type: <\/strong>Succulent<\/li>    <li><strong>Bloom: <\/strong>Red, pink, yellow, and coral; spring and summer<\/li>    <li><strong>Hardiness zones: <\/strong>6-13<\/li>    <li><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Adapts to most soils; prefers good drainage<\/li>    <li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>    <li><strong>Water Needs: <\/strong>Very low; no water once established, but occasional watering might be needed if no rainfall after 30 days<\/li>    <li><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Evergreen<\/li>    <li><strong>Mature Size: <\/strong>3-5 feet tall; 2-4 feet wide<\/li>    <li><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Removal of old stalks at the base<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-faq-about-native-plants-in-austin\">FAQ About Native Plants in Austin<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1664997298660\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What Planting Zone is Austin, Texas?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The USDA plant hardiness zones for Austin, Texas are 8a-8b. The <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hardiness zones<\/a> help gardeners determine what plants will thrive in a certain area based on minimum winter temperatures.<br\/><br\/>For Texas, zones range from 6-9. In Austin, the lowest winter temperature is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, thus the average zone 8 rating.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1664997317194\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do you Grow Plants in Texas Heat?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The best way to keep your plants alive in the scorching <a href=\"https:\/\/agrilifetoday.tamu.edu\/2022\/07\/14\/tips-for-gardeners-during-a-texas-heat-wave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">heat of central Texas<\/a>, is to pick the right plants. Any plants that are native to Texas are more likely to survive, if not thrive, during warm summer days. But even hardy native perennials, shrubs, and trees need some assistance once in a while.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Time your watering: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/water\/best-lawn-watering-times\/\">Watering in the early hours<\/a> of the morning reduces evaporation and allows your plants and grass to get enough water.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Proper irrigation:<\/strong> Low-flow and drip <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-plan-install-home-lawn-sprinkler-system\/\">irrigation<\/a> can help your garden get the water it needs low to the ground without risking over-watering foliage.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Add Mulch:<\/strong> Applying <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/mulch-types-tips-guide\/\">mulch<\/a> around your plants and flower beds can help to regulate soil temperatures and maintain moisture.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1664997333176\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the Best Flowering Plants in Austin, Texas?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">While some plants like agaves are known Mexican and Texan natives, they don\u2019t add as much color to your yard as some of the beautiful wildflowers and blooming plants that thrive in Austin.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Autumn salvia <\/strong>is a variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/salviagreg.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">salvia<\/a> that blooms showy red flowers from spring through fall. These plants have high heat tolerance and grow well in sun to partial shade.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Turk\u2019s cap <\/strong>is one of the most used and recognizable shrubs in Texas and is known for its red or white varieties of flowers. <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/malvaviscusdrum.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turk\u2019s cap<\/a> can handle full sun, partial sun, or shade and has a very high heat tolerance, which is perfect for Austin\u2019s summers.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Flame acanthus<\/strong> is another great choice if you\u2019re looking for a pop of color in your yard. Also known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/anisacanthusquadrifid.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hummingbird bush<\/a>, this shrub puts out orange flowers that hummingbirds love and is very heat- and drought-tolerant.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-bring-in-the-plant-professionals\">Bring in the Plant Professionals<\/h2>    <p>Austin gardeners have a wide variety of native plants to choose from. Gorgeous native trees coupled with shrubs and flowers create a dynamic and exciting garden. There are many varieties to choose from, but these are some of the best native plants for your Austin garden.<\/p>    <p>Having trouble choosing and planting? Hand it off to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/austin-tx-landscaping\">Austin lawn care professional<\/a> who can help you choose the right fit for your garden. They\u2019ll also do all the heavy lifting for you, so you can get back to enjoying your yard.<\/p>    <p>Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/treegrow\/3935823192\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Katja Schulz<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Austin has a climate that sets it apart from the rest of the Lone Star State. The area gets more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":62093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1007],"class_list":["post-14622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-austin-tx","tag-austin-tx-landscaping"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/3935823192_356e3e3975_h-1.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Brenda Ryan","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/brendaryan\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Native plants are a great way to turn your Austin yard into a flourishing, environmentally- and pollinator-friendly garden.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Native plants are a great way to turn your Austin yard into a flourishing, environmentally- and pollinator-friendly garden.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lawnstarter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-05-02T04:41:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" 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She is a former radio newscaster and journalist. In her free time she enjoys traveling, gardening, visiting wineries, reading, and playing trivia games in her home state of Colorado.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/brendaryan\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997298660\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997298660\",\"name\":\"What Planting Zone is Austin, Texas?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The USDA plant hardiness zones for Austin, Texas are 8a-8b. The <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\\\/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">hardiness zones<\\\/a> help gardeners determine what plants will thrive in a certain area based on minimum winter temperatures.<br\\\/><br\\\/>For Texas, zones range from 6-9. In Austin, the lowest winter temperature is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, thus the average zone 8 rating.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997317194\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997317194\",\"name\":\"How do you Grow Plants in Texas Heat?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The best way to keep your plants alive in the scorching <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/agrilifetoday.tamu.edu\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/14\\\/tips-for-gardeners-during-a-texas-heat-wave\\\/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">heat of central Texas<\\\/a>, is to pick the right plants. Any plants that are native to Texas are more likely to survive, if not thrive, during warm summer days. But even hardy native perennials, shrubs, and trees need some assistance once in a while.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Time your watering: <\\\/strong><a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/water\\\/best-lawn-watering-times\\\/\\\">Watering in the early hours<\\\/a> of the morning reduces evaporation and allows your plants and grass to get enough water.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Proper irrigation:<\\\/strong> Low-flow and drip <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/how-plan-install-home-lawn-sprinkler-system\\\/\\\">irrigation<\\\/a> can help your garden get the water it needs low to the ground without risking over-watering foliage.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Add Mulch:<\\\/strong> Applying <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/landscaping\\\/mulch-types-tips-guide\\\/\\\">mulch<\\\/a> around your plants and flower beds can help to regulate soil temperatures and maintain moisture.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997333176\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/texas\\\/austin-tx\\\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\\\/#faq-question-1664997333176\",\"name\":\"What are the Best Flowering Plants in Austin, Texas?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"While some plants like agaves are known Mexican and Texan natives, they don\u2019t add as much color to your yard as some of the beautiful wildflowers and blooming plants that thrive in Austin.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Autumn salvia <\\\/strong>is a variety of <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\\\/ornamentals\\\/nativeshrubs\\\/salviagreg.htm\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">salvia<\\\/a> that blooms showy red flowers from spring through fall. These plants have high heat tolerance and grow well in sun to partial shade.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Turk\u2019s cap <\\\/strong>is one of the most used and recognizable shrubs in Texas and is known for its red or white varieties of flowers. <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\\\/ornamentals\\\/nativeshrubs\\\/malvaviscusdrum.htm\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Turk\u2019s cap<\\\/a> can handle full sun, partial sun, or shade and has a very high heat tolerance, which is perfect for Austin\u2019s summers.<br\\\/><br\\\/>\u2022 <strong>Flame acanthus<\\\/strong> is another great choice if you\u2019re looking for a pop of color in your yard. Also known as the <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\\\/ornamentals\\\/nativeshrubs\\\/anisacanthusquadrifid.htm\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">hummingbird bush<\\\/a>, this shrub puts out orange flowers that hummingbirds love and is very heat- and drought-tolerant.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Best Native Plants for Your Austin Garden","description":"Native plants are a great way to turn your Austin yard into a flourishing, environmentally- and pollinator-friendly garden.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Best Native Plants for Your Austin 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Ryan","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/brenda-Ryan-150x150.jpeg?wsr","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/brenda-Ryan-150x150.jpeg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/brenda-Ryan-150x150.jpeg?wsr","caption":"Brenda Ryan"},"description":"Brenda Ryan is a former content director for LawnStarter. She is a former radio newscaster and journalist. In her free time she enjoys traveling, gardening, visiting wineries, reading, and playing trivia games in her home state of Colorado.","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/brendaryan\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997298660","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997298660","name":"What Planting Zone is Austin, Texas?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The USDA plant hardiness zones for Austin, Texas are 8a-8b. The <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hardiness zones<\/a> help gardeners determine what plants will thrive in a certain area based on minimum winter temperatures.<br\/><br\/>For Texas, zones range from 6-9. In Austin, the lowest winter temperature is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, thus the average zone 8 rating.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997317194","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997317194","name":"How do you Grow Plants in Texas Heat?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The best way to keep your plants alive in the scorching <a href=\"https:\/\/agrilifetoday.tamu.edu\/2022\/07\/14\/tips-for-gardeners-during-a-texas-heat-wave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">heat of central Texas<\/a>, is to pick the right plants. Any plants that are native to Texas are more likely to survive, if not thrive, during warm summer days. But even hardy native perennials, shrubs, and trees need some assistance once in a while.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Time your watering: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/water\/best-lawn-watering-times\/\">Watering in the early hours<\/a> of the morning reduces evaporation and allows your plants and grass to get enough water.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Proper irrigation:<\/strong> Low-flow and drip <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-plan-install-home-lawn-sprinkler-system\/\">irrigation<\/a> can help your garden get the water it needs low to the ground without risking over-watering foliage.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Add Mulch:<\/strong> Applying <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/mulch-types-tips-guide\/\">mulch<\/a> around your plants and flower beds can help to regulate soil temperatures and maintain moisture.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997333176","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/texas\/austin-tx\/best-native-plants-for-your-austin-garden\/#faq-question-1664997333176","name":"What are the Best Flowering Plants in Austin, Texas?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"While some plants like agaves are known Mexican and Texan natives, they don\u2019t add as much color to your yard as some of the beautiful wildflowers and blooming plants that thrive in Austin.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Autumn salvia <\/strong>is a variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/salviagreg.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">salvia<\/a> that blooms showy red flowers from spring through fall. These plants have high heat tolerance and grow well in sun to partial shade.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Turk\u2019s cap <\/strong>is one of the most used and recognizable shrubs in Texas and is known for its red or white varieties of flowers. <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/malvaviscusdrum.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turk\u2019s cap<\/a> can handle full sun, partial sun, or shade and has a very high heat tolerance, which is perfect for Austin\u2019s summers.<br\/><br\/>\u2022 <strong>Flame acanthus<\/strong> is another great choice if you\u2019re looking for a pop of color in your yard. Also known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/ornamentals\/nativeshrubs\/anisacanthusquadrifid.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hummingbird bush<\/a>, this shrub puts out orange flowers that hummingbirds love and is very heat- and drought-tolerant.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14622"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14622\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}