Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability"

Neil Dennis
5 years ago
Views:

Plant Selection: Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability to your region s soil and climate.

Most have lower water demands, fewer pest problems and less fertilizer needs than many nonadapted, exotic plants brought into Texas landscapes.

Combining Texas natives with well-adapted non-native plants is a key to a beautiful, interesting landscape which conserves water.

1 Plant Selection: Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability to your region s soil and climate. Texas is blessed with an abundance of beautiful native plants which are naturally adapted to the region. Most have lower water demands, fewer pest problems and less fertilizer needs than many nonadapted, exotic plants brought into Texas landscapes. Through the support of the nursery industry, native Texas plants have become more available in retail nurseries and garden centers. Combining Texas natives with well-adapted non-native plants is a key to a beautiful, interesting landscape which conserves water. Grass Selection: When considering a landscape s water requirement, it is important to note that turfgrasses require more frequent watering and maintenance than most other landscape plants. Carefully select grass according to its intended use, planting location and maintenance requirements. St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass are most often used for lawns in Texas. Zoysiagrass, buffalograss and centipedegrass are used less often but offer much promise for landscape water conservation. Earth-Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment. The objective of Earth-Kind is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a new horticultural system based on realworld effectiveness and environmental responsibility. The principal goals of Earth-Kind include: ;; Water conservation ;; The safe use and handling of fertilizers & pesticides ;; Reduction of yard wastes entering urban landfills ;; Landscaping for Energy Conservation As your interest and knowledge in these areas grows you will have an increased awareness of the many programs, practices and activities that are Earth-Kind. Working together we can make a difference in conserving and protecting ourvaluable natural resources. Grasses available for use in Texas lawns vary signifcantly in water requirements. Planting the lowest water use turfgrass adapted to the region is an effective way to reduce landscape irrigation requirements. Achieving a significant reduction in water consumption and landscape maintenance may also involve reducing the size of water-sensitive lawns through the use of patios, decks, shrub beds and groundcovers. Also, when designing or evaluating turfgrass areas in the landscape, consider the ease or difficulty for any irrigation equipment to efficiently water. Try to eliminate long, narrow areas and maintain more blocky, square areas. For more information see our Web site: EarthKind.tamu.edu

Outstanding Plants for Texas Earth-Kind Landscapes: Plant Adaptation Map Region - East Texas (Texarkana, Houston, Tyler, Beaumont, Nacagdoches) Region 2 - South Texas (Corpus Christi, Brownsville,

2 Outstanding Plants for Texas Earth-Kind Landscapes: Plant Adaptation Map Region - East Texas (Texarkana, Houston, Tyler, Beaumont, Nacagdoches) Region 2 - South Texas (Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo, Del Rio) Region 3 - Central Texas (Austin, Waco, College Station, San Antonio) Region 4 - North Central Texas (Dallas, Ft. Worth, Denton, Wichita Falls) Region 5 - Panhandle (Amarillo) Region 6 - West Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, San Angelo, Midland, Abilene) Note - Plants with number are adaptable to most areas of Texas. Outstanding Grasses for Texas Common name Scientific name Best adapted for Notes Bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides 3, 4, 5, 6 Carpetgrass Axonopus affinis Centipedegrass St. Augustinegrass Tall fescue Eremochloa ophiuroides Stenotaphrum secundatum Festuca arundinacea, 2, 3, 4 Zoysiagrass Zoysia spp. Texas native 4, 5 Good drought tolerance; produces dense turf; poor shade tolerance; seed or sod Excellent drought tolerance; produces thin turf; poor shade tolerance; seeded Adapted to moist sites; tolerates partial shade; many seedheads; thin turf; seed Low maintenance; tolerates partial shade; drought tolerant; seed or sod Produces dense turf; good shade tolerance; poor drought tolerance; sodded Under irrigation, remains green year-round; good shade tolerance; poor drought tolerance; seeded Produces dense turf; good shade tolerance; good drought tolerance; sodded; varieties: Palisade, Meyer and Emerald Outstanding Vines and Groundcovers for Texas Vines Boston ivy Bougainvillea Parthenocissus tricuspidata Bougainvillea sp. 2 S Deciduous; fall color; clings to walls Evergreen; many flower colors; plant outdoors in extreme southern Texas only or provide winter protection 2

3 Carolina jessamine Clematis Gelsemium sempervirens Clematis sp. Confederate jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides Coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Coralvine Antigonon leptopus English ivy Fig ivy Improved trumpet vine Lady Banksia Mermaid rose Rosa x fortuniana Silverlace vine Virginia creeper Wisteria Groundcovers Ajuga Hedera helix Ficus pumila (repens) Camsis radicans Rosa banksia Rosa x bractaeta Rosa x fortuniana Polygonum aubertii Parthenocissus quinquefolia Wisteria sp. Ajuga reptans Asiatic jasmine Trachelospermum asiaticum Confederate jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides English ivy Hedera helix Liriope Monkey grass Liriope muscari, 2, 3, 4 E 5 Sh, 2, 3, 4 E, 2, 3, 4, 6 S h, 2, 3, 4 E, 2, 3, 4, 6 S, 2, 3, 4, 6 S, 2, 3, 4, 6 S 3, 4, 5, 6 E h, 2, 3, 4, 6 E, 2, 3 E h Ophiopogon japonicus Evergreen; yellow spring flowers Beautiful blooms; deciduous vine Evergreen; fragrant white spring flowers Coral flower in summer Pink flowers in late summer and fall Evergreen; green or variegated ; shade loving Evergreen; clings to walls Orange flowers in summer and fall Spring flowers in yellow or white Fragrant, pale yellow flowers; vigorous climber; pest resistant Fragrant, white flowers; vigorous climber; pest resistant Fluffly masses of white flowers Clings to walls; fall color Blue clusters of flowers in spring Variety of color and blue flowers; requires well drained soil Evergreen; green or variegated Evergreen; fragrant, white spring flowers Evergreen; green or variegated Evergreen, grass-like ; purple blooms; varieties: big blue, gigantic Evergreen, grass-like ; dwarf and standard varieties 3

4 Prostrate rosemary Santolina Trailing juniper Vinca Rosmarinus officinalis Santolina sp. Juniperus sp. Vinca major 2 S 3, 4, 5, 6 S 3, 4, 5, 6 S h Grayish-green, fragrant ; light blue flowers Species with green or silver Several varieties available; not suitable for wet, humid areas Blue flowers and dark green Outstanding Perennials for Texas Common name Scientific name Best adapted for Exposure 2 Flower color Flowering season Height Autumn sage Salvia greggii 2, 3, 4, 6 S White, red, pink, salmon Spring to fall 2-3 ft Baby sun/sunray coreopsis Coreopsis grandiflora Yellow, orange Late spring, summer ft Bearded iris Iris xiphioides Many Spring -3 ft Blue plumbago Plumbago auriculata Blue, white Summer, fall 3 ft, 2, 3 E Bouncing bet Sapinaria officinalis Pink Summer -2 ft Cigar plant Cuphea micropetala Red/yellow Summer, fall 3-4 ft, 2, 3 E Daylily Hemerocallis sp. Many Spring, summer -3 ft Firebush Hamelia patens Reddishorange Summer, fall 3-5 ft, 2, 3 S Garden canna Canna x generalis pink, Yellow, red, Summer 2-4 ft salmon Goldsturm rudbeckia Hinckley s columbine Indian blanket 2, 3, 5 Sh Yellow Summer 2 ft Yellow Spring 8 in Rudbeckia x goldsturm Aquilegia hinckleyana Gaillardia sp. Reddishyellow Spring to fall Lantana Lantana sp., 2, 3, 6 S Many Spring to fall -2 ft Louisiana iris Iris fulva x Iris giganticaerulea x Iris foliosa Many Spring 3 ft 8 in 4

5 Common name Scientific name Mealy cup sage Mexican oregano Salvia farinacea Poliomentha longiflora Best adapted for Exposure 2, 2, 3, 4, 6 S, 2, 3, 6 S Flower color Blue, white, purple Flowering season Spring, summer, fall Height 3 ft Pink Summer -2 ft Mexican sage Salvia leucantha 2, 3 S Blue Spring to fall 3-4 ft Moonbeam/ Zagreb coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata Yellow, orange Late spring, summer 2-3 ft Pavonia Pavonia lasiopetala Pink Spring to fall 3-4 ft, 2, 3 E Perennial verbena Pink rain lily Purple coneflower Rosemary Society garlic Verbena sp. Zephyranthes grandiflora Echinacea angustifolia Rosmarinus officinalis Tulbaghia violacea, 2, 3, 4, 6 S, 2, 3, 4, 6 E Many Spring to fall 6 in - ft Pink Summer ft Purple Spring to fall 8 in Blue Summer, fall -4 ft Lavender Spring to fall 8 in Sweet violet Viola odorata h Purple Winter, spring 6-8 in White rain lily Zephyranthes White Summer ft, 2, 3, 4, 6 E candida Grasses Big bluestem Andropogon Summer, fall 3-4 ft gerardii Fountain grass Pennisetum ruppelii Summer 3 ft Muhly grass Muehlenbergia Summer 3 ft lindheimeri 2, 3, 4, 6 S Pampas grass Purple autumn grass Sideoats gramma Cortaderia selloana Miscanthus sinensis Bouteloua curtipendula Summer, fall Summer Summer ft 3-4 ft 2-3 ft 5

6 Outstanding Shrubs for Texas Dwarf Shrubs ( to 3 feet tall) Dwarf burford holly Ilex cornuta rotunda Glossy evergreen burfordii Dwarf Chinese holly Ilex cornuta rotunda Glossy evergreen Dwarf pittosporum Pittosporum tobira Small, round evergreen, 2, 3 E wheeleri Dwarf yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria nana Glossy evergreen Nandina: harbour Nandina sp. Reddish evergreen dwarf, gulf stream, nana Red yucca Hesperaloe parvifolia Red flowers on tall spikes Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis blue flowers; herb Fragrant bluish-green ;, 2, 3, 4, 6 S Small Shrubs (3 to 5 feet tall) Barberry Berberis thunbergii Red evergreen, 3, 4, 5, 6 S atropurpurea Bridal wreath spirea China rose Dwarf burford holly Spirea cantoniensis (S. reevesiana) Rosa chinensis Ilex cornuta rotunda burfordii, 2, 3, 4, 6 S Sprawling; fern-like; white spring blooms Hardy; long-blooming; pest resistant; varieties: Old Blush (pink) and Cramoisi Superior (red) Glossy evergreen Dwarf palmetto Sabal minor, 2, 3, 4, 6 E Trunkless, bushy palm Flowering quince Chaenomeles Deciduous shrub; spring blooming (red, pink, white or orange) japonica Glossy abelia Abelia grandiflora Bronze evergreen and white flowers Grayleaf cotoneaster Cotoneaster glaucophylla Indian hawthorne Raphiolepis indica, 3, 4, 5, 6 E Sprawling evergreen shrub; dusty gray Spring flowering; blue berries in fall; evergreen Japanese boxwood Buxus japonica Evergreen Juniper Juniperus sp. Tough, evergreen shrub; many, 3, 4, 5, 6 S varieties available Nandina compact Nandina domestica Reddish evergreen and compacta red fall berries 6

7 Tea rose Rosa odorata Medium Shrubs (6 to 9 feet tall) Agarita Mahonia trifoliata Althea Hibiscus syriacas, 2, 3, 4, 6 S 2, 3, 4, 6 S Hardy; long-blooming; pest resistant; excellent varieties: Mrs. B.R. Cant (rose), Mrs. Dudley Cross (yellow) and Duchesse de Brandant (pink) Holly-like evergreen ; yellow spring flowers; red edible berries Upright; deciduous; many colors; summer blooming Burford holly Ilex cornuta burfordii Glossy evergreen Central Texas sage Leucophyllum sp. Dusty gray evergreen ; 2, 3, 4, 6 S blooms throughout summer; several new varieties: Greencloud (green ) and other TAMU releases Chinese horned Ilex cornuta Glossy evergreen holly Eleagnus Eleagnus fruitlandi Evergreen with grayish-green Forsythia Forsythia intermedia Yellow spring flowers, 3, 4, 5, 6 E spectabilis Fraser photinia Photinia x fraseri Red new ; evergreen Glossy abelia Abelia grandiflora Bronze evergreen ; white, 3, 4, 5, 6 E or pink flowers Green pittosporum Pittosporum tobira, 2, 3, 4, 6 E Large evergreen shrub Indian hawthorne Raphiolepis indica Spring flowering; blue berries in fall; evergreen Italian jasmine Jasminum humile Sprawling evergreen; yellow summer flowers Juniper Juniperus sp. Tough evergreen; many varieties, 3, 4, 5, 6 S Nandina Nandina domestica Reddish evergreen ; red fall berries Pomegranate Punica granatum Large, upright shrub; orange, 2, 3, 4, 6 S blooms; edible fruit; dwarf variety: Chico Variegated pittosporum Winter honeysuckle Pittosporum tobira variegata Lonicera fragrantissima Large Shrubs (0 to 25 feet tall) American holly Ilex opaca, 2, 3, 4, 6 E S Green/white variegated evergreen shrub Fragrant clusters of white flowers in winter Tree-form holly; evergreen ; red berries

8 Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica Evergreen for specimen and, 3, 4, 5, 6 S windbreak plantings California fan palm Washingtonia filifera, 2, 3 S Tree-like palm Cherry laurel Prunus caroliniana, 2, 3, 4, 6 E Tree-like evergreen shrub Chinese photinia Photinia serrulata Evergreen; red spring ;, 3, 4, 5, 6 E white spring blooms Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica Shrubby to tree-like; summer blooming; many flower colors available Lilac Syringa vulgaris Deciduous blooming shrub; 5 S adapted to alkaline soil Mock orange Oleander Possumhaw Russian olive Texas mountain laurel Philadelphus coronarius Nerium oleander Ilex decidua Eleagnus angustifolia Sophora secundiflora, 5 S, 2, 3, 4, 6 S, 2, 3, 4 S 4, 5, 6 E 2, 3, 6 E Fragrant white blooms in late spring Evergreen ; summer blooming; many colors available Deciduous holly; red to orange berries persist through early winter Gray ; yellow flowers; evergreen for windbreak plantings Tree-like evergreen shrub; purple spring flowers Texas palmetto Sabal texana, 2, 3, 6 S Tall, native Texas palm Texas persimmon Diospyros texana Tree-like; light gray trunk; fruit 2, 3, 6 S edible by animals Vitex Vitex agnus-castus Tree-like; flowers blue or white; summer blooming Washington hawthorn Windmill palm Yaupon holly Crataegus phaenopyrum Trachycarpus fortunei Ilex vomitoria 5 S, 2, 3, 4, 6 S Maple-shaped leaves; white flower; red berries Tree-like; fibrous bark Upright evergreen, spineless holly; red to orange berries Outstanding Trees for Texas Common name Scientific name Best adapted for Notes Small Trees (20 to 35 feet tall) American plum Prunus americana Aristocrat pear Bradford pear Texas native Pyrus calleryana Aristocrat Pyrus calleryana Bradford 5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 3, 4, 5, 6 White blooms in spring; sour fruit good for jelly Spring flowers; fall color Spring flowers; fall color 8

9 Common name Scientific name Best adapted for Notes Canaert redcedar Juniperus virginiana Evergreen for specimen or windbreak Chinese pistache Pistacia chinensis preading canopy; fall color Crabapple Mallus sp. Spring flowering tree; many, 3, 4, 5, 6 varieties Desert willow Chilopsis linearis Snapdragon-like flowers in summer; willow-like 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Dogwood Cornus florida Graceful tree; large spring blooms of white and pink Eldarica pine Pinus eldarica Best pine for alkaline soils; 2, 3, 4, 6 Christmas tree-shaped Fan d Arc osage orange Maclura pomifera Fan Improved fruitless selection d Arc Honey mesquite Prosopis glandulosa 2, 3, 4, 6 Lacy spreading form Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii Rounded small tree; adapted to alkaline soils Japanese persimmon Diospyros kaki Edible showy fruit; glossy green Mexican plum Prunus mexicana Fragrant spring flowers; attractive trunk Nanking cherry Prunus tomentosa 5 Tough, fruiting, shrubby tree Panicled golden raintree Koelreuteria paniculata 3, 4, 5, 6 Showy flowers and seed pods Pink lady euonymus Euonymus bungeanus Alkaline-tolerant; deciduous; 5 light green ; showy seeds in fall Redbud Cercis sp. Spring blooming; excellent varieties: Oklahoma and Forest Pansy Slash pine Pinus elliottii Evergreen pine Soapberry Sapindus drummondii Fall color Texas ebony Pithecellobium flexicaule 2 Airy and flowers Wild olive Corida boissieri 2 White flowers and bold Large Trees (above 35 feet tall) Austrian black pine Pinus nigra 5 Adapted to wind and cold Bald cypress Taxodium distichum Deciduous conifer; fine textured, 2, 3, 4, 6 ; fall color Black walnut Juglans nigra Good tree but tends to be, 5 messy Blue spruce Picea pungens Glauca 5 Grayish-blue needles Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa Bold ; huge acorns Cedar elm Ulmus crassifolia Upright growth habit; good street tree Chinquapin oak Quercus muhlenbergii, 2, 3, 4, 6 Round-topped tree; bold Deodar cedar Cedrus deodora Bluish-green conifer Texas native 9

10 Common name Scientific name Best adapted for Notes Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Variety Shademaster particularly recommended for area 5 5 Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Thornless varieties available Kentucky coffee tree Gymnocladus dioica Upright tree; fine textured 5 Lace bark elm Ulmus parvifolia Textured bark; spreading shade tree Live oak Quercus virginiana, 2, 3, 4, 6 Evergreen shade tree Loblolly pine Pinus taeda Evergreen pine Pecan Carya illinoensis tate tree; edible nuts Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa 5 Bushy, attractive tree Shumard oak Quercus shumardii, 2, 3, 4, 5 Fall color Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Bold evergreen tree; large white blooms throughout summer Sweetgum Liquidamber styraciflua Upright growth habit; fall color Texas red oak Quercus texana Fall color Water oak Quercus nigra Holds well into winter Texas native Additional Resources There are an additional number of programs and tools for identifying plant materials that are specifically adapted to your area. The following is a brief overview of these easy to use educational resources. Aggie Horticulture PicturePages: This comprehensive information resource provides a variety of searchable databases designed to help in selecting landscape plant materials specifically adapted to your needs. With over 500 cataloged specimens, users can choose plants based on cultural requirements (i.e. sun/shade, drainage, etc.), height, width, hardiness, flower color, and much more. Earth-Kind Plant Selector - Part of The Urban Landscape Guide: Eight separate gardening zones have been established to rate plants on 5 important resource efficiency categories (drought tolerance, pest tolerance, heat tolerance, as well as soil and fertility requirements). A special Earth Kind Index value, ranging from -0, provides users with an overall estimate of resource efficiency in the landscape. Plant records also contain cultural requirements (i.e. sun/shade, drainage, etc.), height, width, hardiness, flower color, and much more

Texas SuperStar: This statewide testing and release program is designed to provide consumers with plants that are extremely well adapted to the Texas environment.

Additionally, cultural information is provided to give consumers guidance regarding proper plant care. www.texassuperstar.

Earth-Kind Roses have been through rigorous statewide testing and evaluation by a team of horticultural experts and found to possess the high level of landscape performance coupled with outstanding

11 Texas SuperStar: This statewide testing and release program is designed to provide consumers with plants that are extremely well adapted to the Texas environment. One of the keys to the success of the Superstar program is the quality and reliability of the plant material that is highlighted in educational and marketing campaigns. Additionally, cultural information is provided to give consumers guidance regarding proper plant care. Earth-Kind Roses: Earth-Kind is an important designation given to select roses by the Texas A&M University Agriculture program. Earth-Kind Roses have been through rigorous statewide testing and evaluation by a team of horticultural experts and found to possess the high level of landscape performance coupled with outstanding disease and insect tolerance/resistance required to for this special designation. Earth-Kind Roses are among the most thoroughly tested, and environmentally responsible plants for the use in Texas landscapes. These roses do very well in almost any soil type, from the well-drained acid sands of East Texas to the poorly aerated, highly alkaline clays of central and Southwest Texas. County Extension Recommendations: Many counties and Master Gardener programs throughout Texas have developed lists of recommended plant materials. This is extremely valuable information based on experience in a localized area. Contact you county Extension office for additional details. Find your county Extension office at: See the Earth-Kind Web site for more ways to preserve and protect the environment... EarthKind.tamu.edu

Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Landscape

Page 1 of 6 Horticulture Fact Sheet Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Landscape Gary L. Wade, Extension Horticulturist Residents in many counties throughout Georgia are currently facing restrictions