Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station |
| Agarita flourishes in high heat and tolerates temperatures as low as 15 degrees F. |
We all know Texas is big, so it’s not too surprising to learn that it’s one of the most botanically diverse states in the country. That means there’s a lot of plant material to choose from if you decide to “go native.” And why wouldn’t you? Not only do Texas natives stand tall against a host of difficult growing conditions, many of them have been improved by horticulturists trying to meet gardeners’ demands for beauty and adaptability.
Here are five of the best and most beautiful Texas natives that just might work in your garden (even if you live across state lines). Agarita or wild currant (Mahonia trifoliolata). If you’re looking for a surefire bird magnet, give agarita a try. This evergreen’s got grayish-green, holly-like foliage, and its yellow spring flowers turn to brilliant red berries in summertime that attract wildlife (although the plant in general is said to be deer-resistant). These wonderful berries also give you the opportunity to try your hand at canning a real Texas delicacy – agarita jelly! True to its barberry family, agarita comes barbed with sharp points on the end of its leaflets. This means it works great planted under those windows you want to arm against intruders. In fact, it’ll grow up to 6 feet tall and wide. Agarita flourishes in high heat and can tolerate temperatures as low as 15 degrees F. It’s also drought-tolerant, partial to alkaline soils and prefers full sun. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station | | Don’t let autumn sage’s name fool you: It blooms from spring to fall. |
Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) . The reappearance of Salvia greggii in modern Texas gardens is part of the nationwide trend of reintroducing “old” plants into today’s landscapes. This versatile native perennial shrub grows 3 feet tall and wide, and it works well in lots of spaces, from containers to borders, or just as a splash of color.
Despite its name, autumn sage blooms from spring to fall. You’ll mostly find it with red, tube-shaped flowers, but cultivars are being developed in shades of white, salmon, pink and more. Autumn sage tolerates full sun and flourishes in well-drained soil. It’s also considered drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. It should survive winter temperatures of 10-15 degrees F, so it can be used in many areas throughout the South.
|