By Christine Reid
Hang out with a gaggle of gardeners long enough and they’ll soon start swooning about the ones they love ... plants, not people. We’re talking about all the different plants and trees that gardeners have discovered are attractive, trouble-free and easy to grow.
Over time they learned that if they had a shrub that continually withered in the sun, they should pull it out and put in a dependable Texas sage. If a tree had a tendency to lose limbs in a storm, they’d plant a sturdy, reliable cedar elm in its place. Yes, even in Central Texas, home of less than ideal soils, scorching summers and unpredictable precipitation, there are plenty of plants, shrubs and trees that are very pretty — and pretty tough.
Take trees and shrubs, for instance. The Retama, also known as Jerusalem thorn, can handle poor soil, very low water and appears to laugh at the heat. It also forms fragrant yellow blooms spring to fall. It grows fast but is relatively short lived; its beauty is worth it, however. As long as you put it where its formidable thorns won’t snag people, this unique tree will provide a splash of interest as well as habitat for wildlife.
The flameleaf sumac, in Master Gardener Gretta Walhovd’s experience, is both easy and beautiful. Gretta lives in Austin but has spent a lot of time in Hays County and has learned what does well here. The low-water sumac is one of the trees that produces vivid fall color as well as food for wildlife.
Another well-liked tree, or shrub, is the yaupon holly, both standard and dwarf. It’s a very popular landscape choice for a good reason. Being evergreen, it always looks nice, with no or little maintenance required. In the winter the female plants get vibrant red berries, always a hit with the birds and passersby. Unlike most plants and trees, it can even handle poor drainage, which really makes it stand out in a crowd. Another couple of shrubs that aren’t fazed by heat, drought and other challenging conditions are the flame acanthus, another of Gretta’s favorites, and Texas sage. They both form lovely flowers — red from the acanthus, purple from the sage. The flame acanthus, with its small tubular flowers, does well with some shade and is a favorite of hummingbirds.
The Texas sage, on the other hand, with its soft gray leaves, needs full sun and is sometimes referred to as the barometer bush since it often flowers when it’s about to rain. Pollinators love the blooms.
There are many flowering plants that are sturdy as well as attractive. Cedar sage, a salvia, not only requires very low water, it’s been said to be deer resistant — always a plus. It does well in part to full shade and will reseed freely, but in a good way! Another part shade plant that Shirley Hunt, a Wimberley Master Gardener, loves is Turk’s cap, a wonderful native. It has deep red, turban-shaped blooms from spring to fall and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It dies down and comes back each year, bigger and fuller; it does need some yearly pruning, but it’s so pretty and resilient, how can you resist it?
Jerusalem sage, another plant recommended by Hunt, has lovely gray-green leaves and stunning yellow blooms in the spring. Best of all, it has full sun and low water requirements, something that Central Texas has in large supply every summer.
Silver ponyfoot, considered a groundcover plant, has soft, gray foliage and, except for needing good drainage, is easy-going when it comes to water and light. It’s drought tolerant and can take full sun to part shade. Put it in and let it slowly and gracefully travel. Of course, most lantanas are bulletproof, as long as they get enough sun and have good drainage.
Silver-leaved and low water Russian sage, also a sun lover, has a spicy scent, forms lavender flowers from summer to fall and looks elegant placed at the back of the garden.
We mustn’t forget sturdy herb plants, such as garlic chives. This evergreen herb slowly spreads by clumping. The garlic-scented, strappy leaves can be used in recipes. As it requires no care to speak of, what’s not to love?
Evergreen rosemary in the garden is an herb that many cooks like to grow for its aromatic leaves. It’s said to be deer resistant and doesn’t mind an occasional cutting back. Soapwort, a perennial herb that was used in the past to make soap, is also a nice garden plant tolerant of different soils and lighting conditions. Give it adequate drainage and it will give you lovely leaves and flowers. If it’s happy, it will spread, so plant accordingly.
Keep in mind that good soil, rich with organic matter, will produce healthy plants that will require less water. Also, all plants and trees need to be established first before you can cut back on watering. Since these plants and trees have a history of growing well, some may need occasional cutting back or pruning. Check local resources to find the best plants for your area, talk to your gardening friends and look at what has done well in your neighborhood.
Unless you have time and water to waste, consider putting in some of these plants that ask for little and give so much. Who knows, maybe you too could have a love story to share at the next gathering of gardeners!
Any questions? Send an email to [email protected] or call (512) 398-6011. Enjoy your garden!
