Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - September 01, 2010
From: Jonestown/Leander, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant
Title: Native plants for Jonestown/Leander
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, I am new to Texas we bought a house here in Jonestown/Leander that has absolutely no plant life whatsoever I was wondering if you could provide me with the names of some drought tolerant plants preferably perennials for different seasons and shrubs so I may add color and beauty to my growing landscape design for most of the year anyway. I was also wondering if cherry blossoms would fair well in this area? Thank You.ANSWER:
First, to answer your question about cherries. There are two cherries, Prunus serotina (black cherry) and Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry), native to your area with attractive flowers, but neither is really edible. Indeed, both P. serotina and P. caroliniana are considered poisonous, at least parts of them are. You may be thinking of the flowering cherries of the Washington DC area, but these are Asian species. Since they aren't native, we wouldn't recommend them. Besides, they probably wouldn't do very well in our very hot, dry climate.
You can do your own searching for appropriate plants on the Texas-Central Recommended page. This list includes plants native to your area that are commerically available and suitable for landscaping. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option and limit your results by choosing, for instance, 'Herb' from GENERAL APPEARANCE, 'Perennial' from LIFESPAN and 'Dry - no signs of moisture' from SOIL MOISTURE.
Here are some suggestions from that list:
Asclepias asperula (spider milkweed)
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)
Liatris mucronata (cusp blazing star)
Melampodium leucanthum (plains blackfoot)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Wedelia texana (hairy wedelia)
You can do a similar search for shrubs. Here are some suggested ones:
Chrysactinia mexicana (damianita)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas barometer bush)
Also, you can limit your search to trees. Here a few:
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican buckeye)
Additionally, at the bottom of the Recommended Species page you will find a section, Just for Central Texans, you will find several special lists of plants for Central Texas. You can perform the same NARROW YOUR SEARCH search on those lists to limit the list to those characteristics you want (or need) in your plants.
More Drought Tolerant Questions
Connecticut Plants for a Steep Slope
September 09, 2015 - I am looking for the best plants to retain a steep, dry, fully shaded slope in zone 5, Connecticut. It must be deer resistant. Plant height is not a factor.
view the full question and answer
Winter- and drought-resistant plant for North Central Texas
April 11, 2012 - I would like to know is there a good winter and drought resistant flowering bush for my area. I would like something with bigger flowers like azaleas or roses maybe bigger, that will not grow anymore...
view the full question and answer
Hardy plants for Oklahoma raised garden at Oklahoma school
February 12, 2014 - I am planting a raised flower bed with fifth graders. It will have a little shade in the morning and evening possibly. What plants are durable and can withstand OK summer heat. We will be planting ...
view the full question and answer
What is a cyme-bearing plant for Waco, TX?
June 10, 2010 - I need a wildflower or drought tolerant perennial example of the inflorescence type 'cyme' to plant in a school garden in Waco, TX.
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing drought-resistant hedge for California
September 03, 2013 - We're looking for a fast growing, drought resistant shrub that will grow in clay soil and can be used for a hedge around our property.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |