By Lindsey Townsend, Tyler Chapter
Winter is a major test of survival for wildlife. Food sources dwindle, and animals must rely on what remains in the landscape to survive. Native plants play a crucial role in helping wildlife endure the season’s challenges. In addition to providing food sources such as nuts, berries, and seeds, they benefit wildlife in a wide variety of ways.
Sustaining Biodiversity
In fact, according to the Texas Water Resources Institute, many native birds, butterflies, bees, and other animals are dependent on native plants for their very survival.
Native plants help to maintain the balance of delicate ecosystems. They support a wide range of species that have co-evolved with them, ensuring that wildlife can find food and shelter year-round.
Supporting Pollinators
Even in their dormant state, native plants contribute to the winter food chain. Some native plants, like goldenrod and asters, produce seed heads that attract insects. These insects, in turn, are consumed by birds and small mammals as an additional food source.
Providing Shelter and Habitat
Beyond food, native plants offer cover and nesting sites for wildlife. Dense shrubs and grasses offer protection from predators and harsh weather, while tree cavities can serve as winter shelters for birds and mammals.
Because native plants are adapted to Texas climate and soil, they thrive without harmful chemicals, creating safe feeding habitats for birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
By planting native species, homeowners can help create a winter haven for wildlife. The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute recommends choosing plant species that bloom and fruit at various times of the year to meet wildlife’s seasonal energy requirements.
Here are some great native plant recommendations for different regions in Texas that support wildlife across all four seasons. Check them out and see if any need to go on your planting list for next spring!
Chihuahuan Desert
SPRING Havard’s Century Plant (Agave havardiana) In late spring and winter, the leaves and stalks of agave can provide sustenance to herbivores and other animals, especially in harsh, dry conditions.
SUMMER Four-wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens) Evergreen shrubs with abundant seeds and nutrient-rich leaves that support animals like pronghorn, mule deer, and birds during the hot, dry months.
FALL Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmanni) Produces fruits which are eaten by birds, javelinas, and small mammals, providing food and water in the arid environment.
WINTER Common Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) Sotol’s evergreen foliage with stalks and seeds that are an important food source for animals, especially during winter when other vegetation is limited.
High Plains
SPRING Antelope Horn Milkweed (Asclepias asperula) Vital early-season food source for pollinators like bees and Monarchs that are emerging from hibernation or returning from migration.
SUMMER Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata) Chocolate Daisies and other daisy species that bloom late into fall provide a crucial nectar source for bees, butterflies, and moths as they prepare for winter.
FALL Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii) Produce nutrient-rich fruit with seeds that attract birds, squirrels, and other mammals. Dense foliage provides shelter and nesting opportunities for birds.
WINTER Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Known as the “King of the Prairie,” Big Bluestem provide a critical food source for large grazing animals as well as habitat for small mammals and birds.
Central Great Plains
SPRING Black Samson(Echinacea angustifolia) Provides early-season nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
SUMMER Pigeonberry(Rivina humilus) Red flowers attract pollinators and are a food source for birds.
FALL Purple Prairie Clover(Dalea purpurea) Nectar-rich flowers support pollinators, particularly bees, during their summer bloom. Seeds that feed birds can persist into winter.
WINTER Texas Red Oak(Quercus buckleyi) Provides nuts rich in fat and proteins that are a significant food source for squirrels, deer, and birds.
Southwestern Tablelands
SPRING Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) Blooms in spring, attracting pollinators; seeds are later eaten by various bird species in summer.
SUMMER Prairie Acacia (Acacia angustissima) Leaves and pods are an important food source for rabbits, deer, and birds, and their flowers attract bees and butterflies.
FALL Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Host plant for several butterfly species and an important grass for grazing animals, offering both forage and habitat.
WINTER Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata) The tree’s berries become a crucial food source in winter for birds. It also offers shelter from winter winds and harsh weather; bark and leaves serve as habitat for insects.
Edwards Plateau
SPRING Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) Among the first flowers to bloom in the spring, bluebonnets attract many pollinators that are essential to the reproduction of many other plants in the region.
SUMMER Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) Tall wildflower with red and yellow petals that provides nectar for butterflies and seeds for birds.
FALL Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) Offers fruit that is a vital food source for birds, deer, and small mammals as they prepare for winter.
WINTER Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata) Produces tart berries that attract smalls mammals and birds when other food sources are scarce.
Cross Timbers
SPRING Aromatic Sumac (Rhus aromatica) Low-growing shrub with fragrant yellow flowers that provides early-season nectar for pollinators and berries for birds and mammals.
SUMMER Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) Annual wildflower with red and yellow blooms that provides nectar for butterflies and seeds for birds.
FALL American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Produces clusters of bright purple berries in late summer and fall that are an important food source for birds and small mammals.
WINTER Post Oak (Quercus stellata) Large deciduous tree with high wildlife value for its acorns that feed deer, squirrels, and birds, especially in colder months.
Western Gulf Coastal Plain
SPRING Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) Abundant vibrant purple flowers attract a variety of pollinators that are essential for reproduction of many plants.
SUMMER Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) The fruiting shrubs are eaten by birds such as thrushes, robins, and mockingbirds. Dense growth creates excellent ground cover, providing protection and nesting sites for small mammals and reptiles during the summer months.
FALL Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) Late-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Seeds produced by the goldenrod species are an important food source for migratory birds.
WINTER Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua) Deciduous holly produces bright red berries that persist through winter, providing vital food for Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and Northern Mockingbirds when other food sources are scarce.
Southern Texas Plains
SPRING Engelmann’s Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia) Nectar for pollinators that is vital for local ecosystems, with seeds that serve as a food source for birds later in the year.
SUMMER Texas Lantana (Lantana horrida) Produces colorful flowers that attract pollinators; berries provide food for birds.
FALL Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) Honey Mesquite produces seed pods rich in sugars and proteins, serving as both shelter and nourishment for many species.
WINTER Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) Evergreen shrub with fragrant purple flowers that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; dense foliage provides cover during cold months.
Texas Blackland Prairies
SPRING Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) One of several native milkweeds found in the region. Serves as a host plant for a variety of pollinators, including Monarch butterflies and their larvae.
SUMMER Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) Indiangrass provides seeds for birds like doves and sparrows and offers shelter for small mammals and birds.
FALL Gayfeather (Liatris punctata) Blooms in late summer and fall, providing an important late-season nectar source, shelter, and habitat for a variety of species.
WINTER Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Much more than just a beautiful flower, Black-eyed Susans support a diverse range of species and are a cornerstone of a thriving, interconnected ecosystem.
East Central Texas Plains
SPRING Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. canadensis) Flowers provide nectar for pollinators like honeybees and butterflies. Many birds consume the seeds, and deer browse the foliage.
SUMMER Southern Dewberry (Rubus trivialis) Produces fruit that is a food source for birds, mammals, and insects during the hotter months when other fruiting plants are less abundant.
FALL Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) Its tall stems offer shelter for wildlife. Produces a large quantity of seeds in the fall that attract birds, especially during migration.
WINTER American Holly (Ilex opaca) Its dense foliage supports wildlife survival during the colder months, and its bright red berries provide essential nourishment for birds.
Gulf Coast Prairies & Marshes
SPRING Golden Samphire (Salicornia bigelovii) Provides food for shorebirds and other wildlife, especially as many species migrate through the Gulf Coast region in the spring.
SUMMER Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Tall grass with airy seedheads that provides seeds for birds and critical cover for small animals, birds, and insects. Its extensive root system helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion caused by summer storms and high winds.
FALL Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) Valued for its late-season nectar, it attracts pollinators and provides seeds for birds. Blooms from July to December.
WINTER Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) Its bright red berries persist through winter, offering an important food source for birds and small mammals.
Ready to find the perfect native plants for your area for spring planting?
Visit the Society Ecoregion Map and start exploring today!
Did you like this article? It’s from our Winter 2025 Texas Native Plants magazine. Read more here
