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Native Plant Society of Texas

What are the best native plants for novices?

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Last year I conducted a small survey of the membership of the Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Among the questions was “What are the best native plants for novices?” The responses that were most popular among those responding are included here.

All of the plants listed here are perennials; they may die back to the roots or a small rosette during the winter, but should survive and return the next spring. All are readily available in nurseries and will work in most areas of the state.

No one can guarantee success, but with a reasonable amount of care and luck, these should result in a happy first season of planting Texas native plants:

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and salvias in general
Four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)
Big Muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) large ornamental grass
Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)
Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)
Turks Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)
All photos by Bob Kamper.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: rkamper

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason