More than 100 native plant species are suitable for landscapes in Central Texas. Local businesses can recommend and sell native plants or seeds, and organizations such as the Williamson County extension of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Williamson County Master Gardeners and the Native Plant Society of Texas have additional resources.

Wildflowers

Native Plant Guide Engelmann’s daisy, cutleaf daisy[/caption]

Engelmannia peristenia: Engelmann’s daisy, cutleaf daisy Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: March-July Wildlife benefit: attracts birds, nectar for bees and butterflies

  Native Plant Guide Purple coneflower[/caption]

Echinacea purpurea: Purple coneflower Light NEED: sun, partial shade Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: April-September Wildlife benefit: nectar for bees and butterflies

  Native Plant Guide Scarlet sage, tropical sage[/caption]

Salvia coccinea: Scarlet sage, tropical sage Light NEED: Sun, shade, partial shade Water need: requires little to moderate watering Bloom time: February-October Wildlife benefit: nectar for bees and butterflies

  Native Plant Guide Gregg’s mistflower[/caption]

Conoclinium greggii: Gregg’s mistflower Light NEED: sun, part-shade Water need: requires moderate watering Bloom time: March-November Wildlife benefit: nectar for bees and butterflies

  Native Plant Guide Blackfoot daisy[/caption]

Melampodium leucanthum: Blackfoot daisy* Light NEED: sun, part-shade Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: March-November Wildlife benefit: nectar for bees, butterflies and insects; seeds for birds

 

Trees

Native Plant Guide Mexican buckeye[/caption]

Ungnadia speciosa: Mexican buckeye* Light NEED: sun, partial shade Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: March-June Wildlife benefit: nectar for bees, butterflies and moths; seeds for birds and small mammals

  Native Plant Guide Texas redbud[/caption]

Cercis canadensis var. texensis: Texas redbud Light NEED: sun, partial shade Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: March-April Wildlife benefit: nectar for butterflies, bees, moths and insects; leaves for deer; seeds for birds

 

Shrubs

Native Plant Guide White mistflower[/caption]

Ageratina havanensis: White mistflower Light need: sun Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: October-November Wildlife benefit: attracts hummingbirds, moths and butterflies

  Native Plant Guide Autumn sage[/caption]

Salvia greggii: Autumn sage* Light need: sun Water need: requires little watering Bloom time: March-November Wildlife benefit: flowers attract bees and hummingbirds

  Native Plant Guide Autumn sage[/caption]

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii: Turk’s cap* Light need: shade, partial shade Water need: requires little to moderate watering Bloom time: May-November Wildlife benefit: nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, moths and insects; fruit for birds and mammals

*Deer-resistant plants Although few plants are fully deer-proof, the animals tend to leave these native trees, shrubs and wildflowers alone when other food is available