This compilation of landscape plants for northeast Texas is intended
to be used as a guide for selecting plants which are proven performers.
Input for the list came from leading horticulturists, growers and nurserymen
from throughout the region. The following plants are hardy, reliable, lack
major problems and are readily available in our area. There are many other
good plants which also merit attention; not everyone's favorite will be
on the list. However, you can be sure these will thrive in your landscape
given reasonable care.
Plants are listed alphabetically by common name within categories,
followed by: (other common names), botanical name (in italics), light preference, evergreen or deciduous, along with comments regarding cultivars, special needs or attributes, and average landscape width. The symbol 
indicates a Texas native.
Within some categories, some plant groups may have several outstanding members,
such as hollies and oaks. A few species or varieties are listed to highlight
some of the best in that group.
GROUNDCOVERS
Ajuga - (Carpet Bugle);
Ajuga reptans; partial shade to shade; 'Chocolate Chip'
Asiatic Jasmine - Trachelospermum
asiaticum; sun to
shade
English Ivy - Hedera
helix; shade; also is an excellent clinging vine
Ferns - several species and cultivars including: holly
fern, wood fern, autumn fern; shade; 2' wide
Juniper - Juniperus
spp; sun; several selections including: 'Blue Pacific', 'Bar Harbor, 'Blue Chip', 'Shore', 'Green
Mound'; J. procumbens
(Japanese garden juniper); 'Blue Rug'; 5' wide
Liriope - (Lily Turf);
Liriope muscari; shade; several selections including: 'Majestic', 'Big Blue', 'Variegated'; 1'
wide
Mondograss -
(Monkeygrass); Ophiopogon japonicus; partial shade to shade; cultivars include: 'Nanus' (dwarf), 'Nigrescens' (black)
Purple Wintercreeper - Euonymus fortunei
'Colorata'; sun to shade
Vinca - (Periwinkle);
Vinca major, V. minor; partial shade to shade; several selections including: V.
major 'Variegata', V. minor 'Bowles'
VINES
Boston Ivy - Parthenocissus tricuspidata;
sun to partial shade;
deciduous, cultivars include 'Veitchi' and 'Lowii'
Carolina Jessamine - Gelsemium
sempervirens; sun to partial
shade; semi-evergreen
Clematis - Clematis spp.; sun to partial shade; deciduous to semi-evergreen; the
best adaped is Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. paniculata); keep roots cool, in shade, top in
sun
Coral Honeysuckle - (Trumpet
Honeysuckle); Lonicera sempervirens;
sun to partial shade; evergreen
Gold Flame Honeysuckle (Lonicera heckrottii); sun to part shade;
evergreen
Crossvine - Bignonia
capreolata; sun to partial shade;
semi-evergreen
Fig Ivy - (Climbing Fig); Ficus pumila; sun to
partial shade;
evergreen
Roses (Lady Banksia) -
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'; sun; semi-evergreen
Trumpet Vine - (Trumpet Creeper);
Campsis radicans, C. x tagliabuana
'Madam Galen'; sun; deciduous; can be rampant, 'Madam Galen' less invasive
Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus
quinquifolia; sun to shade;
deciduous
Wisteria - Wisteria sinensis; sun;
deciduous
DWARF SHRUBS -
(under 3 feet)
Azaleas - Rhododendron spp; morning
sun to shade; semi-evergreen; small azalea types include Gumpo varieties, some Satsuki varieties,
'Coral Bells'; 3' - 4' wide
Barberry (dwarf varieties)
- Berberis spp.; sun; deciduous to semi-evergreen; 'Crimson Pygmy', 'Kobold', B.
buxifolia 'Nana'; 3' 4' wide
Boxwood - Buxus
microphylla; sun to partial shade; evergreen; 'Wintergreen', Japanese boxwood; 1' - 4'
wide
Dwarf Gardenia - Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans';
sun to part shade; evergreen; occasional winter damage, best in protected location; 2' - 3'
wide
Holly - Ilex spp;
sun to shade; evergreen; several excellent species and cultivars: I. vomitoria 'Nana', 'Schillings'
(dwarf yaupon holly); I. cornuta 'Rotunda' (dwarf Chinese holly); I. crenata 'Helleri', 'Compacta' (dwarf Japanese holly); 2 _' - 3 _ wide
Junipers - Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; 'Tam
Juniper'; 4' wide
Indian Hawthorn -
Rhaphiolepis indica; sun to part shade; evergreen; 'Enchantress', 'Pinkie', 'Clara' and other
dwarf varieties; 3' - 4' wide
Mini or Dwarf Crepe Myrtles - Lagerstroemia indica (dwarf varieties); sun; deciduous; New powdery mildew resistant hybrid varieties include 'Chickasaw' and 'Pokomoke'; 3' wide
Nandina - Nandina
domestica (dwarf varieties); sun to partial shade; evergreen; color is best in full sun; 'Nana',
'Harbor Dwarf', 'Gulf Stream"; 2' wide
Spirea - Spirea
spp; sun; deciduous; 'Anthony Waterer', 'Little Princes', 'Heather'; 2' - 3' wide
SMALL SHRUBS (3
to 6 feet)
Abelia - (Glossy Abelia); Abelia
grandiflora; sun to partial shade; semi-evergreen; 'Compacta', 'Edward Goucher'; 4' wide
Aucuba - (Gold Dust
Aucuba); Aucuba japonica; shade; evergreen; 'Variegata' (Gold Dust), 'Picturata'; 3'
wide
Azalea -
Rhododendron spp.; morning sun to shade; semi-evergreen; many to choose from; 3' - 8'
wide
Barberry - (Japanese
Barberry); Berberis thunbergii; sun; semi-evergreen; 'Atropurpurea', 'Rose Glow'; 4' - 5'
wide
Camellia - (Sasanqua); Camellia sasanqua; partial shade; evergreen; hundreds of varieties, 'Shishi Gashira' is one of several low growers - ask your nurseryman for other varieties; 3' - 5' wide
Dwarf Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica
semi-dwarf varieties; sun; deciduous; range of sizes, colors; 4' - 5' wide
Holly - Ilex cornuta; sun; evergreen; 'Dwarf
Burford', 'Berries Jubilee', 'Dazzler'; other varieties can be sheared to maintain height; 3' - 5'
wide
Indian Hawthorn - Rhaphiolepis indica; sun to
partial shade; evergreen; several cultivars; 4' - 6' wide
Juniper - Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; 'Compact
Pfitzer', 'Sea Green', other varieties; 4' - 6' wide
Nandina - Nandina
domestica; sun to partial shade; evergreen; 3' - 4' wide
MEDIUM SHRUBS
(6 to 9 feet)
Abelia - (Glossy Abelia); Abelia
grandiflora; sun to partial shade; semi-evergreen; 5' wide
Camellia - Camellia
japonica, C. sasanqua; partial sun; evergreen; hundreds of varieties; Sasanqua varieties
bloom early winter, often escaping freeze, while Japanese camellias bloom mid to late winter and
often suffer bloom damage unless in a protected location; 4' - 5' wide
Cleyera -
Ternstroemia gymnanthera; sun to partial shade; evergreen; 5' wide
Crape Myrtle -
Lagerstroemia spp; sun; deciduous; many varieties, look for newer hybrid, intermediate
sizes with powdery mildew resistance; 6' - 8' wide
Elaeagnus -
Elaeagnus spp;sun to partial shade; evergreen; Elaeagnus 'Ebbingei', 'Fruitlandii'; 4' - 7'
wide
Holly - Ilex spp;
sun to shade; evergreen; 'Needle Point', 'Burford', 'Nellie R. Stevens'; 4' - 6' wide
Juniper - Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; 'Blue
Vase', 'Blue Point', 'Pfitzer', others; 6' - 9' wide
Ligustrum - (Waxleaf
Ligustrum); Ligustrum japonicum; sun to partial shade; evergreen; overused but reliable
shrub for screens; don't confuse with glossy privet (l. lucidum) which grows into small tree; 6'
wide
Photinia, Red Tip -
(Fraser's Photinia); Photinia x fraseri; sun; evergreen; can be kept under 10 feet with
pruning; susceptible to leaf spot disease which, if severe, can defoliate and weaken plant; 6' - 8'
wide
Texas Sage - (Ceniza); Leucophyllum
frutescens; sun; evergreen; several cultivars; 4' wide
LARGE
SHRUBS (over 9 feet)
Cherry Laurel - Prunus caroliniana; compact variety
available; sun to partial shade; evergreen; can grow into small tree; 14' - 16' wide
Crape Myrtle -
Lagerstroemia spp; sun; deciduous; hybrid varieties with mildew resistance; 8' - 10'
wide
Holly - Ilex spp; sun; evergreen; 'Nellie R. Stevens',
'Foster's', 'Savannah', Yaupon; 6' - 10' wide
Juniper - Juniperus
spp; sun; evergreen; many cultivars including 'Skyrocket', 'Blue Point', 'Hollywood'; 6' - 8'
wide
Leyland Cypress -
Cupressocyparis leylandii; sun; evergreen; can grow to medium-sized tree; 10' - 12'
wide
Ligustrum (Glossy
Privet, Japanese Ligustrum); Ligustrum lucidum; sun; evergreen; so not confuse with L.
japonicum (Waxleaf Ligustrum); can grow into small tree; 10' - 15' wide
Photinia, Chinese -
Photinia serrulata; sun; evergreen; can grow into small tree; 10' - 15' wide
Photinia, Red Tip - (Fraser's Photinia); Photinia x
fraseri; sun; evergreen; see note under medium shrubs; 8' - 10' wide
Southern Wax Myrtle - Myrica
cerifera; sun to partial shade; evergreen; 8' - 12' wide
SMALL TREES
(under 20 feet)
Crape Myrtle -Lagerstroemia spp; sun;
deciduous; comes in many sizes and forms; hybrids, many with Indian names have excellent
powdery mildew resistance, attractive bark, besides showy blooms; Height of varieties variable
from 9 to 25 feet tall, so choose selections based on known characteristics. Here is a chart of
common varieties and their various characteristics - (note, this link opens a new browser
window); 15' wide
Dogwood - Cornus florida;
partial sun to shade; white and pink varieties; acid soil; give protection from full sun with reflected
heat off; 15' - 20' wide
Fringe Tree - (Grancy Greybeard);
Chionanthus virginicus; partial shade to full sun; deciduous; acid soil; give protection from
full sun; 15' wide. Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree) is showier, easier to grow
than C. virginicus; tolerates full sun.
Holly - Ilex spp; sun to shade; Yaupon
Holly, I. vomitoria (evergreen); Possum Haw or
Deciduous Holly, I. decidua (deciduous);
only female plants bear fruit; 10' wide
Japanese Black Pine - Pinus thunbergiana; sun; evergreen;
15' wide
Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum, A.
japonicum; partial sun to shade; deciduous; many excellent cultivars including 'Bloodgood',
'Crimson Queen'; 10' - 15' wide
Magnolia (deciduous types); Magnolia spp; sun to part shade;
deciduous; Saucer or Tulip Magnolia, M.
soulangiana; Star Magnolia, M.
stellata; and M. hybrids; 15' wide
Ornamental Pear - (Bradford Pear); Pyrus
calleryana; sun;
deciduous; improved varieties include: 'Aristocrat', 'Capitol', 'Whitehouse';
15' - 25' wide
Redbud - Cercis canadensis; sun ;
deciduous; varieties include: 'Oklahoma', 'Forest Pansy'; 15' - 25' wide Cercis canadensis
mexicana; sun; deciduous; Cercis canadensis texensis; sun; deciduous; C. chinensis
(Chinese redbud) 'Avondale' is a very floriferous, compact small tree.
Vitex - (Lavender Tree);
Vitex agnus-castus; sun; deciduous;
15' wide
MEDIUM
TREES (20 to 50 feet)
American Holly - Ilex opaca; sun to shade; evergreen;
slow to
moderate growth; only female plants bear fruit; 15' - 20' wide
Chinese Pistache - Pistacia chinensis; sun;
deciduous; reliable
fall color; 30' - 40' wide
Crabapple - Malus
spp; sun; deciduous; 20 to 25 feet; select
disease resistant cultivars; 25' wide
Lacebark Elm - Ulmus parvifolia; sun to partial shade; deciduous;
attractive bark; 35' - 50' wide
Golden Raintree - Koelreuteria paniculata;
sun; deciduous;
avoid Southern Golden Raintree (K. bipinnata) which has more attractive
seedpods but is less hardy; 25' - 30' wide
Leyland Cypress -
Cupressocyparis leylandii; sun; evergreen; can grow to medium-sized tree; 12' - 15'
wide
Magnolia - Magnolia spp; sun to partial shade;
some M. grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) cultivars stay small ('Little Gem', 'Bracken's Brown Beauty'); M. soulangiana (Saucer or Tulip Magnolia) can grow to 25
feet tall; 15' - 40' wide
Maple, Red - Acer rubrum; sun; deciduous; beautiful fall color;
'Drummondii', 'Sunset'; 25' - 30' wide
Maple, other species - Acer barbatum
(Texas Sugar Maple), A. leucoderme (Chalk Maple); sun; deciduous; 25' - 30'
wide
Ornamental Pear - (Bradford Pear); Pyrus
calleryana; sun;
deciduous; improved varieties include: 'Aristocrat', 'Capitol', 'Whitehouse';
20' - 25' wide
LARGE
TREES (over 50 feet)
Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum; sun; deciduous;
tolerates wet
soils; 30' - 40' wide
Blackgum - Nyssa sylvatica; sun;
deciduous; fall color; tolerates
wet soils; 30' wide
Ginkgo - Ginkgo
biloba; sun; deciduous; slow growing, brilliant yellow fall
color; 40' wide
Maple - Acer rubrum.; sun; deciduous; Red Maple most common,
Trident Red Maple and Drummond Red Maple frequently grown; A. barbatum - Southern Sugar Maple; 25' - 30' wide
Oaks - Quercus spp.; sun; many species - among highest rated are:
Shumard Red Oak, Q. shumardii (deciduous); Live Oak, Q. virginiana (evergreen); Willow Oak, Q. phellos (deciduous); White Oak, Q. alba (deciduous); 40' - 70' wide
Pecan - Carya illinoensis; sun;
deciduous; 40' - 60' wide
River Birch - Betula nigra; sun;
deciduous; attractive peeling
bark; 30' wide
Southern Magnolia - Magnolia
grandiflora; sun to partial shade;
evergreen; 30' - 40' wide
Sweetgum - Liquidamber
styraciflua; sun; deciduous; 'Rotundiloba'
is a fruitless variety; 30' wide
Tulip Poplar - (Yellow Poplar); Liriodendron
tuplipifera;
sun; deciduous; 30' - 40' wide
PERENNIALS
Columbine - Aquilegia spp.; partial sun to shade; A. hinkleyana
- Texas Gold Columbine is the best for Texas
Coreopsis - Coreopsis spp; sun; C. grandiflora cultivars
such as 'Early Sunrise', 'Baby Sun', 'Sun Ray'; C. verticillata cultivars include 'Moonbeam', 'Zagreb' and 'Sweet Dreams'
Daffodils - Narcissus spp; sun to partial shade; many types
readily naturalize including N. jonquilla (jonquils), N. campernelle,
N. tazetta (paperwhites)
Daylily - Hemerocallis spp.; sun to partial shade; hundreds
of cultivars available
Iris - Iris spp.; sun to partial shade; several types well-adapted
including Bearded Iris, Louisiana Iris, Siberian Iris
Phlox - Phlox spp; sun to part shade; P. subulata (thrift) excellent groundcover; P. paniculata (summer phlox)
Salvias - Salvia spp; sun; several species, some semi-hardy; S. farinacea (Mealy Cup or Blue Sage); S. leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage); S. greggii (Autumn Sage)
Sedums - (Stonecrop); Sedum spp; sun; several types and cultivars
including 'Autumn Joy', 'Meteor'. 'Brilliant'; stonecrops as groundcovers
Yarrow - (Sunfern); Achillea spp; sun to partial shade; white, pink
and yellow forms most common
