| Do you love the beauty and color of flowers but | | | | when used as a ground cover. It is very tolerant of |
| cringe at the thought of the maintenance required | | | | poor conditions, highly drought resistant, and its |
| for their upkeep? If your colorful blooms have a | | | | lavender flowers are very attractive to butterflies. |
| tendency to turn brown and crunchy from neglect in | | | | Purple Cone Flowers, also know as Echinacea, require |
| the hot Austin sun, there may be some flowers | | | | a little more water than the previous plants, but they |
| made just for you. Flora native or adapted to the | | | | are nonetheless exceptional specimens for an Austin |
| Austin area thrive where others perish, resisting | | | | garden. These daisy-like flowers are a Texas native |
| drought, pests and other hazards. Just choose your | | | | and produce violet or white blooms. Preferring sun or |
| plants wisely and you can have fabulous landscaping | | | | partial shade, they can be planted almost anywhere. |
| for your property with little work. | | | | Mexican Honeysuckle is another low-water plant. It |
| There are many benefits to growing native plants. In | | | | displays its orange flowers spring to frost, attracting |
| addition to saving on water and fertilizer you save on | | | | hummingbirds with its sweet smell. It only requires an |
| time by choosing plants that thrive in the unique | | | | occasional pruning to encourage full growth. |
| climate of Austin Texas. Your gardening is also more | | | | Ornamental grasses are another option for sprucing |
| enjoyable when you are not fighting mother nature in | | | | up your landscape, and there are many hardy |
| an attempt to grow plants that are not suited to the | | | | varieties to choose from, such as Big Muhly, Little |
| Texas Climate. It is also nice to help maintain the | | | | Bluestem and Dwarf Fountain Grass. Some grasses |
| original ecosystem of your locale by promoting local | | | | can be quite invasive, so be careful where you plant |
| plants and flowers. | | | | them, because they will thrive and take over. |
| Perennials are an essential part of a vibrant | | | | These are only a few of the many ideal plants for |
| landscape, and a beautiful choice for any Texas | | | | your Texas landscape. There are a multitude of |
| flowerbed is Cedar Sage. A shade lover, Cedar Sage | | | | choices available out there, so next time you go to a |
| has bright red spiky flowers that bloom spring | | | | nursery, make sure you do your homework first or |
| through summer and can bring a pop of color to an | | | | ask the people running the nursery which plants and |
| otherwise gloomy spot in your yard. Sage comes in | | | | flowers are native to Texas. The city of Austin has |
| several other varieties, too, including Majestic Sage, | | | | worked to promote a green and environmentally |
| Mealy Blue Sage and Mexican Sage bush all of which | | | | friendly city. The city of Austin has a Grow Green |
| produce beautiful flowers and require very little | | | | plant list featuring native and adapted landscape |
| water, just like Cedar Sage. | | | | plants that thrive in Texas. By planting smart you can |
| Trailing Lantana is another great choice, especially | | | | save water, fertilizer and time. |