If you’re a gardener in Leander, Texas, you’re in luck. The city is home to a variety of native plants that thrive in its hot, dry climate. Native plants are a great choice for your garden because they are adapted to the local climate, require less water, and provide habitat for local wildlife. Here are some of the best native plants to plant in your Leander garden.
- Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Texas Sage, also known as “barometer bush,” is a hardy shrub that can grow up to six feet tall and wide. It blooms with fragrant lavender or purple flowers from late summer to fall, attracting bees and butterflies. Texas Sage is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, making it a great choice for hot, dry gardens. - Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
The Blackfoot Daisy is a low-growing perennial with white, daisy-like flowers that bloom from spring to fall. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of drought and heat. This plant attracts bees and butterflies and is a great addition to any garden. - Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera)
The Mexican Honeysuckle is a small shrub that produces orange or yellow tubular flowers from late spring to fall. It is a great choice for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. This plant prefers partial shade and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
The Flame Acanthus is a showy shrub with bright red, tubular flowers that bloom from summer to fall. It grows well in full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. This plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and is a great addition to any garden. - Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)
Texas Lantana is a low-growing shrub with bright, multicolored flowers that bloom from spring to fall. It is a great choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. This plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
The Purple Coneflower is a perennial with daisy-like purple flowers that bloom from summer to fall. It attracts bees and butterflies to your garden and is a great addition to any pollinator garden. This plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Yucca (Yucca spp.)
Yucca is a hardy, evergreen plant that produces tall spikes of white flowers in the summer. It is a great choice for a xeriscape garden, as it is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. This plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Gulf Coast Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
The Gulf Coast Muhly Grass is a showy grass with pink, fluffy seed heads that bloom in the fall. It is a great choice for a low-maintenance garden, as it is drought tolerant and requires little care. This grass prefers full sun and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)
Gregg’s Mistflower is a low-growing perennial with blue or purple flowers that bloom from summer to fall. It is a great choice for attracting butterflies to your garden. This plant prefers partial shade and well-draining soil and is tolerant of heat and drought. - Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis)
Are the state flower of Texas and a beloved sight in spring. These beautiful blue wildflowers bloom from March to May, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden. They thrive in well-draining soil and full sun, making them a great addition to a xeriscape garden. Bluebonnets are drought tolerant, but they do require consistent watering during their first year of growth. Plant them in the fall for best results, and enjoy the beautiful bursts of blue in your Leander garden come spring.