Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - November 13, 2007

From: Van Alstyne, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Drought-tolerant plants for landscaping
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Our HOA is wanting to change the landscaping to Drought-tolerant plants and flowers. The area is Grayson County, south of Sherman Texas. What plants and flowers would you suggest? Thank you

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants has assembled this list of drought-tolerant plants that are native to Grayson County. Please realize, however, for the trees and shrubs especially, initially the plants will require water until their roots are well-established.

Trees

Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)

Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak)

Quercus shumardii (Shumard's oak)

Fraxinus texensis (Texas ash)

Ulmus crassifolia (cedar elm)

Small Trees/Shrubs

Acacia angustissima (prairie acacia)

Cercis canadensis var. mexicana (Mexican redbud)

Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)

Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)

Rhus glabra (smooth sumac)

Forestiera pubescens (stretchberry)

Yucca arkansana (Arkansas yucca)

Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush)

Grasses

Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss)

Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)

Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)

Vines

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper)

Flowers

Calylophus berlandieri (Berlandier's sundrops)

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)

Thelesperma filifolium (stiff greenthread)

Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet)

Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmann's daisy)

Liatris mucronata (cusp blazing star)

Phyla nodiflora (frogfruit)

Salvia azurea (azure blue sage)

Scutellaria drummondii (Drummond's skullcap)

 

From the Image Gallery


Prairie acacia
Acacia angustissima

Mexican plum
Prunus mexicana

Louisiana artemisia
Artemisia ludoviciana

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Engelmann's daisy
Engelmannia peristenia

Cusp gayfeather
Liatris mucronata

More Drought Tolerant Questions

Dormancy in Pin Oaks without water in Del Rio, TX
August 02, 2011 - Can Pin Oak trees go dormant without enough water? If so how long can they live that way? Can they be brought back to producing leaves? If yes, then what do I need to do besides giving them water. I d...
view the full question and answer

Blue plants or flowers in Baltimore, MD
July 27, 2007 - I have a taxi company in the city called Bluecab. The headquarters is in an industrial area and the soil is tough and well, industrial. There will be no watering or maintenance done. Looks like a car ...
view the full question and answer

Drought-resistant plants for Grand Prairie, TX
March 24, 2006 - Can you tell me where I may obtain a list of drought-resistant plants for landscaping?
view the full question and answer

Native plants for Jonestown/Leander
September 01, 2010 - Dear Mr.Smarty Plants, I am new to Texas we bought a house here in Jonestown/Leander that has absolutely no plant life whatsoever I was wondering if you could provide me with the names of some drough...
view the full question and answer

Narrow strip of groundcover from Sonora TX
April 29, 2013 - I have an area that is right under my patio about 12 feet by 1 ft. I'm looking for something to plant in there. It has afternoon sun, morning shade. I live in SW Texas so it is hot. but would like so...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.