Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

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
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Sunday - April 24, 2011

From: Brenham, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant
Title: Drought and Fire Resistant Plants for Round Top, Texas
Answered by: Mike Tomme

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Pants Do you have any advice on plants which are drought tolerant and fire resistant for a central Texas location near Round Top Texas? Thanks

ANSWER:

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a website that makes recommendations on protecting against wildfire in north Texas and Oklahoma that includes recommended plants. Several of the plants they recommend are native to Fayette County. Here are a few:

Large Trees:

Celtis occidentalis (Common hackberry)

Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust)

Quercus stellata (Post oak)

Quercus shumardii (Shumard oak)

Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak)

Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)

Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore)

Medium trees:

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Western soapberry)

Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon)

Cornus florida (Flowering dogwood)

Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)

Ostrya virginiana (Eastern hop-hornbeam)

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia)

Shrubs:

Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry)

You can go through this list and pick plants that will do well in your specific sun, soil and moisture conditions.

Because these plants are native to your area, they are going to be drought resistant. However, no plant is drought resistant until it is established, so plan on providing supplemental water until you've got it up and going.

 

More Drought Tolerant Questions

Eight Foot Screen for Austin, TX
September 01, 2011 - I'm looking for a fast-growing shrub to "extend" the height of my fence and provide privacy in my yard in Austin. My lot is pretty much full sun and very dry, mostly clay soil. 8' is my goal. Than...
view the full question and answer

Will Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri thrive in caliche soil?
December 02, 2014 - I live on a high hill in the Hamilton Pool area outside of Austin. I am looking to plant a Dasylirion wheeleri that I grew from seed collected in New Mexico aria East Of Soccoro. I am wondering if the...
view the full question and answer

Perennials for Sandy Shade in California
December 17, 2015 - Are there any native perennials that would do well in sandy shade? I have a difficult corner in my garden that does not get much sun. The soil is sandy though I have added some amount of compost to en...
view the full question and answer

Mulching tree root in San Angelo, TX
April 02, 2014 - San Angelo, Texas is in a drought stage. Will it help our trees to mulch the base of them?
view the full question and answer

Native Trees for Pflugerville TX
September 28, 2013 - I'm looking for suggestions on native, drought tolerant conifers that can be located in a Pflugerville landscape under overhead electric lines. Open to Arizona Cypress, but concerned about the height...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.