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

Replacing St. Augustine with native grass in Austin
February 24, 2012 - We are renting a house our Sister-in-law owns- the St Augustine is in tough shape, drought and lack of care over the years. Could we plant a native grass or do we have to pull up the remaining St. Aug...
view the full question and answer

Drought tolerant Plants and moving Wax myrtles in Austin
April 30, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants, What are the most fire resistant and drought tolerant plants for caliche soil in Austin area? I am considering relocating or removing my wax myrtle shrubs because they are ...
view the full question and answer

Drought tolerant plants for IN
August 23, 2011 - What are some plants that would do well in an east facing area near my front door? I live in Indianapolis IN. I need something that is drought resistant and will fill in a 4x3 foot walled off area th...
view the full question and answer

Winter- and drought-resistant plant for North Central Texas
April 11, 2012 - I would like to know is there a good winter and drought resistant flowering bush for my area. I would like something with bigger flowers like azaleas or roses maybe bigger, that will not grow anymore...
view the full question and answer

Leaves dropping on evergreen sumac in San Antonio
January 11, 2012 - I have a large evergreen sumac in my back yard that started off as a small shrub 10 years ago. This summer the leaves turned red and now have dropped off. Is the plant dead? It sent out two smaller pl...
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.