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
Not Yet Rated

Friday - December 14, 2007

From: Breckenridge, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Vines and shrubs for wildlife cover and food
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I own property in Stephens County about 10 miles north of Breckenridge, TX along the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. I have 45 acres that is open field and I want to provide cover and food for wildlife. I want native species only and I would prefer a shrub or vine that can grow along a fenceline to provide a break from the county road. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for the property.

ANSWER:

The following are vines and shrubs, or small trees, native to your area that offer food and/or shelter for a variety of butterflies, birds, and mammals.

VINES:

Ampelopsis cordata (heartleaf peppervine)

Lonicera albiflora (western white honeysuckle)

Ibervillea lindheimeri (Lindheimer's globeberry)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)

SHRUBS/SMALL TREES:

Acacia angustissima (prairie acacia)

Acacia greggii (catclaw acacia)

Rhus glabra (smooth sumac)

Rhus lanceolata (prairie sumac)

Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)

Prunus gracilis (Oklahoma plum)

Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)

Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood)

Fraxinus texensis (Texas ash)

Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)

Ziziphus obtusifolia (lotebush)

 

 

 

More Shrubs Questions

Identification of fragrant, white-flowered bush in Arizona
April 14, 2013 - I'd like to identify a flowering bush which has white sweet-smelling flowers. It is growing in the Coconino National Forest in the area near the Airport vortex/Airport mesa in Sedona, Arizona. ...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen shrubs native to North Georgia
March 26, 2007 - I am looking for native plants (shrubs) that will stay green during the winter in North Georgia. We are completing a xeriscape landscape plan as a demonstration site and have many native plants donate...
view the full question and answer

Source for non-native, invasive Winter Honeysuckle from Austin
April 24, 2013 - Seeing Lonicera abiflora today reminds me of the "winter honeysuckle" my grandfather grew in San Antonio from 1920s or so through the 1950's. It was a bush with stiff upright stems and bloomed cre...
view the full question and answer

Non-native Pride of Barbados from San Antonio
August 26, 2011 - I have some very successful wildly blooming "Dwarf Pride of Barbados" plants growing in my xeriscape garden. Each year I cut them back to the ground. I have just purchased a new variety called "...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen for privacy screen in San Antonio
April 30, 2012 - I am looking to plant native fast-growing evergreens that will provide privacy (growing taller than our fence). We live in San Antonio and the Red Tip Photinia seems to be everywhere! I heard that t...
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.