SHRUBS
N-Z
Nandina \ Heavenly Bamboo
Not a bamboo, but a member of the barberry family. Resemblance to bamboo is its lightly branched, canelike stems and delicate, fine-textured foliage. Colors are better in sun, but needs some shade in desert conditions. Best in rich soil with ample water, but can become drought tolerant after established. Apply iron sulfate or chelates to correct chlorosis in alkaline soils. Most useful for light airy effects. Zone 6.
N. domestica \ Heavenly Bamboo
An attractive shrub, 6-8’ high. Leaflets are narrow, 1-2” long. The white flowers, although not showy, have handsome panicles nearly 1’ long. Provides brilliant fall color. Grows well in any soil type, but prefers a reasonably moist site.
N. domestica ‘Compacta’ \ Compact Nandina
Feathery foliage on erect canes, 4-5’ in height. Has sparse white flowers and brilliant fall color. Plant in sun to part shade. Slower growing and more compact than domestica.
N. domestica 'Gulf Stream'
Brilliant red fall/winter color and metallic blue-green summer foliage. Evergreen shrub growing to 4' tall and 3' wide. Beautiful new growth is bronze colored. Sparse white flowers. Grow in sun to partial shade.
N. domestica ‘Harbour Dwarf’
Low growing variety used as a colorful groundcover. Feathery, dainty soft-green leaves grow on 18-24” erect canes. Deep shades of red and orange make this plant a favorite.
N. domestica 'Moonbay'
Small, evergreen shrub with symmetrical, compact habit, growing to 30" in height. Lime-green foliage turns plum color in fall. Grow in sun to partial shade
N. domestica nana ‘Firepower’
New growth is bronzy-pink tinted that turns soft green with age. Winter foliage is a powerful fire-red. Dense, compact growing habit reaching 18-24” tall and 24” wide. Drought tolerant once established. Partial sun to part shade.
N. domestica ‘Nana Purpurea’ \ Dwarf Nandina
Erect stems create a compact, mounded form, 12-18” high, 2’ wide. Bold, spring foliage is green, coarse, broad and cup-shaped. In winter the foliage has bright reddish-purple coloring.
N. domestica ‘San Gabriel’
Apricot and shades of orange-red colors explode in the fall. Fine delicate narrow, needle-like leaves give unusual texture on 1-2’ erect stems. Great for a Japanese Garden ambiance. Plant in sun to part shade.
Nerium oleander \ Oleander
Evergreen, sun-loving, fast growing shrub. Has narrow leathery leaves and flower clusters all summer long. Mature height can be 8-15’ high. Zone 8.
N. oleander ‘Dwarf Red’
Grows 5-6’ wide and as tall with single red flowers.
N. oleander ‘Hardy Pink’
Single, salmon pink flowers.
N. oleander ‘Hardy Red’
Single, bright red flowers in clusters.
N. oleander ‘Sister Agnes’
Single, pure white flowers.
Nolina texana \ Basket Grass, Bear Grass, Sacahuista
µTexas Nativeµ An evergreen perennial growing 1-2’ tall and 3’ wide. Despite the common name of Basket Grass or Bear Grass, it is actually a member of the Agave family. Its appearance is that of a distinctive, large clump of grass with long, smooth, fibrous leaves reaching 5’ long. The strong leaves have been used in basket weaving. Blooms in spring with stems bearing numerous pale yellow flower clusters. A Texas Native that grows in the rocky soils of West and South Texas. Full sun to shade. Zone 10.
Osmanthus fragrans \ Sweet Olive
Delightful apricot-like fragrance when blooming, is reason enough to have this plant. Slow growing to 10’ high. Dark green evergreen foliage with little white flowers. Zone 7b.
Pavonia hastata \ Brazilian Rock Rose
(pah-VOH-nee-ah has TAH-ta)
Semi-evergreen shrub that covers itself with flowers of pale pink-white petals and red centers. Blooms from early spring to fall. Probably will need shearing to maintain blooming and best appearance. Tends to reseed. Drought tolerant, full sun, no problems with powdery mildew. Zone 7b.
Pavonia lasiopetala \ Rock Rose
(lass-ee-oh-PET-ah-lah)
µTexas Nativeµ Profuse pink blooms, 2” across, all season long. Can grow to 5’ high but averages 3-4’. Not particular about the soil type as long as it drains well. Full sun is best, but will also do well in part shade. Leaves are velvety and deep green. Zone 8.
Philadelphus x virginalis ‘Natchez’ \ Mock Orange
Bushy upright fountain-like form, 8-10’ high. Showy 2” single white blooms. Very fragrant and showy. Zone 5.
Photinia serratifolia (Prev. P. serrulata) \ Chinese Photinia
Evergreen shrub or tree with sawtooth edged, leathery, dark green leaves. Copper-red leaves on young shoots. Creamy white flowers mid to late spring, forming clusters of red berries in the fall. Grows 18-25’ tall. Intolerant of poorly drained soils. Full sun, part shade. Zone 6.
Photinia x fraseri \ Red Tip Photinia
Many erect stems on this vigorous evergreen shrub. Dark green foliage with beautiful coppery-red new growth. Clusters of white blooms in spring. Mature height 15-20'’. Excellent screen, hedge or small tree. Full sun is best. Zone 7.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’ \ Variegated Pittosporum
Showy, compactly branched mounded form, 6-8’ high and wide. Gray-green leaves have white variegation. Orange blossom scented, creamy-white flowers in spring. Most any well-drained soil. Salt tolerant. Sun to part shade. Zone 8.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’
Very low, broadly mounded form, 3’ high, 4-5’ wide. Dense branches hold glossy, dark green leaves. Good for border or low boundary planting. Evergreen. Sun to part shade. Zone 8.
Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’ \ Japanese Yew
Slow growing conifer, dense upright branching on pyramidal form, 8-10’ high, 3-4’ wide. Heavily covered by dark-green yew-like leaves. Can grow to 20X10-15’ wide. Well-drained soil. Zone 8.
Prunus
P. caroliniana \ Cherry Laurel
µTexas Nativeµ A small tree reaching 35-40’ tall. Evergreen leaves, white blooms followed by glistening black fruit. Requires deep, moist, but well-drained soil. Zone 7.
P. caroliniana ‘Compacta’ \ Compact Cherry Laurel
Compact shrub smaller than the species. White flower spikes followed by fruits in fall. Makes a nice evergreen hedge. Mature height 10-12’. Well-drained soil. Zone 7.
P. glandulosa \ Dwarf Flowering Almond
Deciduous with many branches that grow in an upright, spreading habit to 6’ in height. Flowers appear early before leaves, and turn branches into long wands of blossoms. The 4” pointed leaves are narrow and light green in color. Pink or white ˝” flowers can be single or double. Prune back hard just after blooming. Cut wands can be used for arrangements. Dwarf Flowering Almond can be used as a flowering hedge. Most any well-drained soil. Sun to partial shade. Zone 4.
P. mexicana \ Mexican Plum
A single trunked, irregularly shaped tree reaching 25’ in height. Clouds of white blooms in early spring are followed with dark red to purple fruit. Exfoliating bark on older trees. Drought tolerant. Deciduous. Most any well-drained soil. Zone 5.
P. serotina var. eximia \ Escarpment Black Cherry
µTexas Nativeµ Flowers of white recemes, 4-6" long in early spring. Medium size tree, 45-50' tall and 35' wide. Adaptable soil requirements and high heat tolerance. Native habitat is Edwards Plateau and streambeds into the Rio Grands Plains. Zone 7.
P. x cistena \ Purpleleaf Sand Cherry
A cross between Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’ and Prunus pumila. Leaves are hairy along the lower midrib. Bears white flowers but rarely fruits. Grows multi-branched, upright, 6-10’ high, and as wide. Very cold hardy. Zone 2.
Punica granatum ‘Nana’ \ Dwarf Pomegranate
Dwarf shrub growing 3x3’, with narrow leaves and many 2” funnel-shaped, scarlet flowers in late summer. Flowers are followed by small fruit. Glossy green leaves turn bronze to red in the fall. Zones 7b-10.
Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’
Festive, large, 3” double orange-red blooms. Fall brings delicious, edible, large burnished red fruit. Grows 8-12’ tall and is considered the best fruiting variety for Texas conditions. Zones 7b-10.
Rhaphiolepis \ Indian Hawthorn
Evergreen shrubs with glossy, leathery leaves. Most are easy to grow in full sun. In light shade they are less compact and bloom less. Can stand fairly dry conditions, but also tolerate frequent watering when planted near lawns or flower beds. Zone 7.
R. indica ‘Dancing Girl’
Rounded evergreen shrub to 3’ high with 3’ spread. Pink flowers appear in spring.
R. indica ‘Pinkie’
Compact evergreen shrub to 3’. Pink flower clusters. Good hedge or specimen.
R. indica 'Pink Lady'
A vigorous grower with deep pink blossoms in spring and leathery bronze-green leaves. Reaches 5x6', in an open, loose compact form. More leafspot resistant than some other Hawthorns.
R. indica ‘Snow White’
Dense, evergreen shrub to 2-3’. New foliage appears red, maturing to dark green. White flowers in spring.
R. indica ‘Summertime’
Graceful mounding habit 4-6' high and as wide. More loosely branched than other selections. Superb leathery, bronze-green foliage is covered with magnificent rich pink bloom clusters.
Rhus aromatica \ Fragrant Sumac
(ROOS air-oh-MAT-eh-kah)
µTexas Nativeµ Deciduous mounding 6x6’ shrub with beautiful fall color. Insignificant flowers early in the year produce red fruit in the spring that provide a food source for birds and wildlife. Prefers full to partial sun. Zone 3.
Rhus copallina var. lanceolata \ Prairie Flame-leaf Sumac
µTexas Nativeµ Clumping shrub to small tree with a rounded top. Leaves turn red and orange in fall. Can be a single trunk or pruned for a multi trunk. Blooms mid to late summer with white clusters. Fall fruit are red drupes. Needs well-drained soil, full sun to part shade. Zone 5.
Rhus virens \ Evergreen Sumac
µTexas Nativeµ Shiny green, 1˝" long leaves stay on plant during winter, dropping toward end of season, making it nearly evergreen. New growth appears within a week of losing leaves. Grows 8-12’ tall, and has 2” white flower clusters in late summer. Orange-red fruits form after blooming. Will grow in most any soil but needs good drainage. Full sun to part shade. Zone 8.
Rosa \ Rose
R. banksiae var. alba plena \ White Lady Banks’ Rose
Semi-evergreen climber to 20’. Profuse blooming with white, double 1” flowers. Excellent for fences or banks. Full sun. Zone 6.
R. banksiae var. normalis ‘Lutea’ \ Yellow Lady Banks’ Rose
Semi-evergreen climber to 20’. Profuse double blooms of canary yellow. Excellent for fences. Full sun. Zone 6.
R. polyantha 'Nearly Wild'
Mildly fragrant, single, rose-pink blooms cover this compact, 2X2' growing shrub. Repeat flowering from spring into fall. Disease resistant. Full sun. Zone 4.
R. 'Radrazz' PP11836 Knock Out™ \ Knock Out Rose
Continuous display of flowers from cherry red in summer to fire engine red in cooler weather. Dark, purplish-green foliage turns a burgundy color in fall and is resistant to black-spot. Grows 3X3' in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Zone 4.
Sabal minor \ Dwarf Palmetto
Leafy palm with pale bluish-green leaves. Has a mounding form, but can reach 3-6’ in height. Needs sun to moderate shade and well-drained soil. Zone 7.
Spiraea \ Spirea
Easy to grow in all kinds of soils, full sun or light shade with average watering. Deciduous. Provides generous quantities of flowers.
S. cantoniensis ‘Lanceolata’ \ Double Reeves Spirea
Upright arching branches 4-6’ high and wide covered with clusters of double white flowers in early summer. Dark green foliage on this high mounded form. Zone 5.
S. japonica ‘Goldmound’
Dense slender branches, mounding 3’ high, 6’ wide, display lemon-yellow leaves with a russet tinge when emerging in spring. Foliage coloration blends into lime green when mature. Light pink flowers in summer. Autumn coloring gives this another special feature as the foliage becomes orange-red on red stems. Zone 4.
S. japonica ‘Little Princess’
Slender branches covered by mint green foliage on this bush of mounding habit, 2-4’ tall and as wide. Flat clusters of rose-pink blooms in summer. Zone 5.
S. japonica 'Magic Carpet' PP9363
A dwarf spirea with compact growth habit and outstanding foliage effect. New growth is tipped with vibrant red, changing in summer to golden green. Fall color turns to bright rusty red. Summer shows a profusion of pinkish-purple blooms. Reaches 18" in height. Zone 3.
S. nipponica 'Snowmound'
Spring brings small white flower corymbs covering the graceful spreading branches of deep green foliage. Growth habit is dense, upright, compact rounded shrub 2-4' tall and as wide. Prune in late winter to early spring. Zone 4
S. x bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’
Flat heads of bright rosy-pink flowers put on a display in summer. Erect, gracefully arching branches are 2-3X4’wide. Bright green leaves form an excellent background. Zone 5.
S. x vanhouttei \ Bridal Wreath
Upright slender branches holding blue-green leaves create a fountain shaped form 6’ high and wide. Clusters of showy white blooms in spring. Zone 5.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus \ Coral Berry
µTexas Nativeµ Develops a thicket, 2-3’ tall. Lime green leaves in early spring with white, bell-shaped flowers. Clusters of dark red to purplish pink berries form in late summer, persisting through winter to spring. Deciduous. Tolerates various well-drained soils. Full sun to part shade. Zone 2.
Syringa x persica \ Persian Lilac
Graceful, loose form to 6’ with arching branches and 2˝” long leaves. Many clusters of pale violet, fragrant flowers appear on the branches in early spring. Zone 5.
Taxus x media ‘Densiformis’ \ Spreading Yew
Slow growing densely branched rounded form 4-5’ high, 6-8’ wide. Dark green needles cover the shrubby plant. Excellent hedge or foundation plant. Shears well. Zone 5.
Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’ \ Hick’s Yew
Long, upright branches form a narrow columnar plant 10-12’ tall, 3-4’ wide. Excellent for hedges. Handsome glossy dark green foliage. Well-drained soil required. Zone 5.
Tecoma stans \ Yellow Bells or Esperanza
(teh-KOH-man stanz)
µTexas Nativeµ Bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers are in clusters 3-5” long. Massed planting creates a summer view that you just have to stop and marvel at the beauty. Normally grows 3-6X3-4’ wide. Part shade to full sun. Does best in sand, loam, limestone, well-drained soil. Makes a great accent around a patio. Zone 9, but worth treating as an annual display in other zones.
Ternstroemia gymnanthera \ Cleyera
Erect branched, dense growth into rounded form, 3-4’ high and wide. Leathery rich green leaves appear hand polished. New growth emerges as an interesting bronze color. The creamy-white summer flowers are not showy but have a fragrance. Zone 7.
Trachycarpus fortunei \ Windmill Palm
This tree-like palm has 3’, large fan-shaped, rich green leaves that form a compact crown atop a slender trunk 20-25’ high. The trunk is covered by hairy black fibers which are the remains of the leaf base. Average soil requirements. Full sun. Zone 7.
Viburnum
V. dentatum ‘Christom’ \ Arrowwood Virburnum
White spring flowers give way to hundreds of little blue balls at the end of umbel-shaped flower heads. Great for landscaping, growing 5x5’. Full sun to part shade. Zone 3.
V. macrocephalum \ Chinese Snowball
Spectacular clusters of white flowers, 6-8” in diameter, having small sterile florets. Flowers appear early spring. Plants produce no fruit. Attractive as a border specimen or espalier. Zone 6.
V. rufidulum \ Rusty Blackhaw Virbunum
µTexas Nativeµ Handsome lustrous dark green leathery foliage, turn a rich burgundy in the fall. Clusters of creamy-white flowers in the spring. Reaches 10-20’ in height. Excellent plant for understory. Zones 5-9.
V. tinus ‘Compactum’ \ Spring Bouquet
Small dark green foliage covers the round, compact form of upright branches 4-6’ high and wide. Early spring brings pinkish-white flowers. Makes a good hedge. Evergreen. Zone 7.
V. x burkwoodii \ Burkwood Viburnum
White flowers bloom in spring among lustrous green leaves. Semi-evergreen leaves mature to a sporadic wine-red color in the fall. Reaches 8-10' in height and 6-8' wide. This multi-trunk upright grower likes full sun and slightly acid soil that tends to be moist, but well-drained. Zones 5-8.
Vitex agnus-castus \ Chaste Tree
Blue to purple flower spikes appearing late spring to late summer. Small tree or shrub maturing at 30’ tall. Attractive compound leaves. Native of China, but is very prolific in the wild. Zone 6.
Vitex rotundifolia \ Beach Vitex
Unusual vitex that is used for a groundcover effect. Bluish-green leaves are 1˝X2" long. Blue-purple flowers appear in spring, then again on the new growth of the season. Grows 1-2' high, and just spreads. Deciduous. Prospers in heavy soils and dry, sandy soils. Salt tolerant. Full sun. Should be used more in landscapes. Zones 7-10.
Washingtonia robusta \ Mexican Fan Palm
Fast growing fan palm reaching 80-100' tall. Under favorable conditions can grow a foot or more per year. The head of the palm may reach 10-12' across with the old fronds becoming dry then hanging down the tree trunk as thatch. Gives graceful festive tropical feeling. Tolerant of most soils, prefering improved garden soil. Full to part sun. Requires ample water at planting, then provide same watering as you would your lawn. Zone 7.
Weigela florida 'Java Red'
This variety is a compactly branched, mounded form, 6' high and wide. Holds deep green foliage with an overcast of purplish-red. Carmine-red buds open to deep pink blooms in the spring. Full sun. Zone 5.
Weigela florida ‘Red Prince’
In summer, flowers display a rich red color that doesn’t fade. Many erect slender stems create a 6’ high and wide form, having rich green leaves. Zone 5.
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Bushy, compact shrub with mid-green deciduous leaves that are oval to oblong, broadly edged with creamy white. Blooms are funnel shaped, rose pink. This plant blooms in late spring and early summer. Prefers fertile humus soil and a warm sunny location. Height to 5’ with a spread to 5’. Zones 5-8.
Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’ \ Adam’s Needle Yucca
Evergreen yucca growing 3-4' tall and 2-3' wide. Blooms in mid to late summer on 4-8' stalks with panicles of white flowers. Sword-like leaves have dramatic marginal stripes of creamy yellow color. Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Zone 4.
Yucca recurvifolia \ Soft Leaf Yucca
Produces green 2-3’ long recurving leaves on 6-10’ single stems. Stems branch with age. In summer huge heads of white blooms appear in loose clusters on 3-5’ stalks. Zone 5.
