Plant List for: Perennial
Common Plant Name Latin Name Height Spread Evergn Decid Light Water Color Months Bloom Type Plant Wildlife Tx. Native Deer Res. Comments Maintenance
Anise Hyssop "Apricot Sunrise" Agastache coccinea "Apricot Sunrise" 3' 2-3' D Sun/light shade L Pale orange with purple tip Summer Perennial Hummingbird   √+ Erect clump-forming habit. It is used in cold drinks and teas for flavoring. Constant show of flowers throughout the summer months. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Barbara's Buttons Marshallia caespitosa 6-18" 6" D Sun/part shade L White Apr-Jun Perennial   √   Forms clumps. Good for borders or as cut flower. Also good in rock garden.  
                             
Blackfoot Daisy Melampodium leucanthum 6-12" 1-1.5' D Sun VL White Spring & summer Perennial Butterfly √ √ Taproot. Short lived in well-watered garden-will rot if kept moist. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Bulbine Bulbine frutescens 2' 2.5' E Sun VL Orange or yellow Winter to spring Perennial   Africa   Protect when freezes. Similar to Aloe. Very tolerant of poor dry soil. Trim off bloom stalks after flowers die.
                             
Buttercup, Creeping Ranunculus repens 6-24" 3' E Sun/part shade MH Yellow Mid spring Perennial   Eurasia √ Grows in low areas & likes steady moisture. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Buttercups produce a chemical known as ranunculin which is quite acrid and can cause a rash to those who are allergic. Most grazing mammals stay away from the plant. Can be invasive in the Pacific NW area of the country.  
                             
Butterfly Weed or Tropical (Mexican) Milkweed Asclepias curassavica 3-4' 1-2' D Sun/part shade L Orange / Red Summer to Fall Perennial Butterfly   √ Flowers attract Monarch butterflies, foliage good larval food. Short lived but reseeds freely. Prune, remove top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Calylophus Calylophus drummondianus 1-1.5' 1-1.5' D Sun L Yellow to orange Mar-Nov Perennial Butterfly √   Low moisture requirement, needs well drained soil. Flowers open in evening & stay open all of next day, closing shortly before fresh ones open. Excellent rock garden plant because it loves good drainage & reflected heat. Flowers can be prolonged with water. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Calylophus or Sundrops, Creeping Calylophus hartwegii 2' 3' D Full Sun or lightly filtered M Yellow Best in spring Perennial Butterfly √   Looks good with Lavender. Needs well drained soil but does like weekly watering. Works good with Yuccas and salvia greggii. Prune once in late winter. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis 6"-6' 1' E Part shade H Red May - Oct Perennial Hummingbird √ √ Toxic. In garden soil, generally gets 18" high. Winter rosette. Likes water and can tolerate poor drainage. The shade it gets, the less moisture. Spreads by layering (bend a stem over & partially bury it).  
                             
Columbine, Red Aquilegia canadensis 1-2' 1-2' D Part shade / shade M Red Early Spring Perennial Hummingbird √ √ Grow with Missouri violet and pigeonberry for continuous color. Likes dry shade; reseeds to return in cool season. Susceptible to leaf miners. Prune off spent foliage and seed heads in late May or leave seeds for reseeding.
                             
Columbine, Yellow Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinkleyana 1-3' 1-2' D Part shade / shade M Yellow May Perennial Hummingbird √ √ Likes dry shade but can take more sun & less moisture than Red columbine. Plant reseeds to return in cool season; native to Big Bend. Susceptible to leaf miners. Prune off spent foliage and seed heads in late May or leave seeds for reseeding.
                             
Coneflower, Purple Echinacea purpurea Note: Enchinacea angustifolia would be native 2' 1.5' D Sun/part shade M Purple Apr-June Perennial Bird, Butterfly √ √ Wonderful, long lasting flower that butterflies love. Will frequently have a winter rosette. Cut back stalks after blooming & seeds are gone.
                             
Coreopsis, lanceleaf Coreopsis lanceolata 1-2' 1-2' D Sun/part shade M Yellow Apr-Jun Perennial Butterfly √ √ Let some seedlings stay because individual plants don't live forever. Native to E. & SE Texas. Prune off old blooms for repeated flowering.
                             
Cuphea Bat Face Cuphea llavea 18-24" 2-3' D Sun/part shade L Red with purple tips Spring to Fall Perennial Hummingbird     Cuphea llavea does great in the heat, requires excellent drainage, and is also drought tolerant. This perennial is frost hardy in the upper 20's and root hardy in the lower 20's. Native to Mexico. Great attractor of hummingbirds. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Damianita Chrysactinia mexicana 1-2' 2-3' E Sun L Yellow Spring & some summer Perennial Bird √ √+ Drought hardy & aromatic foliage.Needs good drainage. Prune early spring & late summer to shape if desired.
                             
Datura, White or Jimson Weed Datura wrightii 3' 6' D Sun to part shade L White Summer Perennial   √ √ All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Large, showy, white flowers, 2 to 8 inches in diameter. Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season.  
                             
Dianthus, Magenta Dianthus sp. 6-12" 2' E Part shade   Magenta Mar-May Perennial     √ Makes a deep green groundcover.  
                             
Engleman Daisy Engelmannia peristenia 1-3' 1-3' D Sun/part shade   Yellow Feb-Nov Perennial Bird, Butterfly √   Great native plant but must be protected from deer. Has taproot so can't be grown very large in a container. Prune unattractive foliage
                             
Esperanza or Yellow Bells Tecoma stans var. angustatum 3-6' 3-5' D Sun/part shade M Yellow Summer and Fall Perennial Butterfly √ √ Native to Trans-Pecos area. Showy blooms. May not survive with hard frost. Can try to keep it going through winter by cutting it to the ground in late fall & mulching good. As winter approaches don't water it so it won't put out new growth.
                             
Fall Aster Aster oblongifolius 2-4' 3-4' D Sun-shade M Purple Fall Perennial Butterfly √   Loaded with fall color. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Firebush Hamelia patens 5'   D Sun M Orange - red Summer to Fall Perennial Hummingbird     Good fall color. Plant needs regular moisture to establish. The clusters of fruit also are showy. Each fruit is a juicy berry with many small seeds, ripening from green to yellow to red and finally to black. A firebush plant usually has flowers and fruit in various stages. Once established, firebush is drought tolerant, but it does best with frequent watering as long as the soil has excellent drainage. Best to prune to 6" above ground after first hard freeze and mulch well.
                             
Fleabane, Prairie Erigeron modestus 3-6" 4-10" D     White Feb-May Perennial   √   Grows on dry, calcareous soils. Annual to Biennial, Perennial according to Enquist  
                             
Four Nerve Daisy or Hymenoxys Tetraneuris scaposa 1' 9-18" E Sun/part shade L Yellow Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct Perennial Bird √ √ Perfect for a rock garden or at the front of a border since blooms almost all year. Needs good drainage & is highly drought tolerant. Shaping not necessary
                             
Gaura Gaura lindheimeri 2' 3' D Sun L White or pink Spring to summer Perennial   √ √ Often forms extensive colonies. Flowers open in early morning. Plant has tall spikes adorned with 1" flowers. Best to prune to 6" above ground after first hard freeze and mulch well.
                             
Gayfeather Liatris mucronata 1-3' 1-1.5' D Sun L Purple Aug-Sep Perennial Butterfly, Hummingbird √ √ Likes well-drained limestone soil. Beautiful long purple spikes when flowering. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Goldenrod, Prarie Solidago nemoralis 2-7'   D Sun/part shade M Yellow Fall Perennial Butterfly √ √ Colonizes by rhizomes. Some people mistakenly believe this plant causes bad allergy problems-not true for average person. Prune in mid-winter after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Gopher Plant or Rigid Spurge Euphorbia rigida 2' 2-3' E Sun/part shade L Yellow Late winter to early spring Perennial     √ Mounding shrub, good planted with bulbs or agave. Attractive in a rock garden but especially so in winter when the evergreen fleshy gray foliage takes on burgundy and blue tones. Very early in spring, the acid yellow flowerheads begin to develop at the stem terminals. Sap is poisonous. In same family as Snow on the Mountain. Prune old stems after flowers fade.
                             
Hibiscus, Texas Star Hibiscus coccineus 4-6' 3- D Sun/part shade M Red Jun-Oct Perennial       Low to medium water usage but well drained  
                             
Iris, Bicolor or Butterfly Dietes bicolor 4' 2-3' E Sun/part shade L Cream with markings Spring to early Summer Perennial     √ Forms clumps of iris like foliage Prune foliage if desired. Divide clumps every 3-5 years.
                             
Lambs Ear Stachys byzantina 3"-18"   D Full sun to partial shade. L Puple-gray bloom stalks Midsummer Perennial     √+ Good plant for contrast; pale green fuzzy foliage. Prune to control growth or remove unattractive foliage
                             
Lantana, hybrid Lantana x hybrida 2' 4' D Sun to part shade M Varies Spring to frost Perennial Butterfly, Hummingbird   √ The hybrid varieties of lantana are not as deer resistant as the native variety. Shape only if desired.
                             
Lantana, Trailing Lantana montevidensis 1' 4' D Sun/part shade L Lavendar or white Spring to Frost Perennial Butterfly   √ May be used as a groundcover. Very tolerant of poor, dry sites. Prune for shaping but not required
                             
Lantana, Tx native Lantana horrida 1.5-3' 2-4' D Sun to part shade M Orange & Yellow Apr-Oct Perennial Bird, Hummingbird, Butterfly √ √ Good consistent bloomer. This plant grows quickly. Deer may browse the flowers in heavily populated areas. Prune after first frost. Some shaping may be necessary during the year for a fuller shrub.
                             
Lavendar, Spanish Lavendula stoechas 18"-24" 18" E Sun M Purple Spring Perennial Bird, Butterfly     Plant in full sun to prevent the deer browsing. Lavender is indigenous to the Mediterranean mountains. Lavender is an herb that can be used as a flavoring. The flowers are edible. They can be added to jams, ice cream and vinegar.  
                             
Lion's Tail or Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca 3-4'     Sun   Orange, white Summer Perennial     √+ Pungent leaf, flower whorls resemble lion's tail. Native to Europe.  
                             
Louisiana Phlox Phlox divaricata 'Louisiana' 12-15" 12-15" E Part shade to shade M Blue Spring Perennial Butterfly Louisiana   The 1 inch flowers are held in 5 inch clusters and are strongly scented. Its foliage turns a nice burgundy. Sheer after flowering to reinvigorate.
                             
Mexican Honeysuckle Justicia spicigera 2' 4' E Full sun to partial shade. L     Perennial Hummingbird   √ Very tidy, mounding plant. Great for attracting hummingbirds. Prune back as needed to encourage fullness.
                             
Mexican Mint Marigold Tagetes lucida 2.5' 2.5' D Sun/part shade L Yellow to orange Fall Perennial     √+ Anise-flavored culinary herb which can be substituted for tarragon when cooking. Spreads over time. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Mexican Oregano Poliomintha longiflora 1' 3' E Sun L Pink / lilac May-Aug Perennial     √+ Aromatic foliage. Brown, withering flower stays on the plant. Prune unattractive foliage or to shape
                             
Mistflower, Greg's Eupatorium greggi 1.5' 1.5' D Sun/part shade M Purple Aug-Sep Perennial   √   Plant spreads quickly. Grows well in soil that gets seasonally flooded. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Obedient Plant, Fall Physostegia virginiana 2-4' 1' D Sun/part shade M Purple Aug-Oct Perennial   √   Colonizes by rhizomes. If planted in dappled shade it can be drought tolerant. It spreads aggressively by the roots which are shallow and easy to pull up. Makes a very good cut flower. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Obedient Plant, Spring Physostegia spp. 2-6' 1' D Sun/part shade M Pink / white Apr-Jul Perennial   √   Good for water garden since can stand in shallow water. Most do best on edges of bank of stream. After it goes dormant, it is drought-tolerant. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare 2-3' 1-2; E Sun/part shade M White Mid spring to early summer Perennial       Prefers consistent moisture. This plant found in many old gardens. Should be planted in well-prepared, mulched garden soil from which weeds can be easily pulled without hoeing that could damage the daises' roots. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Pavonia, Rock Rose Pavonia lasiopetala 2-3' 2-3' E Sun to shade L Pink Late spring to frost Perennial Butterfly √ √ Hibiscus-like blooms. Only lives 3-4 yrs but reproduces freely by seed. Prune end of May to keep plant bushier. May need to remove frost burned tips after hard freeze.
                             
Penstamon, Foxglove, wild Penstemon cobaea 18" 9" D Part shade, full sun M White / purple Apr-May Perennial   √   Spends most of its life as a small rosette. Before blooming, the rosette swells to at least doubted it original size, followed by bloom stalks. Plant massed in the middle of a garden where it will be visible while in bloom, but where the shrunken rosettes can get shade from other vegetation in the summer. Individual plants don't live more than 3 or 4 years so let seed ripen and scatter from stalks. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Penstemon, Gulf Coast or Brazos Penstemon tenuis 1.5' 1' E Dappled shade, part shade, full sun M Purple Mar-May Perennial   √   Good in moist perennial borders and beds. Fabulous cut flower. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Penstemon, Hill Country or Scarlet Penstemon Penstemon triflorus 1.5' 1.5' D Sun to light shade L Red/pink Apr-May Perennial Hummingbird √   Flowering can be extended by watering. Allow seedlings to develop at 9" intervals to keep a healthy crop going. Endemic to Edwards Plateau. Hybridizes with other closely related Penstemons. Remove old bloom stalks at the base after seeds have been dispersed.
                             
Penstemon, Rock Penstemon baccharifolius 1.5' 1' E Sun to light shade L Red Jun -Sep Perennial   √   Suckers, taproot. Likes to keep its root cool so mulch is good. Looks great with rock piled around it. If it doesn't die back in the winter, cut it back so it stays bushy.
                             
Plumbago Plumbago auriculata 4' 6' D Sun/part shade M Blue or white Summer Perennial Hummingbird   √ Light green foliage. Does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Primrose, Silverleaf Oenothera macrocarpa 1-1.5' 3' D Sun/part shade L Yellow Spring to summer Perennial   √ √   Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Rose Campion Lychnis coronaria 2-3' 12-15' D Sun/part shade L Generally pink to magenta Late spring to early summer Perennial     √ Silver fuzzy leaves. Grows in poor, dry soil. The plant sometimes acts as a biennial but easily reseeds. Originally from southern Europe. Deadhead flowers to keep it blooming longer.
                             
Rudbeckia "Goldstrum" Rudbeckia fulgida 18-30" 24" D Sun to light shade M Yellow Late summer to fall Perennial Bird, Butterfly   √ It tolerates clay soils and mild droughts, but grows best in well-drained, consistently moist soil. Rhizomes spread the semi-evergreen basal leaves thickly enough to shade out weeds making it an effective non-invasive ground cover. Native North American plant. The long, strong stems make orange coneflower ideal for cutting which actually encourages reblooming. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves. Mulch for winter.
                             
Rudbeckia, Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 1-2' 1-2' D Sun to shade M Yellow Summer Perennial Butterfly √ √+ 3" daisy-like flower. Native to E. Texas. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves. Mulch for winter.
                             
Ruellia drummondiana Ruellia drummondiana 2.5'   D   L Lavendar Summer Perennial Butterfly √   It has larger flowers and is taller than Ruellia nudiflora. Cut back bloom stalks in the winter.
                             
Ruellia or Wild Petunia Ruellia nudiflora var. metzae 1.5' 1' D Part shade L White or Purple   Perennial   √      
                             
Ruellia, Chi Chi Ruellia brittoniana "Chi Chi" 3-4' 12-18" D Sun/part shade L Pink Spring to summer Perennial     √ Reseed easily & can become invasive if not controlled. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Ruellia, Dwarf Katie Ruellia brittoniana "Katie" 6-12" 6-12" D Sun/part shade L Varies Spring to summer Perennial     √ Is not as aggressive as the non-dwarf varieties. Forms nice rounded clumps. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Ruellia, Violet or Wild Petunia Ruellia nudiflora 2'   D Part shade L Purple Mar-Dec Perennial Butterfly √   There are different forms: tall straight up, medium & bushy, flat and round, flat & spreading. Good at woodland edges. Good combined with Cherry Sage, Flame Acanthus, Thoroughwort & verbena. Works well as a groundcover and tolerates mowing.  
                             
Sage, Bicolor Salvia sinaloensis 1' 1' D Sun/part shade M Blue   Perennial     √ Very compact plant. Needs good drainage. Use peaty soil. Like half day sun and deep watering once a week for large clumps. Hardy to 20 degrees.  
                             
Sage, Bog Salvia uliginosa 4' 4-8' D Sun to light shade M Blue Summer Perennial Hummingbird, Butterfly   √+ Too much water will make this salvia floppy. Thrives in full sun. Works well planted with ornamental grasses. Native to South America. Can become an aggressive spreader in wet areas. Cut back after about 4 weeks of bloom to encourage continual blooming & sturdy stalks. Clumps can also be divided if desired.
                             
Sage, Cedar Salvia roemeriana 1-2' 3' D Part shade L Red Mar-Oct Perennial Hummingbird, Butterfly √ √ Great under Ashe junipers. Reseeds freely. May want to cut off flower stalks after done flowering.
                             
Sage, Darci Salvia darcyi 3' 2' D Sun to light shade M Red Summer & Fall Perennial Hummingbird, Butterfly   √ Can be a vigorous grower. This plant is a hummingbird magnet. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, Englemann Salvia engelmannii 1 1-2' D Sun/part shade L Blue Apr-Jun Perennial Hummingbird √   Taproot, maintains winter rosette  
                             
Sage, Forsythia Salvia madrensis 5-8' 3-5' D Part sun to full shade M Yellow Fall Perennial Hummingbird   √ Large rough leaves. Native to Mexico. Likes well drained soil & regular watering. Semi-woody shrub. Can be planted in mixed shrub border or stand alone beneath tall oaks. May need to stake plant to keep it from falling. Flowers do well as cut flowers. Cut back after frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, Grape-scented Salvia melissodora 6' 4' E Sun M Purple Late spring to frost Perennial     √ Hardy to 20 degrees. Plant does well with lemon verbena since similar in size & stature. Heavy pruning should be done during the active growing season.
                             
Sage, Gray Shrub or Germander sage Salvia chamadryoides 2' 2-3' E Sun L Blue Early summer & fall Perennial     √+ Spreads freely from underground rootstock. Small gray evergreen foliage. Hardy to 10 degrees. Very attractive planted with deep green rosemary plants or "silver mound" artemesia. Plant tends to die out in the center and "travel" outwards via stolons. Prune all spent inflorescences 2-3 times during growing season to produce more flowers.
                             
Sage, Indigo Spires Salvia hybrid S. longispicata x farinacea 3' 5' D Sun/part shade M Blue - purple Summer Perennial   √ √ Allow room to mound & spread. Will grow and bloom well in a considerable amount of shade and is best sited with at least part shade. Blooms heaviest in May and June. Can reach 10' wide if not pruned. Can be staked for neatness. Recommend cutting stems down to 6-12 inches after first blooming period for a stocky plant that begins flowering again within a month and a half. Cut back heavily after first frost.
                             
Sage, Jerusalem Phlomis fruticosa 2-3' 3-4' E Sun/part shade L Yellow Summer Perennial     √+ Plant provides good contrast to darker green plants. Foliage nice all year; spring blooms are unusual and spectacular. Prune for shape only; may want to remove dead flower heads
                             
Sage, Majestic Salvia guaranitica 4' 5' D Sun to shade L Blue Apr-Oct Perennial Hummingbird   √+ Reseeds freely. Does well in well-drained, humusy soil. It multiplies by sending out new runners from parent. If you want a single large specimen, remove these runners. Will require more water if in full sun. Prune to 3" height after first frost browns leaves
                             
Sage, Mealy Blue Salvia farinacea 2' 1-2' D Sun/part shade L Blue Apr-Oct Perennial Hummingbird, Butterfly √ √+ Best in full sun. The drier the soil, the more shade it can handle. Will reseed freely. Wet conditions promote lanky growth. Shearing the plant 2 or 3 times a season keeps plant dense & free-flowering. Prune to 3" after first frost browns the leaves.
                             
Sage, Mexican Salvia mexicana 6-10'   D Sun/part shade   Blue Late summer to early fall Perennial     √ Heart shaped leaves. Stems are multi-branched. Can easily be kept 5 x 5 feet if pruned lightly. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, Mexican Bush Salvia leucantha 4' 4' D Sun/part shade L Purple Sep-Oct Perennial Hummingbird, Butterfly   √+ Good background shrub mixed with maximilian sunflower. Likes deep infrequent watering. Silver-green foliage. Will be mounding plant form if pruned in May. Brittle stems. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, Penstamon or Big Red Sage Salvia penstemonoides 3-4' 1-2' D Sun/part shade M Magenta Jun-Oct Perennial Hummingbird √ √ Found in stream banks & limestone seeps. Good companion plants are western spiderwort, lyreleaf safe, & greeneyes. Taproot. Winter rosette. Remove old bloom stalks at the base
                             
Sage, Pitcher Salvia azurea var. grandiflora 2' 2' Winte Rosette Sun/part shade   Blue Fall Perennial     √ One of the tallest native salvias. Can be found growing in rich, fertile, tall grass prairies in small colonies. Appreciates a little shade. Best display of flowers in the fall. Cut way back after finished blooming
                             
Sage, Purple leaf Salvia blepharophylia 2-3'   E Part shade   Red Spring to summer Perennial     √ Deep purple on the undersides of the leaves. Perennial in zone 8.  
                             
Sage, Russian Perovaskia atriciplifolia 3' 3-4' D Sun L Blue Fall Perennial     √+ A fine companion plant for ornamental grasses. Excellent choice for hot, dry gardens but can tolerate some heavier watering that what is often required in a Xeriscape. Tolerant of alkaline soils. Best planted where it will have 4' of room without being crowded. Great companion plants include purple coneflower, sunset hyssop, winecups and black-eyed Susans. Silver foliage that glistens in the sunlight. Import from central Asia. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, San Luis or Red Velvet Salvia microphylla 3' 4' E Sun/part shade   Varies Spring-Fall Perennial     √ Especially large, red velvety blooms. Drought and heat tolerant. Stems break very easy so keep out of traffic area. Keep snipping off tips to bloom constantly. Cut in half in early spring to keep low-growing and dense.
                             
Sage, Scarlet or Tropical Salvia coccinea 1.5-3' 1-2' D Part shade to Shade M Red Mar-Aug Perennial Bird, Hummingbird, Butterfly √ √ Actually prettier in poorer, drier soil. Otherwise gets big, course & ugly. Short lived perennial but reseeds freely. In hill country, this plant is found in woods or on rocky hillsides. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Sage, Texana Salvia texana 1 1-2' D Sun/part shade L Blue Apr-Jun Perennial Hummingbird √   Taproot, almost identical to Englemann sage but dark purple blue flower. Will maintain winter rosette  
                             
Santolina (Gray or green) Santolina chamaecyparissus or Santolina virens 1-2' 1-2' E Sun VL Yellow Spring Perennial     √+ Fine textured, aromatic evergreen foliage; requires excellent drainage; not long-lived; gray or green leaf varieties. Used as edging or ground cover. It is generally trimmed at 1 foot tall, which makes it look fuller. Plant 3 feet apart when used as ground cover, 18 inches apart when used as edging Should be clipped to remove bloom to maintain dense, compact form.
                             
Shrimp Plant Justicia brandegeana 3' 4' D Morning sun, afternoon shade L Copper to bronze with white Spring-Fall Perennial Hummingbird   √ 3-6" long flowers provide season-long color. Sheer back in spring to encourage bushiness, then leave alone.
                             
Skeleton Plant Viguiera stenoloba 2' 2' E Sun/part shade L Yellow Spring to frost Perennial   √   Very drought tolerant & winter hardy. Do not allow plant to be over watered or overcrowded by other plants in the garden.  
                             
Skullcap, Bushy Scutellaria wrightii 6"-12" 1-2' E Sun/light shade L Blue/Purple Mar-Jul Perennial   √ √ In prairies, bluffs and open woods. Plant is round and shrubby, making it a tidy looking garden plant, well suited to any dry bed, rock garden or container. Plant with other short species such as Mock pennyroyal, Scarlet pea, or Missouri primrose.  
                             
Skullcap, Heart Leaf Scutellaria ovata ssp. bracteata 1.5'   E Part shade L Blue Apr-Jun Perennial   √ √ Colonizes vigorously by underground, fleshy roots. Found in open woodlands and brushy slopes in east and south Texas. Foliage may die back in the summer and return in the winter.  
                             
Skullcap, Pink Scutellaria sufrutescens 8"-1' 2' D Sun/part shade L Pink Apr-Oct Perennial Hummingbird √ √ Nice low tidy mounding plant. May stay evergreen in mild winter.  
                             
Society Garlic Tulbaghia violacea 2' 1' E Sun/part shade L Purple Spring and early summer Perennial     √+ The strong smell is an excellent deer deterrent. Beautiful showy flowers on long stem. Remove unattractive foliage and flower stalks after blooming
                             
Spiderwort Tradescantia sp. 2-3'   D Part shade to shade M/L Purple Spring Perennial   √   A low-care, drought-tolerant plant that would work well as a ground cover or low border. Flowers only last a few hours, like the related dayflower. Many varieties of spiderwort native to U.S. but not necessarily Texas.  
                             
Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra 2-4' 6-9" Bi-annual Sun/part shade M Red May-Jun Perennial   √   Plant the seed 2 years in a row because don't get blooms until the second spring. Plan an area about 4' square for standing cypress. Plant has taproots so dig at least 6" deep. Responds well to fertilizer & water but must be well drained.  
                             
Texas Betony Stachys coccinea 1-1.5' 2-3' E Sun to shade L Red Mar-Oct Perennial Hummingbird √ √+ Constantly blooming. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Verbena, Homestead Verbena hybrid 1' 3' E Sun L Purple Summer Perennial Butterfly   √ It is a rapid spreader and makes a beautiful groundcover, especially along walkways or around mailboxes. It can also be grown as a container plant. Cut back established clumps in the fall and mulch well to insure winter survival.
                             
Verbena, Prairie Verbena bipinnatifida 6-12" 1-2' E Sun L Purple Spring to frost Perennial Butterfly √ √ Spreading low growing habit. Short-lived perennial but easily reseeds itself. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.
                             
Verbena, Prairie Road Ditch or Moss Verbena tenuisecta 6-12" 1-2' E Sun to light shade L Purple Spring & fall Perennial Butterfly   √ This is actually a desert species, so it prefers that environment: lots of sun and dry, almost arid conditions. Do not overwater, and it's quite easy to grow. Withstands drought beautifully.  
                             
Winecup, Prostrate Callirhoe involucrata 6-12" 1' E Sun L Magenta Feb-Jun Perennial Butterfly √   Tap-rooted plant. Must have well drained soil. Plant under lantana, gayfeather or other flower that doesn't get dense or bloom until summer. Good around small shrub such as a Dalea. In summer will shrink back to small rosette or may go dormant altogether until cooler weather and fall rains.  
                             
Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis) Oxalis Drummondii 4-12" 9-12"   Sun/part shade M Pink Sept-Nov Perennial   √   Grows from small bulbs.  
                             
Wooly Ironweed Vernonia lindheimeri 1-2.5'     Sun L Purple Jun-Sep Perennial Butterfly √   Undersides of leaves are densely hairy. A very showy plant for dry prairie gardens. Flourishes on slopes in the Edwards Plateau. Can be aggressive in rich well watered soil.  
                             
Yarrow Achillea millefolium 1-2' 3' E Sun to shade M White / various May-Jun Perennial Butterfly √ √ Forms solid mat groundcover. Finely-cut fern-like leaves. Cut off old bloom stalks.
                             
Yucca Leaf Eryngo or Rattlesnake Master or Button Snakeroot Eryngium yuccifolium 3-5' 1'   Sun LM Greenish white Summer Perennial   √ √ The name is derived from an old belief that the roots could be used to heal rattlesnake bites. Execellant plant for difficult soil in arid climate. Best used as an accent plant in clusters of no more than three. Flower stalks reach up to 5'. Does best in medium & dry limy soils.  
                             
Zexmenia Wedelia texana or Wedelia hispida 1-2' 2-3' D Sun/part shade L Yellow May-Sep Perennial   √ √ Grows well under Ashe Juniper. Mounds in full sun. Reseeds freely. Blooms continuously though not profusely. Prune, removing top half at end of May. Prune to a 3" height in mid-winter or after first frost browns leaves.