Category Archives: Austin Xeriscape
Extreme Heat and a Depressed Landscape
I keep thinking about the influx of people who’ve recently moved into my area over the last several years and what an awful surprise it must be to spend a real summer in Austin Texas. Not only is there oppressive, extreme heat and humidity for us, (exacerbated by concrete) but it’s down right depressing to …
White Mistflower
One of my favorite Texas native plants is the for so many reasons Fragrant White Mistflower. Aptly named for its beautiful fragrance and also known as White Mistflower, Shrubby Boneset, or Havana Snakeroot. It’s an interesting plant with furry white flowers and deep green leaves that is semi evergreen and quite interesting in the landscape. …
Purple Flowering Plants for Central Texas
Purple flowering plants are one of the most requested colors in my landscape designs and for good reason. Purple is the color of luxury, creativity, wisdom and power. Purple is a calming color but also stimulates our imagination. Purple is also one of the most common colors in the Central Texas landscape. Purple Oxalis One …
Top 20 Native and Adapted Shade Plants for Austin
Of all the landscape designs I’ve created in last 20 years, shade gardens in Austin are by far the most challenging. I’ve compiled some of my favorite native and adapted shade plants for Austin. We have very little color for shade so it’s Important to use a lot of texture with a splash of color …
Evergreen Plants for the Austin Landscape
While in the middle of a Central Texas “winter”, you’ll quickly notice a pattern of freezing/thawing/hot/repeat. If you think it’s confusing for you, imagine how your plants feel. Evergreen plants for Austin are more interesting than you may think. It’s especially frustrating when plants are in full bloom, then we get a hard freeze and …