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 you notice that half of your landscape looks dead and it’s 78° again. This is a good time to reevaluate your landscape and add a balance of evergreen and deciduous for all year impact.
The good news is that there is a plethora of beautiful evergreen plants for hardiness zone 8 a/b and they’re low water and low maintenance.
Evergreen shrubs
Cotoneaster, 4 x 4+,sun to part shade
Texas Sage, 4 x 6’, sun to part shade
Dwarf Pittosporum, 3 x 3’,sun to shade
Upright and Trailing Rosemary, 3 x 4’ / 2.5 x 2.5, sun
Dwarf Japanese Boxwood 3 x 3.5’, sun to part shade
Dwarf Burford Holly 8 x 8’, sun to part shade
Blooming Perennial Plants
Dwarf Ruellia, 1 x 1’, sun to shade
Blackfoot Daisy 2 x 2’, sun
PInk Skullcap, 1.5 x 2.5, sun
Loropetalum ranging from 2 x 2’ – 6 x 8’, sun to part sun
Texas Betony 2 x 2.5’, sun to part sun
Pink Yarrow, 2 x 2’ , sun to part sun
Purple bearded iris, 2 x 2’, sun to part shade
Four Nerve Daisy, 1 x 1’ , sun
Pink Creeping Phlox, 6” x 1’, sun
Salvia Greggi, 3 x 3’, sun
Gopher Plant 2 x 2’, sun
Trailing Lantana, 8”x 2’, sun to shade
Interesting Textures
Texas or Grey Sotol, 4 x 4’, sun
Japanese Aurelia, 5 x 5’, shade
Yucca Rostrata, 4 x 6’+ , sun
Leatherleaf Mahonia, 3 x 4’, shade
Paddle Cactus, 5 x 5’ , sun to part shade
Foxtail Fern, 2 x 2’, sun to shade
Shades of Green/Grey
Mix it up with a variation of silver/grey to blue, and texture can help break up the space or define the layout.
Agave and Paddle Cactus 3 x 3’ – 5 x 5’ ,sun to part shade
Powis Castle Artimesia 2 x 2.5’ , sun to part shade
Jerusalem Sage 3 x 3’ , sun to shade
Dusty Miller, 2 x 2.5 ,sun to part sun
Russian Sage, 3 x 3’ , sun to part shade
Twistleaf Yucca 2 x 2’+ , sun to shade
Vines and Roses
Evergreen Wisteria 20+‘, sun to part shade
Crossvine ,15×15’, sun to part shade
Peggy Martin Rose, 20 x 20’, sun
Peach drift rose and the Drift Rose series, 3 x 3’, sun
Flowering Trees
Mountain Laurel Tree, up to 30’, sun to shade
Little Gem Magnolia Tree, 10 x 20+’, sun to part shade
I Can Help!
If you’d like help with your evergreen plant & tree selections, contact me @ Lisalapaso@gmail.com for an online or in person Educational ConsultationEducational Consultation or complete Landscape Design.Landscape Design.
I can assist you with xeriscape, deer resistant plant choices that are native and adapted, low water and low maintenance. There are also many great selections right here on my blog!
Lisa LaPaso
Lisa’s Landscape & Design
“Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”
Landscape Design for Austin and Zone 8
Right off the bat I want to say how exciting it is for me to have provided Landscape Consultations and Landscape Designs for 20 years in Central Texas. My work never gets boring with such a diverse native and adapted plant pallet. I love creating Landscape Designs for Austin and all of zone 8.
Over the years I’ve found that there are solutions for just about every landscape situation. However, challenges like topography, deer and low annual rainfall make it even more important to know where to begin.
This is Xeriscape
Xeriscape means low water landscape, it doesn’t have to mean cactus. Planting like the rainforest with thoughtful layering is what makes a landscape lush and drought tolerant.
Deer Resistant
With a unique body of both edible and floral plants and trees, we’re not all locked into a particular look. I like the opportunities to introduce as much plant diversity as I can without creating a need for more maintenance and there are some simple rules to follow to make the most of the plants you choose.
Deer resistant landscape, Austin
I designed the space above for both deer resistance and evergreen properties. This is a predominantly shady/part sun spot so it’s also important to plant for the correct sunlight.
Interesting Plants for Sun to Shade
Below, I designed this garden for deep shade and deer resistance as well as low water and low maintenance. Low maintenance means you’ve properly chosen the right size plant or tree and placed it in a suitable space that allows it to grow to maturity.
Take photos of your space at various times of the day to see exactly how much sunlight your space gets. Full sun plants need at least 6 hours of sun, part sun generally prefer morning sun and shade means shade or filtered light only.
The space below is half sun and half shade. The goal here was to marry the whole space with plants and hardscape.
Privacy
Below is a narrow space in need of privacy. This is where a knowledge of plants and growth habits are crucial for success. Hiring an educated Landscape Designer for challenging spaces is a huge asset over all.
Structural interest should be enhanced by the landscape, not taken over by it.
Functionality
Landscapes in Austin often require clever solutions and they need to provide feature as well as function. Using primarily local stone and native plants allow us to quickly tie into the Hill Country landscape that makes Austin so special.
Cantilever Bridge suspended on Metal Poles give the illusion of floating steps over a dry creek bed.
Clever design requires clever solutions that make sense for the client and the home. Our topography requires a lot of drainage solutions and they need to make sense with the home and the landscape.
Design to the Style of the Home,
With an Eye Towards the Future
Modifying a Mid Century home with a modern, Hill Country Design brings this beautiful space back to life.
Unique Plants and Trees
I use my 20 years of experience in the Texas landscape to design with the most unique plants and trees for sun to shade. I design with only native and adapted plant for the best chance at success.
Desert willow,
Examples of My Landscape Designs
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- Design sketch
Who am I?
I am a Master Gardener, certified Landscape Designer, certified organic specialist and water conservationist who is well versed in the Central Texas landscape. Not only do I know the plants, I have worked with them through 17 years of installations and my full service maintenance programs. I love what I do and it shows.
Contact Me
If you’re interested in a thoughtful, educational forward Landscape Design for Austin and the surrounding area, contact me at Lisalapaso@gmail.com, or text or call me @512-733-7777.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Lisa LaPaso
”Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”
5 Best Gardening Resolutions for the New Year
The new year signals a fresh start and many of us make promises we hope to keep. That being said, I have some easy solutions to positive gardening changes that will be fail safe accomplishments for the new year.
Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse
More than ever, it’s important to stop the garbage train. We need to find long term purpose for everything we buy and be creative to keep them from the landfill. Sustainable gardening isn’t just about protecting the earth with organics, it’s also about making the most of our garden with practical choices.
Retire an old headboard.
Buy limestone and local river rock which are cheaper to buy and haven’t been trucked across the country. Salvage old patio furniture by repainting it to last for years.
Make a bench from unused stone
Buy or make metal gates and trellis that can be used to add interest to the landscape and last for decades.
Recycle used furniture by painting new colors and using it in interesting ways.
Collect used materials that can be found for free on Craig’s list or neighborhood groups to design small spaces.
Go Organic
Buy only organic fertilizer, weed killer and treatments of just about anything. These can be found at any big box store or local nursery. They’re cheaper and safer for you and the planet.
There are many convenient, no mix solutions.
To save money, but the solutions that need to be diluted.
Mycorrhizal fungi loves the sweet stuff and your garden can’t live without them.
Keep this on hand at all times as it’s an excellent all around fertilizer and cellular strengthening tool.
There are well balanced organics for lawn, trees, plants and pests, so pass by the chemical isle and seek them out.
Compost, Compost, Compost
You don’t have any excuses here because there are a slew of compost bins that can be purchased or hand made.
This is your simple way of keeping food scraps out of the landfill.
In return for a little effort, you create this chocolate gold.
Compost should be used everywhere. If you don’t make your own, buy some from the local nurseries.
Reduce the Lawn
You need to expand your garden every chance you get. Reduce water hogging lawn and replace it with low water native and adapted plants and pervious cover.
Remove all the grass or leave more intentional lawn space.
If you have shade and grass won’t grow at all, that’s your cue to convert to xeriscape beds.
Reduce lawn by enlarging existing beds.
Expand outdated beds with more creative solutions.
Create sitting spaces that take up grass without the expense of plants.
Buy ONLY Native and
Adapted Plants and Trees
Stop buying plants because they’re cute. It’s time we do our homework and everyone has a phone. Next time you see a plant, Google it! If it’s not for your hardiness zone, pass it up.
Perennial plants and edibles can create a landscape with all year interest.
Gopher Plant
Make sure your plant choices are for our zone and are perennial which is far more sustainable.
Potted plants
Native and adapted plants make great potted plants too.
Century plant flower
There are a myriad of interesting plants in all shapes and sizes from sun to shade.
Shrimp Plant, Lisa LaPaso
Shade plants can be lovely too.
Fireman’s Cap Coralbean
Look for unusual plants and trees instead of the same, ol’ same ol’.
Kidneywood Tree
Native Flowering trees feed local bees and wildlife.
Mountain laurel tree
Grow More Food
Herb gardens don’t have to look like one.
Tomatoes are abundant in the Central Texas garden and you’ve never tasted a better one than the one you grew yourself.
Fruit trees do very well in Central Texas as long as they are for your hardiness zone, and chill hours.
A typical fall crop of assorted peppers from as few as 3 to 5 plants
Try planting peppers, cruciferous plants, cucumbers, peas, beans, grapes and berries to name a few. Some will work and som won’t, but it will be fun trying.
So, now you have some great ways to commit to positive change in the New Year. Not only are they simple, but they are powerful and effective in saving the planet one yard at a time. Cheers to new journeys in gardening and to making the new year better frost everyone.
Lisa LaPaso
Lisa’s Landscape & Design
“Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”
Central Texas Winter Gardening Tips
Most people who garden for passion or exercise are always looking for a winter project, but whether you’re an average gardener or a nut job like me who can’t wait until spring, your plants will benefit from you being on pause.
Here are my top 5 reasons to let your plants relax over the winter and you could chill too.
Leave the Leaves
Unless you have hard, Live Oak leaves which take forever to break down, you should leave most of the dried leaves in your beds and simply mulch over them making sure to expose tree and plant roots from suffocation.
Wait Until Spring to Cut Back Your Plants
Wait until after the last frost then check for green before you trim. Scratch the surface of your woody plants to test for life. Keep heading up the stem until you see yellow or brown and cut back at that level after the last frost. This prevents unnecessary cut back.
Watch for new growth
Once you see the telltale signs of your re-emerging babies in early spring, cut back the brown and throw it in your composter or compost bags that are picked up by the City of Austin. Over the winter months, this brown cover protects your replant roots until warmer weather, so leave them be.
Wildlife Is Counting on The Shelter
Don’t remove winter protection too soon because lizards, bees, bug and insect eggs are holding over here and the debris protects the roots of the plants in heavy freeze.
Search for Problem Weeds and Junk Trees
Above, the green patch in the lawn is POA weed and needs to be removed as it appears. You can faintly see the seed head on this small patch and it becomes a monster quickly. Educate yourself on the weeds you see and use the free phone apps to learn the good guys from the bad ones.
Look for uninvited plants and trees over the winter that should be removed before the next growth period.
Free Food for Wildlife!
Lastly, the seedpods left behind on dried winter plants feed birds and wildlife who provide a show in return.
Top 5 Things You Can/Should Do Over the Winter
Watch and address the water patterns.
Address your drainage issues and be sure to keep the runoff going in the same direction as the existing grade. French drains and gutters are a great winter project.
Check the Mulch Level on Your Trees
This is an example of what your berm or tree ring should NOT look like. All tree rings on mature trees should be completely flat and away from the trunk allowing the bell shape at the base to be clearly seen.
Mulch rings around mature trees should be perfectly flat and allow the base of the tree trunk to expand .
Create New Beds for Spring!
Prepare new beds or remove sick or dying trees, shrubs or plants that have been more work than pleasure. Give yourself a clean slate for the spring.
Winter Is a Great Time for Hardscapes
Winter is a great time to install hardscapes such as patio, pool and stones or metal.
Limestone patio, river rock sidewalk
Dry creek beds can add both feature and function and they’re great winter projects for Central Texas. Above, the river rock will serve as a new sidewalk along the driveway and below, the rock will serve as drainage.
Dry creek beds
Plant Trees, Roses and Berries.
Winter is a great time for trees, roses, berry bushes and for preparation of spring veggie beds.
Peggy Martin Rose
Thornless Blackberry Check the Welfare of Your Shrubs and Plants
Trim trees, shrubs and plants that have broken or down facing limbs.
In conclusion, there is something to do all year in the Central Texas garden, but the important take away is to know when the proper timing is most effective.
Embrace the winter garden for its seeds, structure and diversity of wildlife. Sit back and restore your energy for spring planting or choose the cool weather for some rock work and preparation. Either way, spring will come when it’s ready and there will be plenty to do then.
Lisa LaPaso
Lisa’s Landscape & Design
“Saving the Planet One yard at a Time”
Tropical Sage, Salvia coccinea
A Stunner in the Landscape
Commonly known as Tropical Sage, Hummingbird Sage, or Scarlet Sage, this beauty sports brilliant red flowers with kelly green, heart shaped leaves. A native to hardiness zones 8-11, it is a sun to part shade, low water plant worth taking a second look at.
Tropical sage
This beauty is a constant bloomer that starts in early spring and goes on until the first hard freeze.
Considered an annual after particularly harsh winters, it will reseed readily and make a comeback every spring. While it’s hardly invasive, it may require some management over the years, but I like that it will fill in empty spaces.
Perfect for a Xeriscape garden in light conditions from full sun to part shade. Maturing at about 2’x 2’ish, it is a hummingbird magnet that creates drama in the landscape and makes a statement in mass.
If you’d like help with a low water, low maintenance and deer resistant plant selections in the Austin and surrounding area, contact me for an online or in person Educational Consultation or browse my blog for more great choices.
Lisa LaPaso
Lisa’s Landscape & Design
”Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”