Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) Plant Information

Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)

Native Range: Texas
Sun/Shade: Full sun to part-shade.
Flowers: Pink or white on cascading stems in spring and fall.
Landscape Use: This Hill Country native is a perennial roadside wild flower. It
makes an attractive low cascading, elegant, colorful, bush that is dependable
and more substantial than some other delicate wild-flowers, and looks
interesting even when not in bloom.
Container Use: Very nice cascading over lower color in pots. Size: The lower
foliage gets up to one foot tall while the airy flower stems may reach 2 ½ feet
high and wide.
Type: Perennial that returns faithfully after freezing weather in spring. Deer
Resistance: Not enough information.
Butterflies: Butterflies love it.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering
Principle=Water every day the first week; every second day the second week;
every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week; every fifth day
the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two weeks worth of
watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Cut off old flower stems to the base foliage to keep it
blooming and tidy. Can let this plant go natural, and it will still give an elegant
look to the landscape.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.

Dwarf Little Leaf Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) Plant Information

Dwarf Little Leaf Euonymus

(Euonymus fortunei)

Native Range: East Asia
Sun/Shade: Part shade to full sun
Landscape Use: This small evergreen shrub has dark green leaves and
makes a nice two to three foot evergreen shrub. It naturally grows more
upright than round but can easily be trained into any formal shape. The
leaves look like Japanese Boxwood, only darker green. Should be used
much more but Dwarf Yaupon Holly has dominated its size category. Gives
darker, richer, green color than Dwarf Yaupon Holly but is too early to tell if
it is as drought tolerant as Dwarf Yaupon Holly.
Container Use: Makes nice greenery for pots.
Size: 2’ to 4’ tall and 2’ wide
Deer Resistance: Not enough information yet.
Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought tolerant but looks best with
occasional watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering
Principle= Water every day the first week; every second day the second
week; every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week;
every fifth day the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two
weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Trim this small shrub any way you like or let it grow
naturally and it will grow somewhat pointed at the top, roughly triangular,
which is an interesting natural shape. Left untrimmed it will get taller but
never large.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.
Pictures: See the plant picture book in the appropriate section.

Esperanza (Tecoma stans) Plant Information

Esperanza (Tecoma stans)

Native Land: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun
Flowers: Large yellow bell shaped flowers beginning with the heat of summer
and lasting through fall. An orange colored variety is also available. Looks best
during the middle of the summer heat. The yellow blooms longer than the
orange.
General Information: Esperanza means hope in Spanish. It lives up to its
name by providing the confident hope that we will enjoy its awesome color
each and every summer, even in the middle of our hottest Texas weather.
Landscape Use: Use as a background color plant or centerpiece. Can also be
used as a hedge for summer months.
Container Use: Can do well in containers with light potting soil, careful
watering and fertilization.
Size: By the end of summer can reach six feet tall and four feet wide.
Type: Flowering perennial that dies to the ground in winter but returns
faithfully by mid-April speeding up its growth with the summer heat.
Deer Resistance: Moderately Deer resistant. Have been complaints with Deer
eating the flowers.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular, careful
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. A soaking rainfall
should last for about two weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Responds well to flower fertilizer or lawn fertilizer but will still
bloom without fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Train into a tree-form for a neater look or sheer off the top
frequently, like a shrub, to create a summer shrub.
Rating: Rates high

Dynamite Red Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Plant Information

Dynamite Red Crepe Myrtle

(Lagerstroemia indica)

Native Range: South and East Asia; Northern Australia
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun
Flowers: Many colors to choose from Red, pink, white, lavender and variations
between, but Dynamite Red are awesome bright red and one of the latest and
greatest Crepe Myrtle varieties. Crepe Myrtles normally bloom in early summer
on new growth, but in springs with severe drought, they may not bloom until
fall brings cooler weather, rain and adequate growth. They normally provide
about a month of awesome color.
Landscape Use: Small ornamental trees commonly used as individual
specimens or in a row. Crepe Myrtles seem to look their best when they are not
crowded together but allowed to spread without growing into each other. Can
be one of the fastest ways to get privacy for the warmer months, but are
deciduous, not evergreen.
Container Use: Not recommended for pots since they put on roots so fast that
they quickly dry out, get stressed and do not bloom well. This problem also
makes finding a good looking nursery specimen more difficult, but once planted
in the ground, their appearance will improve drastically.
Size: 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Type: Deciduous small ornamental tree or large bush.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep
constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Cut last years blooms and stems back to about a pencil’s
width or take about 18” inches off. However, if you have trimmed your Crepe
Myrtle into a tree form, and you find that your leaf canopy and color is getting
so high that you cannot see it out your favorite window; you may want to take
more off. Severely topping off Crepe Myrtles does not hurt the tree, but will
hinder attractive limb development. Crepe Myrtles do shed some of their flower
pedals, which some people find annoying, especially around pools.

Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus ‘Prostratus’) Plant Information

Creeping Rosemary (Rosmarinus

‘Prostratus’)

Native Land: Mediterranean region
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun; part shade OK
Flowers: Small light blue flowers mostly in winter and early spring. Is
grown most for its aromatic and attractive foliage; good also for cooking.
Landscape Use: Excellent plant for spilling over walls; good as a ground
cover.
Container Use: Great for spilling out of containers with taller plants in the
center. Can still look good even after missing a weekend of watering when
other plants in the same pot nearly die.
Size: Up to 1’foot tall but may fall down several feet especially when
trailing down from a wall
Type: Evergreen
Deer Resistance: One of the most deer- resistant plants known.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. A soaking
rainfall should last for about two weeks worth of watering. Do not keep
constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Does even better with mild doses of fertilizer but grows just fine
without it.
Maintenance Tips: Cut back lightly when actively growing in the cooler
growing season to keep the plant from looking woody in its center. Do not
cut back severely during hot weather. Is much more dependable year after
year than its upright cousin.
Rating: Rates very high as a xeric plant trailing over walls.
Pictures: See the plant picture book in the appropriate section.

Copper Canyon Daisy (Tagetes lemmoni) Plant Information

Copper Canyon Daisy (Tagetes lemmoni)

Native Range: Southern Arizona and Mexico S
un/Shade: Prefers full sun; part shade OK
Flowers: Bright yellow-orange daisy like flowers from late October till hard
freezing weather. Blooms a much lesser amount in spring.
Landscape Use: Good as a background plant, shrub substitute during the
growing season, or excellent trailing over a wall. Is one of the few plants that
are awesome around Thanksgiving.
Container Use: Not thought of as a container plant but can do well with proper
watering, fertilization and trimming.
Size: 3 feet tall and 5’ feet wide within two years.
Type: Perennial that returns faithfully after freezing weather in spring.
Deer Resistance: Very deer resistant.
Hummingbirds/Butterflies: Butterflies love it.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering
Principle= Water every day the first week; every second day the second week;
every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week; every fifth day
the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two weeks worth of
watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: A common complaint is that the plant gets too large, so
make sure you have room for the 3x5 foot size since it will cover up smaller
plantings in its area. Keep the plant tidier and smaller by cutting it back often.
You can train it into a formal shape if you like. Stop trimming by the end of
September so that you will not interfere with its awesome late fall bloom. Keep
away from artificial lights such as porch lights and street lights, etc.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.

Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) Plant Information

Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)

Native Range: Central Texas, Oklahoma and Eastern USA.
Sun/Shade: Full sun or part-shade
General Information: Beautiful shade tree seldom used. Looks like a
Monterey Oak except its leaves have a serrated edge and are more
translucent allowing light to brighten up the dark green leaves. Loses its
leaves in winter after attractive fall foliage. Can be seen growing wild in
Lady Bird Johnson park near Fredericksburg.
Landscape Use: Use as a large shade tree. Does very well in our area. A
major San Antonio area grower stopped producing this tree, because they
did not sell as well as the Monterey Oak, which took the market by storm.
But the Chinkapin is just as beautiful as the Monterey Oak. Unfortunately
the general public is simply ignorant of this awesome tree or else they would
plant it much more, and growers would then grow it much more. This is also
true of many other native plants.
Size: Up to 80 feet tall by 50 feet wide.
Type: Deciduous shade tree with fall foliage.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep
constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Cut off lower limbs as you prefer.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.
Pictures: See the plant picture book in the appropriate section.

Cedar Elm Tree (Ulmus crassifolia) Plant Information

Cedar Elm Tree (Ulmus crassifolia)

Native Range: Central and South Texas north to Arkansas
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun; part shade OK
Landscape Use: Cedar Elms are quality shade trees that are especially
beautiful in spring when they first leaf out with bright green foliage. Though
their leaves are small, they also provide attractive orange fall foliage. What
they lack in leaf size is made up for by their vast number of leaves. Their
growth rate can be sped up with good soil and watering. They are common
throughout San Antonio and the Hill Country. Huge Cedar Elms can be seen
at the Witte Museum and here at Helotes Creek. They are sometimes
mistaken for Live Oak trees because of their similar colored dark trunk bark.
Size: On bottomlands near streams they can get very large, up to 80 feet tall.
When close together they can create a forest effect growing tall and narrow;
if planted in the open they will spread out with a broader crown. These small
Cedar Elm trees are babies from their mother trees up above. They were
grown from seeds that fell into nursery pots and produced thousands of
seedlings. They were raised and are now about 4 years old. In the ground
they would now be twice this size.
Type: Deciduous Shade Tree
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering
Principle= Water every day the first week; every second day the second
week; every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week;
every fifth day the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two
weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: This tree balances itself out nicely and lower limbs can
be removed as desired.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.
Pictures: See the plant picture book in the appropriate section.

Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea ‘Arguta’) Plant Information

Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea ‘Arguta’)

Sun/Shade: Prefers some protection from the summer afternoon sun.

Flowers: This deciduous shrub has long arching stems that are covered in

clusters of white flowers late March/ early April lasting for about a month.

Landscape Use: Use as a background shrub with morning sun and

afternoon shade, or use under the bright dappled light of a tree.

Container Use: Not thought of as a container plant but looks good

cascading out of a large pot. Large shrubs and/or trees can be difficult to

keep watered, even in large pots. Minimize this by cutting the shrub back

after flowering is finished to keep smaller.

Size: Can reach 6’ feet tall and wide in 5 years as it spreads by sending

out new shoots from the base.

Type: A deciduous shrub (one that loses its leaves like a tree but does not

die to the ground. It puts new leaves and flowers on previous year’s wood.

Deer Resistance: Not Deer resistant but not favored by Deer.

Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular

watering.

Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain

constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.

Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow

to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering

Principle= Water every day the first week; every second day the second

week; every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week;

every fifth day the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two

weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.

Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.

Maintenance Tips: Allow it to cascade and balance itself out with time.

Does not look good formally trimmed. Can reduce its size by cutting back

soon after flowering to not disturb next years flowers.

Pictures: See the plant picture book in the appropriate section.

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) Plant Information

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Native Land: Native to the Hill Country.
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun; part shade OK
Flowers: White daisies with yellow centers cover the plant from early spring
through early summer then intermittently throughout summer and fall, depending
upon rainfall and heat. Called “Blackfoot” because the underside of the white
flower pedals have a dark imprint that looks like a little black foot.
Landscape Use: Makes an excellent low border foreground plant or good for
mass plantings in beds. Can be planted out in rocky Hill Country soil as a wild
flower with a little water to get it established and may also spread from its own
seeds.
Container Use: Can do well in containers with light potting soil, careful
watering and mild fertilization.
Size: Round mound about 1’ foot tall and 2’ feet wide.
Type: A perennial that performs well for two or three years and perhaps longer
with proper care. Best thought of as a seasonal flower with an extra long life.
Deer Resistance: Very deer resistant.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular, careful
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Constantly wet soil leads to premature death.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. A soaking rainfall
should last for about two weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Responds well to flower fertilizer or lawn fertilizer but will still
bloom without fertilization.
Tips: Be careful with automatic sprinkler systems. Cut this plant back a couple
of inches as it grows more woody, but only when it is actively growing being
careful to leave some green leaves on the plant. Do not cut back severely in
summer.
Rating: This plant rates very high and should be used much more.

Bigtooth Maple Tree (Acer Grandidentatum) Plant Information

Bigtooth Maple Tree (Acer Grandidentatum)

Native Land: Hill Country Texas 

Sun/Shade: Full Sun or part-shade 

General Information: Outstanding shade tree. This is the famous Maple tree of Lost Maples State Park and grows in other isolated areas of the Hill Country on the lower slopes of deep rocky canyons. It is also found in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and in the mountainous western United States. It is a close cousin to the beautiful Sugar Maple of the Northeast yet certainly grows well here.  When weather conditions are favorable, the Big-tooth Maple equals its Northeastern cousin in fall beauty.  Weather condtions in the Hill Country northwest of  San Antonio are more favorable for fall display, but this tree is definetely worth planting in San Antonio for its green foliage value alone. The Bigtooth Maple is difficult to propagate and therefore hard to find and more expensive, perhaps twice the price of the more commonly available native trees such as the Red or Monterrey Oak. When these trees become mass produced, they could usurp all other native trees in popularity for the San Antonio area.   This is the best Maple tree, or tree period, for our area, and the only Maple tree we recommend. These trees are surprisingly lush and healthy and yet very drought tolerant. Closest to San Antonio,  a large stand of Bigtooth Maples grows  in the deep canyon "Hollows" of Tapatio Springs, off of Highway 46, between Pipe Creek and Boerne.
One grower from the Boerne area has been successful at propogating and making these trees available to the city of Boerne which is lining its streets and businesses with these beautiful trees. We should all do the same.

Landscape Use: Use as you would any medium size shade tree. Will last for hundreds of years and is moderately fast growing, perhaps three feet around each year, once established. Gets even more majestic with time. Size: 45 feet tall by 30 feet wide
Type: Deciduous shade tree with stunning fall foliage if conditions are right.
Drought Tolerance: Drought tolerant but looks best and grows faster with regular watering. A tough survivor!
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement. Great for Hill country type soils.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. A soaking rainfall
should last for about two weeks worth of watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Responds well to regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: This tree balances itself out nicely with time, whether the
lower limbs are cut off or left to grow. Fall foliage is dependent on the proper
conditions of cool nights and dry, sunny, cool fall days. Fall foliage conditions
usually change significantly from areas south of the Hill Country where
conditions are warmer and tend to stimulate green growth rather than fall
foliage; to northern Hill Country areas where conditions are more favorable.
This tree does great with a sprinkler system in a yard where other trees provide

Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) Plant Information

Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)

Native Range: From the eastern portions of central Texas (Kendall County)
throughout the southeastern USA.
Sun/Shade: Part shade best
Flowers: Makes attractive tightly packed clusters of small round purple fruits in
late summer through fall. Very showy.
Landscape Use: Grows naturally as a cascading understory shrub and so is
useful for the same purpose in a residential landscape. It can also make a nice
individual specimen and will tend to be fuller and put on more berries with
more sun but prefers some afternoon shade. The berries in late summer and fall
are beautiful. Looks good trimmed into a muti-trunked low canopied tree-form.
Is one of the East Texas plants that still does very well here.
Container Use: Can do well in a large pot.
Size: 5’ to 8’ feet tall and as wide.
Type: A deciduous shrub that does not die all the way to the ground but only
loses its leaves like a tree and returns from last years stem growth.
Deer Resistance: Not enough information.
Birds: Birds love the berries so they might not stay on the bush as long as you
would like.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with regular
watering. Will drop leaves if allowed to dry out too much.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering
Principle= Water every day the first week; every second day the second week;
every third day the third week; every fourth day the fourth week; every fifth day
the fifth week. A soaking rainfall should last for about two weeks worth of
watering. Do not keep constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Even if you neglected watering early in a dry summer, this
shrub can quickly put on new leaves with some water and still produce its fall
fruit. Can occasionally cut back, even to the ground if it becomes too large.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.

Bald Cypress and Montezuma Cypress Plant Information

Bald Cypress and Montezuma Cypress
(Taxodium distichum and mucronatum)

Native Range: Hill Country Streams, Rio Grande River and Deep South
Texas; East Texas to Florida
Sun/Shade: Full sun or part-shade
General Information: Bald Cypress is the majestic large tree, up to 160
feet tall, of Hill Country rivers and creeks. Montezuma is native along the
Rio Grande River and other parts of Deep South Texas. The foliage of both
looks the same, the major difference being that Bald Cypress grows more
upright and pyramidal whereas Montezuma tends to grow foliage all over its
trunk which gives it more of a weeping effect. Both trees are beautiful in
their own way and grow well in our area.
Landscape Use: Use as you would any large shade tree, as long as you have
a sprinkler system, water occasionally, or have an aerobic septic system. If
everyone who has a sprinkler system or aerobic septic system would plant a
Bald or Montezuma Cypress, our area would be dotted with these majestic
trees. In areas with numerous aerobic septic systems, we could have a well
spaced forest of Cypress. Homeowner Associations should consider
encouraging or requiring residents to plant a Bald Cypress which would
beautify their neighborhoods and help replace native plants destroyed by
soggy soil created by aerobic system sprayed areas.
Size: Up to 160 feet tall and about 30 feet wide.
Type: Deciduous shade tree with rust colored fall foliage. Montezuma tends
to be more evergreen
Drought Tolerance: Surprisingly drought tolerant, but will suffer, or
perhaps die, in severe drought conditions, without supplemental irrigation.
However, will survive drought as long as it is watered well at least once
every 30 days when rainfall stops. Will grow larger and lush with more
water. Develops knees or trunk knobs in areas with standing water.
Soil: Prefers lower areas with deeper soil but does just fine in the rocky Hill
Country, as long as it gets water.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Following this
general watering principle is enough water for a Bald Cypress to look
healthy. However, unlike many other native trees, you may water Bald
Cypress as much as you like. If planting by a stream or pond, plant close to

Artemesia "Powis Castle" Plant Information

Artemesia "Power Castle"

Native Range: Europe/Asia
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun
Flowers: None; grown for its silver foliage
Landscape Use: Makes a wide spreading silver accent plant or groundcover.
Has a strong fragrance when brushed up against or crushed.
Container Use: Can make an interesting plant for containers.
Size: About two feet tall with a five foot spread. It roots on the ground and
spreads out from the original plant.
Type: Evergreen
Deer Resistance: Very Deer resistant.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.
Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep
constantly wet.
Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Keep it under control by trimming it back in the spring, or
else it will become woody in the interior. Can use a weed-eater or clippers to
cut it back regularly a little at a time. Wait till it is actively growing or about to
grow in the cooler growing season months to cut back severely.
Rating: Moderate rating as a landscape plant.

Anacacho Orchid Tree Plant Information

Anacacho Orchid Tree

Native Range: Anacacho Mountains, Kinney County West Texas (rare)
Sun/Shade: Full sun or part-shade Flowers: Little white orchid-like flowers
cover this small ornamental tree/large shrub in spring usually beginning early
April. It blooms a few weeks later than Redbud trees but is just as awesome. It
will re-bloom less profusely throughout the summer and fall after rainfall.
Landscape Use: This awesome native small ornamental tree is simply
unknown by many people or else it would be used much more. Its leaves look
like a small Redbud’s leaves, and on closer inspection, look like a cow’s hoof.
Use as a small ornamental tree like Crepe Myrtle or cut back periodically to
create a large cascading shrub. Size: Can reach 10’ feet tall. Tends to grow a
little wider, 8’feet, but shorter than a Redbud tree. Type: A deciduous flowering
ornamental tree or large shrub. Deer Resistance: Not favored by Deer.
Butterflies/Hummingbirds: Love it. Drought Tolerance: Very drought
tolerant but looks best with regular watering. Soil: Not particular about soil as
long as it drains well and does not remain constantly wet. Does well in rocky
soil or even better with soil enhancement. Water: Smart Watering
Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to dry slightly, without
wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Easy Watering Principle= Water every
day the first week; every second day the second week; every third day the third
week; every fourth day the fourth week; every fifth day the fifth week. A
soaking rainfall should last for about two weeks worth of watering. Do not keep
constantly wet. Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Use some rocky hard soil along with good soil when
planting. Firm the base and support the trunk with a boulder or stake the trunk
since the tree tends to bend at the base in loose soil or until firmly established.
Train into a low canopied multi-trunk tree-form like a Mountain Laurel for the
best effect. Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant. Pictures: See the plant
picture book in the appropriate section.

African Bulbine Full Plant Information Sheet

African Bulbine

Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun

Flowers: Yellow or Orange in spring and a repeat bloomer throughout the year. Will bloom during mild winters also. 

Landscape Use: Is quickly becoming popular as people discover this excellent landscape plant. Looks best in groups or mass planted. Use as a carefree
groundcover or foreground plant. Is often evergreen though its ends get burned
by hard freezing weather. May be easier to maintain than a large bed of annuals
and has enough foliage interest to keep it desirable when not fully in bloom.

Container Use: Looks good in pots. Be careful to let dry, without causing wilt,
before re-watering.

Size: Up to one foot tall and eventually as wide sending up new shoots from the
base.

Type: Flowering perennial; almost evergreen.

Deer Resistance: Not Deer-resistant. If Deer are a problem consider planting
Society Garlic which gives a similar look but is also very Deer-resistant and
problem free.

Butterflies: Butterflies love it.
Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional
watering.

Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain
constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.

Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to
dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep
constantly wet.

Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.
Maintenance Tips: Cut off old flower stems occasionally to stimulate new
flowers and cut out any portion of the succulent type leaves that show
discoloration or damage. Cut off all blackened freeze damage.
Rating: Rates high as a landscape plant.