Each of two previously published articles discussed native perennials that can be grown in a sunny locale and in a sun/shade environment. This third set of native plants can be used strategically in a variety of ways in the garden to accomplish certain goals.
Reasons for planting natives
I became acquainted with several of these plants since moving to Victoria County. The unpredictable rainfall led me to search for a list of plants that can be used in various ways and still require minimal care.
Some reasons for using natives include adding vertical interest, adding texture to the setting, planting for ground cover, providing food for wildlife and even providing spice ingredients for food items.
Natives can be added after wildflowers die
I wrote previously that I oversee the native area at Victoria Educational Gardens (VEG) for the Victoria County Master Gardeners. Once the annual wildflowers were gone, I began to add more perennial natives to the beds. Merging them adds texture and content to the landscape during seasonal transition periods.
Texas natives that can be strategically used in the garden include the following.
- Mexican flame vine, Senecio confusus, is an 8-foot climber with striking orange flowers. It is native to Mexico and can freeze here. Mulch well and watch the vine come up in warm weather. This vine creates vertical dimensions over walls, trellises, hanging baskets, fences, or large pots. It's almost pest-free.
- Mexican feather grass, Stipa (Nassella) tenuissima, reaches a 2-foot height. It is deciduous and needs to be cut back before new growth in the spring. It is very heat- and drought-tolerant. The grass clump has a feathery appearance as it sways in a breeze. The grass is a good accent plant or can be used as an added texture in a xeriscape or cactus garden.
- Pigeonberry, Rivina humilis, is an evergreen that grows 11/2 feet high and spreads to 2 feet. It is a shade plant that makes an excellent ground cover under shrubs or trees. The white and pink blooms are seen from spring to fall. Red berries follow. Birds love the berries, but the fruit can be toxic to humans.
- Coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, climbs up to 20 feet on supports such as a screen, walls, arbors or fences. It is almost evergreen. Clusters of coral flowers attract hummingbirds. Berries that follow are eaten by birds.
- Chili pequin, Capsicum annuum, grows to a height of 4 feet and spreads to 4 feet. This perennial can survive a mild winter in a protected area. The fruit is seven to eight times hotter than a jalapeno. Once planted, it requires little added care. Bright green leaves and red fruit make this an attractive plant in a pot or flower bed. Leave the berries for the birds or make some chili pequin vinegar for your table.
- Mexican mint marigold, Tagetes lucida, has a bushy appearance with unbranching stems. The yellow-orange flowers appear in late summer. It dies in winter but comes back. Prune down old stems. The leaves have an anise flavor that can be used as a tarragon substitute to make a vinegar.
- Soft leaf yucca, Yucca recurvifolia, reaches a height of 6 feet. Summer blooms are creamy white. The leaves are narrow, flexible and lengthy. When young, it is a single stalk and becomes multi-trunked with age. This is a landscaping plant that grows in any well-drained soil.
- Buffalo grass, Buchloe dactyloides, grows up to 12 inches. It can grow in a variety of well-drained soils. Water conservation has renewed interest in this Texas native. This grass needs 1 1/2 of water per month, while Bermuda needs 3-4 inches and St. Augustine needs 5-6 inches. Best of all, this turf needs much less mowing.
Look for natives across Texas
Texas natives exist with a variety of types, sizes and blooms and can be utilized in multiple applications to enhance your landscape. They also have drought, heat, pest and disease resistance. As you travel in Texas counties, you can spot these plants in the environment.
Gardeners know that wind, soil, rain or temperatures can veer the best of plans off a normal course. However, selecting certain native plants for the Texas landscape will withstand these unpredictable conditions. The use of natives has the gardener using less water, less commercial fertilizer and less labor. This is a gardener's wish come true.
The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
Victoria County Master Gardener Association
