Low-Maintenance Plants Perfect for Dallas Homes
Here in Dallas, we work hard to keep a beautiful yard, but the harsh Texas heat can be a real burden when trying to maintain our landscape. If you have a lot of flowers and shrubs that aren’t native to Texas, you may find your water bill shooting through the roof. By planting more native and low-maintenance plants around your yard, you could save a lot of time and money ... and the planet.
That doesn't mean you have to fill your garden with cacti. There are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can add a splash of color to your property and give your home real curb appeal. We’ve put together a list of the perfect native plants for your Dallas home.
Desert Willow
Desert willows are native to West Texas and the Edwardian plains, but it does well in East Texas, too. Surprisingly, aren’t related to willows at all. Known for exotic-looking trumpeted blooms, fast growth rate, and tolerance to drought, the desert willow is a great choice for homeowners looking for a plant that needs little water or care.
Yucca Plant
Yucca plants are another great low-maintenance plant that will look great in your garden. Yuccas are desert plants, so they require full to part sun. They don’t need much in the way of water but should be watered every now and then throughout the growing season. The yucca plant is not picky when it comes to the soil as long as it’s well-drained. The plant’s leaves are sharp so plant them away from sidewalks and paths. You can even propagate yucca plants through root or stem cuttings.
Blackfoot Daisy
Blackfoot daisy is a great perennial for garden edges or rocky outcroppings. It’s a short growing plant, only getting to about a foot tall and 18 inches wide. Its long-lasting flowers appear as white blooms with a yellow center. As an added bonus, blackfoot daisy is a deer-proof plant.
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle trees are common in Dallas and the rest of Texas. These trees can grow to about 17 feet high and will explode with one of many different shades of vibrant flowers in the spring. The trees thrive in the Texas heat and have the ability to adapt to their surroundings.
Purple Coneflower
The purple coneflower is a showy plant that is well known for its easy growth and care. This flower is a perennial that will bloom from April through September and return year after year with no work on your part. The flower also has a few health benefits including acting as a mild antibiotic.
Texas Lantana
Known for their round clusters of small colorful flowers, lantana is a hardy and surprisingly easy to care for plant. They can come in a wide variety of colors and color combinations. They can be planted in gardens but also look wonderful in hanging pots. Their flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Lantana prefers acidic, well-drained soil in a place they can soak up plenty of sun. Before they are established, lantanas may require frequent watering but after that, they’ll be fine with one watering per week.
Even the hardiest native flowers won’t do much to improve your landscape if your lawn is wilting. Buffalograss is native to Texas, but it still requires regular irrigation. If your lawn sees a lot of foot traffic (kids playing, frequent barbecues, etc,) you may want to consider Bermudagrass. Though it’s not native to Texas, it is common in Dallas, since it’s drought resistant and holds us well in the Texas heat.
Bill Edwards is a landscaper and freelance writer who enjoys doing handyman projects around the house. He and his children recently built a neighborhood gazebo next to the community pool.
