Finding 4 Native Texas Shrubs that Grow Well in Austin

Texas has a fine share of native shrubs. Unfortunately, the state also has one of the most diverse sets of soil types and climates. Not all native Texas shrubs could acclimate well in Austin conditions, but if you want to keep your Austin garden pretty, these are the top four native Texas shrubs to try.

Dwarf Palmetto

The Dwarf Palmetto is also called the Bush Palmetto or the Sabal Minor. It's grouped as a small shrub and could grow three to five feet tall. It's a bushy, trunk-less shrub, and could survive either in partial or full sunlight. Aside from Austin, this Native Texas shrub grows well in most parts of Texas except for the Panhandle area or Amarillo.

It is fairly easy to cultivate and grow the Dwarf Palmetto as long as the conditions are right. The temperature should be 18ºC or warmer, so it's a plant that grows best in the spring and summer. The plant can grow in medium drainage soils. It is easy to grow the shrub from seeds. The slow growth rate, however, means that you won't be transplanting till the next year. Try to clear your soil from weeds and prune the shrubs regularly to maintain good health.

Agarita

The Agarita grows between 6 and 9 feet tall and is a native Texas shrub that grows well in South, East, North and Central Texas. It's pretty popular in Austin because of Holly-like foliage. This is also a flowering shrub and is pretty well-known for its yellow blossoms which grow in spring. It also produces red berries which are actually edible.

If you want this shrub in your garden, you need to make sure that your garden soil drains well. It's a pretty hardy plant though which can even grow on rocky flats with limestone. It grows well even on areas which are prone to drought, although it might not adapt well to wet regions. An Agarita shrub can survive even in partial sunlight although it really grows best when exposed to full sunlight.

Central Texas Sage

Probably one of the most beautiful native Texas shrubs is the Central Texas Sage. This grows up to five feet tall and four feet wide, and has matt-gray evergreen leaves. There are varieties which have dusty green foliage as well. The shrub should be planted where it can receive direct sunlight. It's also popular because of its lavender-colored blossoms which grow throughout the summer.

The Central Texas Sage is considerably low maintenance. As long as you plant it in a well-drained soil, you can practically leave it alone. It requires occasional watering when the weather is extremely hot and dry.

Carolina Cherry Laurel

The Prunus Caroliniana or the Carolina Cherry Laures is a very attractive native Texas shrub. It can grow 20 to 40 feet high, though, and may sometimes be grouped as a tree. It's a trunked shrub, and its trunk can grow up to 10 inches thick. The color of the Cherry Laurel depends on the soil conditions. They could range from dark green to yellow green. Just like most native Texas shrubs, it grows well in other areas of the state like Austin, but not in the Amarillo region.

You can plant the shrub in well-drained gardens, as long as it's exposed to partial or full sunlight. Unlike other native Texas shrubs, this plant likes moisture but is known to be able to withstand drought. Watering it moderately once a day and pruning it regularly should keep it in very good health. The shrub is also inexpensive.