Texas Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Annual Rainfall
8-56 inches annually (varies by region)
Frost Window
November-March (south Texas rarely freezes)
Water Notes
Heat and drought stress common; xeriscaping recommended
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Texas's unique climate and landscape
Showcase native Texas plants adapted to regional climate extremes
Key Features:
- •Texas sage and yucca specimens
- •Ornamental grasses like gulf muhly
- •Limestone rock features
- •Wildflower meadows with bluebonnets
Rustic design reflecting central Texas limestone and cedar landscape
Key Features:
- •Limestone boulders and pathways
- •Drought-tolerant perennials
- •Cedar and live oak shade
- •Minimal lawn areas
Heat-relief garden with strategic shade trees and cooling features
Key Features:
- •Large shade trees (live oak, bald cypress)
- •Shade-tolerant understory plants
- •Water features for cooling
- •Covered outdoor living spaces
Native wildflower and grass meadow supporting Texas pollinators
Key Features:
- •Seasonal wildflower displays
- •Monarch waystation plants
- •Native bunch grasses
- •Bird-friendly seed sources
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Texas's climate
Texas Sage
Leucophyllum frutescens
Silver foliage with purple blooms after rain; extremely drought-tolerant
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus
Orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds; heat-loving
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus
Red hibiscus-like flowers; shade-tolerant native shrub
Texas Lantana
Lantana urticoides
Orange-yellow flower clusters; spreads well in sun
Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha
Purple velvet flower spikes; blooms fall through frost
Blackfoot Daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
White daisy flowers; thrives in poor, rocky soil
Mealy Blue Sage
Salvia farinacea
Blue flower spikes; reseeds readily
Gulf Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pink-purple fall plumes; ornamental native grass
Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
Coppery new growth; evergreen in mild winters
Inland Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Bamboo-like grass with drooping seed heads
Heart-Leaf Skullcap
Scutellaria ovata
Blue hooded flowers; native woodland plant
Southern Shield Fern
Thelypteris kunthii
Lacy fronds; spreads in moist shade
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Texas garden
Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers
Mulch beds heavily to protect from winter cold
Prune trees while dormant (except oaks)
Plant warm-season annuals after last frost
Deep water established plants weekly during heat
Divide and transplant perennials
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Texas
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