Juglans nigra
Walnut trees are allelopathic, meaning they excrete a chemical that is toxic to other vegetation, thereby reducing nearby competition.
Vitex agnus-castus
Also known as ‘monks pepper,’ the peppery-smelling fruit was once thought to lower libido, hence the name ‘chaste tree.’ Oils from this tree have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
Vitex agnus-castus
This tree is a rare white version of the Vitex tree and is very attractive to butterflies and moths. Its berries smell like pepper and were often crushed to be used as such.
Lagerstromia indica x fauriei
Native to India and southeast Asia, crape myrtles have been cultivated to come in every different shape, size and color. Its blooms are used by many species of moths and butterflies for food.
Cercus canadensis
Native to North America, raw or boiled redbud flowers were used by Native Americans as a food source. Carpenter bees are the primary pollinators for redbuds, and certain species of moth caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Ilex aquifolium x Ilex cornuta
This holly is a cross between an English holly and a Chinese holly, created by the cross pollinating of bees. It is named for the schoolteacher who took a few berries on a visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., in 1900 and planted them at her Maryland home.
Juniperus virginiana
This juniper is actually an eastern red cedar and can grow up to 25 feet tall, with bright, feathery foliage.
Quercus virginiana
“Live” oak refers to the fact these trees are green during winter. However, they are not a true evergreen and will drop their leaves in spring prior to new leaves emerging. Live oak trees were once the preferred lumber for shipbuilding.
Carya Illinoiensis
Native to Mexico and south central United States, this tree is a species of hickory. The word “pecan” comes from the Algonquian word referring to any nut that requires a stone to crack.
Prunus cerasifera
Native to southeast Europe and western Asia, this tree belongs to a group of plum trees known as cherry plums. It may produce fruit that ranges in flavor from very tart to very sweet.
Quercus shumardii
Native to North America, this drought and pH tolerant oak can live up to 480 years. Used for lumber in cabinetry and flooring, it is superior to other varieties of red oak as a lumber source.
Ulmus crassifolia
Native to North America, cedar elm is the most common type of elm tree in Texas. It gets the name “cedar elm” due to its association with juniper trees, also known as cedar.
Calia secundiflora
Native to North America, it is a member of the legume or pea family and used only as an ornamental plant. This evergreen has beautiful purple flowers that smell like grape soda. All parts of the tree are highly toxic.
Diospyros texana
Native to Texas, this fruiting tree has sweet, edible dark purple fruits. Native Americans used the fruit to dye animal hides. It is a host plant for the caterpillars of the Grey Hairstreak and Henry’s Elfin butterflies.
Cercis canadensis v. texensis
Native to Texas, this variety of redbud is more drought tolerant and has thicker, glossier leaves than its eastern cousin. A member of the pea family, its beautiful flowers attract pollinators.
Ilex vomitoria
Deriving its name from the word “yop,” meaning “tree,” the fruit of this evergreen is an important food source for many varieties of birds, armadillo, skunks and raccoons. Native Americans used the leaves in a tea for a purification ritual in which they would vomit, hence the name “vomitoria.”
Rosa hybrid
Drift roses are a cross between a miniature rose and a groundcover rose. The lighter color of the apricot rose is attractive to butterflies and bumble bees.
Rosa hybrid
The coral hue provides a pop of color in any garden, and this ground cover rose is very disease resistant.
Rosa hybrid
This drift rose is a very hardy cross between miniature and groundcover roses. Ideal for planting on slopes to minimize erosion, this drift rose also has a very tight root system.
Rosa radwhite
A very disease-resistant variety of rose, this knock-out is not as vigorous in growing as the red and doesn’t require dead-heading.
Rosa radrazz
A vigorous rose that requires very little trimming, the red knock-out may be cut like a hedge 2-3 times a year. It also blooms with less than 3 hours of sunlight.
Rosa radcon
This is a continually blooming rose, but adding fertilizer in the summer will increase production.
Rosa floribunda
This floribunda rose requires severe pruning to maintain its height, and it does not bloom well in shade. It also has very stiff, prickly roses that can be used as a barrier.
Abelia grandiflora
A member of the honeysuckle family, this is a semi-evergreen shrub that likes sun/partial shade. It is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It gets its name from Edward Goucher of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who crossed A. grandiflora with A. shummanni.
Buddlea davidii
Found on four continents, there are 60 varieties in the United States and all the way south to Chile. They range in size and color and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and moths.
Ligustrum sinese
A native to China that naturalized in the south, this shrub is considered an invasive species because of how readily it adapts and spreads.
Rhaphiolepsis olivia
Out of all the varieties of Indian Hawthorn, ‘Olivia’ is the most disease resistant and cold hardy. Beautiful, large dark green evergreen leaves adorn this foundation shrub, and it blooms in an attractive white.
Rhaphiolepsis indica
Deer absolutely love feeding on this evergreen shrub. It grows up to 5 feet in height and width, and it has attractive white blooms. The berries of the Indian Hawthorn are also edible.
Rhaphiolepsis indica
Originating in China, this evergreen plant grows up to 6 feet in height and width. This particular cultivar has pink blooms and is also very attractive to butterflies and bees.
Nandina domestica
Native to eastern Asia, all parts of this plant are poisonous, and the berries can be lethal to cats and cedar waxwings. This is considered an invasive species.
Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Native to Japan, this shrub is named for the Earl of Harrington. He was the first to grow it in a European garden. Its new specific name is Cephalotaxus drupacea. A compound of its leaves, Omacetaxine, is used as an anti-leukemia drug.