When selecting plants for your landscape design, it is important to try to choose plants that are native to your area for a multitude of reasons. Native plants will last longer, have higher chances of surviving winters, and conserve water and other resources. In addition, they help to preserve your area’s natural ecosystems and wildlife, and are often less costly and in abundant supply. Before meeting with a landscaping company such as Austin Outdoor Landscape Design, consider utilizing plants that are native to your area for maximum value.

In Texas, particularly the Austin area, there are a variety of plants that thrive in various temperatures, shade cover, and water requirements. These include trees, groundcovers, floral life, and shrubs, which can be incorporated into your landscape design for an efficient and environmentally sound outdoor area with manageable upkeep. Shrubs that are natural to the Austin area include Acuba, Agorita, American Beauty Betty, and Cotoneaster. These shrubs thrive in full sunlight and partially shaded areas and are perfect for lining pathways and establishing barriers between different areas of a yard. They also promote natural habitats and serve the various regional insects and animals.

To accent your plants and landscape design and to add shade to your yard, you will want to add some native trees. Some of the most beautiful trees that thrive in Texas include Crape Myrtles, Desert Willows, Hollies, Texas Red Oaks, and Texas Redbuds. There are also fruit trees that thrive in the area such as pomegranate trees which can provide shade, greenery, and nourishment to your household. Trees can also serve to shade groundcover that thrives under more shaded areas and cannot handle direct sunlight. Groundcovers that thrive in the Austin area include mountain pea, monkeygrass, and pigionberry, each with their own characteristics and aesthetic qualities.

To add more beauty and charm to your outside space, try planting roses, which also happen to thrive in the Austin area. Roses can add elegance and pleasing fragrances to your entertainment and lounging zones in addition to sustaining native insects. Choosing plants that are native to the area help unify nature with your front and back yard, preserve local ecosystems, and are generally lower in maintenance. Working with nature in designing your landscape will not only be easier for you, but it will also be easier for your plants to survive if they are suited for your region’s climate and humidity.