Building a storage shed

OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR NORTHEAST TEXASPrepared byKeith C. HansenSmith County Extension Horticulturist

This compilation of landscape plants for northeast Texas is intendedto be used as a guide for selecting plants which are proven performers.Input for the list came from leading horticulturists, growers and nurserymenfrom throughout the region. The following plants are hardy, reliable, lackmajor problems and are readily available in our area. There are many othergood plants which also merit attention; not everyone’s favorite will beon the list. However, you can be sure these will thrive in your landscapegiven reasonable care.Plants are listed alphabetically by common name within categories, followedby: (other common names), botanical name, light preference, evergreen ordeciduous, along with comments regarding cultivars, special needs or attributes,and average landscape width.Within some categories, some plant groups may have several outstanding members,such as hollies and oaks. A few species or varieties are listed to highlightsome of the best in that group.

GROUNDCOVERS

Ajuga – (Carpet Bugle); Ajuga reptans; partial shade to shadeAsiatic Jasmine – Trachelospermum asiaticum; sun toshadeEnglish Ivy – Hedera helix; shade; also is an excellent clingingvineFerns – several species including: holly fern, wood fern, autumnfern; shade; 2′ wideJuniper – Juniperus spp; sun; several selections including: ‘BluePacific’, ‘Bar Harbor, ‘Blue Chip’, ‘Shore’, ‘Green Mound’; J. procumbens(Japanese garden juniper); ‘Blue Rug’; 5′ wide Liriope – (Lily Turf); Liriope muscari; shade; several selectionsincluding: ‘Majestic’, ‘Big Blue’, ‘Variegated’; 1′ wideMondograss – (Monkeygrass); Ophiopogon japonicus; partial shade toshade; cultivars include: ‘Nanus’ (dwarf), ‘Nigrescens’ (black) Purple Wintercreeper – Euonymus fortunei ‘Colorata’; sun to shadeVinca – (Periwinkle); Vinca major, V. minor; partial shade to shade;several selections including: V. major ‘Variegata’, V. minor ‘Bowles’

VINES

Boston Ivy – Parthenocissus tricuspidata; sun to partial shade;deciduous, cultivars include ‘Veitchi’ and ‘Lowii’ Carolina Jessamine – Gelsemium sempervirens; sun to partialshade; semi-evergreen Clematis – Clematis spp.; sun to partial shade; deciduousto semi-evergreen; the best adaped is Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. Terniflora);keep roots cool, in shade, top in sunCoral Honeysuckle – (Trumpet Honeysuckle); Lonicera sempervirens;sun to partial shade; evergreen Gold Flame Honeysuckle (Lonicera heckrottii); sun to prt shade;evergreenCrossvine – Bignonia capreolata; sun to partial shade;semi-evergreen Fig Ivy – (Climbing Fig); Ficus pumila; sun to partial shade;evergreen Roses (Lady Banksia) – Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’; sun; semi-evergreenTrumpet Vine – (Trumpet Creeper); Campsis radicans, C. x tagliabuana’Madam Galen’; sun; deciduous; can be rampant, ‘Madam Galen’ less invasiveVirginia Creeper – Parthenocissus quinquifolia; sun to shade;deciduous Wisteria – Wisteria sinensis; sun; deciduous

DWARF SHRUBS – (under 3 feet)

Azaleas – Rhododendron spp; morning sun to shade; semi-evergreen; smallazalea types include Gumpo varieties, some Satsuki varieties, ‘Coral Bells’;3′ – 4′ wideBarberry (dwarf varieties) – Berberis spp.; sun; deciduous to semi-evergreen;’Crimson Pygmy’, ‘Kobold’, B. buxifolia ‘Nana’; 3′ 4′ wideBoxwood – Buxus microphylla; sun to partial shade; evergreen; ‘Wintergreen’,Japanese boxwood; 1′ – 4′ wideDwarf Gardenia – Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’; sun to part shade;evergreen; occasional winter damage, best in protected location; 2′ – 3′wideHolly – Ilex spp; sun to shade; evergreen; several excellent speciesand cultivars: I. vomitoria ‘Nana’, ‘Schillings’ (dwarf yaupon holly); I.cornuta ‘Rotunda’ (dwarf Chinese holly); I. crenata ‘Helleri’, ‘Compacta’(dwarf Japanese holly); 2 _’ – 3 _ wideJunipers – Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; ‘Tam Juniper’; 4′ wideIndian Hawthorn – Raphiolepis indica; sun to part shade; evergreen;’Enchantress’, ‘Pinkie’, ‘Clara’ and other dwarf varieties; 3′ – 4′ wideMini or Dwarf Crepe Myrtles – Lagerstroemia indica (dwarf varieties);sun; deciduous; 3′ wide Nandina – Nandina domestica (dwarf varieties); sun to partial shade;evergreen; color is best in full sun; ‘Nana’, ‘Harbor Dwarf’, ‘Gulf Stream”;2 _’ wideSpirea – Spirea spp; sun; deciduous; ‘Anthony Waterer’, ‘Little Princes’,'Heather’; 2′ – 3′ wide

SMALL SHRUBS (3 to 6 feet)

Abelia – (Glossy Abelia); Abelia grandiflora; sun to partial shade; semi-evergreen;’Compacta’, ‘Edward Goucher’; 4′ wideAucuba – (Gold Dust Aucuba); Aucuba japonica; shade; evergreen; ‘Variegata’(Gold Dust), ‘Picturata’; 3′ wideAzalea – Rhododendron spp.; morning sun to shade; semi-evergreen;many to choose from; 3′ – 8′ wideBarberry – (Japanese Barberry); Berberis thunbergii; sun; semi-evergreen;’Atropurpurea’, ‘Rose Glow’; 4′ – 5′ wideCamellia – (Sasanqua); Camellia sasanqua; partial shade; evergreen;hundreds of varieties, ‘Shishi Gashira’ is one of several low growers -ask your nurseryman for other varieties; 3′ – 5′ wideDwarf Crepe Myrtle – Lagerstroemia indica semi-dwarf varieties; sun;deciduous; range of sizes, colors; 4′ – 5′ wideHolly – Ilex cornuta; sun; evergreen; ‘Dwarf Burford’, ‘Berries Jubilee’,'Dazzler’; other varieties can be sheared to maintain height; 3′ – 5′ wideIndian Hawthorn – Raphiolepis indica; sun to partial shade; evergreen;several cultivars; 4′ – 6′ wideJuniper – Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; ‘Compact Pfitzer’, ‘SeaGreen’, other varieties; 4′ – 6′ wideNandina – Nandina domestica; sun to partial shade; evergreen; 3′- 4′ wide

MEDIUM SHRUBS (6 to 9 feet)

Abelia – (Glossy Abelia); Abelia grandiflora; sun to partial shade; semi-evergreen;5′ wideCamellia – Camellia japonica, C. sasanqua; partial sun; evergreen;hundreds of varieties; Sasanqua varieties bloom early winter, often escapingfreeze, while Japanese camellias bloom mid to late winter and often sufferbloom damage unless in a protected location; 4′ – 5′ wideCleyera – Ternstroemia gymnanthera; sun to partial shade; evergreen;5′ wideCrape Myrtle – Lagerstroemia spp; sun; deciduous; many varieties,look for newer hybrid, intermediate sizes with powdery mildew resistance;6′ – 8′ wideElaeagnus – Elaeagnus spp;sun to partial shade; evergreen; Elaeagnus’Ebbingei’, ‘Fruitlandii’; 4′ – 7′ wideHolly – Ilex spp; sun to shade; evergreen; ‘Needle Point’, ‘Burford’,'Nellie R. Stevens’; 4′ – 6′ wideJuniper – Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; ‘Blue Vase’, ‘Blue Point’,'Pfitzer’, others; 6′ – 9′ wideLigustrum – (Waxleaf Ligustrum); Ligustrum japonicum; Photinia, Red Tip – (Fraser’s Photinia); Photinia x fraseri; sun;evergreen; can be kept under 10 feet with pruning; susceptible to leaf spotdisease which, if severe, can defoliate and weaken plant; 6′ – 8′ wide Texas Sage – (Ceniza); Leucophyllum frutescens; sun; evergreen; severalcultivars; 4′ wideLARGE SHRUBS (over 9 feet)

Cherry Laurel – Prunus caroliniana; compact variety available; sun topartial shade; evergreen; can grow into small tree; 14′ – 16′ wideCrape Myrtle – Lagerstroemia spp; sun; deciduous; hybrid varietieswith mildew resistance; 8′ – 10′ wideHolly – Ilex spp; sun; evergreen; ‘Nellie R. Stevens’, ‘Foster’s',’Savannah’, Yaupon; 6′ – 10′ wideJuniper – Juniperus spp; sun; evergreen; many cultivars including’Skyrocket’, ‘Blue Point’, ‘Hollywood’; 6′ – 8′ wide Leyland Cypress – Cupressocyparis leylandii; sun; evergreen; cangrow to medium-sized tree; 10′ – 12′ wide Ligustrum (Glossy Privet, Japanese Ligustrum); Ligustrum lucidum;sun; evergreen; so not confuse with L. japonicum (Waxleaf Ligustrum); cangrow into small tree; 10′ – 15′ widePhotinia, Chinese – Photinia serrulata; sun; evergreen; can growinto small tree; 10′ – 15′ widePhotinia, Red Tip – (Fraser’s Photinia); Photinia x fraseri; sun;evergreen; see note under medium shrubs; 8′ – 10′ wideSouthern Wax Myrtle – Myrica cerifera; sun to partial shade; evergreen;8′ – 12′ wide

SMALL TREES (under 20 feet)

Crape Myrtle -Lagerstroemia spp; sun; deciduous; comes in manysizes and forms; hybrids, many with Indian names have powdery mildew resistance,attractive bark, besides showy blooms; 15′ wideDogwood – Cornus florida; partial sun to shade; white andpink varieties; acid soil; give protection from full sun; 15′ – 20′ wideFringe Tree – (Grancy Greybeard); Chionanthus virginicus;partial shade; deciduous; acid soil; give protection from full sun; 15′wide. Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree) is showier, easier to growthan C. virginicus and tolerates full sun.Holly – Ilex spp; sun to shade; Yaupon Holly, I. vomitoria(evergreen); Possum Haw or Deciduous Holly, I. decidua (deciduous);only female plants bear fruit; 10′ wide Japanese Black Pine – Pinus thunbergiana; sun; evergreen;15′ wideJapanese Maple – Acer palmatum, A. japonicum; partial sunto shade; deciduous; many excellent cultivars including ‘Bloodgood’, ‘CrimsonQueen’; 10′ – 15′ wideMagnolia (deciduous types); Magnolia spp; sun to partshade; deciduous; Saucer or Tulip Magnolia, M. soulangiana; StarMagnolia, M. stellata; and M. hybrids; 15′ wideOrnamental Pear – (Bradford Pear); Pyrus calleryana; sun;deciduous; improved varieties include: ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Capitol’, ‘Whitehouse’;15′ – 25′ wideRedbud – Cercis canadensis; sun ; deciduous; varieties include:’Oklahoma’; 15′ – 25′ wide Cercis canadensis mexicana; sun; deciduousCercis canadensis texensis; sun; deciduous; varieties include: ëTexasí:15′- 25′ wideVitex – (Lavender Tree); Vitex agnus-castus; sun; deciduous;15′ wide

MEDIUM TREES (20 to 50 feet)

American Holly – Ilex opaca; sun to shade; evergreen; slow tomoderate growth; only female plants bear fruit; 15′ – 20′ wideChinese Pistache – Pistacia chinensis; sun; deciduous; reliablefall color; 30′ – 40′ wideCrabapple – Malus spp; sun; deciduous; 20 to 25 feet; selectdisease resistant cultivars; 25′ wideLacebark Elm – Ulmus parvifolia; sun to partial shade; deciduous;attractive bark; 35′ – 50′ wideGolden Raintree – Koelreuteria paniculata; sun; deciduous;avoid Southern Golden Raintree (K. bipinnata) which has more attractiveseedpods but is less hardy; 25′ – 30′ wideLeyland Cypress – Cupressocyparis leylandii; sun; evergreen; cangrow to medium-sized tree; 12′ – 15′ wideMagnolia – Magnolia spp; sun to partial shade; some M. grandiflora(Southern Magnolia) cultivars stay small; M. soulangiana (Saucer or TulipMagnolia) can grow to 25 feet tall; 15′ – 40′ wideMaple, Red – Acer rubrum; sun; deciduous; beautiful fall color; ‘Drummondii’,'Sunset’; 25′ – 30′ wideMaple, other species – Acer barbatum (Texas Sugar Maple), A. grandidentatum(Bigtooth Maple), A. leucoderme (Chalk Maple); sun; deciduous; 25′ – 30′wideOrnamental Pear – (Bradford Pear); Pyrus calleryana; sun;deciduous; improved varieties include: ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Capitol’, ‘Whitehouse’;20′ – 25′ wide

LARGE TREES (over 50 feet)

Bald Cypress – Taxodium distichum; sun; deciduous; tolerates wetsoils; 30′ – 40′ wideBlackgum – Nyssa sylvatica; sun; deciduous; fall color; tolerateswet soils; 30′ wideGinkgo – Ginkgo biloba; sun; deciduous; slow growing, brilliantyellow fall color; 40′ wideMaple – Acer rubrum.; sun; deciduous; Red Maple most common,Trident Red Maple and Drummond Red Maple frequently grown; A. barbatum- Southern Sugar Maple; 25′ – 30′ wide Oaks – Quercus spp.; sun; many species – among highest ratedare: Shumard Red Oak, Q. shumardii (deciduous); Live Oak, Q. virginiana(evergreen); Willow Oak, Q. phellos (deciduous); White Oak, Q.alba (deciduous); 40′ – 70′ widePecan – Carya illinoensis; sun; deciduous; 40′ – 60′ wideRiver Birch – Betula nigra; sun; deciduous; attractive peelingbark; 30′ wideSouthern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora; sun to partial shade;evergreen; 30′ – 40′ wideSweetgum – Liquidamber styraciflua; sun; deciduous; ‘Rotundiloba’is a fruitless variety; 30′ wideTulip Poplar – (Yellow Poplar); Liriodendron tuplipifera;sun; deciduous; 30′ – 40′ wide

PERENNIALS

Columbine – Aquilegia spp.; partial sun to shade; A. hinkleyana- Texas Gold Columbine is the best for Texas Coreopsis – Coreopsis spp; sun; C. grandiflora cultivarssuch as ‘Early Sunrise’, ‘Baby Sun’, ‘Sun Ray’; C. verticillata cultivarsinclude ‘Moonbeam’, ‘Zagreb’Daffodils – Narcissus spp; sun to partial shade; many typesreadily naturalize including N. jonquilla (jonquils), N. campernelle,N. tazetta (paperwhites)Daylily – Hemerocallis spp.; sun to partial shade; hundredsof cultivars availableIris – Iris spp.; sun to partial shade; several types well-adaptedincluding Bearded Iris, Louisiana Iris, Siberian IrisPhlox – Phlox spp; sun to part shade; P. subulata (thrift)excellent groundcover; P. paniculata (summer phlox) Salvias – Salvia spp; sun; several species, some semi-hardy;S. farinacea (Mealy Cup or Blue Sage); S. leucantha (Mexican BushSage); S. greggii (Autumn Sage)Sedums – (Stonecrop); Sedum spp; sun; several types and cultivarsincluding ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘Meteor’. ‘Brilliant’; stonecrops as groundcoversYarrow – (Sunfern); Achillea spp; sun to partial shade; white, pinkand yellow forms most common

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