NATIVE VEGETATION - BLOOMING IN NORTH TEXAS

Site & Landscape

Written by Caye Cook, RLA, ASLA & Lindsey White, RLA, ASLA

Native vegetation, specific to the environmental locality of projects, is one specific element that works in concert with the intent and detail of a sustainable site as defined in the LEED Rating Systems.  These elements affect many credits within the sustainable site and water efficiency categories that should be considered at the outset of each project and implemented to meet overall sustainable strategies of particular projects.  These native plantings are indigenous to the local area and significantly reduce water requirements for the plantings.

Another element that is closely aligned with native vegetation is the concept of biodiversity within a comprehensive vegetation design.  Incorporating multiple varieties of plantings, species, and typologies improves site aesthetic qualities as well as providing a more habitable environment for pollination and continued plant ecological health.

Both of the concepts of native locality and vegetation biodiversity are addressed directly and indirectly with LEED credits within the Rating Systems.  Some of the specific LEED credit opportunities directly related to these elements are SS 5.1 Protection or restoration of Habitat, SS 5.2 Maximize Open Space, SS 7.1 Site Heat Island Effect, and WE 1 Water-Efficient Landscaping.  Residual credit opportunities involve SS 6.1 Stormwater quantity, EA 1 Energy Optimization, and MR 5 Regional Materials.

Native vegetation designs achieve biodiversity and aesthetics with a variety of new plants that attract bees, butterflies, and birds to supplement existing plants to achieve SSc 5.1 and reduce the amount of water needed to meet the requirements of WE 1.1.   Native vegetation is adaptable to the landscape and requires considerably less watering than imported varieties.  Additionally, plants that are grown within a 500 mile radius from the project site can also help with regional material attainment found in LEED credits MRc 5.1 and 5.2.

New to the LEED 2009 Rating System is the introduction of Regional Priority Credits, that implementing native vegetation can assist in achieving.  Implementing indigenous plantings can help with achieving the SS 5.1, SS 5.2, SS 6.1 the Regional Priority Credits that have been identified within the North Texas Region.

Plantings may be selected for functional reasons such as providing shade, erosion control, and screening or to meet site conditions of light, soil moisture, soil nutrients, slopes, and drainage.  They may also be selected for aesthetic reasons or to create places of respite or as sense of place.

Site development that works with nature saves the environment and money as the design incorporates living processes within the site systems that are sustainable.

ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH NATIVE PLANTS

This brief article discusses some of the individual native planting species available in the North Texas Region by various typological categories such as trees, ornamentals, shrubs, ground cover, and turfs.  These native plantings, naturally occurring within about 200 miles of Dallas Fort Worth metroplex have historically been found as dependable performers when sited, implemented, and maintained properly.  Many of these indigenous plantings may be found existing on sites and if they are not discovered on the site, these natives commercially available within various nurseries located throughout the area.  This following list is not intended to be exhaustive in nature, but does include many of the  more commonly discovered and planted trees found within the bio-diverse North Texas region.

LARGE CANOPY TREES FOR SHADE

Many of the trees in the North Texas Region are large canopy trees that may be used for shading buildings, spaces, or sites.  These trees can easily reach large vertical heights up to 80 feet or more comparable to a conventional seven story commercial building in height.  They additionally have large wingspans that provide a large protective shaded canopy, ideal for creating spaces of respite from the hot humid weather prevalent in the region.

A large majority of the main canopy tree varieties found in the area are members of the oak, elm, pecan, ash, and maple family.  However, as with many other regions there are various species within the family that are also found.  A brief listing of some of these and a brief description of the primary large canopy trees are listed below.

AMERICAN ELM
The American Elm is frequently referred to as the “granddaddy” of all shade trees reaching 60 to 80 feet height and spread.  Dutch Elm disease decimated local elms but large specimens still dot the DFW area, especially along streams and rivers.  Preserve this gem.  “Liberty” is a Dutch Elm resistant variety available in the trade.

CEDAR ELM
A solo and grove tree with very little litter.  Achieving 40 to 60 feet height and irregular, pendulous branches that can accommodate tight spacing.  Winged Elm is very similar and somewhat available in the trade.

POST OAK
Usually found in groves and very sculptural with thick trunks and branches growing to 60 feet height and 30 feet spread.  Be careful and limit foot traffic and paving around these trees.  Soft paving (like decomposed granite) will help this tree survive.  Preserve these groves before they disappear.  Not widely grown commercially.

BUR OAK
Similar to Post Oak but bigger.  This fairly fast growing oak is readily available in the trade.  Golf ball sized acorns require careful placement.

RED OAK
Dependable stately shade tree with red fall color.  Shumard Red Oak reaches 80 feet height and spread.  Texas Red Oak is smaller and sometimes multi-trunk (40 feet height and spread).

CHINQUAPIN
A rare treat on a job site.  This commercially available tree has large spreading branches to 60 feet height and spread.

LIVE OAK
A very dependable oak spreading to 80 feet.  The evergreen branches can eventually gracefully touch the ground.   Grackles love to nest in live oaks which can be a concern in cityscapes due to their noise and waste.  Many varieties are available- “Highrise” is columnar and good for streetscapes.

PECAN
A wonderful shade tree despite some pest problems.  The native tree has smaller pecans than the commercial varieties.  Reaching 50 to 60 feet height and spread, the pecan is the state tree of Texas.

TEXAS ASH
A fairly fast growing shade tree achieving 50 feet height and 40 feet spread.  Besides fall color, the ash is drought tolerant but needs good drainage.  You may discover a Green Ash on a site.

BALD CYPRESS
Distinctive light green lacy foliage and pyramidal shape to 80 feet height and 50 feet spread.  It naturally occurs in East Texas swamps and needs soil moisture which makes it a great candidate next to bioswales or ponds.

RED MAPLE
Brilliant fall foliage on tree reaching 50 feet.  Several varieties of the east Texas native are adapted to our blackland prairie – Trident, October Glory, Autumn Flame. 

The preceding trees are found abundant within the North Texas region and grow in the majority of the soils types but are typically found in the clay soils.  However, additional to these indigenous trees, other native trees that prefer more acid or sandy soils than the typical Dallas Fort Worth vicinity clay soils are the Sweetgum, River Birch, Southern and Sweetbay Magnolia, White Oak.   Less commonly found and/or available trees include Soapberry, Blackjack Oak, Black Locust, Mexican White Oak and Durand Oak.

SMALL (ORNAMENTAL) TREES FOR SHADE

Ornamental trees are generally smaller, typically between 15 to 25 feet in vertical height with an average 15 feet horizontal wingspan. These trees are prevalent in the region and traditionally used for ornamental, accent, or aesthetic purposes but also help in creating diversity of design composition and a range of vegetation typology.  Some of the varieties found within the North Texas region are listed below.

MESQUITE
Light and airy and transplantable.  The mesquite’s legumes feed dove and other birds.  Don’t scrape it!

DESERT WILLOW
Wonderful summer bloomer and extremely drought tolerant.  

REDBUD
The harbinger of spring. White and pink blooming varieties are available of the tree generally found on woodland edges.

RUSTY BLACKHAW VIBURNUM
A white spring bloomer with rich fall color that is very adaptable to varying site conditions.

POSSUMHAW
A winter delight loaded with bright red berries.  This small tree can take wet or dry, sun to shade.   Songbirds love it.

YAUPON HOLLY
Tried and true evergreen with added plus of shiny red berries in the winter.   Multi-trunks can be pruned to shape the canopy.

WAXMYRTLE
Evergreen native to wet woodlands and grasslands of east Texas with basil like fragrant leaves when crushed.

EVE'S NECKLACE
Another evergreen very fragrant wisteria like blooms in spring and extremely drought tolerant.

MEXICAN PLUM
Lovely white early spring bloomer and good understory tree.

FLAMELEAF SUMAC
Brilliant red fall color.  Sumac colonizes to form thickets and needs lots of room.

EASTERN RED CEDAR
Staunch evergreen that you either love or hate.  Though drought tolerant, the cedar grabs available soil moisture even depleting ground water in local pastures.  

Mountain Laurel (not cold hardy in DFW), Mexican Buckeye, Roughleaf Dogwood, Texas Madrone, Gum Bumelia and Texas Pistache are harder to find in the nursery.

LARGE EVERGREEN SCREENS

Large evergreen screens can be constructed from some of the above ornamental trees but also may be designed from other species such as that listed below.  Of those listed above, Yaupon Holly, Waxmyrtle and Eve’s Necklace are naturally bushy in form while Eastern Red Cedar can make an instant screen depending on size and spacing.  Evergreen sumac is another variety that may be used as a large evergreen screen, as it reaches up to 12 feet in height, but can also be kept shorter with consistent pruning.

EVERGREEN SHRUBS
Shrubs usually reach up to 6 feet height and are typically used to add variety to a landscape area.  They come in an evergreen and deciduous variety.  Evergreen shrubs maintain their color and leaves throughout the year.  Some of the more common evergreen shrub species are listed below.

TEXAS SAGE (or Cenizo)
Has distinctive gray green foliage growing to 6 feet with summer long bloom.   Extremely drought tolerant.

DWARF WAXMYRTLE
With soft dark green foliage needs some care and water until established.

PALMETTO
Grows in East Texas river bottoms and prefers moist, shady spots.  The bold, striking foliage makes a dramatic accent.

AGARITO
Grows in thickets under live oaks in the Hill Country.  The rigid leaf spines make a good deterrent.

DWARF YAUPON
A cultivar of the parent plant, can take abuse and a variety of site conditions from sun to shade.

RED YUCCA
Is really an aloe, but has the spiky yucca foliage and summer long blooms in coral or yellow. Although native to western Hill country, Red Yucca is happy in Dallas.

SOFTLEAF YUCCA
With flexible, gray green strap leaves and creamy white bloom is extremely drought tolerant and does well solo or in mass.

PRICKLY PEAR
Local cactus and the ultimate deterrent if you need stickers on steroids.  Despite the “ouch factor”, the cactus has a lovely yellow flower and burgundy “pear” fruit.

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS AND SUB SHRUBS

The other side of the shrubs category contain deciduous or sub-shrubs that usually reach 3 to 6 feet and drop their leaves in fall.  Some of the primary species found within the North Texas region are listed below.

CORAL BERRY
Is a woodland plant but can survive in the sun. The striking magenta berries liven any winter day.

AMERICAN BEAUTY BERRY
Also a woodland plant has clusters of purple berries from fall until they are eaten by the birds.

GREGG SALVIA
Blooms from frost to frost with blooms of white, pink, coral or red.  It loves full sun and no water after establishment.

TURK'S CAP
With large leaves and loads of red flowers prefers shade but can take the sun.  Hummingbirds love it.

TEXAS LANTANA
Blooms better the hotter it gets in vibrant orange and yellow.

PAVONIA (or Rock Rose)
Is another frost to frost bloomer with large pink flowers.

PRAIRIE ROSE
Grows naturally along fence rows and is extremely drought tolerant.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

Ornamental grasses bring a dynamic quality to landscapes with their movement and seasonal changes.  Their quick growth aids in erosion control.  The following natives range from 2 feet to 6 feet in height.

GULF MUHLY
Grows to two feet and sports mauve seed heads in fall.

LINDHEIMER MUHLY
Attains four feet with wheat colored seed heads.

INLAND SEA OAT
Is found in woodlands and can make a solid mass up to two feet in height.

SWITCH GRASS
Gets tall and and is aggressive – an ideal for erosion control.

HORSETAIL
Is not a grass, but a striking vibrant green evergreen to 3 feet height.

SPIKE RUSH
A 2’ evergreen, is found in moist or poorly drained soils, yet can tolerate drought.

BEAR GRASS (or Nolina)
Has grass like olive green evergreen foliage to 2 feet.

GROUNDCOVERS

Groundcovers are low growing plants that form a solid mass to cover the ground. Traditionally, they take less water than turfgrass and take less maintenance after fully established.

HORSEHERB
Is found within the north Texas area.  This 10 inch evergreen prefers some shade and can be mown to control weeds.

FALSE STRAWBERRY
Is aptly named.  This evergreen hugs the ground in sun or shade.

FROGFRUIT
Grows less than 12 inches and can grow in just about any condition.  Tiny white blooms accent the olive green foliage which turns reddish in the winter.  

GREGG DALIA
Has gray green foliage and prefers full sun and good drainage.

WOOD FERN
Can reach to 2 feet height and makes an excellent shade groundcover.

PERENNIALS

Hundreds of perennials inhabit Texas and are as common as bluebonnets along our highways.   Used properly, they provide colorful blooms from spring to fall.

Perennials bloom then their foliage dies in the winter.  The roots lie dormant and the plants rejuvenate every spring.  Space does not permit an adequate treatment of the colorful blooms and characteristics of the plants.  Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website for excellent information on native perennials.

TURFGRASS
Native turfgrasses grow about 6 inches in height and need much less mowing and water than imported Bermuda or St. Augustine.

BUFFALOGRASS
Is commercially available in sod or seed.

BLUE GRAMA
Is available in seed and should be seeded with Buffalograss for thorough coverage.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Here are some websites to learn more about native Texas native plants.  The list is a starting point and by no means comprehensive.

TEXAS NATIVE PLANTS
http://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/taes/tracy/regecoNF.html

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/PlantPics_archive.htm

FLORIDA NATIVE TREES
(with lots of same trees as Texas)
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/

LADY BIRD WILDFLOWER CENTER
www.wildflower.org/explore/

DAUDEHAUS WHOLESALE NURSERY
www.daudehaus.com

NATIVES OF TEXAS NURSERY
www.nativesoftexas.com/default.htm

MOUNTAIN STATES WHOLESALE
www.mswn.com

THE URBAN RANCHER
http://theurbanrancher.tamu.edu/landscape.htm

BLUESTEM NURSERY
www.bluestemnursery.com

NATIVE AMERICAN SEED
www.seedsource.com

JUSTIN SEED CO.
http://justinseed.com

BAMERT SEED
www.bamertseed.com

TEXAS A&M
http://aggieturf.tamu.edu

SUSTAINABLE SITES
http://sustainablesites.org

ASLA LAND ARTICLES
http://land.asla.org/

CITY OF AUSTIN
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen

NATIVE TEXAS PLANTS
Sally Wasowski

TEXAS GARDENING THE NATURAL WAY
Howard Garrett

TEXAS TREES
Howard Garrett