Lone Star State gardeners can grow many fabulous Texas perennial plants, but growing conditions in northern Texas are very different than in the southernmost part of the state. Texas is a large and very diverse state encompassing USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9. This means that no matter where in Texas you live, you can grow amazing ornamental and native plants!

Ferns are beautiful plants to grow in a shade garden or any shaded area. The Alabama lip fern is native to the southern United States and grows wild in rocky limestone-rich areas. You can grow this fern in well-drained soil that is gritty but rich in organic matter.

Alabama lip fern is semi-evergreen and will stay green for most of the year, particularly in warmer regions within its range. These ferns do not produce flowers but make beautiful foliage plants, and their attractive foliage complements other shade plants.

It works well for borders and edges and will expand gradually to form nice clumps. Unlike many other ferns, it is relatively drought-tolerant and will survive some dry conditions and low humidity.

Aromatic Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichym oblongifolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5 to 2 fee
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

The aromatic aster is a fall-blooming variety with showy purple flowers and fragrant leaves. The flowers bloom in large numbers, covering the tops of the plants and attracting butterflies. Compared with many other asters, aromatic aster is a relatively low-growing plant. It would make an effective ground cover or a welcome companion to any perennial garden arrangement. 

Aromatic aster has pale purple flowers with distinct dark yellow centers. This plant is easy to grow in any sunny location with well-drained soil. It is tolerant of dry soils and periodic drought. Asters are also typically not bothered by browsing deer and rabbits.

Bellflower Beardtongue

	botanical name Penstemon campanulatus
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Bellflower beardtongue produces showy deep pink flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. It blooms from mid-summer into mid-fall. After flowering, cut back the spent flowering stems to encourage plants to rebloom and improve their general appearance.

Bellflower beardtongue does well in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. The plants are not bothered by deer or rabbits and are tolerant of dry soils and drought. Its foliage may remain evergreen throughout most of the year in warmer parts of the state.

Cape Leadwort

	botanical name Plumbago auriculata
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 8 to 11

Cape leadwort is well adapted to warmer climates where it grows best in full sun but tolerates some light shade. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. If grown in a cooler climate, you can bring plants outside for the summer months and overwinter them in a sunny indoor location.

You can overwinter these plants indoors in a dormant state by storing them in a cool dark place, such as a basement or garage, as long as the temperature stays above freezing.

This plant produces showy flowers and fruits. Its flowers are white to pale blue and bloom in loose clusters. These plants can grow rather tall in their native habitat but will tend to stay smaller when grown in containers or less-than-ideal conditions. Prune them in the winter to maintain bushy growth and keep them a more manageable size.

Catmint ‘Walker’s Low’

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Catmint is a fragrant perennial in the mint family. Grow it in an herb garden, perennial garden, or in a large container. In ideal conditions, plants will spread quickly by underground rhizomes, but attentive weeding can reduce excess growth and remove unwanted sprouts. Grow catmint in full sun with average, well-drained soil. 

‘Walker’s Low’ is a relatively compact clump-forming plant. It has pale green leaves with soft, slightly fuzzy hairs. The flowers bloom from spring through fall and attract numerous pollinators. Although small, the pale purple flowers are very showy, especially in larger plant clusters.

Copper Canyon Daisy

	botanical name Tagetes lemonii
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 8 to 11

This daisy is native to the southwestern United States and is a welcome addition to a perennial wildflower garden. Grow it in full sun or partial afternoon shade. Once established, the Copper Canyon daisy tolerates periodic drought but needs to be well-watered for the first season while the roots are still developing. 

This daisy has cheerful, bright yellow flowers that bloom in profusion each summer. Grow it in a pollinator garden or perennial wildflower garden. The plants have a distinctive scent that some people don’t enjoy, but the scent also repels deer and rabbits, so you won’t have to worry about herbivores browsing your flowers. Its flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. 

Coral Bells

	botanical name Heuchera sanguinea
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Coral bells is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial. It can be grown and enjoyed for both its attractive foliage and dainty flowers. The leaves are bright green and lightly covered with soft hairs. The flowers bloom in late spring and are loosely scattered along tall flowering stems. The flowers of this species of coral bells are pinkish-red and attract hummingbirds.

There are several species and many cultivars of coral bells, each with uniquely colored flowers and attractive leaf patterns. Heuchera sanguinea is a species native to the southwestern United States. Almost any variety of coral bells can be grown in Texas. They grow well in a shaded location and would be an excellent addition to a shade garden with rich, well-drained soil.

Creeping Mazus

	botanical name Mazus reptans
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 0.25 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Creeping mazus is a perennial plant that makes a good ground cover. It forms a very low-growing carpet of creeping stems and leaves which can cover the bare ground between stepping stones or along pathways and borders. Mazus plants grow well in full sun, but they may appreciate some partial shade in warmer climates. This plant prefers moist soils and may require supplemental watering during droughts.

Flowers bloom in mid-summer. The flowers are uniquely shaped, lavender-blue, and attractive, especially when blooming en masse. In warmer parts of the United States, the foliage may remain evergreen. They will spread by rooting along the stems and effectively fill open areas as they creep along the ground.

Cross Vine

	botanical name Bignonia capreolata
	plant type Vine
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 35 to 50 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Cross vine is an easily-grown vine native to the eastern United States, including Texas. This is one of the easiest Texas perennial plants you can grow. It can grow long and benefit from a supportive fence, wall, or large trellis. Cross vine tolerates heavy shade, although it will produce more flowers with partial sun. 

This vine blooms in early summer. The flowers are deep trumpet-like tubes in yellow, orange, and red. The flowers attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators. In ideal conditions, this vine will spread by root runners. Control unwanted spread by pruning off extra vines as they emerge from the ground.

Daylily ‘Stella de Oro’

	botanical name Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 0.75 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 10

Daylilies are very versatile plants that will grow in a variety of conditions. ‘Stella de Oro’ is a low-maintenance, full-sun Texas perennial that is also tolerant of partial shade. It prefers medium moisture soil but will tolerate some drought with occasional deep watering. Daylilies will spread and create dense clusters of bright green, grass-like vegetation. Divide them every few years to maintain vigor. 

Stella de Oro is a fairly compact plant. Typically, it grows to only about 1 foot tall and develops into a rounded leafy clump. They readily bloom in the summer with large, showy yellow flowers. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators.

Dew Flower

	botanical name Penstemon cobaea
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Dew flower is a wildflower native to the southern and central United States. It naturally grows in prairies, glades, and along limestone bluffs. As a perennial in Texas gardens, it grows easily in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. 

Dew flower blooms in late spring. It has large, showy, deeply tubular flowers ranging from white to pink to pale purple. The flowers attract numerous butterflies and other pollinators. Fortunately, this plant tolerates browsing herbivores and would be an excellent addition to almost all garden settings. 

Hardy Hibiscus

	botanical name Hibiscus moscheutos
	plant type Herbaceous perennial shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 7 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

The hardy hibiscus, or swamp mallow, is a moisture-loving shrub. While it does very well in consistently moist soils, it also tolerates average garden soil as long as it receives regular watering. This plant prefers full sun but will also grow in some light shade, particularly in warmer areas within its range.

Hardy hibiscus can grow to 7 feet tall and 4 feet across, requiring a spacious area. This plant is a prolific bloomer in ideal conditions, producing many large and showy flowers.

The flowers are large and pink, with deep red centers, and will attract an abundance of insect pollinators. When not blooming, this plant works well as part of a leafy green hedge or shrubby addition to a low-lying wet area.

Lamb’s Ear

	botanical name Stachys bysantina
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.75 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Lamb’s ear is a common Texas perennial plant in many gardens. It is perhaps best appreciated as a ground cover. It is relatively low growing, forming mounds of soft, silvery green foliage that spreads to fill in empty spaces. Any unwanted spread is easily controlled by thinning extra growth. You can enjoy its clusters of small purple flowers from early to mid-summer.

This versatile plant is easily grown in any sunny spot with average conditions. It prefers dry soil and will develop root and leaf rot if grown in constantly moist areas. Lamb’s ear is not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Lantana ‘Mary Ann’

	botanical name Lantana camera ‘Mary Ann’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 11

‘Mary Ann’ lantana is a bright yellow and orange flowered perennial. It tends to grow in dense mounds. This shrubby plant has semi-woody stems and can be enjoyed as a large ground cover, in a perennial flower garden, or growing in a large outdoor container. Hummingbirds and butterflies enjoy these showy flowers throughout the summer.

Provide your lantana with full sun and medium-moisture soil. It does best in average, well-drained soil but tolerates lesser soil quality and can overwinter outside in zones 7 through 11. In cooler areas, they can be overwintered indoors, or you can take cuttings to overwinter and replant these rooted cuttings outdoors each spring.

Lenten Rose

	botanical name Helleborus x hybridus
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Part shade to full shade
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

There are a myriad of Hellebore hybrids with varied flower colors ranging from white to pink to deep burgundy bronze. Hellebores are easily grown from seed or young plant starts. These plants are an excellent addition to a shade garden and tolerate poor soil, although they do best in organically rich, well-drained soil. 

‘Lenten Rose’ has evergreen foliage, which is attractive throughout the entire year. In late winter or early spring, these plants bloom with downward-facing flowers. Large clusters of ‘Lenten Rose’ make an attractive display. Dense clumps can be divided and replanted. It can have a faint but unpleasant odor. Therefore, deer and rabbits avoid these plants. 

Mexican Feathergrass

	botanical name Nassella tenuissima
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Ornamental grasses are fine additions to the landscape. They provide diversity and interest as well as attractive foliage. Mexican feathergrass is a clump-forming ornamental grass native to Texas and New Mexico and south into Central America. It grows best in full sun and dry-to-medium-moisture, well-drained soil.

Mexican feathergrass grows dense clusters of long, thin leaves. The clumps remain bright green throughout the summer months and turn yellow-brown in the fall but retain their ornamental shape. Fine feathery flowers and seedheads develop in late summer, adding a smokey-looking haze above the plants. 

Mexican Heather

	botanical name Cuphea hyssopifolia
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	soil needs 9 to 11

Mexican heather is a good Texas perennial plant to grow in the warmer southern regions of the Lone Star State. This plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala and is well-adapted to the heat and some drought.

Start it from seed and grow it as an annual plant, or as a seasonal houseplant in cooler climates. Mexican heather prefers a location with full sun and medium-moisture well-drained soil.

This attractive plant has small, bright green leaves along semi-woody stems. At the ends of the stems, single purplish-pink flowers bloom. The flowers, although small, are showy and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This plant is a good candidate for container gardening.

Mexican Petunia

	botanical name Ruellia simplex
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 8 to 10

Mexican petunia is a very easy-to-grow plant. It tends to spread aggressively, however, especially in wetland areas, so keep it contained to a relatively small area within your yard. Deadhead the spent flowers before they can produce seeds, as they can rapidly self-sow. If you are in a cooler area where winter frosts kill off plants, you won’t need to worry too much about rapid spreading. 

This petunia can be grown in various conditions, from wet to dry, full sun to partial shade. The leaves are oblong and tapering to a point, growing singly along tall, dark red stems. Its flowers bloom in late summer or early fall. The flowers are petunia-like, pale purple, and attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators.

Oxblood Lily

	botanical name Rhodophalia bifida
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 foot
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Oxblood lily, or schoolhouse lily, produces extremely showy deep red flowers. The flowers appear to grow directly from the ground atop long stems. The flowers are tubular and attract hummingbirds. These bulbs first send up flowering stalks in the fall. When the flowers die back, leaves emerge. But the leaves soon disappear again, and the plant enters a dormancy phase. 

Grow oxblood lily in a sunny location or with some dappled shade. Give it rich, well-drained soil, although they are not terribly picky about soil quality. Plants have naturalized in some areas of Texas and can be easily propagated by diving clusters of bulbs.

Phlox ‘John Fanick’ 

	botanical name Phlox paniculata ‘John Fanick’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

There are many phlox cultivars, and ‘John Fanick’ is a commonly available variety readily grown from seed. Phlox grows well in either full sun or partial shade and needs well-drained soil. In moist and humid conditions, powdery mildew can be a problem. Plants can also spread quickly, but unwanted growth and spreading are fairly easy to control in a garden setting. 

‘John Fanick’ blooms in late summer. The flowers are pale pink with darker pink centers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Add this plant to your wildflower garden or a pollinator garden. It can also be grown in containers.

Pink Muhly Grass

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Pink muhly grass is an ornamental grass that also happens to be native to the western and central United States. This attractive grass grows best and blooms most reliably in full sun. Its soil should be dry to medium moisture and well-drained. Pink muhly grass tolerates some drought and is not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Pink muhly grass is clump-forming with dense clusters of thin, rounded, and fairly rigid blades. Throughout the fall, the flowering heads grace the plant with a dense feathery pink haze that is very showy and appealing, especially on larger, more mature plants. It spreads by seed, and larger clusters can be divided as needed.

Purple Fountain Grass

	botanical name Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 9 to 10

Purple fountain grass is an easy-to-grow attractive ornamental grass, but be aware that it can also spread aggressively. If you are growing this grass in zones 9 or 10, be prepared to pull out any unwanted self-seeding so it doesn’t spread beyond your landscape and into surrounding natural areas. 

The leaves are green, tinged with purple. The flower and seedheads are dramatic, fluffy bottlebrush plumes that are pale and tinged with reddish-purple. This grass grows into dense clusters that complement neighboring vegetation nicely with different shapes, forms, and ornamental colors.

Rangoon Creeper

	botanical name Quisqualis indicac
	plant type Vine
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 10 to 12 feet
	hardiness zones 10 to 11

If you live in Texas’s warmest, frost-free regions, you can grow Rangoon creeper. This tropical vine produces an abundance of bright red nodding flowers that are fragrant and attract hummingbirds. Give this vine a sturdy climbing structure, such as a fence or trellis, or grow it in a container near a gazebo or an arbor. 

Rangoon creeper does best in full sun but will grow in partial shade. It prefers medium moisture, well-drained soil. When young, the Rangoon creeper has semi-woody upright stems and could easily resemble a small shrub. But as the plants continue growing, the stems elongate, and it becomes clear that this is actually a climbing vine.

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	plant type Evergreen shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Rosemary is a familiar herb that makes a fine addition to an herb garden, perennial garden, or container display. Give it full sun and dry to medium-moisture soil. Plants are shrubby with brittle woody stems. The leaves are small, tough, and very aromatic. Prune to the desired shape and size as desired.

Rosemary blooms in the summer months. The flowers are small and pale purple, attracting butterflies. These plants are not bothered by browsing herbivores and, once established, are tolerant to drought. Plants are generally winter hardy in zones 7 through 10. 

Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’

	botanical name Salvia ‘Balsalmisp’ Mystic Spires Blue
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Salvia ‘Mystic Spired Blue’ is a salvia cultivar with stunning purple flowers. It blooms throughout the summer, and the showy flower spikes attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants are tolerant of drought and shallow soils. These plants are quickly grown in a sunny location with average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.

‘Mystic Spired Blue’ is a relatively tall plant, particularly in full bloom. Plants look especially beautiful when grown in a large cluster with other summer-flowering perennials.

Grow this plant in a wildflower garden or naturalized area for the best effect. If the flowers become top-heavy, they can be staked or supported to keep them upright.

Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus

	botanical name Pachystachys lutea
	plant type Cactus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

The scarlet hedgehog cactus is a beautiful cactus you can add to your desert garden in a warmer climate zone. This cactus is a bit more cold-tolerant than many other cacti but must be protected from hard frost. Grow it in a sunny location with very well-drained soil. If you keep your hedgehog cactus in a pot, you can bring it indoors to protect it against cold wintery weather.

The scarlet hedgehog cactus is a very spiny cactus with large, very showy blooms. The flowers are bright red and attract an assortment of pollinators. Mother plants will reproduce by sending off basal offshoots, which can be divided or left to develop into a larger flowering cluster.

Society Garlic

	botanical name Tulbaghia violacea
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

This tuberous garlic plant is native to the grasslands of southern Africa. This plant grows well in full sun with medium moisture, well-drained soil. Society garlic has fragrant leaves and is not bothered by deer or rabbits. It is tolerant to drought and dry soil and would be a good addition to an herb or container garden. 

Society garlic blooms from mid-to-late summer. The flowers are showy and fragrant. They are pale pinkish-purple with elongated petals shaped like a 6-petaled star. Over time, plants will spread by underground tubers, and dense bunches can be divided as needed. 

Sticky Jerusalem Sage

	botanical name Phlomis russeliana
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Sticky Jerusalem sage, or Turkish sage, is a fragrant herb with attractive leaves and flowers. The leaves are roughly heart-shaped with a fine texture and lightly covered with soft, fuzzy hairs. Its flowers develop in clusters of sharply downward-curved tubes. The scented leaves are not bothered by deer or rabbits. 

Sticky Jerusalem sage does best in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of dry soil conditions as long as it receives some regular watering, especially during the hottest parts of summer. It will spread by underground rhizomes but won’t become aggressively invasive. Large clusters of Sticky Jerusalem sage are quite attractive in a natural setting.

Trailing Lantana

	botanical name Lantana montevidensis
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 8 to 10

The trailing lantana is very heat tolerant and can spread aggressively in ideal conditions. In most cases, it stays evergreen and continues blooming throughout the year. In cooler climates, plants can be grown as annuals or overwintered indoors in a bright window.

These lantanas are more low-growing and sprawling than some other lantana varieties. Trailing lantana forms a dense upright cluster of leaves and flowers.

These plants flower freely in the summer months and throughout autumn. The leaves are fragrant and are not bothered by deer or rabbits. The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. 

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Yarrow is a common Texas perennial garden plant, and you will likely find many cultivars available to choose from. Flowers typically bloom in the summer months and may range in color from white to shades of pink and purple. The flowers of all yarrows are showy and attract butterflies and other insect pollinators. 

Grow yarrow in a sunny location with dry to medium-moisture soil. Once established, these plants are remarkably tolerant of poor soil conditions and drought. Yarrow will spread rather quickly by underground rhizomes, but unwanted growth can be controlled by regular weeding. It makes an effective ground cover and grows well in a rock garden or as a low border plant.

Yucca ‘Sapphire Skies’

	botanical name Yucca rostrata ‘Sapphire Skies’
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5 to 12 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 10

Yuccas are excellent drought-tolerant plants that are also resistant to deer and rabbits. Yuccas do, however, require a large space to grow. They can grow quite tall and will gradually spread by vegetative offshoots. Plants can be easily propagated by dividing these offshoots.

‘Sapphire Skies’ yucca plants have long, rigid leaves that grow in dense upright clusters. They will develop a lower stem, like a trunk, given enough time. Mature plants will flower in summer, producing a tall stalk lined with creamy white flowers that attract hummingbirds.