Acanthus, Flame Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
3’-5’ by 3′-5′
Sun.
Summer blooms attract hummingbirds. May be trimmed to shape during the growing season. This is a deciduous woody shrub that may also be trimmed right before it flushes in the spring.
Deer resistant. Zone 7 (Edwards Plateau)
Betony, Texas Stachys coccinea
12″-18″ by 2′-3′
Shade, Part Shade.
Low growing herbaceous perennial with red flowers from April to October. Cut back to the ground in late February.
Not reliably deer resistant.
Zone 7. (Trans-Pecos region of Texas, AZ and Mexico)
Blackfoot Daisy Melampodium leucanthum
1’ x 3’
Sun.
Low mounding evergreen with white daisy-like flowers with yellow center. Great for the front of a border. “Ponytail” prune into green growth right before the spring flush.
Evergreen.
Not deer resistant. Zone 5. (AZ, TX, Mexico)
Calylophus (Square Bud Primrose) Calylophus berlandieri 1’x2’-3’
Sun, Part Sun.
Herbaceous perennial that blooms mid-spring through early summer, then sporadically. Good for low borders or draping over walls. Foliage turns red in the fall, then dies back to the ground in a freeze. Cut back to the ground in late February. Not deer resistant. Zone 8a. (TX,OK,LA,NM to Mexico)
1′-2′ by 1′-2′
Shade, understory plant native to moist, humus-rich soils. Spring blooms.
Herbaceous perennial. Cut back to the ground in late February. Not deer resistant.
Zone 5 (Native through the U.S. to Canada)
Columbine, Texas Gold Aquilegia chrysantha var. ‘Hinckleyana’
1′-2′ by 1′-2′
Shade, understory plant with Spring blooms. Prefers moist, well drained soil.
Herbaceous perennial. Cut back to the ground in late February. Not deer resistant. Zone 5. (AZ, CO, NM, TX-Big Bend)
Copper Canyon Daisy Tagetes lemmonii
3’-4’ x 3’-4’
Sun.
Give this perennial room to grow! Yellow-gold flowers cover this plant in late summer to fall. Aromatic foliage may irritate skin. Cut back to the ground in late February. Herbaceous perennial. Deer resistant. Zone 8. (SW TX, Mexico)
1′-2′ by 1′-2′
Sun, Part Sun.
Not a reliable perennial, but re-seeds readily. Deadhead during bloom season to encourage blooms. Cut back in late February.
Not deer resistant. Zone 4. (FL, E.TX)
Damianita Chrysactinia mexicana
1’-2’ x 1’-2’
Sun
Low, often floppy evergreen with yellow blooms off and on spring to summer. “Ponytail” prune after a heavy bloom. Aromatic foliage. Only prune into green growth during the growing season or right before the spring flush.
Evergreen. Deer resistant.
Zone 6. (TX Hill Country)
Autumn Sage Salvia greggii
3’-4’ x3’-4’
Sun.
So many colors are available. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Prune several inches into foliage to remove spent blooms in summer. May be pruned hard in late spring.
Evergreen.
Deer resistant. Zone 6. (SW TX into Mexico)
Datura Datura wrightii
3’-6’ x3’-6’
Sun
Large white blooms open at night just in time for moths to pollinate. Reseeding annual, all parts are poisonous.
Deer resistant.
Zone 9. (CA,NM,TX)
Esperanza Tecoma stans
Size depends on variety, with some reaching 6′ by 6′, and others staying under 3′.
Slow to emerge in the spring, so be patient. Wait to prune back the the ground in late February.
Herbaceous perennial.
Deer resistant in most areas.
Zone 8b.(AZ,FL,NM,TX)
Gaura Gaura Lindheimeri
3′ x 3′
Sun
Pink and white blooming varieties available as cultivars. Attractive to butterflies. “Ponytail” prune between blooms during the growing season. Prune to the ground in late February.
Herbaceous perennial Not deer resistant. Zone 5 (TX,LA)
Gayfeather Liatris punctata var mucronata
1′-3′ by 12″-18″
Sun
Herbaceous perennial that grows from bulb-like corms. Late summer to fall blooms. Drought tolerant once established. May spread.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 3. (AR, KS, MO, OK, TX)
Orange Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa
1′-1 1/2′ by 1′-2′
Sun, well-drained soil, drought resistant, blooms May through September
Herbaceous perennial with tuberous roots. Native to most of the U.S. Butterfly magnet. Does not have milky sap like other Milkweeds.
Zone 3a
Gregg’s Mistflower Conoclinium greggii
2’-3’ x 6′
Sun to Part Sun
Spreading perennial that is a butterfly magnet! Herbaceous perennial. Prune to the ground in late February.
Deer resistant.
Zone 7a (AZ,NM,TX)
Blue Shade Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum
2′-3′ by 3′-4′
Shade
Requires moist, well drained soil. Late summer to fall blooms attract butterflies.
Herbaceous perennial.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 6. (Most of southern U.S. including TX)
Four Nerve Daisy Tetraneuris scaposa
8″-12″ x 8″-12″
Sun
Small evergreen with tufts of fine foliage. Yellow daisy flowers held above foliage almost year-round. Requires little pruning, and only into the new growth during the growing season.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 5a. (TX,OK,CO,IL,NM)
Texas Lantana Lantana urticoides
3’-6’ x 3′-6′
Sun, Part Sun.
This is the most deer-resistant of all the Lantanas. It is quite drought resistant once established and produces blooms from spring to frost. Herbaceous perennial. Prune to shape between blooms during the growing season and cut back to the ground in late February.
Zone 8. (TX,LA,MS Mex.) Foliage may irritate skin.
Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
1’-3” x 18”
Sun, Part Sun
Butterflies love the spring blooms. In mild summers the bloom may be extended. Re-seeds readily. Herbaceous perennial. Remove spent leaves in late February.
Not deer resistant. Zone 4 (E. and Central N. America)
Rock Rose Pavonia lasiopetala
3’ x3’
Sun, Part Sun.
Bright pink flowers open in the evenings from late spring to fall. Prune to shape between blooms during the growing season and cut back to the ground in late February.
Herbaceous perennial.
Not deer resistant. Zone 8, (TX,Edwards Plateau to Mex.)
Sage, Cedar Salvia roemeriana
1′ x 1′
Sun to shade.
Small, spring-blooming herbaceous perennial. Cut back to the ground in late February. Good for understory plantings. Will re-seed.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 7a, (Central and West TX to Mex.)
Sage, Mealy Blue Salvia farinacea
1 ½” x 1 ½’
Sun, well drained soils. Summer blooms, may be trimmed between blooms. Cut back to the ground in late February.
Deer resistant.
Zone 7a, (TX,NM OK To FL)
1′-3′
Sun, Part sun, Shade. Blooms spring through fall. Tolerates caliche, sand, loam and clay soils
Re-seeding annual to Zone 6. Herbaceous perennial in Zones 9 and 10. Comes in red, pink or white blooms.
Somewhat Deer resistant.
(AL,FL,GA,MS,TX)
Skullcap, Purple Scuttelaria wrightii
6″-10″ x 1′-2′
Sun, Part Shade
Blooms March through July. Requires well-drained san, loam or limestone soils.
Evergreen Not Deer Resistant
Zone 8b, (Texas, Oklahoma, Edwards Plateau)
Turk’s Cap Malvaviscus arboreus var. Drummondii
3’-5’ or taller and spreads like the dickens!
Sun, Part Sun, Shade.
A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. Great understory planting. Wait until late February to cut it back to the ground.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 8. (Central TX to Fl, south to Mex) H
Wooly Stemodia Stemodia tomentosa
1’ x 2’-3’ or more, rooting at nodes.
Sun, well drained soils.
Ground cover for sunny areas.
Herbaceous perennial. Prune back in late February.
Deer resistant.
Zone 8. (Coastal regions of TX and Mexico)
Silver Ponyfoot Dichondra argentea
6″ tall and several feet wide.
Sun, Part Sun and well drained soil.
Silver leaves look like hooves.
Herbaceous perennial, may be evergreen in mild winters. Prune back in late February.
Not deer resistant.
Zone 9 (Texas and Mexico)