... Including Agave, Baptisia, Calylophus, Echinacea, Succulents, Ornamental grasses, Salvia and more.
If you have a hankering for a plant from the Lone Star State, check out our list of Texas native plants below. Here at Plant Delights Nursery, we grow plants from all over the world and we have searched through our enormous on-line catalog to create this mini-catalog of Texas native plants for you green-thumbed cow-pokes.
Read More About Texas Native Plants
Although many people assume that Texas is all the same…flat, dry and hot…Texas actually has an extremely varied range of ecosystems. As a result, there are more Texas native plants than any other US state, except one…California. Texas can be divided into 9 eco-regions that consist of deserts, brush lands, high plateaus, hills, plains, savannahs, prairies, marshes and forests at widely different altitudes and with widely varying weather patterns and soil types. Texas native plants are as wide-ranging and varied as the climate, with plenty of succulents, wildflowers, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant plants. Texas has a reputation for being dry and dusty, which is true for West Texas, but there are also regions of Texas receiving more than 60 inches of annual rain! With all of this variety, it is no surprise that there are so many Texas native plants.
When you are ready to buy Texas native plants for your garden, check out our online list of Texas native plants for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Nurseries - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' is an aroid relative and former member of the "family" before being ousted by the molecular taxonomy mob. Acorus calamus is now in the horticulture protection program disguised as a dramatic, upright deciduous iris. The vivid white and green banded, deer-resistant leaves of Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' make this one of the most strikingly beautiful vertical accent plants in the garden! Variegated sweet flag spreads slowly by means of a very thick above-ground rhizome. Sweet flag loves a moist spot such as a bog but will also grow in ordinary garden soils...a real easy-to-grow, carefree prize! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka A1FL-113) This selection of the worldwide native Adiantum capillus-veneris comes from Washington Co., Florida, about an hour west of Tallahassee. Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Falling Waters' has made a splendid patch in our garden with frond pinnae (fern leaflets) that are slightly smaller and narrower than what we typically see in other regional southern maidenhair fern forms. Our five-year-old clumps have spread to 2' wide and so far have survived single digit temperatures with no problems. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Adiantum capillus-veneris A3T-022) We discovered this wonderfully cut leaf form of the southeastern native Adiantum capillus-veneris along Wasp Creek in Kendall County, Texas. Unlike most forms of southern maidenhair fern, the pinnae are shaped like narrow Japanese hand fans. For us, Adiantum 'Fan Dance' forms a tight 6" tall patch that expands to 2' wide in 5 years. We are pleased to finally be able to share this special form of southern maidenhair fern. Moist soils are best. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(coll. #A2T-034) This form of the wonderful southern maidenhair fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris, comes from spores that we collected in 2000 in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas near the town of Rock Springs. Not that you are interested, but we were stopped three times by border patrol agents who searched our backpacks for illegal aliens...glad I carried a small backpack. Plantsman Scott Ogden showed us this population of southern maidenhair fern growing along a small creek in a very alkaline soil. Our 5-year-old clump is 1' tall x 2' wide and, as you can imagine, quite heat tolerant. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This splendid form of the vigorous North American native Agave lophantha came to us from plantsman, Ted Stephens, of Nurseries Caroliniana and forms the smallest rosettes of any of the wide-leaf forms of Agave lophantha we grow. Each 11" tall x 18" wide variegated rosette is composed of fat 7" long x 2" wide succulent leaves. The dark green, heavily armed leaves are highlighted by a wide central yellow stripe that is even wider on the leaf back. Agave lophantha is a suckering species with offsets held close to the parent rosette. When your Agave 'Splendida' is old enough, it will be topped with a 12' tall, 1" diameter flower spike holding manfreda-like spidery fragrant flowers...hummingbirds not included. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available: 6/6/2013 The North American native Agave neomexicana hails from the dry deserts of southern New Mexico and west Texas. Agave neomexicana makes rosettes of 1' long, blue-green leaves, usually accompanied by suckering offsets around the base of the mother plant...an elegant, drought-tolerant specimen for the hot rock garden. In spring, a mature 2' wide specimen of Agave neomexicana may be topped with a gigantic 10' tall flower spike adorned with cloudlike yellow tufts of flowers on both sides of the stalk...a great treat for high flying hummingbirds. Dry winter soils are the key to success in colder climates. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Native to oak woodlands from Arizona to northern Mexico from 5,000' to 7,000', Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis is the largest member of the hardy Agave parryi group. The very wide, steely blue-grey foliage makes a striking rosette (in more ways than one) to 2' wide. In about 15 years, the clumps are topped with giant Jack and the Beanstalk-like flower spikes to 12' tall! The leaves of Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis are flatter and wider, but not as thick as A. parryi ssp. parryi. As with all agaves, winter drainage is absolutely critical for survival in cold climates. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: 'Kitsuyoteh Hakafu', 'Mediopicta Alba') Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis 'Excelsior' started its life as a seedling from California's Excelsior Gardens around 1967 and was first commercialized in the 1980s by Nature's Curiosity Shop. For us, the 6" tall x 1' wide tight rosette is highlighted by a 1.25" wide chartreuse central stripe. We are unsure of the ultimate size of Agave parryi 'Excelsior', but expect it may double the listed size. Agave 'Excelsior' grows extremely slow when young, but faster as it ages and begins to offset. We are uncertain of its cold hardiness, but it could be much hardier than our tentative Zone 7 rating if kept very dry in winter...a splendid addition to our line of winter hardy agaves. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Agave parryi ssp. truncata, considered one of the most beautiful of all the agaves, has a very limited native distribution. Found only in Durango, Mexico, it can best be described as short, fat, blue, and producing lots of offspring. Come to think of it, that also describes most of the guys at the local saloon on Saturday night. Each 18" tall x 18" wide robust clump is topped at maturity with a phallic flower bud that enlarges into a 3" diameter, 20' tall flower spike which could easily be used for a flagpole...we like horticultural multi-tasking. When they finally open, the bright yellow, fragrant flowers are hummingbird favorites. Remember to keep Agave parryi ssp. truncata well-drained and dry in the winter months. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Amorpha canescens is a superb native plant that hails from Canada south to New Mexico, where it grows in dry rocky soils. Despite this rugged heritage, fragrant dwarf false indigo has been superb in our hot, humid garden where it forms a 3' tall x 3' wide deciduous shrub. The branches are adorned with small, 3" long, mimosa-like leaves that emerge grey and age to green. Starting in late May (NC), the clumps are adorned with terminal clusters of bottlebrush-like flowers of purple with orange tips. Unlike many plants from desert climates, we haven't seen any ill effects from regular irrigation as long as the soil is well-drained. I can't imagine having a drought-tolerant garden without Amorpha canescens. in 2012 we offered this as Amorpha nana, since that was the name we purchased our original plant under...sorry for the error. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) Our evil cat Zirconia thought we had baited the garden for hummingbirds after we planted a clump of Texas firecracker. This dazzling, deer-resistant native to Texas and adjacent Mexico is composed of small pointed green leaves held along parchment, upright stems. Starting in late spring and continuing until frost, the 3' tall x 2' wide plants are covered in masses of long-tubed, bright orange, star-shaped flowers. In warmer climates where there is no winter dieback, Texas firecracker can reach heights of 6'. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Arisaema dracontium Nebraska form came to use from the late plantsman Harlan Hamernik, who grew these from seed from a Nebraska population. In our dry shade production area, this form of Arisaema dracontium tops out at 3' tall...much taller than the NC form we also grow. Arisaema dracontium most closely resembles the Asian Arisaema heterophyllum, except the green Jack-in-the-pulpit inflorescence (green hood and upright, thin yellow tongue) produced in mid-May is held just above the horseshoe-like foliage of 7-15 leaflets. Green dragons go dormant in midsummer, so don't panic...average to slightly moist soils are best. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The widespread Arisaema triphyllum is one of our favorite US native wildflowers. This hardy Jack-in-the-pulpit emerges in very early spring with a solitary stalk of one to two leaves, each with three leaflets. The height varies genetically from 1 -3' tall, but 18" is normal. On the top of the stalk is its namesake pitcher. As the common name indicates, the hooded pitcher-like spathe has an appendage (spadix) that resembles a preacher in the pulpit...I bet this one was named during one heck of a hangover! If pollination of the flower occurs, you will have a stalk of bright red berries as the plant goes summer dormant. Moist soils are best, but Arisaema triphyllum has amazing short-term drought tolerance. Arisaema triphyllum offsets, so you will soon have a nice colony. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing selection of our native Jack-in-the-pulpit comes from plantsman Paul James of Virginia. This fast-multiplying selection of Arisaema triphyllum emerges in spring with trifoliate leaves adorned with silver-white veins. There are at least three other silver-veined forms of Arisaema triphyllum, but none have rivaled the vigor of this selection. The 22" tall clumps are adorned in early spring with green "Jack" flowers. Arisaema 'Starburst' prefers moist woodland conditions and will go dormant by late summer. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Native to all but the six most western US states, Asclepias incarnata makes a stunning 50" tall stalk, topped in summer with branched terminal heads of mauvy-pink flowers, attractive to hummingbirds. Asclepias incarnata prefers moist to soggy soils, but fares well in typical garden soils in all but very extended droughts. A regular renaissance plant, Asclepias incarnata stays fresh in a vase as well as being a monarch butterfly indulgence...hopefully not at the same time. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This wide-ranging North American native plant is found in all but 7 of the continental states...sorry, Pacific Northwest. Asclepias 'Hello Yellow' is a golden yellow-flowered seed strain that comes remarkably true within the range of yellow-gold. The drought-tolerant deciduous Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' makes a 20" tall x 2' wide mound of stems clothed with index finger-sized green leaves and topped in late spring with branched spikes of golden to golden-orange flowers...a favorite butterfly and hummingbird attractant! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
For years, we have tried to find an astragalus that would grow in our hot humid climate, and we are thrilled to share our first success, Astragalus crassicarpus. This odd native legume ranges from Canada south to Texas with most of its native range west of the Mississippi River. We have had very good luck with Astragalus crassicarpus in our amended full sun rock garden berms, where drainage is excellent. In spring, the deciduous clumps of glaucous crown vetch-like compound foliage spreads to 18" wide and is adorned with short clusters of flowers that range from white to purple....each seedling is different. The subsequent inflated seed pods are the size of giant marbles...very cool. Astragalus crassicarpus is also a great host for Afranius Duskywing butterflies. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This selection of deciduous deer-resistant lady fern from Europe is one of the most unique ferns available today. Found in 1857, in Ireland, in the garden of a Mrs. Frizell, the tatting fern is still known to most avid gardeners. The narrow (less than 1" wide) fronds of Athyrium 'Frizelliae' are arranged like fuzzy green, ear-like projections on both sides of the rachis (leaf center). I know this sounds really bizarre, but even normal folks are attracted to this unusual fern. Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' makes a great 1' tall x 18" wide specimen for a special spot in the woodland garden! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' is a hot selection of our North American native, deer-resistant lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum forma rubellum) from a volunteer at The New England Wildflower Society. The lacy, light green foliage is held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stipes (fern stems). Each plant of Athyrium 'Lady in Red' makes a slowly spreading patch to 3' in 5 years. This deciduous, easy-to-grow fern makes a great blending plant for hosta and other bold-leaf plants in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Considered the "Queen of Ferns," this exquisite selection of the deciduous, deer-resistant lady fern was the pride and joy of the Victorian fern craze. The narrow pinnae of Athyrium 'Victoriae' are like little green boomerangs. As they are attached to each side of the stem, the effect is a three-dimensional stunner in the woodland garden. At the end of each pinna, the fronds are crested, adding to the exquisite beauty. For us, Athyrium 'Victoriae' forms an 18" tall x 18" wide clump. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
