West Texas landscapes are often shaped by intense sun, drying winds, heat, and limited rainfall. Choosing native plants can help create landscapes that are better adapted to these conditions and often require less long-term input once established. Texas A&M’s Earth-Kind plant guide places Abilene in Region 6: West Texas, so the plants below were selected from that guide based on two filters: they are marked as Texas native and listed as adapted to Region 6 or to most areas of Texas.
Native Perennials for West Texas
These native perennials can add long bloom seasons, pollinator value, and reliable color to West Texas landscapes.
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
A classic West Texas plant with blooms in shades of white, red, pink, and salmon from spring through fall. Texas A&M lists it as a Texas native adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Baby Sun / Sunray Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora)
A bright yellow to orange Texas native that Texas A&M lists as adapted to most areas of Texas. It is a good choice for sunny beds and borders.
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia sp.)
This Texas native is listed by Texas A&M as adapted to most areas of Texas and blooming from spring to fall. It brings warm reddish-yellow color and works well in naturalized plantings.
Mealy Cup Sage (Salvia farinacea)
One of the best-known Texas native salvias, with blue, white, or purple blooms from spring through fall. Texas A&M lists it as native and adapted to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Perennial Verbena (Verbena sp.)
A low-growing Texas native with a long bloom period from spring to fall. Texas A&M lists it as adapted to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Pink Rain Lily (Zephyranthes grandiflora)
A smaller Texas native perennial listed as adapted to most areas of Texas. It offers pink summer blooms and works well tucked into borders or smaller planting spaces.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)
Texas A&M lists this Texas native as adapted to most areas of Texas. It provides purple blooms and strong pollinator appeal.
White Rain Lily (Zephyranthes candida)
This Texas native is listed as adapted to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, with white summer blooms. It is a nice option for repeated drifts in a planting bed.
Texas Lantana (Lantana sp.)
Texas A&M marks lantana in this list as Texas native and adapted to Regions 1, 2, 3, and 6, with a long bloom season from spring to fall. It is a strong choice for hot, sunny sites.
Native Grasses for West Texas
Native grasses add movement, texture, and structure to a landscape and can pair beautifully with flowering perennials.
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Texas A&M lists this grass as Texas native and adapted to most areas of Texas. It reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall and performs well in sunny settings.
Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri)
A Texas native grass listed as adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, and 6. It offers fine texture and is especially useful for adding softness and movement to hot, dry landscapes.
Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
Texas A&M marks this grass as Texas native and adapted to most areas of Texas. It is a dependable native grass for sunny sites and is one of the most recognizable native grasses used in Texas landscapes.
Native Vines and Groundcover-Type Plants
These can be useful where you want vertical interest or coverage along fences, trellises, or informal areas.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Texas A&M lists coral honeysuckle as a Texas native vine adapted to most areas of Texas. It is noted for coral-colored summer flowers.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Listed in the guide as a Texas native and adapted to most areas of Texas, trumpet vine provides orange flowers in summer and fall.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Texas A&M lists Virginia creeper as Texas native and adapted to most areas of Texas, noting its fall color and climbing habit.
Native Shrubs for West Texas
Native shrubs bring year-round form, screening, and seasonal interest to the landscape.
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Texas A&M lists red yucca as Texas native and adapted to most areas of Texas. It is noted for red flowers on tall spikes and is especially fitting for hot, sunny sites.
Agarita (Mahonia trifoliata)
Agarita is listed as a Texas native shrub adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, and 6. Texas A&M notes its holly-like evergreen foliage, yellow spring flowers, and red edible berries.
Central Texas Sage (Leucophyllum sp.)
Texas A&M lists this shrub as Texas native and adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, and 6. The guide notes its dusty gray evergreen foliage and summer bloom habit.
Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
This Texas native is listed as adapted to Regions 2, 3, and 6. Texas A&M notes its purple spring flowers and evergreen shrub-to-small-tree habit.
Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana)
Texas A&M lists Texas persimmon as a Texas native adapted to Regions 2, 3, and 6, with edible fruit for wildlife and an attractive light gray trunk.
Native Trees for West Texas
These native trees can provide height, shade, habitat, and strong long-term structure in the landscape.
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Texas A&M lists desert willow as a Texas native small tree adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It is noted for snapdragon-like summer flowers and willow-like foliage.
Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
Listed as Texas native and adapted to Regions 2, 3, 4, and 6, honey mesquite is noted by Texas A&M for its lacy, spreading form.
Redbud (Cercis sp.)
Texas A&M lists redbud as a Texas native small tree adapted to most areas of Texas and notes its spring bloom.
Soapberry (Sapindus drummondii)
Texas A&M lists soapberry as a Texas native small tree adapted to most areas of Texas, with fall color noted in the guide.
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
This native oak is listed by Texas A&M as adapted to most areas of Texas, with bold foliage and large acorns.
Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
Texas A&M lists cedar elm as a Texas native large tree adapted to most areas of Texas and notes its upright growth habit and usefulness as a street tree.
Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Listed as Texas native and adapted to Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, this oak is noted by Texas A&M for its rounded form and bold foliage.
Planting Tips for West Texas
When using native plants in West Texas, it still matters to match the plant to the site. Texas A&M’s Earth-Kind guidance emphasizes selecting plants based on the region’s soil and climate, and it notes that native plants generally have lower water demands and fewer pest and fertilizer needs than many nonadapted exotics.
A few good rules for success:
- Plant sun-loving natives in full sun.
- Make sure the soil drains well.
- Water regularly during establishment, then reduce irrigation as plants mature.
- Group plants with similar water needs together.
- Leave enough room for mature size.