Welcome to our Plant Library! Dave and his staff share their years of experience trying out different plants, along with the maintenance know-how that comes from doing it all yourself. The photos and descriptions here will introduce you to some of the wonderful plant material we can enjoy here in North Texas. We hope you enjoy this handy resource.
Show All AnnualEvergreenGrassesGround CoversLarge TreesOrnamental TreesPerennialsShrubsSpring ColorVines
(Myrica cerifera)
Evergreen shrub or small tree with long, fragrant foliage and small bluish-grey berries formerly used for candles. Does great in wet areas and sandy soils; will tolerate poor drainage but is not particularly drought tolerant. For a denser hedge, keep leggy growth trimmed. Some people swear it keeps mosquitoes away from patios and pool areas.
(Punica granatum)
One of the few fruit trees that really loves it here, pomegranates have showy red-orange blossoms in the summer. If you have room for the standard tree (it can grow to 25 feet over time), you will get larger fruits. ‘Nana,’ the dwarf variety, has delicate lance-shaped foliage and a neater habit, but fruit is smaller. Another option is to make juice, which is full of antioxidants, tannins and vitamins B and C. Research shows pomegranate juice can slow or reverse plaque formation in the arteries and may prevent recurrence of prostrate cancer. A tough and ornamental tree even if you aren’t interested in the harvest, pomegranates should be used more often here.
(Albrizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’)
A dark burgundy leaf on this mimosa makes an interesting accent in the summer garden.
Likes poor dry soil, don’t baby it with too much water or fertilizer!
Flowers are fragrant and attract bees; new leaves are greenish but turn maroon as they mature.
(Prunus mexicana)
Wonderful fragrant white flowers cover the branches before the leaves emerge in early spring. Native to escarpments and woodlands all around us,
Mexican plum is what you should plant if you’re an Easterner pining for dogwoods in the spring.
Great orangey-yellow fall color and beautiful, multi-colored bark as fine as any cherry tree.
Grows in full sun to part shade and has to be well-drained; other than that it’s carefree. Small fruits are good for preserves, but a bit tart for eating out of hand.