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
(Phlomis russeliana)
Jerusalem sage has large (up to 7″) fuzzy leaves and a vigorous, upright growth habit that lends architectural heft and prevents your perennial border from mushing together texturally.
Sturdy stems with whorls of butter-colored flowers bloom June through September.
Likes sun, any soil and not too much water.
(Iris germanica)
A classic old-time ‘pass-along’ plant, we love the big showy flowers of bearded iris even if the season is short.
They make up for it with sturdy, evergreen sword-shaped foliage that provides a good foil to fuzzier plants in the border.
Fragrant and romantic, they will multiply in full sun or very light shade and last for years.
Don’t cover the rhizomes with soil or mulch; when planted too deeply they will make leaves but not bloom. Prefer drier soils.
Some varieties are alleged to re-bloom in the fall; although we haven’t seen consistent results ourselves, we keep hoping!
(Piper auritum, Root Beer plant)
Large, velvety leaves on stalks that can reach 4’-5’ tall make a bold statement in a shady planting.
An aromatic tropical herb, the leaves of hoya santa are used to wrap fish or meats for steaming; Paula Lambert also wraps goat cheese in the leaves to impart the slightly licorice/root beer flavor to the cheese.
Dies back in the winter but returns reliably each year.
(Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana)
Native to Big Bend but grows well here.
This columbine is tall, sturdy and usually evergreen, with large yellow cockspur-shaped flowers in March and April.
A short-lived perennial, it will reseed and hybridize with other columbines if planted close to them. Needs shade and regular moisture, prefers acidic soil.
