Best Native Plants for Austin Landscaping

The secret to a beautiful, low-maintenance Austin landscape is working with nature rather than against it. Native plants — species that evolved in Central Texas over thousands of years — are naturally adapted to the region's heat, drought, rocky soils, and unpredictable rainfall. Once established, they require far less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-native ornamentals, and they provide critical habitat for native birds, bees, and butterflies.

Here are the best native plants for Austin landscaping, organized by use and growing conditions.

Native Trees

Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis)

The Texas live oak is the iconic tree of the Austin landscape — a massive, spreading canopy that provides deep shade and dramatic visual presence. Live oaks are evergreen, drought tolerant, and extremely long-lived. They are the anchor plant for most Austin landscapes and should be preserved whenever possible during construction or renovation. Note: live oaks are susceptible to oak wilt, a devastating fungal disease — avoid pruning from February through June, when the disease spreads most rapidly.

Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)

The Texas redbud is one of the most beautiful native trees for Austin landscapes. In late February and March, it erupts in a spectacular display of magenta-pink flowers before the leaves emerge — a stunning early-spring show. Texas redbud is smaller than the eastern redbud, typically reaching 15–20 feet, making it ideal for smaller yards and as an understory tree beneath larger oaks.

Native Shrubs

Texas Sage / Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens)

Texas sage is one of the most useful native shrubs for Austin landscapes. It is extremely drought tolerant, thrives in full sun and rocky soils, and produces stunning purple flowers after rain events — a phenomenon known as "barometer bush" behavior. Texas sage is excellent for foundation plantings, hedges, and mass plantings in hot, sunny areas where other shrubs struggle.

Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata)

Agarita is a tough, spiny native shrub that is virtually indestructible in Austin's climate. It produces small yellow flowers in late winter and red berries in summer that are beloved by birds. Agarita is excellent for wildlife habitat plantings, erosion control on slopes, and as a barrier plant. Its spines make it an effective deterrent for unwanted foot traffic.

Native Perennials & Groundcovers

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Autumn sage is one of the most versatile and widely used native perennials in Austin landscaping. It blooms from spring through fall in shades of red, pink, white, and coral, and it is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies. Autumn sage is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and pollinator gardens.

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Blackfoot daisy is a compact, mounding perennial that produces cheerful white daisy-like flowers almost year-round in Austin. It thrives in rocky, well-drained soils and full sun — exactly the conditions found in many Hill Country landscapes. Blackfoot daisy is extremely drought tolerant and requires virtually no maintenance once established.

Native Grasses

Gulf Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

Gulf muhly is one of the most spectacular native grasses for Austin landscapes. In fall, it produces clouds of pink-purple flower plumes that create a stunning display. Gulf muhly is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and thrives in full sun. It is excellent for mass plantings, borders, and as a specimen plant.

Professional Native Plant Landscaping

Designing a beautiful native plant landscape requires knowledge of plant selection, placement, and establishment. Our landscaping team specializes in native and drought-tolerant landscape design for Austin and the Highland Lakes area. Contact Grass Works Austin to schedule a free landscape design consultation.