Guides
How to actually do it
Plant-picking is half the job. These guides cover the other half — the how, where, and when of gardening with natives.
How to Replace Your Lawn With Native Plants in Texas
A step-by-step plan for killing your turf and replacing it with low-water Texas natives — from smothering the grass to choosing groundcovers, sedges, and native lawn grass.
The Best Native Plants for Clay Soil in Texas
Heavy black clay doesn't have to be a curse. These Texas natives evolved in it — trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that thrive in the dense, alkaline clay of the Blackland Prairie and beyond.
Native Alternatives to Common Non-Native Plants in Texas
Swap ligustrum, nandina, Bradford pear, Japanese honeysuckle, St. Augustine and other common landscape plants for Texas natives that do the same job with less water.
Texas Native Plant Calendar: What to Plant, Sow and Prune by Season
A season-by-season calendar for Texas native gardens: when to plant shrubs and trees, sow bluebonnets, seed buffalograss, and cut back flame acanthus, beautyberry, autumn sage and more.
Texas Native Salvias: Autumn, Mealy Blue, Scarlet and Cedar Sage
How to choose between Texas's four garden-friendly native salvias by sun, soil and color, with bloom times, sizes, deer resistance and care for each.
Native Plants for Shade and Dry Shade in Texas
The north side of the house, under the oaks, along the fence — the shady, root-filled spots where grass and most flowers give up. These Texas natives bloom and thrive there anyway.