Table of Landscape Plants Suitable for the Gulf Coast by Dr. William C. Welch

Table of Landscape Plants

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Ground Covers

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Asparagus, Sprengeri fern Asparagus
densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ L,M S 1 Root hardy

Algerian Ivy Hedera canariensis All Sh 1 Needs shade & some wind protection

Goats-foot Morning Glory Ipomoea pes-caprae All S 1 Native, excellent dune stabilizer

Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis All S 1 Attractive purple flowers, root hardy

Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus
quinquefolia All E 1 Clings to walls, fall color, winter berries

Stonecrop Sedum acre All S 1 Other species such as S. potosinum also good

Asiatic Jasmine Trachelospermum
asiaticum L,M E 1 Low evergreen ground cover

Confederate Jasmine Trachelospermum
jasminoides L,M E 1 Fragrant, white spring flowers, evergreen

Wedelia Wedelia trilobata L,M S 1 Perennial with yellow flowers, mowable

Shore, Blue Pacific
Juniper Juniperus conferta All S 2 Needs good drainage

Lily Turf, Liriope Liriope spicata,
L. muscari All Sh 2 Needs shade and some wind protection

Japanese, Purpleleaf
Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica All S 2 Easily grown but can be aggressive

Mondo or Monkey Grass Ophiopogon japonicus All Sh 2 Needs some shade

Vines

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus
quinquefolia All E 1 Clings to walls, fall color, winter berries

Cape Honeysuckle Tecomaria capensis L,M S 1 Bright orange flowers attract hummingbirds

Bougainvillea Bougainvillea
spectabilis L,M S 2 Top may freeze, many colors

Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans All E 2 Spring & summer orange blooms, rampant growth

English Ivy Hedera helix All Sh 1 Needs shade

Coral Vine Antigonon
leptopus All S 2 Pink summer bloom, root hardy

Fig Ivy, Creeping Fig Ficus pumila All E 2 Clings to walls

Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium
sempervirens All E 2 Yellow spring flowers

Perennials

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Yarrow Achillea millefolium All E Attractive foliage and flowers

Hinkley’s Columbine Aquilegia hinkleyana All Sh Yellow spring flowers, blue-gray foliage

Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum All S Green, feathery foliage

Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa All S Summer yellow/red flowers

Autumn Aster Aster oblongifolius All S Lavender fall flowers

Canna Canna X generalis All S Herbaceous, leafy perennial; red, pink, and yellow summer bloom

Shasta Daisy Chrysanthemum maximum All S White spring flowers

Garden Mum Chrysanthemum morifolium All S Several colors of fall flowers

Baby Sun Coreopsis Coreopsis grandiflora All S Yellow/orange summer flowers

Milk and Wine Lilies Crinum hybrids All S Recurring bloom of pink, white, red flowers from clump of large strap leaves; excellent on coast

Montbretia Crocosmia Pottsii All S Gladiolus relative; orange-red early summer

Cigar Plant Cuphea micropetala All S Red/yellow flowers late summer & fall

Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea All S Purple flowers spring through fall

Perennial Ageratum Eupatorium coelestinum All S Lavender-blue flowers summer & fall

Indian Blanket Gaillardia spp. All S Red-yellow blend spring & fall

Gerbera Gerbera spp. All E Needs good soil preparation, protection from afternoon sun and wind; many colors spring & fall

Byzantine Gladiolus Gladiolus Byzantinus All S Purple or white spring flowers

Firebush Hamelia patens All S Very heat tolerant; red flowers summer & fall

Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliana All S Yellow flowers late summer & fall

Daylily Hemerocallis All S Many colors of flowers spring & summer

Spring Star Flower Iphelon uniflorum All S Blue spring flowers

Louisiana Iris Iris hybrids All S Rich soil, fall & spring moisture required; several colors of spring flowers

Shrimp Plant Justicia brandegeana All E Yellow or reddish-brown flowers summer & fall

Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis All S Purple flowers spring & fall

Lantana Lantana spp. All S Heat and drought tolerant; many colors of flowers spring & fall; attracts butterflies

Red Spider Lily Lycoris radiata All S Red, white, or yellow flowers in fall

Turk’s Cap Malvaviscus arboreus, M. a. var. Drummondii All E Red flowers summer & fall; attracts hummingbirds

Peppermint Mentha piperita All Sh Rich soil and plenty of moisture required

Narcissus Narcissus spp. All S Small flowered varieties naturalize the best

Oxalis Oxalis crassipes All S Pink spring & summer flowers

Rock Rose Pavonia lasiopetala All S Drought resistant; pink spring & fall flowers

Perennial Phlox Phlox paniculata All S Lavender, pink, or white summer flowers

Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana All S Lavender or white summer & fall flowers

Blue Plumbago Plumbago auriculata All E Blue flowers summer & fall

Oxblood Lily Rhodophiala bifida All S Dark red flowers in early fall
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L,M S Aromatic foliage, blue flowers summer & fall

Mexican Petunia Ruellia Brittoniana All S Very drought tolerant; blue-purple flowers spring & fall; invasive

Blue Shade Ruellia sp. All E Drought tolerant ground cover- blue flowers

Mealy Cup Sage Salvia farinacea All S Drought tolerant; blue or white flowers spring & fall; ‘Victoria’ dwarf form

Autumn or Cherry Sage Salvia greggii All S Drought tolerant; white, red, or pink flowers spring & fall

Santolina Santolina sp. All S Drought tolerant; needs good drainage

Purple Heart Setcreasea pallida All S Drought & heat tolerant; source of purple foliage

Mexican Marigold Mint, Yerba Anise Tagetes lucida All S Yellow flowers in fall, aromatic foliage

Common Thyme Thyme vulgaris All S Evergreen, spreading aromatic herb

Verbena, Sand Verbena Verbena spp. All S Heat tolerant, spreading plant with range of colors spring & fall

Rain Lily Zephyranthes spp. All S Summer blooming bulbs of white and pink

Shrubs

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

SMALL SHRUBS (1 to 4 feet tall)

Century Plant Agave americana All S 1 Drought tolerant, good as specimen

Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana All S 1 Easily grow 5 to 7 feet tall

Prickly Pear Opuntia spp. All S 1 Spineless forms most useful

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L,M S 1 Prostrate and upright forms; can freeze

Yucca (many varieties) Yucca spp. All S 1 Extremely tough; heat, drought, and salt tolerant

Abelia Abelia grandiflora All E 2 Bronze evergreen foliage, white flowers

Agarito Berberis trifoliolata All E 2 Spiny leaves, yellow flowers, red fruit

American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana All E 2 Clusters of purple fruit, attracts birds; best in shade

Sago Palm Cycas revoluta L,M E 2 Slow growing, good as specimen

Coralbean Erythrina herbacea L,M E 2 Attractive spikes of red flowers; perennial upper Gulf coast

Fatsia Fatsia japonica All Sh 2 Needs shade, wind protection

Red Yucca Hesperaloe parvifolia All E 2 Red flowers on tall spikes

St. John’s Wort, Hypericum Hypericum spp. All E 2 Needs some shade, wind protection

Dwarf Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’, ‘Stokes Dwarf’ All E 2 Glossy evergreen foliage

Juniper, many varieties Juniperus chinensis cvs. All S 2 Several forms of tough evergreen shrubs

Oleander Nerium oleander L,M S 2 Drought tolerant summer bloomer, can be used in Zone 1

Indian Hawthorn Raphiolepis indica All E 2 Spring flowering, blue berries in fall; evergreen

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

MEDIUM SHRUBS (6 to 9 feet tall)

Elaeagnus Elaeagnus pungens All S 1 Gray-leaved shrub; small, fragrant flowers

Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera All S 1 Native to Texas coast

Dwarf Wax Myrtle Myrica pusilla All S 1 Native to Texas coast

Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira L E 1 Glossy foliage, fragrant flowers

Bamboo Bambusa All S 2 Clumping types less aggressive

Bird of Paradise Bush Caesalpinia gilliesii All S 2 Attractive summer red & yellow flowers

Hollywood Twisted Juniper Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’, 'Hollywood’ All S 2 Large, upright evergreen shrub with unsymmetrical growth

Ligustrum, Glossy Privet Ligustrum lucidum All E 2 Large evergreen shrub or small tree

Waxleaf Ligustrum Ligustrum japonicum All E 2 Large evergreen shrub

Oleander Nerium oleander L,M S 2 Drought tolerant summer bloomer, can be used in Zone 1

Texas Sage, Ceniza Leucophyllum spp. All S 2 Needs good drainage

Arborvitae Thuja spp. All S 2 Symmetrical evergreen shrub

Common Myrtle Myrtus communis All S 2 Small leaves, evergreen
Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

LARGE SHRUBS (greater than 10 feet tall)

Feijoa or Pineapple Guava Feijoa sellowiana All S 2 Large shrub or small tree

Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria All E 2 Large shrub or small tree, glossy evergreen foliage, fall red berries

Oleander Nerium oleander L,M S 2 Drought tolerant summer bloomer, can be used in Zone 1

Japanese Yew Podocarpus macrophylia All E 2 Large, upright evergreen shrub

Arborvitae Thuja spp. All S 2 Symmetrical evergreen shrub

Trees

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

SMALL TREES

Chinaberry, Texas Umbrella Melia azedarach All S 1 Brittle wood yet grows well on barrier islands

Huisache Acacia farnesiana All S 2 Yellow spring bloom, thorny

Texas Persimmon Diospyros texana All S 2 Handsome trunks, black fruit on female - good wildlife food

Southern Golden Raintree Koelreuteria bipinnata L,M S 2 Fast growth, handsome fall seed pods

Mulberry Morus alba All S 2 Fast growth, invasive roots

Mesquite Prosopis glandulosa All S 2 Light green, lacy look; takes wind well

Lavender Chaste Tree, Vitex Vitex agnus-castus All S 2 Small tree, lavender bloom in spring

Camphor Tree Cinnamonum camphora L.M S 2 Evergreen

Citrus Citrus spp. L S 2 Cold hardiness varies among types; some types may be grown on the upper & middle coast (e.g., mandarins, tangelos, & kumquats)

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica All S 2 Large leaves, edible fruit

Retama Parkinsonia aculeata All S 2 Makes light shade; yellow flowers

Japanese Black Pine Pinus thunbergia All S 2 Evergreen, interesting form

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

LARGE TREES

Australian Pine Causarina stricta L S 1 Freezes mid-20s

Tamarisk, Salt Cedar Tamarix spp. L,M S 2 Freezes upper teens

Deodar Cedar Cedrus deodar All S 2 Pyramidal form

Arizona Cypress Cupressus glabra All S 2 Evergreen, use for windbreaks

Live Oak Quercus virginiana All S 2 Evergreen, spreading tree

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus spp. L S 2 May freeze, select most hardy spp. (e.g., E. rostrata, camaldulensis, microtheca)

Cottonwood Populus deltoides All S 2 Fast but weak growth; takes wind

Bald Cypress, Montezuma Cypress Taxodium distichum, T. mucronatum All S 2 Deciduous conifer (T. mucronatum tends to stay evergreen L,M); long-lived

Palms

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Palmetto Palm Sabal minor All E 1 Very short, hardy fan palm

Texas Palmetto Sabal texana All S 1 Hardy, very cold tolerant fan palm; slow growing

Cabbage or Florida Palmetto Sabal palmetto All S 1 Hardy, very cold tolerant; slow growing, long-lived fan palm

Washington Fan Palm Washingtonia filifera and hybrids L,M S 1 Fan palm, may freeze; hardier than W. robusta

Pindo Palm Butia capitata All S 2 Slow growing, hardy feather palm

European Fan Palm Chamaerops humilis L,M S 2 Hardy, low, clustering fan palm

Phoenix or Canary, Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis L,M S 2 Large, slow growing feather palm; may freeze in M

Grasses for Lawn & Turf

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides L,M S Does best on clay or loamy soil in areas with low rainfall, most drought tolerant

Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon All S Common on coast

St. Augustine grass Stenotaphrum secundatum All E Requires most water to maintain

Zoysia grass Zoysia japonica All E Slow spreading

Seashore Paspalum, Adalayd Paspalum vaginatum All S High tolerance to salt

Native and Ornamental Grasses
for Rough Areas

Common
Name Scientific
Name Hardi-
ness Light Zone Notes

Sea Coast Blue Stem Adropogon scoparius All S 1

Salt grass Distichlis spicata All S 1

Lindheimer’s Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia Lindheimeri All S 2

Sand Knotgrass Paspalum distichum All S 1

Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum All S 2 Several cultivars, including Purple Fountain Grass

Giant Seaoats Chasmanthium paniculata All S 1 Valuable native, soil/dune stabilizer; ornamental seed heads

Miscanthus ‘Adagio’ Gramineae All S 1

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