Published in the McAllen Monitor, January 4, 2025
Story and photos by Anita Westervelt
Native plants are important food sources for plant-eating insects and wildlife; they support more beneficial species than non-native plants. The general term plant includes all the flora, from ground covers to single-stemmed blooming plants to vines, shrubs and trees.
This article is about shrubs. Technically, trees have a single main trunk, shrubs are multi-stemmed at the base near the ground and generally are shorter than trees.
Shrubs can be fairly quick growing, branching out into shapely, dense growth that takes up space or fills a void. Many native shrubs bloom, produce beneficial fruit and seeds that help support wildlife while making a yard or garden more colorful and entertaining.
During the day, dense leafy shrubs harbor a multitude of wonderful native night flying insects. Anoles use multi-branching shrubs for subterfuge, looking for prey. Birds might choose a larger bush for nest building or for resting, perching and singing during the day.
Following are shrubs to consider planting now while the temperatures are cooler, and the plants are dormant.
Cenizo, Leucophyllum frutescens, is a Rio Grande Valley favorite both with homeowners and for commercial landscaping. Also known as Texas sage, it is the official native shrub of Texas. Cool silvery foliage graces the plant all year and periodically, especially after rain, cenizo puts on a spectacular show of purple blooms. Mature plants are about five feet tall.
Chili Pequin, Capsicum annuum, is perhaps not a typical garden choice, but worth a try. It is easy to grow in full sun or shade and requires no maintenance. I have one under the shade of a sugar hackberry, and another under a honey mesquite. Birds love the fruit – and help propagate it. Tiny white flowers draw nectar insects.
Turk’s cap, Malvaviscus drummondii, is especially for hummingbird lovers; plant it where you will have optimum visuality. It grows in the shade and blooms most of the year. Local experts recommend cutting it to the ground in January or February every second or third year. It will be back and blooming by spring. Oriole’s drink nectar from the blooms. Great Kiskadees eat the fruit.
Yellow sophora, Sophora tomentosa, also attracts hummingbirds. A mature shrub can reach to five feet in height with arching branches at a six-foot spread. Long-blooming yellow flowers and soft grey-green foliage attract bees and butterflies during the day and moths and other nectar insects at nighttime. South Texas is its northernmost range; it blooms most of the year and survives temperatures to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes back from the roots if it freezes.
Prepare to protect newly planted shrubs with cardboard boxes, sheets or blankets if freezing and extended cold winds are predicted.
The local Native Plant Project publishes online native plant handbooks at https://nativeplantproject.com/
Link to local native plant growers: https://www.stbctmn.org/post/valley-native-plant-growers-nurseries.
The South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist’s next meeting is January 20 at St. George Orthodox Church Hall, 704 West Sam Houston, in Pharr. The presentation is “Landscapes for Birds” which discusses the benefits of native plants desirable for the Lower Rio Grande Valley and design considerations for your landscape. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. Roberto Gaitan and Barbara Peet are presenting this Native Plant Society of Texas designed program. The meetings are free and open to the public.
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