Choosing native plants to landscape your yard can give you peace of mind that your garden will thrive and also support the local ecosystem of Houston.
Three Basic Botanical Zones
- East Texas zone – north and east of Houston through the Beaumont area and into Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Also known as the “pineywoods”.
- The Post Oak Savannah – westward into the open prairies and hilly lands of west Texas
- The Gulf Coast Prairie – extends from the Sabine river into the Rio Grande
By observing wild habitats of your location, nature will show you the most adaptable species to plant in your yard. Take note of what plants grow in the shade as well as full sun. Some example that are common to our landscape are:
- sow- thistle
- phacelia
- bull thistle
- Mexican hat
- gaillardia
- dandelion
- star-thistle
There are also some edible native plants as well:
- nasturtium
- marigold
- garlic chives
- dandelion greens
- elderberries
- mayapple (COOKED ONLY)
Wild greens that are cooked and eaten are known as “potherbs”, some of them are:
- dock
- poke
- nettle
- thistle
- chickweed
- lamb’s quarter
Note: never eat raw pokeweed; only cooked tender new shoots are edible.
Wild greens that can be eaten raw:
- pepper grass
- lamb’s quarter
- sheep sorrell
- catbrier
Wild root crops that can be eaten raw:
- daylily
- wild onion
- woundwort
Wild berries found in Texas:
- blackberries
- dewberries
- mulberries
Aside from pecans, there are also wild nuts that are edible:
- hickory nuts
- walnuts
- acorns
- lotus seeds
- sunflower seeds
Edible flowers not only add beauty, but also a spicy flavor to salads:
- nasturtium
- daylilies
- rose petals
- redbud blossoms
If you’re looking into some native teas to drink, the following make soothing, tasty and nutritious teas:
- sassafras root
- yaupon leaves (no berries!)
- horsemint
For seasoning and spicing up your roasts and meats try:
- dried southern wax myrtle leaves
- garlic chives
Make sure the plant(s) you are ingesting are identified properly and note precautions above in specific varieties. For starters, prepare a basic salad and use both imported artichoke hearts and our native redbud flowers- you may realize that your landscape can feed you just as well as a vegetable garden.
However, it is unlawful to collect your specimens from the wild. Native plants need to be obtained from nurseries that specialize in their cultivation.
If you happen to own land or have permission from the landowner to transplant a specimen, it is advised to remove it during the winter months to allow the roots enough time to acclimate themselves before the heat of the summer.
Shrubs and small trees can be transplanted during spring or summer, as long as proper care ensures they are obtaining adequate water after replanting. Small vines and ground covers can be transplanted year round. Whether it’s native or and introduced species, the same method of planting is used in both.
