7 Plants For West Texas Gardening Success

Gardening in West Texas is not for the faint of heart. If you look at a map of the ecoregions of Texas, Midland sits at the convergence of three ecoregions- The Edwards Plateau, The Chihuahan Desert and the Llano Estacado. This means that Midland sits in a unique (albeit harsh) growing region.

Here, our soil is silty, the heat is intense, the winds are strong and constant, and we have very little rainfall. All these factors work against anything that grows here, but it is best to learn to work with the climate, rather than against it, to even the odds.

Top Seven Perennial Plants For West Texas

The most important choice you will make when beginning to plant a garden in West Texas is choosing the correct plants that are suited to our unique climate. Unlike other parts of the country, there are only a handful of plants that will truly thrive in our region. Most generic plants sold at big box stores simply do not thrive or even survive here.  

Here is a list of seven unique perennial plants that will set you up for success in your West Texan garden. These plants are uncommon enough to not be sold in big box stores, but you can find them in most of the local nurseries here in Midland, Texas.

Bearded Iris (Iris Germanica)

Modern day bearded iris come in literally every color of the rainbow. They spread by rhizome, so they are easily propagated to spread throughout your garden or share with friends. They are hybridized from iris species that are native to the middle east, so they are especially suited to our climate. We have an active local iris society-the West Texas Iris Society- that has an annual iris show every spring and an annual iris sale every fall. Follow them on Instagram for local shows, sales, or tips on growing iris.

Four Nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris)

This adorable, low-growing Texas native is one of the few plants that will bloom year-round here in West Texas. It has low-growing feathery foliage that self-spreads, with quarter-sized cheerful yellow daisy blooms on long stems that seem to float above the ground.  They aren’t especially showy but they are invaluable for providing color to the garden in the middle of the winter and summer when most other plants have fizzled out.

Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium Greggi)

If you visit the butterfly garden at the I-20 Nature Preserve in the summer, you will notice that the butterflies will especially flock to the wispy lavender-blue flowers of this plant. Multiple species of butterflies visit this plant, but it is a particular favorite of the Queen butterfly. mistflower blooms in the hottest months of the year (June-September) and is one of the few plants that will remain in top shape through the heat of the summer.

Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus Quadrifidus var. Wrightii)

When in bloom, this native shrub is covered in small trumpet-shaped red flowers that the hummingbirds go gaga over. It needs very little supplemental watering and will do well in the hottest parts of your garden. Though with supplemental water this shrub can get very large, sometimes upwards of 4-5 ft. It blooms from summer through fall, much to the hummingbird’s delight.

Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus)

Rosemary may not be native to Texas, but this herb might as well be with how well it performs here. It is evergreen in West Texas, so you can enjoy fresh clippings from it to season dishes all year long. There are two main varieties- upright and prostrate. The upright will form a dense bush about three feet tall and wide, and the prostate likes to hug the ground and spread wider.

Desert Willow (Chilopsis Linearis)

This native flowering ornamental tree comes in white, pink. and maroon varieties and they bloom during the intense heat of the summer. Its feathery foliage is ethereal, and it can be pruned into shrub or tree form, making it a versatile specimen in the garden. The most beautiful desert willow in Midland lies in the median of the Loop 250 frontage road at the Midland intersection. Next time you’re stopped at that stoplight keep your eye out for this large specimen blooming its heart out in the middle of one of Midland’s busiest intersections.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum Secundiflorum)

This native shrub is a standout because its blooms have a strong grape Koolaid scent that is unlike any other flower. It is evergreen, so it makes an effective year-round screen and provides winter interest. Like the Desert Willow, it can be pruned into shrub or tree form. Watch for the bright purple Mountain Laurel blooms along the shoulders of the overpasses of Loop 250 in March-May.

West Texas Gardening Resources

Plants can be an expensive investment, both in time and money, but there are quite a few local resources to help you make the best decision on plant selection and care. The links below are a great place to start setting up the perfect, thriving garden in West Texas:

Midland’s local nurseries

Not only can the local nurseries provide you with all of the supplies you need to be successful, the employees are literally gardening professionals. They’ve seen it all and are eager for your success in the garden!

Master Gardeners

The Master Gardeners have a booth at the Midland Downtown Farmer’s Market and they’re always excited to answer any of your questions.

West Texas Xeriscaping Gardeners Facebook group

This is a very active Facebook group that is full of expert gardeners that are happy to answer any of your gardening questions and has loads of inspiration for xeric (drought tolerant) gardening.

Candice Pettijohn

Candice Pettijohn is a geologist by day and an avid gardener by night. She was an Army brat and has lived all over the country, but as of 2014, she and her family finally put down roots in Midland when an oil and gas company recruited her for employment as a petroleum geologist. She lives in Midland county with her husband and two kids on 9 acres of largely untouched West Texas pasture, which they have dubbed Pettijohn Preserve. You can follow her indoor and outdoor gardening adventures and advice on her Instagram @chlorophyll_and_chill.