We’ve simplified the landscape design and plant selection process for North Central Texas (Dallas Fort Worth)! Using the Texas Smartscape program as a guide, this plant selection tool features plants that are either native or adaptive to Texas, meaning they grow well naturally here, also making them great for water conservation.

Plants thrive when placed in the right environment, and three key factors are critical: sun exposure, water needs, and soil conditions. For this landscape design guide, we assume the soil is an amended mixture of compost, clay, sand, or silt, which is general mixture for most plants.

This is something that is easily determined base on your flower bed location. Depending on the location relative to your house/building you will know if it gets Full Sun or Partial or Full Shade.

For example, South side of the house usually gets Full Sun.

If the bed is on the North side and close to the house, it should get full shade from the house. Of course if its too far from the house it would not get any shade.

If the flower bed is on the East or West Side of the house it should get Partial Sun. Remember the sun rises in the East and sets on the West.

Also, keep in mind your neighbors house or fence, they would provide shade also. If your bed is in the ally between both houses it is likely Full Shade.

Trees also provide shade, like a building determine if your bed’s location relative to the tree.

Sun Level specified:

• Full Sun – 6 or more hours of direct sunlight on the plant
• Partial Sun/Shade – 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight on the plant.
• Full Shade – Less than 4 hours of direct sunlight on the plant.

Watering Levels is something you can choose, unlike the sun exposure – you usually don’t add a tree or building to create shade on your flower beds.

If you don’t want to manually water or add irrigation/sprinklers to your yard, you would want to choose Very Low – Low water level. This would be great for native Texas rain levels in the summer. Even if it rains a lot in the spring or fall the plant will be fine as long as it is well drained; meaning the bed or area is not moist for too long a time or it does not puddle. You would choose drought tolerant plants for a Xeriscape Landscape maintenance – stay in the Very Low water level Category.

If you don’t mind watering your plants, you can choose Low to Medium water level category plants. At this time we don’t recommend High watering needs plants – these plants are usually for shady and wet areas, which is not common anyway.

Medium water level plants for sure will need sprinkler systems to maintain the watering amount. If you’re sprinkler or drip irrigation is not working be sure to contact us to fix it.

Note, some plants are versatile and can be on multiple categories of water level and sun exposure.

Now that you have narrowed down your plants to one section of the Matrix based on sun exposure and water level, you can select your plants.

Typically, you want 3 rows of plants: tall in the back (usually evergreen bushes), medium-sized in the middle, and short in the front (usually perennial flowers). Everyone has their own preference, so have fun or stick to a color theme. The height is more important. The number next to the plant name is their typical full-grown height. So, depending on what structures are next to your bed, like a window or fence, you would want to select a plant height that fits. Most people don’t want to cover their windows.

And remember, Landscape design is like viewing a family portrait, you want the tallest plants in the back and shortest ones in the front. That is why we included the height in the plant name.

You may have a large selection left after the decision matrix, at that point it is up to you base on preference of foliage. 

Also note, tall shrubs/bushes are great for hedges, above 4′. They are not so great for beds next to your window as it may block it. You can filter the plants by height. 

We hope you find this Plant Table Selection easy to use for Landscaping Design in Texas. We love to hear your feedback. If you need landscape installation, we’d be happy to help.

This table uses two common plant types: shrubs and perennials. Annuals can add more seasonal color and fill in gaps in your bed. Annuals don’t last more than 6 months, which is why they are seasonal. We love shrubs and perennials because they last year-round, which makes them the core of your flower beds. But some perennials need to be cut back (“deadheading” or “shearing”).

You will need to make sure your soil is adequate. It should not be too much clay or sand or silt, it should be well mixed. It should not be compacted. Compost will help with the aeration and add nutrients. And dig deep enough so your soil is better amended giving your plant a more habitable environment for growth.

Also make sure it is well drained. Sand mixture will help amend the soil. But if your area has poor drainage due to lack of gutters or other foundation issues, you likely want to install French Drains or another drainage system. They are great investments to protect your foundation and control moisture for your flower beds.

Cobble stones or other crushed granite and gravel can help with drainage and erosion too. And they can also accent your flower beds if done right.