Fall is one of the best times of year to plant in Austin, Dripping Springs, and the Central Texas Hill Country.
We often get asked what to plant in Austin this fall, and the good news is that cooler weather opens up one of the best planting windows of the year in Central Texas.
Cooler temperatures reduce stress on new plants, while our soil is still warm enough for roots to continue developing. That gives many trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials time to establish before next summer’s heat arrives.
It also happens to be one of the most beautiful times of year at the nursery.
Here are some of our favorite plants to consider for your Central Texas landscape this fall.
Gulf Muhly
Few plants announce fall in Central Texas like Gulf Muhly.
This Texas native ornamental grass produces airy pink flower plumes that seem to glow when backlit by the sun.
It works especially well planted in groups, along borders, or mixed into drought-tolerant landscapes.
Gulf Muhly prefers plenty of sun and is a great choice for gardeners looking for color, movement, and relatively low maintenance.
White Cloud Muhly
If you love the soft texture of Gulf Muhly but prefer something lighter, White Cloud Muhly is a beautiful alternative.
Its fluffy white plumes create a striking effect in the fall landscape and work especially well against darker foliage, stone, or evergreen plants.
Plant several together for the strongest effect.
Big Muhly
Big Muhly is one of our favorite grasses when a landscape needs more size and structure.
This Texas native grows into a substantial clump with blue-gray foliage and tall, silvery flower stalks in fall.
It is especially useful toward the back of a bed, along property lines, or anywhere you want the softness of an ornamental grass without using a small plant.
Fall Aster
Fall Aster is exactly what its name suggests — a dependable burst of color when many summer plants are beginning to slow down.
Covered in small purple-blue flowers in fall, it is excellent for pollinator gardens and provides an important late-season source of nectar.
It works well mixed with ornamental grasses, salvias, and other native perennials. A definite must have for central Texas gardens.
Mexican Bush Sage
Mexican Bush Sage is hard to miss in the fall.
Long purple and white flower spikes appear above soft silvery foliage, creating a strong display in sunny beds and borders.
There is also a purple and purple variety called ‘Midnight’ that is equally as striking.
It pairs especially well with Gulf Muhly and other ornamental grasses and is a favorite for adding late-season color and movement.
Salvia Greggii
Salvia greggii remains one of the most useful plants for Central Texas landscapes.
It handles heat, attracts pollinators, works well in water-wise gardens, and comes in a wide range of flower colors.
Fall is a great time to add Salvias because they can begin establishing roots before the stress of next summer.
The Salvia greggii is available in a wide range of colors: white, red, coral, pink, purple to name a few.
American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry is one of those plants that becomes especially noticeable in fall.
Its clusters of vivid purple berries provide seasonal interest and are also valuable to wildlife. It works especially well in more naturalistic landscapes and in areas with some protection from intense afternoon sun.
At Vivero, our American Beautyberry is grown from Central Texas plant material, helping us select plants that are already well adapted to our conditions.
Texas Sage
Texas Sage is a classic choice for hot, sunny, drought-tolerant landscapes.
Depending on the variety, its silvery or green foliage provides year-round structure. Bursts of purple flowers often appear following changes in humidity and rainfall.
It is especially useful in landscapes where low maintenance and heat tolerance are priorities.
Agaves and Other Architectural Plants
Fall can also be a great time to add agaves and other structural plants to the landscape.
Plants such as Whale’s Tongue Agave and other cold-hardy varieties provide year-round form and contrast beautifully with softer plants such as ornamental grasses and flowering perennials.
The key is choosing the right agave for the location and making sure drainage is appropriate.
Trees and Shrubs
Fall is also one of the best times to plant many trees and shrubs in Central Texas.
Planting during cooler weather gives roots time to establish before the plant has to deal with extreme summer temperatures.
Whether you are looking for shade, screening, wildlife value, evergreen structure, or something unusual, fall is a great time to get larger landscape plants into the ground.
Why Plant in Fall?
Spring gets most of the attention, but fall planting has a major advantage in Central Texas: plants can spend months developing roots before summer arrives.
That usually means less transplant stress and a stronger, better-established plant going into our hottest part of the year.
You still need to water new plantings carefully while they establish, but cooler temperatures generally make the process easier on both the plant and the gardener.
See What’s Looking Good at Vivero Right Now
Our inventory changes constantly, and fall is one of the most colorful times to visit the nursery. See what’s looking good now for current current nursery highlights.
We grow many of our perennials, shrubs, succulents, and other plants right here at Vivero Growers Nursery, where they are already acclimated to Central Texas conditions.
If you are not sure what will work in your landscape, bring photos, measurements, or simply tell us about the sun, soil, and conditions in your yard. Our team can help you narrow down the right choices.
Visit Vivero Growers Nursery on Highway 290 between Austin and Dripping Springs and see what’s looking good this fall.
