At Vivero Growers Nursery, we love helping Central Texas gardeners create beautiful, water-wise landscapes that thrive in our heat, drought, and limestone soils. Looking for Texas native perennials in Austin? Texas native perennials are the perfect choice—they’re naturally adapted to our climate, support local pollinators and wildlife, and require far less water and care than non-natives.
Here are our top 10 favorites that look spectacular in Austin-area gardens.
1. Four-Nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)
Cheerful lemon-yellow daisies bloom nearly year-round on this compact, rock-garden gem. Tough as nails, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with almost no supplemental water once established. Watch our short video on the Four Nerve Daisy.
2. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
A Central Texas staple available in red, pink, coral, white, and bi-colors. This heat-loving, drought-tolerant salvia blooms from spring until frost, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies while being highly deer-resistant.
3. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
A vigorous semi-evergreen native vine that explodes with trumpet-shaped orange-red flowers in spring (often with a second flush later). Perfect for arbors, fences, or trellises in sun or part shade—and a hummingbird favorite. Learn more about Crossvine.
4. Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)
Vibrant clusters of yellow, orange, and pink flowers cover this tough shrub from spring through fall. It laughs at poor soil, full sun, and drought while providing nectar for countless butterflies.
5. Zexmenia (Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida)
Bright golden-yellow daisies on a mounding, scrappy perennial that blooms relentlessly from May to November. Extremely drought-tolerant and deer-resistant—perfect for hot, dry slopes.
6. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Silvery foliage and stunning purple blooms (especially after summer rains) make this evergreen shrub a Hill Country icon. Excellent as a hedge, screen, or specimen—zero fuss and ultra drought-tolerant.
7. Rock Rose / Pink Pavonia (Pavonia lasiopetala)
Delicate rose-pink hibiscus-like flowers appear almost year-round on this 2–4′ perennial. A Central and South Texas native that shines in rocky, limestone soils and attracts bees nonstop.
8. Aromatic/Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
Clouds of lavender-blue daisies blanket this late-season beauty from September through November—right when gardens need color most. Tough, adaptable, and a pollinator magnet in sun or light shade.
9. Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides / syn. B. congesta)
Fragrant clusters of delicate white-to-pale-pink orchid-like flowers cover this small tree/shrub in spring (often repeating in fall). A rare gem native that thrives in Austin’s alkaline soils.
10. Gulf Coast Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Few sights rival the glowing pink-purple plumes of this native grass in late summer. In October and November they are in full glory. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for a breathtaking, airy display that needs virtually no maintenance. Our profile on Gulf Coast Muhly Grass.
Ready to transform your yard with plants that belong here? All of these Texas natives are available seasonally at Vivero Growers Nursery. Plant them in fall or early spring, add a light layer of mulch, and let our native flora do the rest. Less water, less work, more beauty—welcome to gardening the Texas way!
And remember, because we grow these Texas native perennials and plants right here in our Austin nursery, they’re stronger, healthier, and better adapted than big-box imports. You’re not just buying a Texas native—you’re bringing home a plant that already knows how to thrive in your yard.
Visit us today and let our team help you pick the perfect natives for your landscape. See you at the nursery! 🌿
**Please note- Any Austin gardener can tell you, deer resistant is not deer proof. Deer do what they want when they want. 🤣 **
