Going Native

Presented by

Susan J. Henson, Horticulturist

City of Grand Prairie

Parks and Recreation

972-237-8102

shenson@gptx.org

Disco Belle HibiscusFamily: Malvaceae (mal-VAY-see-ay) Genus: Hibiscus (hi-BIS-kus) Species: moscheutos (mos-KEW-tos) Cultivar: Disco Belle PinkHeight:4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)Spacing:24-36 in. (60-90 cm)Hardiness:USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)Sun Exposure:Full SunBloom Color:RedWhite/Near WhiteBloom Time:Mid SummerLate Summer/Early FallFoliage:DeciduousOther details:Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwaterSoil pH requirements:6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Deciduous HollyIlex decidua Truly outstanding small native tree, very low maintenance, which drops its leaves in fall to reveal showy red or orange berries (on female plants) that remain throughout the winter. Attracts songbirds. Heat and drought tolerant.

Hardiness: Zone 5

Exposure: Full sun to part shade.

Size: Height 12 feet tall, 6 feet wide

Shantung Maple Acer truncatum Reminiscent of Japanese maple but with much greater toughness. This beautiful maple has spreading canopy with attractive foliage that turns spectacular red, red-orange in late fall. Tolerates heat and alkaline soils. Makes wonderful shade tree for smaller yards.

Hardiness: Zone 6

Exposure: Full sun to part shade.

Size: Height 25 feet tall, 20 feet wide

Care: Not adapted to far west Texas. Wrap trunk first three years to prevent

sunscald.

Fire Dragon Shantung MapleAcer truncatum It is a medium-size shade tree to 35 feet that grows in full Texas sun. Shantung maples are in high demand in the lower midwest and are gaining popularity throughout the upper-midwest and upper-south to the east coast.

This tree will prove to be tougher and just as beautiful as any maple growing back east. Hardy and heat tolerant, it should grow just about anywhere in acidic or alkaline soils.

Shantung maples grow 2 to 5 feet per year.

New GoldTM LantanaLantana x hybrida'New Gold' Drought tolerant, heat loving, low maintenance annual with a wealth of golden yellow flowers. Reduced fruit set promotes prolific blooming spring till frost. Deer tolerant. A very adaptable and popular annual.

Hardiness: Zone 8b

Exposure: Full sun

Size: Height 2 feet tall, 4 feet wide

Blooming Time: Spring till frost

Texas Gold Columbine Aquilegia chrysantha hinckleyana 'Texas Gold' Cool season perennial with attractive foliage and stunning, long-spurred yellow blossoms. Native to shady areas in Big Bend. Great heat tolerance for a columbine.

Hardiness: Zone 5

Exposure: Dappled shade

Size: Height 2 feet tall, 2 feet wide

Bloom Time: 3-4 weeks in early-mid spring.

Dwarf Mexican Petunia Ruellia brittoniana Spectacular, low-growing, heat-tolerant perennial with profusions of violet, light pink or white flowers. Highly pest resistant. Quickly fills in as a ground cover. Hardiness: Zone 8

Exposure: Full sun or partial shade

Size: Individual plants usually less than 1 foot tall by wide; spreads quickly by self-seeding.

Bloom Time: Early summer till frost.

Knock Out Rose

2000, shrub

6’ ht x 5’ wide

Cherry red, semi-double

Repeat blooming

Great disease tolerance

Tolerates light shade

Zones 4b-9

Sea Foam Earth Kind Rose

1964, shrub

8’ ht x 4’ wd

Creamy white, double

Repeat blooming

Also great for cascading over retaining walls

Zones 4-9

The Fairy Earth Kind Rose

Blossom Color - Light Pink

Blossom & Fragrance - Double - No Fragrance

Blooming Period - May - First Frost

Mature Height - 3 - 4 feet

Mature Width - 2 - 4 feet

Rose Category - Polyantha

Growth Habit - Dwarf Shrub

Carefree Beauty Earth Kind Rose

Blossom Color - Pink

Blossom & Fragrance - Semi-Double – Fragrant

Blooming Period - April – November

Mature Height - 4 - 5 feet

Mature Width - 4 feet

Rose Category - Shrub

Growth Habit - Medium Shrub