In the world of landscape design, few elements offer the versatility, texture, and year-round interest of shrubs. Whether you’re framing a grand entryway, softening a fence line, or creating privacy between spaces, the right shrub selections can take your landscape from ordinary to outstanding.
At Texas Landscape Creations, we help Central Texas homeowners, HOAs, and commercial property managers make smart, beautiful plant choices tailored to the Lone Star State’s demanding climate. In this guide, we’ll share our top picks for the best Texas shrubs—emphasizing native landscaping plants, enhancing curb appeal, and keeping maintenance low and results high.
Why Choose Shrubs for Texas Landscaping?
Shrubs are the workhorses of great landscape design.
They:
- Provide structure and layering
- Enhance property lines and borders
- Offer seasonal color and blooms
- Support pollinators and wildlife
- Reduce erosion and insulate soil
- Require far less upkeep than lawns or flower beds
And when you select low-maintenance shrubs for Texas, you get all those benefits with fewer water needs and greater resilience to our heat, drought, and unpredictable seasons.
Our Top Picks: Best Shrubs for Central Texas Landscapes
Here are our top recommended shrubs—handpicked for their beauty, hardiness, and performance in Texas soil and sun.
1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Why We Love It: Drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and stunning when in bloom with purple flowers after rainfall.
Best For: Framing entryways, softening stonework, mass planting.
Maintenance Level: Minimal—prune lightly in early spring.
2. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’)
Why We Love It: Compact, evergreen, and easy to maintain.
Best For: Low hedges, foundations, and HOA borders.
Maintenance Level: Low. Holds shape with minimal pruning.
3. Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)
Why We Love It: Native favorite with red hibiscus-like blooms that attract hummingbirds.
Best For: Shady spots, native gardens, wildlife zones.
Maintenance Level: Low. Cut back in late winter.
4. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Why We Love It: Long blooming, colorful, and drought-resistant.
Best For: Xeriscapes, colorful borders, small space accents.
Maintenance Level: Very low. Light pruning in spring.
5. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Why We Love It: Vivid purple berries in fall, graceful form, pollinator-friendly.
Best For: Native landscapes, woodland edges.
Maintenance Level: Moderate. Prune in late winter.
6. Spiraea (Spiraea spp.)
Why We Love It: Fast-growing, vibrant blooms, fall color.
Best For: Layered beds, formal edges, mixed shrub lines.
Maintenance Level: Low. Prune after bloom.
7. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Why We Love It: Evergreen screen with aromatic foliage and quick growth.
Best For: Privacy hedges, commercial buffer zones.
Maintenance Level: Low. Shape occasionally.
8. Dwarf Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)
Why We Love It: Showy red blooms, evergreen texture, bird magnet.
Best For: Accent pieces, poolscapes, warm microclimates.
Maintenance Level: Moderate. Prune post-bloom.
9. Esperanza (Tecoma stans)
Why We Love It: Yellow trumpet flowers and top-tier drought tolerance.
Best For: Sunny areas needing bold color.
Maintenance Level: Low. Cut back in winter.
Designing with Shrubs: Tips from Texas Landscape Creations
Our landscape design experts help you make the most of these plants with strategies like:
✔ Layering for Depth – Mix sizes and shapes to avoid flat, lifeless beds.
✔ Color & Texture Pairing – Blend evergreen anchors with seasonal bursts.
✔ Framing Key Views – Use symmetry and structure to highlight entries or patios.
✔ Wildlife Integration – Build habitats with pollinator-supporting plants.
✔ Future-Proofing – Select varieties that thrive with minimal intervention.
Native Landscaping with TLC
At Texas Landscape Creations, we focus on sustainable plant choices and expert placement to create vibrant, resilient landscapes. Our use of native landscaping plants means less watering, fewer chemicals, and more beauty year-round.
Whether you’re enhancing your home’s curb appeal or improving functionality on a commercial site, we provide design, installation, and long-term planning with care, precision, and local expertise.
Let’s Elevate Your Landscape
The right shrubs can redefine your curb appeal, reduce maintenance, and create a cohesive, inviting outdoor space. At Texas Landscape Creations, we bring decades of experience, Aggie pride, and custom craftsmanship to every project.
📍 Proudly serving Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, and surrounding Central Texas areas.
Ready to Plant the Seeds of Transformation?
📞 Call Texas Landscape Creations at either our Round Rock Location (512) 368-4747 or College Station Location (979) 776-8873 to schedule your landscape design consultation.
📩 Or contact us now and let’s craft a personalized plan to enhance your property with the perfect shrubs.
From native beauty to effortless style—let your landscape grow with TLC.
