Landscaping Trends in Texas

Did you know that some people are planting vegetables as early as February in Sherman, Texas? The whole state is hot, bright, and big; and all of these have a major impact on recent trends in landscaping.

Multi-Season Appeal

As MySA reports, multi-season landscaping is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners throughout the state. The entire state is warm and doesn't have the same temperature swings as other parts of the country, so it's possible to use many of the same plants across multiple seasons. Lacy Oak is a popular choice for multi-season landscaping in Sherman, growing between 25 and 35 feet tall and the same amount wide. Another option is the Lord Baltimore Hibiscus, flowering from July until frost arrives. Frost in Texas usually comes by the end of November and almost certainly by the middle of December. An alternative to Lacy Oak is Chinkapin Oak, growing up to 50 feet tall in Texas. Its leaves have a rich green color over most of the year but run from bright yellow to rich brown during fall. But if you're looking for a multi-season option that provides food into winter, Deciduous Holly is your best bet, making it a good choice for homeowners trying to attract birds and other wildlife.

Green Space Development

Maintaining green spaces continues to be a priority in Texas, where rapid population growth is crowding out some formerly open areas. In Austin, ongoing programs aim to monitor and improve green space. Tree coverage is a major priority for the city, serving as a reminder that green space isn't limited to the ground. The city saw essentially no change in tree coverage between 2010 and 2014 when they conducted the studies, but point out that a higher amount of trees correlated strongly with healthier urban environments.Homeowners in less-urbanized areas can contribute by planting trees on properties and helping maximize the coverage of foliage across the city.

Foodscaping

Foodscaping, or edible gardening, is also becoming popular across Texas. This process is less about volume and more about planting things that provide food more effectively for a household. The best plants for foodscaping are those that regrow when consumed, making them far more viable as a long-term food supply. Texas can experience drought, so edible plants that require minimal water and tolerate heat well are especially popular. Heat-resistant foodscaping choices in Sherman, Texas are diverse, but trends are moving towards a few common options. Fruit trees are generally low-maintenance and support green space development, making them especially popular. Trees that grow well in Texas include fig, loquat, jujube, persimmon, and pomegranate. Pepper plants can provide heat and spicy flavors for Tex-Mex cooking. They also tend to resist pests well, making them a low-maintenance option. Gardens can provide many heat levels for peppers, allowing homeowners to grow their favorite varieties. Herbs that grow well in Texas include basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme during the warmer seasons. Bay laurel serves as an attractive accent herb and is evergreen except during excessive freezes. Most herbs are resilient to both heat and cold. Finally, mustard plants can grow quite large in kitchens. Edible components include the leaves and seeds of most varieties. Some mustard plants also have edible stems and flowers.