Consider native plants for low maintenance garden

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Before summer rolls around, there is still plenty of time to plant in the garden. Something that should be on the list to consider is plants native to Texas.

Native plants are built to handle the heat and do not require much water. They also offer an environmentally friendly landscape.

"They don't require a lot of water once they are established, they don't require a lot of insecticides," said Cornelius Nursery's master gardener Thomas.

The low maintenance is why gardener Patricia Mason plants native plants in her yard.

"It's more free flowing, it's more natural, I find it changes with the seasons and I find it once you get used to it, aesthetically pleasing," Mason said.

If you're thinking of going native in your own yard, there are some important steps to take.

"You want to get your soil amended to get as much organic matter into your soils as possible into your native plants because they thrive on organic plants," Thomas said.

Some native plants to consider:

Lamb's ear for full sun

"It will spread for you and it's get very large," Thomas said. "It's a great plant that will come back year after year."

Katy Ruellia as a ground cover plant

"It will grow in the full hot sun and blooms all summer long for you. This little blue flower once it drops down it's going to drop its seed, so it's going to reseed itself in an area you need to ground cover," Thomas said.

Chile petin produces peppers

"They are a great plant they grow very fast and grow very tall and produce a lot of fruit for you. As much full sun as you possibly can," he said.

Grasses: The Gulf Muhly and the Mexican Feather Grass

"Grasses are the easiest natives to grow they require little care," Thomas said.

Black Foot Daisy

The fragrant beauty will offer blooms from spring to summer

The Desert Willow tree

"It is very drought tolerant. It loves sun and survives the hotter it is, and gives us this purple violent bloom pretty much all summer long," Thomas said.

The Shoal Creek Chase tree

"It grows massively large for you 10 -15 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide. You can use it as a bush or you can use it as a tree," Thomas said.