North Texas summers can be tough on landscapes. Intense sunlight, extended heat and periods of dry weather can quickly overwhelm plants that are not suited to our climate. Fortunately, plenty of beautiful plants can handle the heat while adding lasting color, texture and structure to your yard.
If your landscape has bare areas, struggling plants or needs a fresh look, summer can still be a good time to make improvements—especially when you choose heat-tolerant plants and give new additions the proper care. At Color Crop Nursery, we carry a wide selection of shrubs and other landscape plants selected for North Texas conditions.
If your landscape has bare areas, struggling plants or needs a fresh look, summer can still be a good time to make improvements—especially when you choose heat-tolerant plants and give new additions the proper care. At Color Crop Nursery, we carry a wide selection of shrubs and other landscape plants selected for North Texas conditions.
Why Shrubs are a Smart Choice for Summer Landscapes
Shrubs form the foundation of a well-designed landscape. Unlike seasonal flowers, shrubs provide structure and visual interest throughout the year. They can be used to frame a home, define a property line, fill an empty flower bed or create a natural screen.
Depending on the variety, shrubs can also provide:
Depending on the variety, shrubs can also provide:
- Colorful flowers or foliage
- Privacy and screening
- Food and shelter for birds and pollinators
- Attractive foundation plantings
- Lower-maintenance alternatives to annual flowers
- Year-round texture and structure
Heat-Tolerant Shrubs for North Texas
Abelia
Abelias are a dependable landscape shrub known for its graceful growth, colorful foliage and small flowers. Many varieties bloom over a long season and attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Abelias works well in foundation beds, mixed borders and mass plantings. Depending on the variety, its foliage may include shades of green, gold, bronze, red or variegated cream. Once established, they handle North Texas heat well and generally requires only moderate maintenance.
Abelias are a dependable landscape shrub known for its graceful growth, colorful foliage and small flowers. Many varieties bloom over a long season and attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Abelias works well in foundation beds, mixed borders and mass plantings. Depending on the variety, its foliage may include shades of green, gold, bronze, red or variegated cream. Once established, they handle North Texas heat well and generally requires only moderate maintenance.
Dwarf Yaupon Holly
Dwarf yaupon holly is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a neat, evergreen shrub. Its small leaves and naturally compact growth make it useful along walkways, around foundations or as a low hedge. This hardy Texas native tolerates heat, occasional drought and a range of soil conditions once established. It can be trimmed into a formal shape or allowed to grow more naturally for a softer appearance.
Dwarf yaupon holly is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a neat, evergreen shrub. Its small leaves and naturally compact growth make it useful along walkways, around foundations or as a low hedge. This hardy Texas native tolerates heat, occasional drought and a range of soil conditions once established. It can be trimmed into a formal shape or allowed to grow more naturally for a softer appearance.
Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that works especially well for privacy screens and property borders. Its dense foliage can help conceal fences, equipment or unwanted views. Wax myrtles performs best when given enough room to reach its mature size. Dwarf selections are available for smaller areas, while standard varieties can become large screening shrubs or small trees. Once established, wax myrtle is well adapted to our hot climate.
Wax myrtle is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that works especially well for privacy screens and property borders. Its dense foliage can help conceal fences, equipment or unwanted views. Wax myrtles performs best when given enough room to reach its mature size. Dwarf selections are available for smaller areas, while standard varieties can become large screening shrubs or small trees. Once established, wax myrtle is well adapted to our hot climate.
Texas Sage
Texas sage is one of the best-known shrubs for hot, sunny North Texas landscapes. Its soft, silvery foliage provides a beautiful contrast against darker green plants, and its purple, pink or lavender flowers often appear following periods of summer humidity or rainfall. Texas sage needs excellent drainage and plenty of sunlight. Avoid placing it in an area that remains wet or receives frequent irrigation. In the right location, it is highly heat- and drought-tolerant once established.
Texas sage is one of the best-known shrubs for hot, sunny North Texas landscapes. Its soft, silvery foliage provides a beautiful contrast against darker green plants, and its purple, pink or lavender flowers often appear following periods of summer humidity or rainfall. Texas sage needs excellent drainage and plenty of sunlight. Avoid placing it in an area that remains wet or receives frequent irrigation. In the right location, it is highly heat- and drought-tolerant once established.
Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles are a classic choice for North Texas because they flourish in summer heat and provide colorful blooms when many other plants are beginning to struggle. Depending on the variety, they may grow as compact shrubs, large shrubs or small ornamental trees. Flower colors include white, pink, red, purple and lavender. Before choosing one, check its mature size carefully. Selecting a variety that naturally fits the available space will reduce the need for severe pruning later.
Crape myrtles are a classic choice for North Texas because they flourish in summer heat and provide colorful blooms when many other plants are beginning to struggle. Depending on the variety, they may grow as compact shrubs, large shrubs or small ornamental trees. Flower colors include white, pink, red, purple and lavender. Before choosing one, check its mature size carefully. Selecting a variety that naturally fits the available space will reduce the need for severe pruning later.
Loropetalum
Loropetalums add rich burgundy or purple foliage to the landscape, along with fringed pink flowers, creating a striking contrast when planted near green or golden foliage. Different varieties can vary significantly in mature size. Some remain relatively compact, while others become large shrubs. Choosing the right variety for the space is important. Loropetalums generally appreciate protection from the harshest afternoon sun, especially when newly planted.
Loropetalums add rich burgundy or purple foliage to the landscape, along with fringed pink flowers, creating a striking contrast when planted near green or golden foliage. Different varieties can vary significantly in mature size. Some remain relatively compact, while others become large shrubs. Choosing the right variety for the space is important. Loropetalums generally appreciate protection from the harshest afternoon sun, especially when newly planted.
Sunshine Ligustrum
Sunshine ligustrums are grown for its bright golden-yellow foliage, which stands out beautifully in mixed landscape beds. It can be used as an accent, low hedge or colorful foundation shrub. The strongest foliage color typically develops with plenty of sunlight. Pair it with dark green, blue-green or burgundy plants to create an eye-catching contrast.
Sunshine ligustrums are grown for its bright golden-yellow foliage, which stands out beautifully in mixed landscape beds. It can be used as an accent, low hedge or colorful foundation shrub. The strongest foliage color typically develops with plenty of sunlight. Pair it with dark green, blue-green or burgundy plants to create an eye-catching contrast.
Oleander
Oleanders are known for tolerating intense heat and producing flowers throughout the warmer months. They work well in sunny locations where a large flowering shrub is needed. Keep in mind that all parts of oleander are toxic if ingested. It may not be the best choice for areas used by young children or pets that chew on plants. It can also suffer cold damage during unusually severe North Texas winters.
Oleanders are known for tolerating intense heat and producing flowers throughout the warmer months. They work well in sunny locations where a large flowering shrub is needed. Keep in mind that all parts of oleander are toxic if ingested. It may not be the best choice for areas used by young children or pets that chew on plants. It can also suffer cold damage during unusually severe North Texas winters.
Cleyera
Cleyeras offer glossy evergreen foliage and upright growth, making it a useful foundation or screening shrub. New foliage may emerge in bronze or reddish tones before maturing to deep green. It is a good choice for areas that receive morning sun and some afternoon protection. With adequate moisture and the right placement, cleyeras add a polished, year-round appearance to the landscape.
Cleyeras offer glossy evergreen foliage and upright growth, making it a useful foundation or screening shrub. New foliage may emerge in bronze or reddish tones before maturing to deep green. It is a good choice for areas that receive morning sun and some afternoon protection. With adequate moisture and the right placement, cleyeras add a polished, year-round appearance to the landscape.
Can you Plant Shrubs During the Summer?
Yes, shrubs can be planted during the summer, but newly planted shrubs require careful watering. Even varieties considered drought-tolerant must first develop a healthy root system before they can handle dry conditions.
For the best results:
For the best results:
- Plant during the cooler part of the morning when possible.
- Water the root ball thoroughly immediately after planting.
- Check the soil regularly rather than watering only on a fixed schedule.
- Apply mulch to help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
- Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk or main stems.
- Avoid assuming rainfall has thoroughly soaked the root ball.
- Watch for wilting, leaf scorch or unusually dry soil during extreme heat.
Choose the Right Plant for the Right Place
A plant can be heat-tolerant and still struggle if it is placed in the wrong location. Before selecting shrubs, consider:
- How many hours of direct sunlight the area receives
- Whether the strongest sun occurs in the morning or afternoon
- The mature height and width of the plant
- Soil drainage
- Nearby foundations, windows, walkways and utility equipment
- Your preferred level of pruning and maintenance
- Whether you need flowers, privacy, evergreen foliage or seasonal color
Visit Color Crop Nursery
If your landscape needs more color, privacy or structure, stop by Color Crop Nursery and explore our current shrub selection. We have shrubs available in a variety of sizes, colors and growth habits for sunny beds, foundation plantings, borders, privacy screens and more.
Our team can help you compare options and choose plants suited to your property’s sunlight, available space and overall design. Because availability can change quickly, call ahead if you need a particular variety or a large quantity.
Color Crop Nursery is open to both homeowners and landscape professionals, and delivery is available. Visit us today and let us help you find dependable summer plants for your North Texas landscape.
Our team can help you compare options and choose plants suited to your property’s sunlight, available space and overall design. Because availability can change quickly, call ahead if you need a particular variety or a large quantity.
Color Crop Nursery is open to both homeowners and landscape professionals, and delivery is available. Visit us today and let us help you find dependable summer plants for your North Texas landscape.
