Top 5 Shrubs That Beat the Heat and Look Good Doing It

This native Texas beauty is built for our summers. Texas Sage is the “State Native Shrub of Texas” and performs exceptionally well in our climate. Most varieties, such as Desperado Texas Sage, have a fuzzy, silver foliage with bursts of purple blooms after a rain. There are others that have fuzzy, green foliage and even some that have a pink bloom. We recommend the Desperado variety for the best performance in our area.

Prefers full sun exposure and tolerates poor soil, heat, drought and neglect, once established. Texas Sage can be used for informal hedges to create some privacy from neighbors and as an accent plant.

Abelias bloom through the heat of summer with clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers and foliage that will change colors with the season. We typically keep a few different varieties in stock at the nursery to meet everyone’s preferences. Kaleidoscope, Radiance and Canyon Creek are among the most popular varieties.

Preferring full sun to part shade, Abelias tolerate heat, humidity and poor soil. They can be used for borders and in small areas, since most are compact in size.

This common evergreen shrub adds structure to any space. Dwarf Yaupon Hollies stay compact, dense and tidy, requiring little pruning. Their small, oval-shaped foliage starts as a bronze color that changes to lime green and matures to a deep green.

Thriving in full sun plus they are drought and heat tolerant, Dwarf Yaupon Hollies are a great low-maintenance choice for the Texas landscape. Their dense foliage handles pruning well, making them perfect for low hedges and they are also deer-resistant.

Butterflies absolutely love this bush, hints the name, Butterfly Bush. Hummingbirds, bees and pother pollinators are also attracted to their blooms. The long, fragrant flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink and white all summer long. Butterfly bushes are fast-growing and come in many different sizes from a compact 3 feet tall to a large 10 feet tall shrub, so be sure to choose the right one for you.

Flourishing in full sun and tolerant of heat and drought, Butterfly Bushes are great for pollinator gardens, borders or focal points in the landscape. They are low-maintenance, deer-resistant and the ideal choice for gardeners looking to add color to their outdoor environment.

Nandinas, also known as Heavenly Bamboo, are tough and reliable evergreens that thrive in the intense Texas summer heat. Despite their name, they’re not true bamboo, but they do share a similar upright, cane-like growth habit allows for good airflow, which helps reduce heat stress. Nandinas maintain their vibrant foliage throughout the summer, with many varieties showcasing red or bronze tones that intensify with the sun.

These hardy shrubs are heat-tolerant and drought-resistant once established, making them a smart choice for low-maintenance gardens. Nandinas are deer-resistant and adaptable to a wide range of soils.