Shrubs are a crucial part of landscaping because they create a smooth transition from larger elements like trees to smaller elements such as flowers.
They unify the space, can act as a ground cover, and, when placed strategically, can direct traffic.
However, many people make the mistake of choosing plants strictly by looks, which is not exactly practical.
Having beautiful plants is great, but not when you have to spend a lot of time on maintenance. And if any require more maintenance than you would like, call a tree and shrub care specialist for more help!
Below are eleven eye-catching, low-maintenance, trouble-free shrubs that don’t require constant pruning or clean-up once established.
American Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Boxwood shrubs have uniform green leaves and also produce small white flowers in the spring. They are tough, dependable year-round shrubs and are very easy to care for.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 5-15 feet high by 5-15 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Average
- Soil Preference: Moist, Well-Drained Loams
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
- Foliage Color: Greenish Cream
- Bloom Time: April to May
Sunshine Ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense)
Sunshine Ligustrum is a sterile, non-invasive species that will not reseed into the landscape because it doesn’t even bloom! Additionally, it is easy to care for and is deer- and pest-resistant.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 3-6 feet high by 3-4 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun
- Water Requirements: Average
- Soil Preference: Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
- Hardiness Zone: 6a-10b
- Foliage Color: Golden Yellow
- Bloom Time: None
Wax Leaf Ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum)
Wax Leaf Ligustrum is an attractive, waxy-leaved shrub grown primarily as a low-maintenance hedging plant. Once established, this type of shrub can handle most growing conditions as long as it is well-drained. This is a great hedge for a low-maintenance wall due to its thick, dense leaves.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 10-15 feet high by 4-6 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Low Water Once Established
- Soil Preference: Moist, Well-Drained Loams
- Hardiness Zone: 7-10
- Foliage Color: Dark Green
- Bloom Time: Late May to Early June
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary requires little care and can be pruned as often as desired for culinary or ornamental purposes. However, experts advise removing no more than one-third of the foliage at a time.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 2-6 feet high by 2-4 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun
- Water Requirements: Dry to Average
- Soil Preference: Well-Drained Soils
- Hardiness Zone: 8-10
- Foliage Color: Dark Green with Pale Blue to White Flowers
- Bloom Time: June to July
Purple Diamond Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense)
Purple Diamond Loropetalum has dark purple foliage for the majority of the year but blooms with vibrant pink flowers in the spring. They are extremely low-care shrubs but can be pruned after blooming to reduce their size. Just make sure to prune in the spring after they have bloomed to avoid cutting off flower buds.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 4-6 feet high and wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Average
- Soil Preference: Moist, Well-Drained Loams
- Hardiness Zone: 7a-10b
- Foliage Color: Dark Purplish Green with Pink Flowers
- Bloom Time: Spring
Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta)
Dwarf Burford Holly is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. It has dark green leaves and bright red berries, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any landscape design.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 6-8 feet high by 8-10 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Average, but drought-tolerant after established
- Soil Preference: Acidic, Adaptable, Well-Drained Soils
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Foliage Color: Green with White Flowers
- Bloom Time: Spring
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
The upkeep of Red Yucca is simple. Older leaves on established plants eventually die and fall to the ground. The only maintenance required is the removal of dead flower stalks.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: Foliage, 3-4 feet high and wide; flowers, 4-6 feet high
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun
- Water Requirements: Once established, water during dry spells
- Soil Preference: Well-Drained Soil
- Hardiness Zone: 5-11
- Foliage Color: Green with Pinkish Red Flowers
- Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
Abelia grandiflora is a hybrid of Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora. It is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed honeysuckle shrub that is ideal for a Texas landscape. It is highly resilient and adaptive to a range of climates, soil types, and even neglect.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 3-6 feet high and wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Medium
- Soil Preference: Average, Well-Drained Soils
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Foliage Color: Green with White/Pink Flowers
- Bloom Time: June to October
Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum)
The Texas Mountain Laurel is a hardy native shrub that is an excellent addition to any Texas landscape. This shrub is drought tolerant once established, which makes it easy to maintain.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 8 to 15 feet high by 6 to 10 feet wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Minimal
- Soil Preference: Deep, Well-Drained Soils
- Hardiness Zone: 7b-11
- Foliage Color: Dark Green with Purple Flowers
- Bloom Time: Late Winter, Early Spring
Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Texas Sage is a woody evergreen shrub that doesn’t mind rocky soil and doesn’t require fertilizing. It is low maintenance and doesn’t need supplemental water once it is established.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: 5-6 feet high and wide
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Low
- Soil Preference: Rocky, Well-Drained Soils
- Hardiness Zone: 8-10
- Foliage Color: Greenish Gray with Pinkish Purple and White Flowers
- Bloom Time: January through December
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
American Beautyberry is a low-maintenance shrub that will definitely bring some beauty to your yard. Allowing this shrub to spread and grow without much pruning is best. However, it may behoove you to prune it back to about a foot above the ground at the end of winter. This will allow it to grow more compactly.
Characteristics
- Mature Size: Typically grows 3-6 feet high and wide but can grow up to 9 feet tall.
- Shade/Sun Preference: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Requirements: Average
- Soil Preference: Loamy, Moist, Well-Drained Soil
- Hardiness Zone: 6-10
- Foliage Color: Bright Green with Purple or Magenta Berries
- Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
Tree & Shrub Care with Gecko Green
Hopefully, this article gave you some ideas to make your Texas landscape aesthetically pleasing with little maintenance so that you can enjoy your yard more than tending to it.
Additionally, although you do not typically encounter issues with pests in the majority of these shrubs, if you’d like assistance with routine maintenance, Gecko Green is happy to help!
Our Tree & Shrub Care program keeps trees and shrubs strong and healthy, increasing their longevity.
