{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-category-category-js","path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/","result":{"pageContext":{"posts":[{"node":{"id":"76df3949-d47d-57c8-a5b8-f5505736480b","slug":"best-landscaping-plants-houston","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/best-landscaping-plants-houston/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Abdul Wadood is a writer and SEO specialist from India. He recently started writing about lawns and enjoys it. In his spare time, he enjoys going on trips.","name":"Abdul Wadood","id":"236127ca-c7a6-50bb-9ab7-dd3e7e3fe6d8","path":"/author/abdul-wadood/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/395f0103c8419fd32e2c021818b78121?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"May 2nd, 2023","excerpt":"<p>Houston is hot, dry, and sunny, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful yard. Texas native plants can adapt to Houston’s climate and soil conditions as they have been growing here for years.  Let’s take a look at the best native plants for Houston that can add charm to your yard.&nbsp; In this [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Houston is hot, dry, and sunny, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful yard. Texas native plants can adapt to Houston’s climate and soil conditions as they have been growing here for years. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let’s take a look at the best native plants for Houston that can add charm to your yard.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#why\">Why Native Plants?</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#best\">Best Native Plants for Your Houston Lawn</a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#susan\">Black-Eyed Susan</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#purple\">Eastern Purple Coneflower</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#giant\">Giant Coneflower</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#lantana\">Texas Lantana</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#beautyberry\">American Beautyberry</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sage\">Autumn Sage</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#passion\">Passionflower</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#honeysuckle\">Coral Honeysuckle</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#jessamine\">Carolina Jessamine</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#white\">White Oak</a></li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#shumard\">Shumard Red Oak</a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What Is the Best Native Plant for Houston Lawns?</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why\">Why Native Plants?&nbsp;</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Native plants are well-adapted to a region’s soil conditions and climate, giving them a distinct advantage over non-native plants.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the advantages of native plants over non-natives.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>They are already adapted to Houston’s climate and your yard’s soil conditions.&nbsp;</li>\n\n\n\n<li>Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, moths, and other pollinators are attracted to them. </li>\n\n\n\n<li>They don’t require frequent watering and fertilization.&nbsp;</li>\n\n\n\n<li>They resist pests and diseases. </li>\n</ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"best\">Best Native Plants for Your Houston Lawn</h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"susan\">1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"571\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan.jpg\" alt=\"closeup image of black-eyed susan flower\" class=\"wp-image-12199\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan-300x214.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan-768x548.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan-480x343.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rudbeckia_hirta_kz03.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Black-eyed Susan looks distinctive, with bright yellow petals and a brownish-black head in the center. It grows best in full sun and prefers moist soil with good drainage.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Black-eyed Susan is a low-maintenance plant that blooms from summer to fall, attracting butterflies, birds, and bees. You can remove the faded and dried flowers to keep <a href=\"https://extension.umd.edu/resource/black-eyed-susan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">black-eyed Susan</a> in bloom longer.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Herb</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Moist, well-drained</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Low</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Non-toxic&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"purple\">2. Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"688\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower.jpg\" alt=\"Purple Coneflower\" class=\"wp-image-13075\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower-300x258.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower-768x660.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower-480x413.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purple_Coneflower_NBG_LR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PumpkinSky</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eastern purple coneflower is popular in Texas for its appealing pinkish-purple flowers and a dome-shaped brownish-orange head. Eastern purple coneflower blooms from spring to summer. Butterflies and bees love them.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eastern purple coneflower grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist loam soil with good drainage. However, it can quickly adapt to various soil types.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Herb&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Non-toxic</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"giant\">3. Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia Maxima)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower.jpg\" alt=\"Giant Coneflower\" class=\"wp-image-14546\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower-768x513.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower-600x400.jpg 600w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Giant-Coneflower-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rudbeckia_maxima_0zz.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Photo by David J. Stang</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Giant coneflower is an attractive tall herbaceous perennial with bright yellow flowers and a large, dark brown center. It&#8217;s a super-sized black-eyed Susan. <a href=\"https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/plant-id/plant-profiles/giant-coneflower/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Giant coneflower</a> grows best in full sun and prefers moist soil with good drainage. It tolerates partial shade and drought.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Giant coneflower blooms from mid-summer to early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Herb</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Moist, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>High</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Non-toxic</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lantana\">4. Texas Lantana (Lantana Urticoides)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pink Color flower with blur background\" class=\"wp-image-14475\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1.jpg 1200w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-980x653.jpg 980w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Texas-Lantana-Lantana-urticoides-1-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://pixabay.com/es/photos/flores-lantana-camara-6094820/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Texas lantana blooms throughout the summer, producing tiny bright flowers arranged in thick clusters. The flowers may appear orange, red, white, purple, or pink. These flowers create a bicolored effect as they are mixed within the same cluster.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Texas lantana grows best in full sun and prefers soil with good drainage. If you have children and pets playing on your lawn, we recommend avoiding this shrub as it’s toxic. Texas lantana leaves have a wrinkled appearance with a pungent citrusy smell. The strong aroma prevents deer from entering your yard.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Shrub&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained soil. Grows in almost all soil types.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Low</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to children and pets</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"beautyberry\">5. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"408\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American_Beautyberry_6172956232.jpg\" alt=\"a close up photo of american beautyberry\" class=\"wp-image-13140\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American_Beautyberry_6172956232.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American_Beautyberry_6172956232-300x153.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American_Beautyberry_6172956232-768x392.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American_Beautyberry_6172956232-480x245.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Beautyberry_%286172956232%29.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia State Parks staff</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>American beautyberry blooms from late spring to early summer, producing clusters of tiny pink flowers. These flowers mature into berries during fall. Birds love them. We can eat them, too, but they don&#8217;t taste good.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>American beautyberry grows best in full sun and can tolerate shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can grow up to 6 feet, but keep it trimmed for a better appearance.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Shrub</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 6 feet tall and wide&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Light green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained soil</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Non-toxic</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sage\">6. Autumn Sage (Salvia Greggii)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage.jpg\" alt=\"Autumn Sage\" class=\"wp-image-14544\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage-510x382.jpg 510w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Autumn-Sage-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salvia_greggii_1c.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Consultaplantas</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Autumn sage is a fast-growing shrub that blooms for a lengthy period, from late spring to mid-fall. The beautiful red flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. <a href=\"https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/autumn-sage.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Autumn sage</a> grows best in full sun and prefers dry, well-drained soil.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Autumn sage requires regular watering after planting. Once grown, it can survive with an inch of watering each week. Avoid overwatering as it can damage the shrub. Autumn sage leaves are small and have a minty aroma.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Shrub</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 3 feet tall and wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Well-drained</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Low</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Non-toxic</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"passion\">7. Passionflower (Passiflora Incarnata)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower.jpg\" alt=\"Passionflower\" class=\"wp-image-14548\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower-510x382.jpg 510w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Passionflower-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passiflora_incarnata_002.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">H. Zell</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passionflower looks beautiful with purple or white flowers. It features complex purple threadlike coronal filaments that stand out. Passionflower grows tall, reaching up to 30 feet. It grows best in full sun and prefers rich, moist soil with good drainage.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passionflower blooms in summer and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It&#8217;s toxic to pets but doesn&#8217;t affect humans much.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Vine&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 30 feet tall and 6 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to humans and pets</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"honeysuckle\">8. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"575\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02.jpg\" alt=\"beautiful coral honeysuckle flowers\" class=\"wp-image-13747\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02-300x216.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02-768x552.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02-480x345.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zeynel Cebeci</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coral honeysuckle is a showy vine that can add charm to your lawn. It features clusters of pinkish-red tubular flowers. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love these flowers. <a href=\"https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/coral-honeysuckle.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coral honeysuckle</a> usually blooms throughout the summer. During fall, these flowers mature into berries that songbirds love.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coral honeysuckle grows best in full sun. It can tolerate partial shade but will flower slowly. It grows in any soil type with good drainage.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Vine</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 25 feet tall and wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to humans and pets</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jessamine\">9. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium Sempervirens)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"673\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Carolina-Jessamine.jpg\" alt=\"Carolina Jessamine\" class=\"wp-image-14545\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Carolina-Jessamine.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Carolina-Jessamine-300x252.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Carolina-Jessamine-768x646.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Carolina-Jessamine-480x404.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carolina_jessamine_--_Gelsemium_sempervirens.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jim Evans</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carolina jessamine looks beautiful with its trumpet-shaped bright yellow flowers. It blooms from late winter to early spring, making it one of the earliest bloomers. Carolina jessamine prefers moist, well-drained soil.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can plant Carolina jessamine near your fence or arbor as it acts like a privacy screen. It also does well as a ground cover. Carolina jessamine grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carolina jessamine is extremely toxic and can even cause death to humans and pets when consumed. So, if you have kids and pets, we strongly recommend you avoid this vine.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Vine</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to humans and pets</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"white\">10. White Oak (Quercus Alba)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"501\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak.jpg\" alt=\"image of eastern white oak tree\" class=\"wp-image-14492\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak-300x188.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak-768x481.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak-400x250.jpg 400w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak-480x301.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_alba_%28white_oak%29_1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James St. John</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>White oak has many benefits. Its bark is used to make medicines, furniture, and even boats. It grows extremely slowly at a rate of 2 feet per year but can comfortably last 500 to 600 years. White oak grows best in full sun and prefers deep, moist, well-drained soil.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>White oak can grow up to 100 feet in height, and the canopy can spread to 80 feet. So, if you want to plant this tree, ensure there&#8217;s sufficient space in your lawn. <a href=\"https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/broad-leaf-trees/white-oak-Quercus-alba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White oak</a> is susceptible to many diseases and pests.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deers love the acorns that white oak produces. But don&#8217;t worry yet. Most white oak trees don&#8217;t produce acorns until they reach 20 years of age.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Tree</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 100 feet tall and 80 feet wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Dark green in summer and brown to orange-red in fall</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained soil&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to humans and pets</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"shumard\">11. Shumard Red Oak (Quercus Shumardii)</h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"599\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak.jpg\" alt=\"Shumard Red Oak\" class=\"wp-image-14549\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak-768x575.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak-510x382.jpg 510w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shumard-Red-Oak-480x359.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /></figure></div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://www.flickr.com/photos/50697352@N00/8097352409\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">F. D. Richards</a> / Flickr / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want a fast-growing oak tree, go for Shumard red oak. It grows about 3 feet per year. The growth rate isn&#8217;t too fast, but definitely better than white oak. On the downside, Shumard red oak lasts up to 480 years, significantly lesser than white oak. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shumard red oak grows best in full sun and prefers moist loam soil with good drainage. It can grow up to 120 feet. Shumard red oak turns reddish-orange during fall. Similar to white oak, this tree&#8217;s bark also has many benefits.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growth habit: </strong>Tree</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mature size: </strong>Up to 120 feet tall and 90 wide</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Duration: </strong>Perennial</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foliage: </strong>Deep green&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sunlight needs: </strong>Full sun to partial shade</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil preferences: </strong>Loamy, moist, well-drained soil</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water needs: </strong>Moderate&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potential hazards: </strong>Toxic to humans and pets&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\">The Final Word</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.plantmaps.com/hardiness-zones-for-houston-texas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Houston&#8217;s hardiness zone is 9a</a>, meaning the weather is hot, dry, and sunny for most of the year. All these plants are native to Texas and can survive Houston&#8217;s climate. We recommend you analyze your lawn&#8217;s condition and choose a plant that best suits your lifestyle.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, don&#8217;t forget to consider a plant&#8217;s size when purchasing it. If there isn&#8217;t much space in your lawn, it&#8217;s best to avoid planting large trees.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you want to know more about these plants and want to make your lawn the envy of your neighbors, get in touch with </em><a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\"><em>Wikilawn’s Houston lawn care experts</em></a><em>.</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Main Photo Credit: <a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Market_Square_Park.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brian Reading</a> / Wikimedia Commons / <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></p>\n","title":"11 Best Plants for Houston Landscaping","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/1789c/Market-Square-Park.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/107df/Market-Square-Park.jpg 320w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/293e9/Market-Square-Park.jpg 500w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/f2cbb/Market-Square-Park.jpg 800w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/1789c/Market-Square-Park.jpg 960w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/c26c2/Market-Square-Park.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/1dd6e/Market-Square-Park.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/67b76/Market-Square-Park.webp 320w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/8df11/Market-Square-Park.webp 500w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/98a65/Market-Square-Park.webp 800w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/1dd6e/Market-Square-Park.webp 960w,\n/static/8ffeb9201006cbc0d44f442cd91d8126/3cc96/Market-Square-Park.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Plants for Houston Landscaping","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Plants add charm to your yard. Here is an introduction to native plants that will turn your ordinary garden amazing right here in Houston"}}},{"node":{"id":"f725b102-82bb-57be-a1bc-8bf8c58376b0","slug":"best-grass-types-houston","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/best-grass-types-houston/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 29th, 2022","excerpt":"<p>Want a lush, green lawn that will last most of the year? The key is selecting the grass type that will grow best in our humid, subtropical climate. Here&#8217;s a list of the four best grass types for Houston: Bermudagrass Seashore Paspalum St. Augustinegrass Zoysiagrass 1. Bermudagrass Popular for its sun-loving, salt-tolerant makeup, Bermudagrass has [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Want a lush, green lawn that will last most of the year? The key is selecting the grass type that will grow best in our humid, subtropical climate. Here&#8217;s a list of the four best grass types for Houston:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Bermudagrass</strong> </li><li><strong>Seashore Paspalum </strong> </li><li><strong>St. Augustinegrass</strong> </li><li><strong>Zoysiagrass</strong> </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Bermudagrass</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Popular for its sun-loving, salt-tolerant makeup, <a href=\"https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/texas-turfgrasses/bermudagrass/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bermudagrass</a> has a coarse to a medium-fine texture. Its wide leaf ranges in color from light green to dark green, depending on the cultivar (or type).</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Classification:</strong> Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass.<br><strong>Spreads by:</strong> Stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems).<br><strong>Shade tolerance:</strong> Bermudagrass prefers full sun at all times.<br><strong>Drought tolerance:</strong> High. Regular rainfall should be enough to water it. This type will go dormant during extended dry periods.<br><strong>Foot traffic tolerance:</strong> Its sturdiness withstands high levels of foot traffic.<br><strong>Maintenance needs:</strong> High. Bermudagrass requires monthly fertilization during the summer. Water as needed to the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. Thatch buildup is a threat.<br><strong>Recommended mowing height:</strong> Mow to a height of 1 to 2 inches once or twice a week to keep up with its incessant growth rate.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Seashore Paspalum</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Also resilient in saltwater environments is <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/texas-turfgrasses/seashore-paspalum/\" target=\"_blank\">seashore paspalum</a>. Great for waterfront properties, this type is low-growing and has pointy, medium-coarse blades and a blue-green hue.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Classification:</strong> Warm-season grass.<br><strong>Spreads by:</strong> Stolons and rhizomes.<br><strong>Shade tolerance:</strong> Prefers full sun, but can withstand shade better than Bermudagrass.<br><strong>Drought tolerance:</strong> Low. Seashore paspalum prefers very moist growing environments. Due to its high saline tolerance, you can use saltwater in irrigation.<br><strong>Foot traffic tolerance:</strong> High. Seashore paspalum’s dense turf stands up well to heavy foot traffic.<br><strong>Maintenance needs:</strong> Requires little fertilization throughout the growing season. Over-fertilizing can lead to scalping, which exposes the grass&#8217;s roots, opening it up to disease, stress, and stunted growth.<br><strong>Recommended mowing height:</strong> For a well-manicured, dense lawn, mow to a height of 1 inch.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. St. Augustinegrass</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With its dark green color and curved, wide leaf, <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/the-definitive-guide-st-augustine-grass/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/the-definitive-guide-st-augustine-grass/\">St. Augustinegrass</a> is another favorite among Houstonians. This salt-resistant grass is one of the most selected options for lawns in the Houston area.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Classification:</strong> Warm-season grass.<br><strong>Spreads by:</strong> Stolons.<br><strong>Shade tolerance:</strong> Unlike most other warm-season types, St. Augustinegrass is able to thrive in shade.<br><strong>Drought tolerance:</strong> Some degree of drought tolerance, but will begin to show stress during long periods of dryness.<br><strong>Foot traffic tolerance:</strong> Light. Regular lawn foot traffic is no problem.<br><strong>Maintenance needs:</strong> Fertilize every eight to 10 weeks and recycle grass clippings to help provide nutrients to this type of lawn. If rainfall isn&#8217;t enough, water to a soil depth of 6 inches when the grass is showing signs of dullness and stress. Over-watering and over-fertilizing can lead to thatch problems.<br><strong>Recommended mowing height:</strong> Mow to a height of 2.5 inches.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Zoysiagrass</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/texas-turfgrasses/zoysiagrass/\">Zoysiagrass</a> is a popular choice because of its low-maintenance nature. There are many varieties, but Zoysia japonica is one of the best grass types for Houston Lawns. It has a high salt tolerance, pointy leaf blades, and a light- to medium-green color. It turns brown in early winter, going dormant soon after the first frost in November.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Classification:</strong> Warm-season grass.<br><strong>Spreads by:</strong> Stolons and rhizomes.<br><strong>Shade tolerance:</strong> Moderate shade won&#8217;t bother this turf, but it does grow best in full sun and temperatures of 80 degrees or hotter.<br><strong>Drought tolerance:</strong> Zoysia can withstand periods of drought, but as a dry period lingers, it will go dormant and turn brown. Once watered, it will revert to its green color once again.<br><strong>Foot traffic tolerance</strong>: Zoysiagrass grows well in high-traffic areas.<br><strong>Maintenance needs:</strong> Low. Fertilize with about two pounds of nitrogen a year, and water about 1 inch a week during the growing season.<br><strong>Recommended mowing height:</strong> Keep mower blades sharpened to tackle these stiff leaves, and cut to a height of 1 to 2 inches weekly.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs About</strong> Grass Types for <strong>Houston </strong>Lawns</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>When is the best time to plant grass in Houston</strong>?</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early March to late May, when the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees. This is the best time for warm-season grasses to germinate and become established in time for the first frost.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>2<strong>. Can I plant a cool-season grass in Houston?</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, but you should wait until September when the ground is a bit cooler (about 50 degrees.) Cool-season grasses like <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/blog/landscaping/everything-to-know-about-kentucky-bluegrass/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/blog/landscaping/everything-to-know-about-kentucky-bluegrass/\">Kentucky bluegrass</a> and tall fescue will give you a greener lawn in the winter, but will not do well in the heat and humidity of the summer.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Is there such a thing as a no mow grass for Houston?</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, buffalograss is one of the easiest grasses  to care for.  It&#8217;s one of the best grass types for Houston since It only needs occasional mowing and is extremely drought-tolerant.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em> If you don’t have the time or energy to replant or reseed your lawn, we&#8217;ll find a</em><a href=\"http://wikilawn.com/\"><em> local lawn care pro</em></a><em> to get the job done for you.</em></p>\n","title":"4 Best Grass Types for Houston Lawns","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1789c/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg","srcSet":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/107df/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 320w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/293e9/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 500w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/f2cbb/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 800w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1789c/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 960w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1ff5b/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 1290w","srcWebp":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1dd6e/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/67b76/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 320w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/8df11/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 500w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/98a65/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 800w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1dd6e/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 960w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/bdec4/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 1290w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"4 Best Grass Types for Houston Lawns | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Want a gorgeous lawn that will stay lush and green most of the year. We list the four best grass types for your Houston lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"b7a25e61-bcc0-50b0-8908-805eeadcaa03","slug":"native-plants-houston-landscapes","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/native-plants-houston-landscapes/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Bradley is a botanist who experiments with native plants from every region in the U.S. She’s dedicated to companion planting without the use of pesticides. Her own garden is filled with a variety of colors and textures.","name":"Danielle Bradley","id":"7329a804-3158-5b9f-94fc-835a4923557a","path":"/author/danielle-bradley/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a840af9ee5b616963d15a622658e9612?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 27th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>When&#8217;s the last time you stopped to smell the roses in Houston? How about any of the native flowers like the purple coneflower or black-eyed Susan? These are the native plants for Houston landscapes that attract birds, bees and other pollinators. Since they grow here naturally, they need little maintenance or water to thrive. Planting [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>When&#8217;s the last time you stopped to smell the roses in Houston? How about any of the native flowers like the purple coneflower or black-eyed Susan? These are the native plants for Houston landscapes that attract birds, bees and other pollinators. Since they grow here naturally, they need little maintenance or water to thrive. Planting native helps the environment and your yard.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Value</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When designing your landscape, don’t forget the smaller details that set your property apart from the neighborhood. <a href=\"https://npsot.org/wp/houston/files/2018/09/NATIVE-PLANT-GUIDE.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Native plants</a> in Houston and other cities in Texas are celebrated for their visual appeal, and for being eco-friendly. Since they’re easy to maintain, they’ll <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/blog/landscaping/5-reasons-a-home-with-a-well-maintained-yard-will-sell-for-more-money/\">increase the curb appeal</a> of your home.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the trees, vines, shrubs, and plants that grow easily in H-Town.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trees</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IAujYhyWhiqbOHyzjyFz6NUQFQvuj2I4pc0kkG_GEpPRgkHDbedud1tWw-tSl8u5lLD4SUErYX1jawFWbfdTpNs6zx_Cd8b1hLSby8HcMZmKulLbZukItYRNevfhRyjKn25ZAPKw\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many species of large trees in Texas; oaks are ones you&#8217;ll find everywhere in Houston. They fall into two groups; red and white. Red oaks have jagged leaves with acorns that take two years to mature. White Oaks have smooth foliage with acorns maturing in one season. You’ll also see maple, walnut, ash, cypress, pine, sycamore and tulip trees that typically grow anywhere from 60 to 80 feet tall. The pecan may be our state tree, but don&#8217;t forget about the tree that gave Houston one of its many nicknames. The Southern magnolia tree is losing ground to invasive species, but it continues to be the centerpiece in many Houston gardens.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smaller varieties of native trees include the American holly, with its sharply jagged foliage and bright red berries. Pawpaw gives off a tropical-like appearance that highlights your landscape with maroon-red flowers. Acacia sprouts white-yellow blooms, and crape myrtle comes in a variety of colors including lavender, white, reds and pink. You can&#8217;t walk far in Houston without seeing a <a href=\"https://today.agrilife.org/2016/06/30/new-texas-superstar-introduced-bashams-party-pink-crape-myrtle/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Basham Party Pink Crape Myrtle</a> — a hybrid that can grow up to 30 feet tall.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gzce4KAaryUIcFtEITJNsdxf48uoM2X-rqy4v2n9DePqDD5Ony7JP9jgifltb08ELuwcOjc22JdH8u6wg9d5e3YiQlTFA5YoTkXn3lgvLU3JH4CWqmssbJ8yv3CpsmsmA6nVLy16\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/40/f0/8f/40f08f4ccba3ef9d875b205d789819ab.jpg\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vines</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coral honeysuckle</strong> has reddish green stems, dark green leaves and looks similar to small shrubs.&nbsp; This vine climbs fences and features red trumpet-shaped blooms that attract hummingbirds. Birds will enjoy a sumptuous feast of orange and red berries during September and October. Coral honeysuckle prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sE86jEBcqWKxF-M92mDKHrnmbixjg18LkCtWraPmOAKx7RwpmT5X4zAaTd3R97gVO77MDiIcii8TBlzOtxFkoZW--1liGil3oSdw6Y5_uXGer1niLxFRqIdjsxlGc_b0MGNJZUwn\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Photo credit: <a href=\"https://visualhunt.co/a2/b796d3\">dunnmary735</a> on <a href=\"https://visualhunt.com/re4/64f2a0ae\">Visualhunt.com</a> / <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/\">CC BY-NC</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carolina Jessamine</strong> climbs high with its long, tapered leaves. In winter, you’ll see bright yellow trumpet flowers tinged with a spicy scent.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Crossvine</strong> blooms in spring with dark-red and yellow flowers.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Passionflower vine</strong>. With small lavender blooms from April to September, this vine spreads out over fences and trellises. The deep green leaves also attract colorful butterflies.&nbsp; Passionflower vines can grow 10 to 20 feet tall and sprout tiny melon-like edible fruits. A Yellow passionflower vine grows to about 10 feet, blooming in May to September with bluish-black berries.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Texas native grapevines</strong> draw the birds! With 15 grape species native to Texas, the most common ones are muscadine grape, riverbank grape, and mustang grape.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Trumpet creeper</strong> is a woody vine that climbs trees and fences, producing red-orange flowers.&nbsp; Houston hummingbirds love these blooms! Trumpet creepers thrive in moist soil and partial shade to full sunlight.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kRurmXejG2XnLwp_LpX1W6xu6z6EVxHo1RnRolb2Fk9B87uTryabo4I7bQbxFf8OT0nX_kvuoX6wKclMNbCXFxgPXAIu_6gBD-0E2-WP6fwrZ40kzIElyG0VArJAnx0VCvBFOE07\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://pixabay.com/photos/flower-trumpet-creeper-plant-summer-4099991/\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shrubs</h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Agarita</strong> is an evergreen that yields single yellow flowers in the spring and then red berries. Agarita prefers full sunlight and well-draining, alkaline soil.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gardenia</strong> is an evergreen shrub found in many areas of the South. Its white flowers bring about a pleasant scent.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jasmine</strong> shrubs are evergreens that grow in the Houston area. Primrose and Italian jasmine sprout yellow flowers.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pineapple Guava</strong> is a grayish green shrub that produces white flowers with bright red stamens.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uNdVGiSx2EG9v5x1-MZfcVx9dcMOe_glWWlidL4AckyX5OPL6tC5boje8E_bDPS2Q4m98CsZLZ-0Me1DHgSCeZ5zayFH1EA1cTsUCeRLAYmm2RYlqJG9rod4bT84eMQGfQ6Phazi\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Perennial Plants</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>obedient plant</em> blooms in the spring, with some varieties flowering in autumn. Indigenous to Harris County, they spread thickly through their habitats to protect nearby vegetation, especially in winter. <em>Pigeonberry </em>plants develop red fruits to attract birds, and when the sun shines, you can see a red hue on the foliage. <em>Frog fruit</em> perennials grow just about anywhere; it’s an evergreen thatch in the verbena family. If you prefer something with more of a fleshy root system, <em>Mallows hibiscus</em> helps to stabilize the soil in small landscapes.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1atdfgu7JUNDWUCbbU9kVRZAJgX6B551nnuyhKZcvt8AcAYRUFQamIJH554Dg5I2Ze6ZZYMPTLxZ0SXB4YJj5BR81Rc7pyqgdHmfyaBCRM9y39ds0lfUQaykbnqUE7njtdQcmcHP\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Photo credit: <a href=\"https://visualhunt.co/a2/8c0b7d\">FritzFlohrReynolds</a> on <a href=\"https://visualhunt.com/re4/1bc9a9d3\">Visualhunt.com</a> / <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/\">CC BY-SA</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>With thousands of native plants to choose from, there’s no reason to plant anything else in your garden. They’ll bring color to your landscape that will return year after year with little help from you. The native plants for Houston landscapes will thrive in our heat and humidity and keep your yard Texas strong.  </p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><em>Have more questions about landscaping and maintenance? Visit our </em><a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\"><em>Houston, TX lawn care page</em></a><em> for more guides and additional information.</em></p>\n","title":"Native Plants for Houston Landscapes","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/13082/houston-native-plants.jpg","srcSet":"/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/107df/houston-native-plants.jpg 320w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/293e9/houston-native-plants.jpg 500w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/f2cbb/houston-native-plants.jpg 800w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/13082/houston-native-plants.jpg 920w","srcWebp":"/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/ad840/houston-native-plants.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/67b76/houston-native-plants.webp 320w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/8df11/houston-native-plants.webp 500w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/98a65/houston-native-plants.webp 800w,\n/static/677aebfbadee6f27d860ee7c69d5a199/ad840/houston-native-plants.webp 920w","sizes":"(max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Native Plants for Houston Landscapes | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"78ad6296-99d7-5db9-9a34-a9f02cefb6a7","slug":"houstons-worst-pests","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/houstons-worst-pests/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tina Hill is a landscape designer who stages homes before they go on the market. She recently remodeled her own backyard to include covered hardscaped areas along with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace.","name":"Tina Hill","id":"05b33636-8a93-5cbe-a32e-4d72278ff06f","path":"/author/tina-hill/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8f78fd5fd50db11dcceecbeb20de206e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 27th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>Houston has a bug problem. One 2017 survey named the city as the most-pest-infested city in America. We’ve singled out the worst creepy-crawly pests and how to get rid of them.&nbsp; Cockroaches Cockroaches love hot and humid urban environments, which means Houston is perfect.&nbsp;About 38 species of cockroaches live in Texas, and Houston generously hosts [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Houston has a bug problem. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>One 2017 survey named the city as the most-pest-infested city in America.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>We’ve singled out the worst creepy-crawly pests and how to get rid of them.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cockroaches</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_dPcK3B59iPIv3e_AII1R4K9jbtQ_zI4EY-79b9MZdn8vYAItc-uME8QG4Gu8rvCTxRKpYFBL72hFAgZ-Z51GVUzchazq3RKo0hfPed2UMZJfRUA5xx27nkd6FIHP9bC-_xkcAbA\" alt=\"\"/><figcaption>German cockroach</figcaption></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Cockroaches love hot and humid urban environments, which means Houston is perfect.&nbsp;About 38 species of cockroaches live in Texas, and Houston generously hosts all of the four most-common —the&nbsp;German, the brown-banded, the Asian and the American cockroach. According to the 2017 Realtor.com <a href=\"https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/americas-worst-pest-infested-cities/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">survey</a>, Houston has the worst cockroach problem in the United States, with roaches present in 38% of its homes.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>It’s not just that they’re numerous — they’re huge.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1982, The New York Times’ profiled the city of Houston. Much of the article was devoted to the legendary size of Houston’s bugs.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>“The Houston cockroach is a creature of altogether different dimension,” the Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/18/us/new-houstonians-quickly-discover-truth-and-humbug-about-roaches.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">wrote</a>. “There are those who maintain that it clanks when it walks, bellows like a wounded water buffalo, and stands flat-footed as high as a turkey. One man, new to Houston, upon first seeing a local cockroach, thought it was a Volkswagen and tried to drive it away. Their shadows weigh 15 pounds. ”</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cockroaches live both inside and outside — really, they live wherever they want in Houston. But most species live outside and rarely hazard the indoors. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>They enter your home looking for food and water, so preventive measures will help keep them away. Clean up after cooking or eating, seal outside garbage cans tightly. Boric acid mixed with cornstarch is another popular potion. Roaches love the sweet starch, and the poison will kill them. Note: Boric acid is toxic, so keep it away from pets and kids.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ants</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VPAFMTfqcE-FPPGGLBzkdr0YcI-FB_IAWQSF7GctJ7R04BGdMbQuQoPyd5Jq33R2DfOCT7dM0D6XmHAaPD6iOvZCH4izr_IoGsopPzmEL6t838q9C7q0stszgiRUEmNvCyNZ2vVA\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://citybugs.tamu.edu/2018/06/14/when-ants-invade/\" target=\"_blank\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants are high on the list of Houston’s worst pests. Pharaoh, fire, carpenter, odorous, and crazy ants are among the most common species. Their colonies can be huge with as many as 400,000 ants. It’s crucial to eliminate them to make sure they don’t relocate somewhere else. If you’re looking to do your own ant removal, bait boxes are more effective than sprays. Ants take the bait back to their nest and spread it. The poison gets to and kills the queen, preventing future populations. To keep from attracting ants, eliminate food and water sources in your home. Do this by keeping food sealed and cleaning up spills and crumbs. Check for cracks and leaks around windows, floorboards and doors so ants can’t enter your home. Maintain a <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\">healthy lawn</a> to give ants fewer places to hide.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mosquitoes</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cngZPU93td7dPvjVZfLeVWT7nfmDyiv9kydEvMoZgKhbMZGq_YUI5EHC_iLcnK_P4mjcncDgJg9_xoA6LN7Lhh6jzMUDmbv0h1K1GLLjOYbTW7Wz4xErX1tR2c-V801xYxyWbs-p\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://livestockvetento.tamu.edu/insectspests/mosquito/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Houston’s subtropical climate attracts mosquitoes like a magnet. It doesn’t help that Houston also has lots of bayous. The wet and humid conditions are breeding grounds for these bloodsuckers. And they breed quickly: females can lay 100 eggs at a time, and those eggs hatch within a couple of days. They need a water source to lay their eggs, so one way to control them is to remove standing water from your property. Make sure windows and screens are in good repair to keep mosquitoes outside and use air conditioning whenever possible. Yellow light bulbs, citronella candles, and mosquito foggers can provide temporary relief. You can also see if your community has a mosquito control program. Use insect repellent when you’re outside and avoid the outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. You can also plant <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/home-garden/plants-that-repel-insects/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">mosquito repelling plants</a> such as marigolds, basil, lavender, and chrysanthemums.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spiders</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J88Hp_L4QOCKcLBRtlgDUGk1H8r-WjCZiMFyWFE4IHyhoge5CUuPsjL8CYN9UXRcm2RaRP9aJ_IEmZfoFe4I2NrvwCAKBbhQ8bQs5096QZkZ0tQb8S1SBXWT2VOfwtLKG0OOD_9c\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The humidity in Houston attracts many types of spiders, (and all of them bite), but only two are considered deadly. The black widow is easy to recognize by the hourglass-shaped red marking on her back. (Yes, only the female is poisonous.) The brown recluse is tougher to spot, but it has a violin-shaped marking on its back and six eyes. Like most spiders, both of these find dark corners to hide and can live months without food. But they need water to survive, so it’s best to seal all cracks around leaking pipes avoid leaving standing water around.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Termites</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MAZ-qI2mSFV5IZUKQz_faGoOri4CZqPn9RwT7wYMS7vnQeUL3g-K_ESXEXwJUG2VYsEDZbiHZUOXSSmACFP3Txi0nkONLmV-QqsDZUR3WdWyFmz-sYMLuS1hSyqcncwNnhO2WrDF\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://agrilife.org/urban-ipm/2015/04/03/termites/\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Termites also love Houston’s wet conditions. These persistent pests do significant and <a href=\"https://npmapestworld.org/newsroom/industry-fact-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">costly damage</a> to homes, buildings, and crops. Prevention is going to be your best friend and a termite’s worst enemy:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Reduce moisture inside and outside of your home</li><li>Repair leaking faucets and pipes.</li><li>Replace any water-damaged or rotted wood.</li><li>Remove yard debris, stumps, and dying trees.&nbsp;</li><li>Make sure wood piles are a good distance from your house.&nbsp;</li><li>Inspect wood foundations regularly.&nbsp;</li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"https://thebugskiller.com/how-to-kill-termites-and-get-rid-of-them-forever/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">treat infestations yourself</a> or hire a pest control service.&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>If any of these pests have checked in with no plans to check out, you may want to hire a professional exterminator. These experts can de-bug your house and help you keep them away for good.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interested in more information about lawns and landscapes in Houston? Make sure to visit our <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\">Houston, TX lawn care page</a>.<br></p>\n","title":"Houston&#8217;s Worst Pests (and How to Get Rid of Them)","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.504,"src":"/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/1789c/cockroach-american.jpg","srcSet":"/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/107df/cockroach-american.jpg 320w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/293e9/cockroach-american.jpg 500w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/f2cbb/cockroach-american.jpg 800w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/1789c/cockroach-american.jpg 960w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/f28e1/cockroach-american.jpg 3008w","srcWebp":"/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/1dd6e/cockroach-american.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/67b76/cockroach-american.webp 320w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/8df11/cockroach-american.webp 500w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/98a65/cockroach-american.webp 800w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/1dd6e/cockroach-american.webp 960w,\n/static/752706689b74ad827be75d02caacbdde/c7a56/cockroach-american.webp 3008w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Houston's Worst Pests (and How to Get Rid of Them) | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"3f1cec6d-e2ca-5725-9e63-6563e46dfcc3","slug":"houstons-worst-weeds","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/houstons-worst-weeds/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 27th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>Weeds are troublesome plants growing where we don’t want them, and Houston has plenty of them. They’re classified in several different groups: grasses and broadleaf, and perennials and annuals. Annuals have winter and summer varieties: winter weeds die when it gets hot, and summer annuals die when it cools off in the fall. Many of [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Weeds are troublesome plants growing where we don’t want them, and Houston has plenty of them. They’re classified in several different groups: grasses and broadleaf, and perennials and annuals. Annuals have winter and summer varieties: winter weeds die when it gets hot, and summer annuals die when it cools off in the fall. Many of Houston’s worst weeds are winter annuals because not much plant life holds up in the summer heat. Here are our picks for Houston’s worst weeds:</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crabgrass</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fKqAFK-BIfeGLfsB02ztqOp27X_hc7_J5yUkbbuOJ4avGMmK6t24WABV03IxEZIkqZT65nDzIVtMIh07lrEzN5fZP7sIKIdhTDGsbESB3Qb_h49ENOJ0DRtodRhn06c7Hg2aJQUz\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://agrilife.org/etg/2013/08/24/watch-out-for-chinch-bugs/\" target=\"_blank\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>This pervasive weed looks a lot like the grass in your lawn. It&#8217;s not always noticeable if you have<a href=\"https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons//turf/publications/staug.html\"> St. Augustinegrass</a>, a popular type of lawn grass in Houston. While it’s an annual weed that dies in winter, it’s a prolific seeder, and those seeds can stick around for years. It grows in clumps and will choke out your lawn if not removed</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bluegrass</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FFpSpRfFW2Pzol_KlS6X1A7-x0zyxaClVT-flOoOslcCvy9sNy_ydnFWlmqci6Pi3X4cg2cCKXZMvMkF7ykVLbfBFasdCvAjfA7C2WfbvifMAmVmmbq9GjS-f9Fj2ilRiJawyCpH\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Bluegrass is a winter annual that&#8217;s common in Houston. Its upright tufts stand out in dormant St. Augustine lawns. Don’t confuse it with the Kentucky bluegrass that grows in northern climates – winter bluegrass is its homely relative. It appears when the temperatures begin to cool in the fall. It turns a yellowish-white after seeding, which can happen several times over the winter but usually occurs in the spring. It’s a prolific seeder, so you’ll want to remove it before seeding starts.</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Doveweed</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5kplB1mD-VCgQ08Hmqcua5w9UoolnJCB98xN8CVpjuyIcUmEfGW9Zaj2A9Axd2kd-r614PSDQCzhmP__sY5t6wdGRUQNPy3gxtApjI87yq2h-QnM0NtpWuIDIMfKit3Bp7x8_muG\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/files/2015/12/Leon-Doveweed.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a newer weed on the Houston lawn scene, and it loves the hot, humid climate. It resembles grass and has a small purple flower. It looks innocent enough but does major damage to a yard in a short amount of time. It kills grass then leaves brown patches when it dies in winter. It can spread from yard to yard with lawn clippings. &nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virginia Buttonwood</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/uhx0oMNJUdg3GQ5JuG2aNwQROQvaJqCor9wc1j2RRcy36F9h-74I3MSriqrO90a8xgTH8XcqYSiCKQ5EirdnyW1focBKkbqLa3CzMIKqb09XGzQYYhfotDmRACgNIbeTD3QrSE4Q\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/virginia-buttonweed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like doveweed, this hard-to-control weed appears from May to June and loves Houston’s hot and wet conditions. It also spreads quickly and aggressively, then dies in winter. It&#8217;s a low-growing, vine-like weed with tiny white flowers.</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spurweed</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IRNj46kd1SLINUuuOhiTa_mbT7PgDQhxFdNfzub3v0YA2o3whSHZqEfP_q2zi3h2k4VMS5Ss4M6QB2GdywZj0DrlOEBLCt_SCZFSaJBFQQqtWlhjh_GN6U8DaM68cte-47sPc5zi\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.pMMq35Of7TlXRviUaYH0rAEsDh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your bare feet will have no problem identifying this waxy winter annual. It fruits in late spring with small, sharp (and painful) barbs. Treat spurweed with a pre-emergent herbicide in the fall when the plants first emerge.</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buttercup</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ihVKW82DGkzDnVGHmzokPzP5g8b3czdeHjIOOAmUagYdLL-eVpzrTVTzHPRT2j-gd89sPe_NwYC3fjGbYORWshC5r-bXqQdM7NElali5LhGyh1w1IZCdXdtflclhCrTNGXZRaM8h\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"https://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/resource-library/forages-id-database/buttercup.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Source</a></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buttercups are a perennial weed with a pretty yellow flower. The name comes from the shiny, waxy appearance of the flower’s petals. They grow and spread in early spring and will take over your garden year after year if not removed. While they’re attractive and grown in some areas as a desired plant, they’re best left out of lawns and gardens.</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nutsedge</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/v0moNDc_n0hw0Nasljdm4ol652I-iI-VXTBOlhW-rhdCr8DHjqHyNfFsRqpfnWkZ6X5t5ePpA6wvNMjwRN7bPewtPVzZxH406VObvHRmhrvQsvCEDQcbcIsfctJYr4V-Xn6bJZ9P\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>This grass-like weed may drive you nuts because it&#8217;s extremely hard to kill. It has thicker leaves at its base than your regular grass and typically grows in groups of three blades. To get rid of it, you have to get rid of the nut at its base. Here’s the hard part: You have to get rid of all the nuts, every single one, or they’ll be back in short order.</p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mock Strawberry</h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Duchesnea_indica9.jpg\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>While it may seem sad to kill anything with the name “strawberry,” this weed will invade your flowerbeds and produce a decidedly not-tasty (but not poisonous) fruit. Mock strawberry is common in wooded areas or open meadows. It has rounded red berries with hard, protruding seeds.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that a <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\">healthy lawn</a> is your best defense against weeds. Aerate, fertilize in spring and fall, mow properly and remove thatch. Work with your lawn care service or local nursery on other strategies to control weeds.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><em>Have more questions about lawn care in your lawn? Visit our </em><a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\"><em>Houston, TX lawn care page</em></a><em> for more guides and additional information.</em></p>\n","title":"Houston&#8217;s Worst Weeds","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.494890510948905,"src":"/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/1789c/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/107df/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg 320w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/293e9/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg 500w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/f2cbb/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg 800w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/1789c/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg 960w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/a2a79/crabgrass-1024x685.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/1dd6e/crabgrass-1024x685.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/67b76/crabgrass-1024x685.webp 320w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/8df11/crabgrass-1024x685.webp 500w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/98a65/crabgrass-1024x685.webp 800w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/1dd6e/crabgrass-1024x685.webp 960w,\n/static/d0943330f089c251d81f2915dfb8ef09/7aa54/crabgrass-1024x685.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Houston's Worst Weeds | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"71765f81-27d8-5685-9ab3-853f0e6b2def","slug":"watering-restrictions-in-and-around-houston","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/watering-restrictions-in-and-around-houston/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tina Hill is a landscape designer who stages homes before they go on the market. She recently remodeled her own backyard to include covered hardscaped areas along with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace.","name":"Tina Hill","id":"05b33636-8a93-5cbe-a32e-4d72278ff06f","path":"/author/tina-hill/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8f78fd5fd50db11dcceecbeb20de206e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 18th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>You may be hot, but you can get into hot water if you use too much water in Houston. With average summertime temperatures in the mid-90s, it’s an absolute must to stick with the city’s water conservation plan. Watering restrictions in and around Houston are in place because drought in Texas is common. &nbsp;Sticking to [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>You may be hot, but you can get into hot water if you use too much water in Houston. With average summertime temperatures in the mid-90s, it’s an absolute must to stick with the city’s water conservation plan. Watering restrictions in and around Houston are in place because drought in Texas is common. &nbsp;Sticking to the watering rules will help you avoid any sticky situations, later on.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Local lakes and rivers make up Houston’s water supply. Eighty-six percent comes from the Trinity River into Lake Livingston, and the San Jacinto River into lakes Houston and Conroe. The rest comes from deeply-drilled underground wells into the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers. With roughly 2.3 million people living and working in the city, and more on the outskirts, the need for water isn’t exaggerated. Houston’s <a href=\"https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/pud/drinkingwater.html\">Public Works Department</a> estimates Harris County’s population will exceed 5.5 million people in the next 30 years.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, Mother Nature decides how much water lakes, rivers, and aqueducts will provide.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawn Watering Rules in Houston and Surrounding Areas</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a “normal” summer, water customers can irrigate their lawns between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Homeowners whose addresses end in even numbers can water on Sundays and Thursdays. Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Businesses and the like can water the grass on Tuesdays and Fridays. &nbsp;These watering times differ in severe droughts and shortages. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consequences</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u86Wbq_OrfgflIQ4UwsGSsKkvs-_qUV7_7du0YbfZUuFs650k0FlFZeIFYPsOdNJOvQxrqJGjNxYDjPuIITACghhlesR5X7tgLubV0NWjFJjiBt8TRzQGrCo_6DDY7Nwf8fM0pPM\" alt=\"\"/></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>Violating Houston’s <a href=\"https://edocs.rules/\">drought contingency plan rules</a> during dry periods can cost you! Although there are exceptions for new lawns, violations of Stage Two restrictions can lead to fines ranging from $100 to $2,000. Stage Three violations can cost you $500 at the very least (up to $2,000). Blowing off the rules at Stage Four means a fine starting at a grand or higher – this in addition to surcharges tacked on to your next several water bills. AND … there is the possibility of having your <a href=\"https://www.houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov/ProdDP/Default/Default\">Houston area water service</a> disconnected. The expense, hassle, and inconvenience of wading through the paperwork far outweigh that of sticking to the city’s water conservation plan. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summertime Lawn Care in Houston</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the summer heat in the Houston area and the everlasting need to preserve nature’s precious resources, it’s always a good idea to have a basic <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/\">maintenance plan</a> for your yard. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The standard of lawn watering is to provide an inch of water once a week, or half an inch twice a week. Rainfall is best, but when it’s not raining, you can set up your sprinkler to run during Houston’s schedule of watering hours. &nbsp;The best time to water is at 4 a.m. so the soil and roots of the grass can soak it all in before the heat of the day. Too much water and watering during the heat of the day is a waste, and it can lead to disease and grass damage. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Save Water!</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qyl2SCno88__qecuZOm-ivv9jc-US2JB8mngOMIxAAWIs2reinFZNBs6eqyz2ReE2hgjW-wMiGo9wrYqSHv82ViVV3rollUGfgLC_7cJmqZwL4y3-M8UIqFn2OmiD9v640aGt_2j\" alt=\"\"/><figcaption><a href=\"https://cook.jetsetflyball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kitchen-Fixing-A-Leaking-Faucet.jpg\">Source</a></figcaption></figure></div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do your part to save water by:</p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Checking for leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets. Repair them as soon as possible.</li><li>Inspect your property for proper drainage, especially when it allows water to run into streets, gutters, alleys and adjacent areas.</li><li>Water no more than two days a week; stick to the schedule as noted above. </li></ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The city and county will put out the word if there are watering restrictions in and around Houston, but think of it this way: When in doubt, prepare for drought.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have more questions about how Houston&#8217;s local watering restrictions affect your lawn and landscape? Please visit our <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/tx/houston/\">Houston, TX lawn care page</a> for more information.</em></p>\n","title":"Watering Restrictions in and Around Houston","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/1789c/sprinkler-3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/107df/sprinkler-3.jpg 320w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/293e9/sprinkler-3.jpg 500w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/f2cbb/sprinkler-3.jpg 800w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/1789c/sprinkler-3.jpg 960w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/6f669/sprinkler-3.jpg 1950w","srcWebp":"/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/1dd6e/sprinkler-3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/67b76/sprinkler-3.webp 320w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/8df11/sprinkler-3.webp 500w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/98a65/sprinkler-3.webp 800w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/1dd6e/sprinkler-3.webp 960w,\n/static/8da11b863f176455f77efa04d9204ccb/ca720/sprinkler-3.webp 1950w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Watering Restrictions in and Around Houston | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Water conservation is serious business in Texas. Learn the watering restrictions in and around Houston to avoid hefty fines and high water bills."}}}],"metaTitle":"Everything You Need to Know About Houston Page % Page | Wikilawn %","metaDescription":"Looking for info on Houston ? Wikilawn has everything you need to know.","prevPageLink":null,"nextPageLink":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/page/2/","currentPage":1}}}