What to Plant on the Curb of Your Yard in Texas

Black Eyed Susan

• Commonly found thriving in ditches and easements along highways and roads, Black Eyed Susan is a tough and drought-tolerant flower perfect for Texas curbs. Also known as Rudbeckia hirta, this flower is perennial and will self-seed, meaning each spring more yellow-petaled Black Eyed Susans will line the edge of your yard. They grow best in full sun and bloom between June and August, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly

• Evergreens will add life to your yard's curb even in winter, but many evergreen shrubs may grow too large for curb planting. The Dwarf Yaupon Holly, or Illex vomitoria, stays small and rounded and is well acclimated to the heat and low rainfall of Texas. Dark green leaves without spines stay compact, according to Greg Grant and Roger Holmes in their book "Texas Home Landscaping," so this plant does not need trimming to keep its shape. It requires full sun and well-draining soil to thrive, and won't be bothered by car exhaust or wind.

Cactus

• While some northern, southern and eastern regions of Texas can support a wider variety of plants, the semi-arid desert areas of the state support a more limited range of plant life. If your climate is too harsh to support wildflowers or flowering shrubs, try cactus. Prickly pear, or Opuntia phaeacantha, is a common choice and produces bright yellow blooms.

Lantana

• The small, brightly colored flowers of the Lantana attract bees and butterflies. This hardy flowering plant is a good choice for curb planting if you don't mind large bushes after a few years of growth. Only the Calico Bush Lantana, or Lantana horrida, is native to Texas, but other varieties will grow just as well in most parts of the state, according to the Texas A&M University. Lantana is drought-resistant and loves full sun. While it can be mixed with other flowering plants, be careful to give smaller plants space because the fast-growing Lantana could overcrowd them and provide shade that kills sun-loving plants.