Central TexasGardening
CTG PLANT SCORE™

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Beautiful elsewhere; a recurring negotiation with heat, alkaline soil and water here.

Non-nativeShrubHigh water
32High difficulty
WHY IT SCORES 32

High difficulty

Summer heat
38
Drought
24
Central Texas soil
34
Freeze resilience
83
Wildlife value
55
Low-maintenance fit
42
EASIER ALTERNATIVES

Want less drama?

97/100

Yaupon Holly

Evergreen, adaptable, wildlife-friendly and almost offensively competent in Central Texas.

96/100

Texas Sage

Heat, limestone and drought barely register as problems.

95/100

Agarita

Spiny, native and exceptionally well matched to rocky Central Texas conditions.

TRANSPARENT SCORE

This is a CTG suitability model, not a scientific certification.

Use the factor breakdown to understand the tradeoff. Plant-source references and methodology are published so the score can be challenged and improved.

Plant scoring methodology →