Central TexasGardening
CTG PLANT SCORE™

Turk's Cap

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

One of the easiest ways to make a difficult shady yard useful to pollinators.

Central Texas / Texas native fitShrub / perennialLow to moderate water
91Shade specialist
WHY IT SCORES 91

Shade specialist

Summer heat
92
Drought
84
Central Texas soil
91
Freeze resilience
87
Wildlife value
98
Low-maintenance fit
92
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 →