Native plants for Ellis County, Texas
358 native plants recorded in Ellis County, Texas
The USDA plant database has 480 plants recorded growing wild in Ellis County. 358 of them are native to the lower 48, and 35 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 184 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 31 shrubs, 62 low woody plants, 36 trees, 16 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 70 of them (20%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 2 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Ellis County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 70 | 0 | 288 |
| Half shade | 58 | 12 | 288 |
| Under trees | 36 | 34 | 288 |
| Heavy clay | 41 | 29 | 288 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 49 | 21 | 288 |
| Never watered | 45 | 25 | 288 |
| Stays soggy | 26 | 44 | 288 |
Sun all day in Ellis County: 70 rated natives
20 wildflowers and herbs, 20 trees, 10 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Ellis County: 58 rated natives
16 trees, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 9 shrubs, 9 grasses and sedges, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Ellis County: 36 rated natives
10 trees, 7 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 6 grasses and sedges, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Ellis County: 41 rated natives
17 wildflowers and herbs, 12 trees, 6 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 2 low woody plants, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Desert ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Ellis County: 49 rated natives
14 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 9 shrubs, 8 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Ellis County: 45 rated natives
11 wildflowers and herbs, 11 trees, 9 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 6 grasses and sedges, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Rough menodora (Menodora scabra) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Cliff fendlerbush (Fendlera rupicola) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Desert ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Pale desert-thorn (Lycium pallidum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Ellis County: 26 rated natives
11 trees, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 5 grasses and sedges, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Limestone wild petunia (Ruellia strepens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Two-wing silverbell (Halesia diptera) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American water horehound (Lycopus americanus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Tapertip flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Ellis County has that most of Texas does not
113 natives here are on file in no more than 13 of Texas's 254 counties. A few of them:
- Sonoran Indian mallow (Abutilon mollicomum): only here
- Crescent milkvetch (Astragalus amphioxys): only here
- Dallas hawthorn (Crataegus dallasiana): only here
- Lesser yellowthroat gilia (Gilia flavocincta): only here
- Vasey's rubberweed (Hymenoxys vaseyi): only here
- Manybranched ipomopsis (Ipomopsis polycladon): only here
- Bigelow's linanthus (Linanthus bigelovii): only here
- Clustered broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata): only here
- Winged sandpuffs (Tripterocalyx carneus): only here
- Mosquito plant (Agastache cana): 2 counties
Where to start in Ellis County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Ellis County gives you the most rated choice (70 plants), and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 26 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 288 unrated natives too.