Native plants for Hidalgo County, Texas
644 native plants recorded in Hidalgo County, Texas
The USDA plant database has 854 plants recorded growing wild in Hidalgo County. 644 of them are native to the lower 48, and 91 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 277 wildflowers and herbs, 110 grasses and sedges, 81 shrubs, 95 low woody plants, 43 trees, 38 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 62 of them (10%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Floating primrose-willow (Ludwigia peploides), Little hogweed (Portulaca oleracea) and 12 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Hidalgo County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 62 | 0 | 582 |
| Half shade | 53 | 9 | 582 |
| Under trees | 42 | 20 | 582 |
| Heavy clay | 44 | 18 | 582 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 42 | 20 | 582 |
| Never watered | 28 | 34 | 582 |
| Stays soggy | 34 | 28 | 582 |
Sun all day in Hidalgo County: 62 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 20 wildflowers and herbs, 8 trees, 5 low woody plants, 4 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Hidalgo County: 53 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 4 low woody plants, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 · high shade tolerance - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Hidalgo County: 42 rated natives
19 grasses and sedges, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 4 low woody plants, 3 trees, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 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 - Mescal bean (Sophora secundiflora) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mule-fat (Baccharis salicifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Hidalgo County: 44 rated natives
16 wildflowers and herbs, 12 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 5 trees, 4 shrubs, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Smooth beggartick (Bidens laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Hidalgo County: 42 rated natives
17 grasses and sedges, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Smooth beggartick (Bidens laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mule-fat (Baccharis salicifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Hidalgo County: 28 rated natives
9 grasses and sedges, 8 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 4 low woody plants, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - 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 - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Mescal bean (Sophora secundiflora) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Hidalgo County: 34 rated natives
13 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Smooth beggartick (Bidens laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Carolina desert-thorn (Lycium carolinianum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Hidalgo County has that most of Texas does not
166 natives here are on file in no more than 13 of Texas's 254 counties. A few of them:
- Marsh's dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia pentandra): only here
- Sixangle foldwing (Dicliptera sexangularis): only here
- Ladyfinger cactus (Echinocereus pentalophus): only here
- White twinevine (Funastrum clausum): only here
- Hammock shrubverbena (Lantana canescens): only here
- Teabush (Melochia tomentosa): only here
- Anglestem Indian mallow (Abutilon trisulcatum): 2 counties
- Rio Grande butterflybush (Buddleja sessiliflora): 2 counties
- Mexican buttonbush (Cephalanthus salicifolius): 2 counties
- West Indian milkberry (Chiococca alba): 2 counties
Where to start in Hidalgo County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Hidalgo County gives you the most rated choice (62 plants), and Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 28 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 582 unrated natives too.