Cottage Landscape for Texas

A cottage landscape is always a sight to see. Hedges curving around, leading to big flower beds and tall trees. A great cottage style yard flows naturally, a great balance between out of control and pristine garden. Add these plants to create your dream Texas cottage landscape.

Trees

Camphor

Many homeowners rave about the new foliage colors of pink, red or bronze that adds an attractive contrast with the old foliage growth. Besides its good looks, the Camphor tree also produces fragrant yellow flowers that bloom profusely in late spring. The flowers are not the only fragrant part of this Camphor tree. Some people love to crush the glossy, waxy leaves to take advantage of the therapeutic aroma the leaves induce.

Sycamore

Sycamore, botanical name Platanus wrightii, is a Southwestern native that can grow to be a large and majestic deciduous tree with a spreading canopy that can cast cooling shade during those hot and bright summer days, and let the warmth of the sun in when it loses its leaves in the winter! They have beautiful light green leaves, and when it drops its leaves, it reveals a gorgeous white bark that peels back to reveal a mottled patchwork that adds winter interest! We like to plant them as a lawn tree, shade tree and plant them in any spot where it can grow and be enjoyed by the entire family!

Water Oak

Water Oak are easily spotted due to its distinct varying leaf structure. It has a simple leaf that has many different colors, from a bluish-green to a dark luscious green. In the fall this tree will stand out in your yard with its vibrant yellow and gold colors. This tree is water wise in its mature years. Once the tree is established stand back and watch the tree grow on its own. The Water Oak is great for making family memories, the big sturdy limbs are great for climbing, the shade provided by the various colors of the leaves are great for hosting family picnics under, or throwing some shade on your house can help cut down on your high utility bills.This tree loves to be planted in full sun to partial shade. This particular oak is also considered to be a fire wise tree helping to offer a buffer of protection during times of need.This tough, strong, heat and cold tolerant tree is sure to add that 'WOW' factor to any yard. Feel free to speak with our nursery pro and ask us about placement ideas. Moon Valley Nurseries offers vibrant, healthy specimens for sale. You buy it and we can deliver and plant it!

White Oak

The Monterrey Oak Tree, botanical name Quercus polymorpha, is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen that can grow to be a large-sized tree with a spreading canopy featuring exotic green foliage that can also produce plenty of dense shade. Towards the end of winter, it loses most of its leaves, with an attractive new growth in early spring of bronze to pinkish bronze-colored leaves transitioning to a vibrant green color, creating a nice change of seasonal colors. It is a native of south Texas and is sometimes called the Mexican White Oak tree or Monterrey Oak. No matter what you call it, this is one favorite tree for both homeowners and landscapers, and it is a beauty that will bring maximum shade coverage and plenty of curb appeal, too!

Japanese Blueberry

The Japanese Blueberry Tree, Elaeocarpus decipiens, is an exotic, upright growing, evergreen tree popular in Southwestern landscapes. Native to Japan, this widely used hedging and topiary tree provides almost year-round interest. Part of its elegant beauty comes from the lush evergreen foliage. Bronze-colored leaves emerge in the spring, which eventually matures to a luxurious shiny dark green color. As the old growth falls, an attractive brilliant reddish-orange color shows itself in the dying leaves. This new growth contrasts beautifully with the old growth.

Wax Privet

Wax Leaf Privet, botanical name Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum', is an evergreen shrub that adapts well to most landscape styles in the Southwest. From northern China, Korea, and Japan, this lush and compact shrub is a good candidate for topiary forms, bringing a formal look to gardens across the Southwest. In fact, it is common to see the Wax Leaf Privet adorning landscapes shaped into cones, globes or the classic ""vertical poodle"" forms. Homeowners can bring an elegant look to an entrance by growing poodle form shrubs in containers, flanking the front door or porch steps.

Japanese Privet

The Japanese Privet, Ligustrum japonicum, is a small to medium tree that can bring natural beauty to a wide range of Southwestern landscapes. Native to China, Korea and Japan, this evergreen tree is a moderate to fast grower and great for use as a privacy screen, lawn tree or as a windbreak. It will require moderate watering and will thrive with full sun exposure or partial shade. A round headed tree with a dense shade capacity, it is also a great choice when you want shade for small areas. It is good for patio planting, too. Homeowners will appreciate the versatile landscape uses of this tree.

Plants

Japanese Boxwood

This hardy evergreen is an excellent choice for low to medium formal hedges along walls or walkways. The Japanese Boxwood has attractive, bright green foliage that looks beautiful against buildings when used as a foundation plant. Buxus japonica is a great choice for pruning into topiary or geometric shapes when desired. Plant in well drained soil with planting mix blended into native soil. Water deeply and regularly during warm months and allow the soil to dry out between watering in cooler months.

Juniper

This hardy evergreen is an excellent choice for low to medium formal hedges along walls or walkways. The Japanese Boxwood has attractive, bright green foliage that looks beautiful against buildings when used as a foundation plant. Buxus japonica is a great choice for pruning into topiary or geometric shapes when desired. Plant in well drained soil with planting mix blended into native soil. Water deeply and regularly during warm months and allow the soil to dry out between watering in cooler months.

Gardenia

The ever-popular Everblooming Gardenia is a wonderful addition to a landscape or yard. It has many great features to offer no matter where you choose to plant it. You can enjoy the gorgeous silk white flowers as an accent piece in your yard and can prune and enjoy them inside your home for a bit longer. Gardenias are most known for the beautiful strong scent they carry. To benefit the most from the aromatic fragrance, we recommend planting near patios and walkways. It can also be planted in patio containers or large pots for front yard curb appeal.

What is next? 

From consultations and design concept to completion, our talented team can help create the backyard of your dreams. We design beautiful and peaceful tropical oasis’s that can be enjoyed year round. Let us help bring your vision to life