Texas newbie: what to do between new shrubs?

Hi folks,

LIving in Austin, TX, (was in Northern Minnesota) I'm landscaping my back yard for beauty, and to attract butterflies and birds. My house faces south. There is what I call a grassy knoll on one side of the yard, between two oak trees, one on the southeast and one to the north of the knoll. It gets sun much of the day, with partial shade as the sun moves (duh!).

With afore thought for my budget, I've started this area with three skullcap in the front, spaced appropriately, about 12 to 15 inches apart, and behind these, so far, two "Little John" dwarf lemon bottlebrush, planted maybe four feet back and five feet apart from each other.

I have three flame acanthus of the wrighti species which I'm next planning to plant in back of the bottle brush and close to the fence. I've read that these can grow aggressively, so I plan to space them as far apart as possible. In the meantime, while these plants grow up, I'm looking for ideas about ground cover or other solutions about what to do with all of the space in between--just mulch it and leave it alone? Add flowering inexpensive annuals...or ground cover?

I have planted one spreading lantana near my butterfly rock garden, which is in the center of the yard, that I thought of as a possibility, but it seems a dilemma to plant something that initially will get lots of Texas sun, and eventually, will be shaded as the shrubs grow.

I generally don't buy annuals because of cost considerations--I'm aware that it takes time for plants to mature, and to just give it time. But I thought it was worth finding out whether some of you have found other interesting solutions.

I'm also thinking of planting an ornamental tall grass behind the bottle brush, for contrast. There is probably space for something between the flame acanthus and the bottlebrush. I am also wondering about other alternatives to expand the planting area, which take more shade, as the part of the knoll closer to the house gets more shade from the more southern oak tree. Sorry I don't yet have any photos. I think Austin, TX is in zone 9b? (not sure about that.) Thanks for any comments, suggestions.

Austin z8 or 8b . It's driven me crazy to have gaps as you describe, but you'll be amazed how time passes and plants grow together. It is more likely that a gardener regrets planting too close than too far apart.

Personally and depending on area, sorrounding plants, I place potted plants and when plants grow together I move the pots elsewhere. You said you were in a budget, maybe if you post in The coleus forum asking for cuttings and paying the postage, you can get "fillers" that will grow big and fast to fill your gaps. Also look into plant swaps, where people will happily share with you.

You can fill the space with whatever is compatible with the permanent shrubs and trees for water, sun/shade and so on.

A ground cover plant- something that stays low and spreads would fill in and tie it all together. It would probably die out in the complete shade of the mature shrubs, but that is OK, it will still look nice in between.

Seasonal color, such as annual flowers, or short lived perennials are a bit more expensive in that you will be buying them several times per year, but you do not need to fill the whole space with them. Just add a few patches of color here and there. Maybe get 2-3 dozen of something, maybe 3 species or varieties or colors, then plant them in patches 60-70% of one, then 30-40% of something else. Another patch might have similar ratios, but the other varieties.
Scattering flower seeds is another cheap way to fill space.

I would always recommend mulch. Whatever kind of bark, chips or similar material. The first time will be a bit expensive because you need to cover the whole area, except right next to the plants. They do not want anything piled up against their stems.
After that you can top dress annually, adding smaller amounts, because some is still there from last year.

Thanks for all of the great feedback--and so prompt!

I like Diana's idea of ground cover as a partial solution. Just now, re-watching Texas Central Gardener on PBS (I tape all the shows as I learn more each time I watch them) silver pony foot was mentioned as a ground cover which tolerates both sun and shade. I thought this might be a good partial solution?

It sounds as though it can be somewhat aggressive, though.... On the other hand, I have two dogs, an Aussie, and an Aussie/Blue heeler mix, not terribly hard on the landscape--they don't dig, but sometimes hide rawhide by burying it under the mulch.

But their activity of course, does have a somewhat detrimental effect--they have favorite spots to hang out, and there are trails where Snickers, especially, once let outside, always makes a bee-line effort to catch a squirrel before it runs up the farthest oak tree (so far the squirrel has always won!) Perhaps a sturdy pot strategically placed, or a planter, might break up the trail.... Perhaps in the areas where they like to lie in the grass, and roll-around, I should look into a hardier, denser grass cover--they do need their own areas.

I also like the idea of coleus. It is always interesting, and from previous indoor gardening know how to root it, so it can be quite inexpensive, and at least in more moderate climates, I've found it to be a vigorous grower outside. The Austin nurseries are great, and I'm sure will be able to recommend some appropriate for my sun--partial shade area, and friends may have some they might share with me. Thanks, folks!

I'll write an update, and post photos as I learn how to manage photos on my new computer.

Roll with the flow. The dogs want to run in certain directions, let them. Allow that path to be their path, and they will go easier on the rest of it.
The herding breeds can be high energy (someone tracked a working Border Collie that jogged and ran 75 miles in one day!) so will need to be allowed to run some of it off when they are outside.

Yes, you are right, Diana. They are high-energy dogs, and I'm just glad the squirrel doesn't charge for all the enjoyment he gives to Snickers!

Hi, I promised photos--attached are photos of the "knoll" which is very much in its early inception, with skullcap in front, then two bottle brush (dwarf Little John) and in the back, on either side of some weeds, two flame acanthus.

To give some perspective to the yard, I'm also posting a photo of the center of the yard, with a new maple in the foreground, Aussie Daniel on the alert, and beyond him, my butterfly garden, now in its second year. Forgive the weeds and long grass. We've had too much rain (well, not TOO much) but enough that I haven't been able to mow! The knoll is to the west, or looking toward the center butterfly garden to the left, not quite visible in the photo.

The question is whether to plant some ground cover or add something else while the plants grow up; by this time next year, however, I think they will be considerably more mature!

Umm, sorry, the knoll is to the west, or RIGHT of the butterfly garden as you view it (and I proof-read too!)

I like the idea of planting in raised mounds. A bit more incentive for the dogs to go around, and defines the area so you can do the weeding.
Yes, the newly planted area should have some kind of mulch to keep the weeds down, and the soil moist, or else some more low, spreading plants. How about something like Catmint?

Catmint would smell nice! Mints are hardy and self-propagating, if they like the climate. My experience with mints in Texas summers is limited to the catmint I keep in a pot, for my cat. I've also found some inexpensive silver pony foot, for ground cover. Thanks!