Texas Proof Landscape for Your Short Term Rental

In the past we have tolerated picky landscape plants, often pushing plants beyond their appropriate climate zones, or accepting weekly care of plants that make messes and need constant cleanup, or trimming. This has all been with the intention of having many types of show-stopping plants, or to bring color year round. Since Aaron and I started short-term renting our beloved cabin in the woods, we have really seen survival of the fittest play out in the gardens. We have 1/10 th of the time to attend

to the gardens as we used to, and we are not always around if there is a freeze to cover plants, or to make an immediate irrigation repair. While I was rather down and out about the eventual reduction of plant variety, the experience over the past two years has been very eye opening. Plants that I often overlooked, or thought were “boring” or “predictable” have really turned out to shine and in turn make our life much easier as well. This year I am going to highlight plants that bring great value to any landscape in the

southwest and need little care. These “Texas Proof” plants bring a lot to the table for short term rentals, each having unique advantages in a desired low-maintenance garden

While Bougs often don’t survive Texas winters, I still think they justify out in a low maintenance garden because of their ability to thrive in the hottest of conditions and give about the biggest blast of color you

can find. This past year in Texas we had record heat, to compound it part of the drip irrigation down in the middle of it. The bougs did not miss a beat of putting out color despite nearly any water. This year

through one of Texas hottest summers of several days of high temperatures at or above 100F it

continued to form new growth and flowers. This is one vibrant plant that will continue to have a place in our short term rental landscape.