Please see this article from Keith C. Hansen, County Extension Agent-Horticulture, and Dr. William C. Welch on landscaping and gardening in the coastal areas of Texas.
Galveston County Master Gardeners also has a great site devoted to gardening on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Groundcovers can especially be important in these areas to keep erosion down. Here are some great grasses and groundcovers for the Texas Coast:
- Asparagus fern
- Algerian Ivy
- Goats-foot Morning Glory
- Sea Coast Blue Stem
- Salt grass
- Lindheimer’s Muhly Grass
- Sand Knotgrass
- Fountain Grass
- Giant Seaoats
- Miscanthus ‘Adagio’
- Confederate Jasmine
- Wedelia
- Blue Pacific Juniper
- Liriope
- Purpleleaf
- Honeysuckle
- Monkey Grass
If you live on the Texas coast, your needs will be radically different than if you live in the deserts of El Paso, or in the Hill Country. You may need to take into account sandy dunes, high winds, and big storms when planning your garden. The closer you are to the ocean, the more you’ll need to select plants that can handle winds and salt spray.