Excellent sources for horticultural information of any sort include books, internet research and personal advice from experienced and knowledgeable gardeners. Other helpful references include maps of climate zones, rainfall, soil composition and information you can receive from your local Extension Office or Master Gardener organization. I

If researching a specific plant in doing internet research, always use the botanical name as a first resort, and common name only when that is the only known reference. Be weary of the sources of information on the internet. Remember, anyone can post information whether right or wrong, opinion or based on research. Go only to trusted source sites and keep them bookmarked for future reference. We always try to find two or more sources for information we seek to make sure there is consensus or agreement on the facts provided.

We have provided separate pages with Recommended Books, Climate Zone information, and Links to other sites that are educational and non-commercial in nature, to help you find additional information.

First, let's look at some recommended books for your central Texas gardening library.

RECOMMENDED GENERAL REFERENCE BOOKS

FOR TROPICAL PLANTS ADAPTIVE TO PLANT HARDINESS ZONES 9 AND HIGHER

Florida Landscape Plants, John Watkins and Thomas Sheehan, University of Florida Press, Gainesville, FL, 1975, 420 pages.

The Tropical Look: An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscaping Plants, Bob Riffle, Timber Press, ISBN 0-88192-422-9, almost 500 pages with 409 color photos, covering 500 genera and 5,000 individual plants. August 1998. In March 1999, this book was awarded the American Horticultural Society's book of the year. 

An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms: Bob Riffle and Paul Craft, Timber Press, ISBN 0-88192-558-6, 528 pp.  Some hardy palms are included.

FOR PLANT HARDINESS ZONES 8 AND LOWER

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael Dirr, University of Georgia, 1990, Fourth Edition, Stipes Publishing Company,

A Field Guide to Texas Trees, Benny J. Simpson, Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, TX, 1992, 372 pages

Carolina Landscape Plants, Gordon Halfacre and Anne Shawcroft, Sparks Press, Raleigh, NC, 325 pages

Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants - Mary and Gary Irish, Timber Press, 2002, 312 pages, color photos and excellent information about these dry climate plants including identification keys

Perennials for the Southwest - Mary Irish, Timber Press, 2006, 312 pages, color photos and excellent information about arid climate plants.

Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest - Woody Plants for Arid Climates: Mary Irish, Timber Press, 2009, 332 pages

Native Texas Plants - Sally and Andy Wasowski, Second Edition, Gulf Publishing Co., 407 pages, a comprehensive reference book on gardening with Texas native plants, region by region.

Creating a Drought-Resistant Garden in Central Texas - It’s all about water-thrifty gardening in central Texas! A sustainable approach toward gardening is one of the many ways homeowners can soften their impact on the local environment. This book tells you how.

Native and Adaptive Landscape Plants - An earthwise guide for Central Texas - City of Austin, February 2009