Water Restrictions!  Water Bills!  Forgot to Water!  Irrigation System Broken!
Forget all that.  Go drought tolerant.  Here are some ideas.
Drought resistant landscape design in a cottage garden

Drought resistant landscape design in a cottage garden
Thyme has grown into a sturdy shrub.  The iris are well established.  Purple cone flower is incredibly drought tolerant as is Salvi Greggi.  This yard will withstand serious drought.  However, remember it takes three years for perennials to become established.  The good thing here is you can deep water this yard with a soaker hose which means less evaporation and more water to the plant roots.
The Chitalpa, yuccas and lilies will withstand serious drought conditions but remember the first three years need more water to become established.
Lambs ear, blooming yuccas and cone flowers are all seriously drought tolerant.

Summer Chocolate Mimosa
I loved this purple mimosa.  The only other one I have seen is at the Dallas Arboretum, and who knows its seeds could flown in on the wind.  This house is just blocks away!  That’s why neighbors are not crazy about Mimosas.  They seed themselves abundantly.

This is a The ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’) with deep burgundy to chocolate-colored foliage and fluffy pink flowers.

It typically grows 15–20 feet tall and wide, thrives in USDA Zones 7–10, and prefers full sun with well-drained soil. While it hasn’t received formal awards like AAS or Earth-Kind® designation, it is widely admired in horticultural circles for its novelty, color, and pollinator appeal.

Unlike standard mimosas, which are considered invasive in some regions, ‘Summer Chocolate’ is less aggressive but should still be monitored. It may be susceptible to Fusarium wilt,
Read more about native Texas plants for your garden that have withstood drought and the test of Texas hot summers here:  Native Texas Plants

Q1: What makes ‘Summer Chocolate’ different from a regular mimosa tree?
A: Its unique dark burgundy foliage, which matures from bronze-green, sets it apart from the typical green-leaf mimosa.

Q2: How large does it get?
A: It grows to about 15–20 feet tall and wide, forming a wide, spreading canopy.

Q3: When does it bloom?
A: It produces fragrant pink flowers in early to mid-summer that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Q4: Is ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa invasive?
A: It is considered less invasive than the standard mimosa, but should still be monitored for seedling spread.

Q5: What kind of soil does it prefer?
A: It grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and doesn’t tolerate heavy, wet clay.

Q6: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it is moderately drought tolerant, especially in southern and central climates.

Q7: Can it handle cold winters?
A: It is hardy to about Zone 7, but younger trees may need protection from frost in borderline areas.

Q8: What disease risks should be considered?
A: Like other mimosas, it is susceptible to Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that can be fatal. Avoid planting where this disease has previously occurred.

Q9: Does it require much maintenance?
A: It is low maintenance once established, but occasional pruning helps shape its canopy and remove dead wood.

 

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