Oklahoma native plants are the smartest choice for Broken Arrow and Tulsa landscapes — they’re adapted to the climate, drought-tolerant once established, support local pollinators and wildlife, and require significantly less maintenance than exotic alternatives. VistaScapes Design & Build incorporates native and native-adapted plants into every landscape we design, and we’ve learned firsthand which species perform best in northeast Oklahoma’s clay soil, summer heat, and Zone 7 winters.
Best Native Trees for Broken Arrow and Tulsa
- Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) — One of the best shade trees for northeast Oklahoma. Fast-growing, stunning red fall color, deeply drought-tolerant once established, and native to Oklahoma’s Cross Timbers and eastern regions
- Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) — Adaptable to Broken Arrow’s clay soils, excellent drought tolerance, interesting textured bark, and brilliant yellow-orange fall color
- Oklahoma Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) — Oklahoma’s state tree is a perfect small ornamental — spectacular pink spring bloom, heat-tolerant, and native to the region’s limestone-clay soils
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) — Oklahoma’s most resilient native evergreen. Excellent for screening, windbreaks, and wildlife. Extremely drought-tolerant and adaptable to every soil type in the state
- Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) — The toughest oak in the state. Iconic large canopy, fire-resistant bark, and remarkable longevity — trees planted today will shade your grandchildren’s backyards
Best Native Shrubs for Oklahoma Landscapes
- Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) — Low-growing, drought-tolerant, stunning fall color, excellent erosion control on slopes
- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) — Brilliant purple berries in fall, excellent wildlife value, tolerant of clay soil and partial shade
- Oklahoma Plum (Prunus angustifolia) — Native fruiting shrub, spring bloom, wildlife magnet, excellent hedge or screen planting
- Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) — White summer bloom, white fall berries, excellent screening, wildlife value, clay-tolerant
Best Native Perennials and Grasses
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) — Summer to fall bloom, self-seeds, drought-tolerant, pollinators love it
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — Multi-season interest, drought-tolerant once established, supports monarch butterflies and goldfinches
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) — Oklahoma’s most beautiful native grass. Blue-green summer color turns brilliant orange-red in fall and holds through winter
- Inland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) — Shade-tolerant native grass, interesting seed heads, excellent under trees where lawn won’t grow
- Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) — Tall purple spikes in late summer, monarch magnet, extremely drought-tolerant in clay soil
Native Plants in Your Broken Arrow or Tulsa Landscape
VistaScapes incorporates Oklahoma native plants into landscape designs throughout Broken Arrow and Tulsa — either as the primary design palette or woven into more traditional landscapes for ecological benefit and reduced maintenance. Call (918) 779-1317 to discuss a native plant landscape for your property.
