When planning your edible landscape or wildlife habitat, it is important to consider the subject of pollination. Without proper pollination, fruits and seeds will not be created. Some species of plants are self-pollinating because each individual plant produces both male and female flowers or flowers that contain both male and female parts. Such species are termed monoecious. Among monoecious species, some require a second individual plant of the same species (but generally of a different variety within that species) to be present for cross-pollination in order to set fruit. For example, in order for an Anna apple flower to grow into a fruit, it needs to be cross-pollinated with pollen from a Dorsett Golden flower or any other apple variety that blooms concurrently.
Most plants fall into the “monoecious” category, but some of the species we offer are dioecious. In dioecious species an individual plant is either male or female. In order for these species to fruit or create viable seed, it is necessary that both a male and female be present. A single male plant generally provides enough pollen to accommodate several females. This is not to be confused with cross-pollination, which involves pollen from one variety fertilizing the ovary of a flower of a second variety. Among dioecious species, some can also be “polygamo,” which means that while an individual plant primarily produces either male or female flowers, that individual can also produce some “perfect” (male and female) flowers which are able to self-pollinate.
Common Name | Botanical Name | Monoecious/Dioecious | Pollinator Required |
Agarita | Mahonia trifoliolata | M | No |
Allegheny Chinquapin | Castanea pumila | M | No |
Almond, “Hall’s Hardy” | Prunus amygdalus | M | Yes |
Almond, “Hall’s Hardy”-“Texas Mission” combo | Prunus amygdalus | M | No |
Almond, “Texas Mission” | Prunus amygdalus | M | Yes |
Almond Verbena | Aloysia virgate | M | No |
American Elderberry | Sambucus nigra canadensis | M | No* |
American Elderberry, “Johns” | Sambucus nigra canadensis | M | No* |
American Beautyberry | Callicarpa americana | M | No |
American Beautyberry, White | Callicarpa americana | M | No |
American Elm | Ulmus americana | M | No |
American Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | D | Yes |
American Sweetgum | Liquidamber styraciflua | D | Yes |
Anacacho Orchid | Bauhinia lunarioides | M | No |
Anacua | Ehretia anacua | M | No |
Apple, “Anna” | Malus domestica | M | Yes |
Apple, “Anna”-“Dorsett Golden” Combo | Malus domestica | M | No |
Apple, “Dorsett Golden” | Malus domestica | M | Yes |
Apple, “Granny Smith” | Malus domestica | M | Yes |
Arizona Cypress, Blue | Cupressus arizonica | M | No |
Arizona Walnut | Juglans major | M | No |
Aromatic Sumac | Rhus aromatica | M | No |
Arroyo Sweetwood | Myrospurmum sousanum | M | No |
Asian Pear, “20th Century” | Pyrus pyrifolia | M | Yes |
Asian Pear, “Shinko” | Pyrus pyrifolia | M | Yes |
Bebb’s Oak | Quercus x bibbiana | M | No |
Bee Brush | Aloysia gratissima | M | No |
Bigtooth Maple | Acer grandidentatum | D | Yes |
Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | M | No |
Blackberry, “Arapaho” | Rubus fruiticosus ‘Arapaho’ | M | No* |
Blackberry, “Natchez” | Rubus fruiticosus ‘Natchez’ | M | No* |
Blackberry, “Ouachita” | Rubus fruiticosus ‘Ouachita’ | M | No* |
Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | M | No |
Blanco Crabapple | Malus ioensis var. texana | M | Yes |
Bottlebrush, “Red Cluster” | Callistemon viminalis | M | No |
Bur Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | M | No |
Canyon Mock Orange | Philadelphus ernestii | M | No |
Carolina Buckthorn | Frangula caroliniana | M | No |
Ceanothus, “Victoria” | Ceanothus impressus | M | No |
Cedar Elm | Ulmus crassifolia | M | No |
Cenizo, “Convent” | Leucophyllum frutescens | M | No |
Chalk Maple | Acer leucoderme | D | Yes |
Cherry, “Minnie Royal” | Prunus avium | M | Yes |
Cherry Laurel | Prunus caroliniana | M | No |
Chile Pequin | Capsicum annuum | M | No |
Chilean Mesquite | Prosopis chilensis | M | No |
Chinese Pistache | Pistacia chinensis | D | Yes |
Chinquapin Oak | Quercus muhlenbergii | M | No |
Chitalpa, “Pink Dawn” | Chilopsis x Catalpa | M | No |
Chocolate Vine | Akebia quinata | M | Yes |
Choke Cherry | Prunus virginiana | M | No |
Citrangequat | Citrange x Kumquat | M | No |
Common Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | M | No |
Copper Canyon Daisy | Tagetes lemonii | M | No |
Coral Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens | M | No |
Coralberry | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | M | No |
Creek Plum | Prunus rivularis | M | No* |
Crossvine | Bigonia capreolata | M | No |
Damianita | Chrysactinia mexicana | M | No |
Daylily, Lemon | Hemerocallis citrina | M | No |
Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | M | No |
Desert Willow, “Bubba” | Chilopsis linearis ‘Bubba’ | M | No |
Dogwood, “Golden Glory” | Cornus mas | M | No |
Dove Tree | Davidia involucrata | M | No |
Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | D | No |
Elbow Bush | Forestiera pubescens | D | No |
Escarpment Black Cherry | Prunus serotina var. eximia | M | No* |
Esperanza | Tecoma stans (angustata) | M | No |
European Elderberry, “Madonna” | Sambucus nigra | M | No* |
Eve’s Necklace | Sophora affinis | M | No |
Evergreen Sumac | Rhus virens | D | No |
Fall Aster | Aster oblongifolius | M | No |
Fall Obedient Plant | Physotegia virginiana | M | No |
False Indigo | Amorpha fruiticosa | M | No |
Fig, “Alma” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Fig, “Brown Turkey” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Fig, “Celeste” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Fig, “Green Ischia” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Fig, “Kadota” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Fig, “LSU Gold” | Ficus carica | M | No |
Flame Acanthus | Anisacanthus quadrifidus | M | No |
Four-Nerve Daisy | Tetraneuris scaposa | M | No |
Fragrant Mimosa | Mimosa borealis | M | No |
Frontier Elm | Ulmus parviflora x minor | M | No |
Gambel’s Oak | Quercus gambelii | M | No |
Garden Fig | Ficus carica | M | No |
Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba | D | Yes |
Gingko, “Robbie’s Twist” | Ginkgo biloba | D | No |
Golden Rain Tree | Koelreuteria paniculata | M | No |
Goldenball Leadtree | Leucaena retusa | M | No |
Grape, “Niagara” | Vitis labrusca ‘Niagara’ | M | No |
Grape, “Victoria Red” | Vitis hybrid | M | No |
Grape, “Candice” | Vitis labrusca ‘Candice’ | M | No |
Grape, Black Muscadine, “Ison” | Vitis rotundifolia | M | No |
Grape, Bronze Muscadine, “Late Fry” | Vitis rotundifolia | M | No |
Gregg’s Leadtree | Leucaena greggii | M | No |
Guajillo | Acacia berlandieri | M | No |
Gum Bumelia | Sideroxylon lanuginosum | M | No |
Hesperaloe, “Yellow Sun” | Hesperaloe parviflora | M | No |
Holly-Leaf Cherry | Prunus ilicifolia | M | No |
Holly, “China Girl” | Ilex x meserveae | D | No |
Honey Mesquite | Prosopis glandulosa | M | No |
Huisache | Acacia farnesiana | M | No |
Hybrid Oak: Burlive, Burgamble, Bebbs | Quercus macrocarpa x | M | No |
Japanese Black Pine | Pinus thunbergii | M | No |
King’s Crown | Dicliptera suberecta | M | No |
Lacebark Elm | Ulmus parviflora | M | No |
Lacey Oak | Quercus laceyi | M | No |
Lantana, Texas | Lantana involucrata | M | No |
Little-Leaf Sumac | Rhus microphylla | D | No |
Live Oak | Quercus fusiformis hybrid | M | No |
Loquat | Eriobotrya japonica | M | No (our variety is self-fertile) |
Madrone, “Compacta” | Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ | M | No |
Mayhaw | Crataegus aestivalis | M | Yes |
Mexican Buckeye | Ungnadia speciosa | M | No |
Mexican Feathergrass | Nassella tenuissima | M | No |
Mexican Marigold | Tagetes lucida | M | No |
Mexican Oregano | Lippia graveolens | M | No |
Mexican Palm | Sabal mexicana | M | No |
Mexican Plum | Prunus mexicana | M | No* |
Mexican Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | D | No |
Mock Orange, “Belle Etoile” | Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ | M | No |
Monterey Oak | Quercus polymorpha | M | No |
Montezuma Cypress | Taxodium mucronatum | M | No |
Moringa | Moringa oleifera | M | No |
Mulberry, “Dragon in Clouds” | Morus ‘Unrys’ | D | Yes |
Mulberry, White (Russian) | Morus alba | D | Yes |
Narrow-Leaf Yucca | Yucca angustissima | M | No |
Nopales Spineless Cactus | Optunia ficus-indica | M | No |
Oak-Leaf Hydrangea | Hydrangea quercifolia | M | No |
Olive, “Arbequina” | Olea europaea | M | No* |
Olive, “Mission” | Olea europaea | M | No* |
Olive, “Montra” | Olea europaea | M | No |
Pale-Leaf Yucca | Yucca pallida | M | No |
Palmetto, Dwarf | Sabal minor | M | No |
Paperbark Maple | Acer griseum | D (androdioecious) | No |
Passionflower, Maypop | Passiflora incarnata | M | No |
Pawpaw | Asimina triloba | M | No* |
Peach, “Gold Dust” | Prunus persica | M | No |
Peach, “July Elberta” | Prunus persica | M | No |
Peach, “Tex King” | Prunus persica | M | No |
Pear, “Kieffer” | Pyrus communis | M | No* |
Pear, “Warren” | Pyrus communis | M | No* |
Pear, “Warren”-“Kieffer” Combo | Pyrus communis | M | No |
Pineapple Guava | Feijoa sellowiana | M | No* |
Plum, “Methley” | Prunus salicina | M | No |
Plum, “”Methley”-“Santa Rosa” Combo | Prunus salicina | M | No |
Plum, “Santa Rosa” | Prunus salicina | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “Asperonski Kraslyi” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “Kazake” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “King Red” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “Salavatski” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomeganate, “Texas Pink” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “Texas Red” | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Pomegranate, “Wonderful’ | Punica granatum | M | No* |
Prairie Flameleaf Sumac | Rhus lanceolata | M | No |
Red Autumn Berry, Saginaw | Elaeagnus umbellata | M | No |
Red Buckeye | Aesculus pavia v. pavia | M | No |
Red Maple | Acer rubrum | D-polygamo | No |
Red Mulberry | Morus rubra | M, D | No |
Red Yucca, Red Hesperaloe) | Hesperaloe parviflora | M | No |
Redbud, “Rising Sun” | Cercis canadensis v. texana | M | No |
Retama | Parkinsonia aculeata | M | No |
Rock Rose | Pavonia lasiopetala | M | No |
Root Beer Plant | Piper auritum | M | No |
Rosemary, Prostrate | Rosemarinus officianalis | M | No |
Roughleaf Dogwood | Cornus drummondii | M | No |
Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum | Viburnum rufidulum | M | No |
Salvia, Autumn Sage | Salvia greggii | M | No |
Salvia, Lyreleaf Sage | Salvia lyrata | M | No |
Salvia, Mealy Blue Sage | Salvia farinacea | M | No |
Salvia, White Autumn Sage | Salvia greggii | M | No |
Shantung Maple | Acer truncatum | M | No |
Shin Oak | Quercus sinuata | M | No |
Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye | Viguera stenoloba | M | No |
Smoke Tree, American | Cotinus obovatus | M, U | No |
Smoke Tree, Purple | Cotinus coggygria | D | No |
Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | D | No |
Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | D | No |
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum | M | No |
Sycamore Leaf Snowbell | Styrax platanifolius | M | No |
Texas Almond | Prunus minutiflora | M | No |
Texas Ash | Fraxinus texensis | D | No |
Texas Buckeye | Aesculus glabra v. arguta | M | No |
Texas Croton | Codiaeum texensis | D | No |
Texas Kidneywood | Eysenhardtia texana | M | No |
Texas Persimmon | Diospyros texana | D | Yes |
Texas Red Oak | Quercus buckleyi | M | No |
Texas Redbud | Cercis canadensis v. texana | M | No |
Texas Sacahuista (Nolina) | Nolina texana | D-polygamo | No |
Texas Sotol | Dasyliron texanum | M | No |
Thornless Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos inermis | D-polygamo | No |
Toothache Tree, Prickly Ash | Zanthoxylum hirsutum | D | No |
Trident Maple | Acer buergerianum | M | No |
Vitex, “Shoal Creek” | Vitex agnus-castus | M | No |
Wafer Ash, Hop Tree | Ptelea trifoliata | M | No |
Wax Myrtle | Morella cerifera | D | No |
Western Soapberry | Sapindus drummondii | D | No |
White Leadtree | Leucaena leucocephala | M | No |
Willow, “Scarlet Curls” | Salix matsudana | D | No |
Wright’s Acacia | Acacia greggii var. wrightii | M | No |
Yaupon Holly, “Pride of Houston” | Ilex vomitoria | D | No |
Yaupon Holly | Ilex vomitoria | D | No |
Yellow Honeysuckle, “Sulphurea” | Lonicera sempervirens | M | No |
Yucca, “Color Guard” | Yucca filamentosa x | M | No |
Yucca, Rostrata | Yucca linearifolia | M | No |
(* indicates that cross-pollination, while not necessary for production, will improve yields)