New home need landscaping help.

https://www.nativelanddesign.com/blog/the-17-best-drought-tolerant-plants-for-texas-landscapes

Here is what some Hometalker's have done. Maybe one of these will inspire you - https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=landscaping

Go to your local nursery and see what they are selling. They will only stock plants that will thrive in your region. They are also a good source for planning your landscape (usually for free!). You can also take a drive around town and take photos of gardens/landscapes you love and copy them at your house.

I agree with Fiddledd. We did those for our landscape planning and it was so much fun! Stick to the local nurseries and not the big box stores. Local nurseries often grow the plants on site so they are aclimated before you even buy them. They also will have them organized by their sun/shade tolerance. We would go and walk the nurseries multiple times before deciding.

Check out the Dirt Doctor, who’s based in Austin, but is even on radio here in Philly. Also you have the Central Texas Gardener on line, and perhaps radio. He also has a blog. They sound ideal to me, understanding your climate and soil conditions. Good luck and have fun.

Check with your county extension office or see if your local Master Gardeners group hosts classes. Look for native plants:

http://www.txsmartscape.com/plant-search/index.php

https://npsot.org/wp/resources/finding-natives/

Don't expect big box stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) to stock only plants that will thrive in your area - and they're not typically knowledgeable. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy from them, but know what you need before you go.

Being from East Texas, I know what you are talking about with the weather! If you are into succulents, thus cacti, etc, you could do a rock garden and plant several different types of cacti in it. Aloe vera is very tolerant also. If you are wanting more greenery, you might try evergreen shrubs, such as holly. They do well in Texas also. Good luck!

Check with a LOCAL nursery for the best plants to use in your area... and consider gardening in containers .. so they can be moved into a more shaded area in the hot part of the year... If your homeowners association allows structures like patio covers or pergolas... set plants where they will be shaded during the heat of the day

Luckily you are east enough to have acidic soil. Just buy what your local nursery is selling. Not a national chain that sells the same things all over the country.

Also, ask about plants deer won't eat.