Get a copy of the Grow Green guide to "Native and Adapted Landscape
Plants" which is a good start. It is a free guide, put out by the City
of Austin's Grow Green program in conjunction with the Texas
Cooperative Extension office of A&M.
Many nursery's are giving it out free, but might be hard to find in
Cedar Park, maybe they can mail you one if you check their web site
at:
www.growgreen.org

In addition I would go with an organic, over stone mulch. There are
plusses and minuses either way, just a personal preference.

Steve Coyle
www.austingardencenter.com