I don't know anything about timed water systems so can't help you there but make sure and mulch everything well and it will help retain some moisture.

Romandub, I'll give my opinion. But I am far from a garden expert. It sounds like you did a good amount of work on your soil, so I assume the soil is good.

How much water you add depends on the soil retention. You definately will want a cover of mulch over the beds to hold moisture an and keep weeds out.

But after that,,, how much water. On my end, for new plants, I like to give them a good watering, once every two or three days, with the temperature the way it is now. If it was closer to or in the 90's, and I had new plants, I'd water them every day till they became established, showing some new growth.

So in your case you're going to have to pick sprinkler or soaker hose. Or, consider a drip system. That's what I would do. Drip systems are very efficient.

Either way it's going to take some experimentation. For new plants I would play it safe with more water than less. If a plant doesn't get enough water, it may die. So give them plnety of water.

But on the weekends, inspect the plants and slowly start cutting back on the water. If you cut back to the point of small signs of dryness, then you are just about where you want to be.

Esperanza! One of the most truly under-appreciated plants in Texas. First to bloom, last to stop. Grows like a weed. Beautifl yellow flowers, dark green foliage.

Good luck.

Dig down a couple inches with a stick or your finger. If it's wet don't water. If it's dry water. If plants are wilting in the A.M. water. If they are wilting in the heat of the day wait to see how they are the next morning. (Sometimes a plant can't bring up enough water during the heat of the day to keep from wilting even if they have enough water.)
It takes 2-3 years for TX natives and adapted plants(what you have thus far) to establish. Once they are established your watering can be cut way back. Use the same method to check for water if they are established too. PJ

romandub, the plants you pick out are great ones to have. All the one you picked don't need much water even newly planted ones. All of them are very drought tolerant. If you get an inch or two of rain a week this spring I would not water at all. I never water my butterfly bush, esperanza, texas sage or salvia greggi, all the get is rain water.

Newly planted bed in the spring of 2007 , plants in the bed are Rose of Sharon, Two salvia greggi's, Garua, Two yuccas, one butterfly bush.

Fall of 2007 only water they got was rain water.

I've only been gardening for 5 years now but all of my native plants have not need any extra care. The bottom pic to the right is hot lip salvia, I had no idea it would get so big LOL big it ate my other plants alive.

Only thing I did add was compost, no fertilizers. Over watering natives can kill them.