Whether you’re planning a full-on flower garden or just want to add color to a small space, the best plants for flower beds in Texas will be sure to please. This article discusses the best native plants, perennials, shrubs, and ground covers. If you’re new to gardening, read on to find out what to consider when planting a flower bed. In Texas, there are many native plants and shrubs that are hardy and easy to maintain.
Native plants
If you live in a Texas climate, consider planting native plants in your flower bed. Native plants have special adaptations to the region. They benefit wildlife and help preserve the natural habitat. They also require less water and fertilizer. The native plants will benefit the ecosystem around them. Some examples of such plants are bald cypress, which has spreading branches, brilliant orange foliage, and a tapered trunk. For additional information about native plants, check out Earth-Kind’s plant selector.
These plants are drought tolerant and attractive to butterflies and pollinators. Some species of these flowers require pruning to maintain their shape. The bright yellow blooms of black-eyed Susans are a popular addition to flower beds in Texas. The Mexican buckeye is another native plant. It grows as a large shrub or small tree. Its colorful flowers attract butterflies and honey bees. They prefer dry soil, part or full shade.
Lantana is an excellent plant for the flower bed. This drought-tolerant native grows in full sun, is a butterfly magnet, and is a great plant for native Texas gardens. The plant’s elongated, fragrant blooms last from late spring to late summer. This plant can also be cut and enjoyed as a cut flower, as the flowers only last about a week before drooping.
Red Turk’s Cap is another native plant that is drought-tolerant. It is not really a true yucca, but it produces flowers that are pink or red. A variety of plants in this genus are called false yuccas and have yucca-like leaves. Another native plant is Texas mountain laurel. This plant is native to Central Texas and Mexico. It has dark, shiny leaves and a cluster of bright red flowers. They’re drought-tolerant and tolerate part-shade.
Perennials
There are many perennials you can plant in your flower bed that will thrive in Texas’ warmer climate. Consider trying Texas gold columbine, which blooms bright yellow during cooler parts of the year. Its bluish green foliage contrasts with the large cup-like flowers that have wispy tentacles. They grow on a fine-netted bush about two feet tall. Other perennials to try include Lantana. These plants have vine-like characteristics and tend to grow taller than many other perennials. The flowers bloom for a week before they begin to fade and die.
The best way to provide sufficient nutrients for your perennials is to top dress them with compost every couple of years. The best time to do this is mid-late February. You should also fertilize perennial beds at least once every two years. Top dressing helps improve the soil’s organic content so nutrients are more readily available to the plants. A top-dressing of compost every two to three years is recommended. It is an easy way to improve the fertility of your soil and will extend the bloom season.
When it comes to planting perennials in Texas, don’t forget to divide them periodically. Perennials can become overcrowded if you don’t divide them every year. You may need to prune them back every two years or so to keep them looking neat. Generally, perennials don’t need much maintenance compared to annuals, although you may want to thin them out every year to avoid stagnant growth. The following perennials were selected for their heat tolerance and easy care.
A few perennials you can plant in your flower bed that don’t require a lot of maintenance are the blackfoot daisy and the yarrow. Both of these plants have lemon yellow blooms that are prized for their classic look. And the yarrow is easy to divide every two years if you decide to transplant them. The latter two plants are drought-resistant and will grow in almost any soil, but both are ideal perennials for flower beds in Texas.
Shrubs
Fall and winter are the best times to plant native shrubs for your flower bed. Autumn Sage, also known as Texas sage, is an excellent choice for your Texas flower bed. It thrives in full sunlight and little water, and its flowers are enjoyed by hummingbirds and butterflies. It is also deer-resistant and requires little maintenance. The flowers bloom in late summer or early fall, and this plant requires very little water, although it must be cut back to the ground in late winter.
Japanese Boxwood is another popular shrub for flower beds in Texas. It survives the Texas heat and humidity and can last for years, even in the driest conditions. Yaupon holly is another popular choice that is common in Texas landscapes, and its red berries are a great holiday decoration. You can shear the branches to create creative topiaries or plant them as an ornamental tree.
A native wildflower to Texas, the purple coneflower has long, arching branches with lavender flowers surrounding a brown spiny center. This plant requires only a half-inch of water per week to thrive. Beautyberry is another attractive choice, featuring a cluster of bright purple berries on long branches. Not only does it attract butterflies and honey bees, it also provides valuable food to local birds. Regardless of whether you want to add a flower bed to your garden or not, you’ll love how these plants look in your garden.
Native shrubs are an excellent choice for your flower bed in Texas, and there are many varieties you can buy to match your style and your budget. Native plants require little maintenance and less water than non-native plants, and they help the ecosystem in your area. If you’re not sure where to start, you can search for native plants on the Internet. A good place to begin your search is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Their website contains lists of more than 100 plants for each region of Texas.
Ground cover
There are several ground cover plants that can thrive in sunny or shaded areas, but not both. Some ground covers thrive in full sun, such as phlox, periwinkle, and sweet woodruff. Some have interesting leaves or even fragrant flowers. Others are drought-tolerant and tolerate shade better than others. Whatever your preferred choice, there is a ground cover that’s right for you. Listed below are some ideas.
The state’s arid climate can be hard on landscaping, resulting in deer damage and plant death. For these reasons, drought-tolerant plants can add a touch of curb appeal to your yard without compromising its appearance. Lantana, for example, requires little water but thrives in full sun. These plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds and make for great ground cover. And they’re easy to propagate!
Another popular ground cover is sedge. It tolerates the dry shade well and comes in a wide range of colors. For a shady area, try Cedar Sage, or Saliva. The plant is a perennial with pink or purple spring flowers. It grows to one or two feet high and can be used as a ground cover in shady areas. Other perennials are geraniums, lantana, and thyme.
Another perennial ground cover is Mondo Grass. It grows to 18 inches tall and spreads out to 24 inches. Its foliage is densely attached to the ground. This plant performs well in partial sun to shade. It doesn’t mind a bit of shade or humidity, but it doesn’t like standing water. It’s also very hardy and drought-tolerant. The best ground cover plants for flower beds in Texas will provide you with a beautiful landscape while requiring little to no maintenance.
Container plants
If you want an easy-care container plant, try succulents. They thrive in Texas’ extreme heat and require very little water. Plus, many of them feature intriguing textures and colorful blooms. North by Northwest’s Cory Essman suggests that succulents can be as impressive as their color. They are also often referred to by funny names such as donkey tails or jelly beans. And despite their common name, they’re perfect for planters.
For shade-loving containers, consider tropical plants. Succulents don’t always work in Texas, but Essman suggests using tropical caladiums. When grown in containers, they pair well with ferns and a vigorous sweet potato vine. Their multi-colored foliage looks hand-painted and makes these plants look lush and beautiful. Most flowers aren’t ideal for containers in Texas, though, because they require so much water. Instead, aim to have vibrant, healthy containers that add interest to your flower bed.
Before buying container plants for your flower bed, consider the amount of light your flower beds receive. You’ll also want to consider the size and number of pots you need. Remember to read the plant tags to find out information about how much sunlight the container will receive each day. Also, be sure to use potting soil and Miracle-Gro fertilizer to ensure your plants’ success. Also, you may want to check out garage sales, secondhand stores, and antique shops. Often, you can find excellent plant selections there.
For optimal drainage, choose planters with drainage holes. If that’s not possible, use coffee filters or rocks over the holes. If you don’t have a garden sprinkler system, you can use drip irrigation. Just be sure to position the planters in the right location before filling them with soil. Make sure to use a good potting soil mix, which should contain a moisture-retaining additive and a time-release fertilizer. Choose plants based on location and type of soil and environment.
