Despite the city’s arid climate, there are some native Texas plants that are best suited for landscaping Houston, including the mighty white oak and resilient gulf muhly grass. For an exotic touch, try black-eyed susan, a perennial coneflower with seven-five-inch, nine-beetle leaves. Aztec grass is another great choice, with green and white variegated leaves that look like a grass. It also produces a single flower.
Hibiscus
If you want to bring the tropical look of the tropics to your yard, consider planting a Yellow Hibiscus. This easy-care perennial will add color to your Houston yard and looks beautiful in a container. Alternatively, you can make a houseplant of it and enjoy its beautiful flowers year-round. The perfect plant for a cutting garden, attractive hedge or covering structure, hibiscus plants are perfect for any yard.
To care for your hibiscus, you must follow a few basic tips. Hibiscus plants grow well in pots or in the ground and should be spaced four feet apart. They require a well-drained area with plenty of light. In addition, they need to be fertilized every three to four months with a formula that is low in phosphorous. Occasionally, you can also prune your hibiscus to shape it more attractively. If you want a larger plant, you can visit a local hibiscus show.
While hibiscus plants are drought-tolerant, they should be protected from insects and diseases. Hibiscus mealybugs, a type of insect that attacks hibiscus plants, inject a lethal toxin into the plant. To control the spread of pink hibiscus mealybugs, you can spray your hibiscus plants with a fungicide or insecticide. Be sure to keep these chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
For a tropical, lush look in your yard, consider a Hibiscus plant. Hibiscus genus is home to more than 200 species, so you can choose a variety that fits your taste. Hibiscus plants come in simple colors, complex colors, and varying textures. They typically grow from three to eleven inches wide, and bloom every day. A plant can grow as tall as four feet. If you are worried about your hibiscus’ blooming period, choose one that blooms continuously.
Japanese Maples
Although the climate in Houston can be very hot, the Japanese Maple can tolerate hot summer temperatures. Plants that receive too much sun may lose their leaves. This doesn’t kill them, but it can lead to crispy foliage. It is important to consider this when selecting a Japanese maple for your landscape. The best time to prune your maple is in mid-May. Leaf scorch can affect the entire tree, but it usually only affects one side. Moreover, Japanese maples need shade in the morning and afternoon. To prevent the condition, slow and deep watering is required. Mulch is also helpful.
When planning your landscape, consider your Japanese maple’s size and shape. Most varieties are 2-to-30 feet tall. Depending on the type, they may be dwarf, upright, or cascading. Some varieties are even taller. However, the best time to plant a Japanese maple is late autumn or early spring, when temperatures are still moderate. For best results, you should plan to plant the Japanese maple at least a month before the ground freezes. The resulting tree will wait until spring before setting roots.
After selecting your Japanese maple’s shape and size, consider adding other plants that complement it. Woody plants and evergreens are a good choice for companions. Make sure to plant the tree in more space than the label suggests, as it will grow. Leave plenty of space around the Japanese maple, so you can prune it when it is mature and tend to other garden tasks. If you’re unsure of what type of plant will work well in Houston, visit your local garden center for more information.
Eucalyptus
Growing eucalyptus is easy. You can start eucalyptus trees from seed. They grow quickly, reaching a height of 1015 feet in just one year. They can grow into large trees, medium to large shrubs, and even multitrunked trees. Their leaves have an aromatic flavor and are quite unusual, with young and mature leaves distinctly different. You may also want to consider a dwarf variety.
Once established, eucalyptus plants are relatively drought-resistant. However, they should be watered regularly, as their roots will drop if their leaves and branches become too dry. Eucalyptus can tolerate moderate to heavy watering, but its roots require water every other day. It prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, but they can’t survive prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees.
When planting eucalyptus, remember to choose a location that receives eight to ten hours of sunlight each day. If your eucalyptus plant will be placed near a south-facing window, you can choose a sunny spot in your house. Remember, this plant needs ample light, sharp drainage, and plenty of space to thrive. You can also grow eucalyptus in containers or indoors, provided you give it sufficient light.
Another great plant to consider is the Japanese maple. This deciduous tree native to Australia can reach up to 50 feet in height. Besides being drought-resistant, Japanese maples grow in all types of soil and are very drought-tolerant. A Japanese maple, which can reach 50 feet, is a great choice for Houston landscaping. They grow well in containers and don’t require much water. You can also purchase one from a local nursery, which is available in Houston.
Cacti
If you are considering adding a succulent garden to your yard, consider growing cacti. The cacti are easy to grow from seed, and many seed companies sell packets that contain several different varieties. They take about a year to germinate and a few years to grow to maturity. Cacti are not much harder to grow from seed than other plants, and many of them will flower within two years. Some cacti even flower earlier.
While cacti aren’t very popular in most climates, they can be grown indoors. These plants don’t like standing in water, so they should be planted in raised beds, or in sandier soil, which will filter water as it drips. Cacti can also be grown indoors, and are increasingly popular with interior designers. Cacti-stocked terrariums have become extremely popular, and there are instructional videos online that will help you choose the right cacti.
When it comes to planting cacti in Houston, consider the following examples. These plants are hardy, beautiful, and easy to grow. Cacti are commonly seen in Texas, and are the easiest to find. In May, they bloom with tall clusters of cream-colored flowers. These plants are also surprisingly drought-tolerant and don’t require much water. They are also able to withstand high heat and humidity.
The cacti family is huge and diverse, with thousands of varieties and growing instructions. In most cases, the basic instructions apply to all cacti. Some, however, are epiphytes that grow on trees. The basic instructions apply to most of them, but some varieties may require more frequent watering than others. Cacti are best suited to Houston’s climate, so make sure to select the right one!
Foxtail Fern
Growing a fern in your Houston home can be a great way to provide your indoor plant with the best possible environment. Foxtail ferns are low maintenance and drought-tolerant. They can take two or three growing seasons to mature, but they always come back. You can easily propagate this plant by saving its berries and planting them in the spring. To grow more ferns, you can divide them at the root when repotting them. Be sure to use well-draining potting soil. The roots of this plant are tuberous and are easy to break up when you repot them.
You should place your fern in a shady area during the winter months. In the spring, the fern can handle direct sunlight, but should be planted in shaded areas during summer. Once in the spring, move the fern to a bright indoor window to enjoy the warm sunlight. Water the plant regularly, at least once a week, or when the soil feels dry. You should fertilize your fern once a month, if not more.
Although not true fern, the Foxtail fern is an ornamental shrub with needle-like leaves. It grows 2′-3′ tall and two to three feet wide. This plant produces white flowers and small, inconspicuous red berries in the fall. The Foxtail fern grows slowly and prefers part shade to full sun, but it can tolerate full sunlight, too. Asparagus densiflorus’myers’ is a succulent native to southern Africa, and it thrives in warm Mediterranean climates. It requires little pruning and has a high tolerance for drought.
Foxtail ferns are perennial ferns that require moderate watering, but are drought-tolerant if properly watered. If watered, they will grow well in Houston gardens. Ferns can be found in many parts of Texas. They grow in the Big Bend, and are found throughout the state. They prefer shade and water, and they’ll come back each year. They look particularly attractive in shaded areas and look good with elephant ears and vinca major.
