Perinneals
Artemisia
Artemisia is perfect companion to flowering plants and ornamental grasses. With aromatic silver-gray foliage, Artemisia provides the perfect backdrop to bring out interesting contrasts of leaf color and texture. This large family of herbaceous perennials and shrubs thrive in hot, full sun and poor soils. We recommend shearing the faded flowers to maintain their neat appearance.
Baptisia
Baptisia are deer-resistant perennial wildflowers in the pea family, most with blue-green foliage topped by magnificent stalks of butterfly-attracting flowers...usually in spring. Most gardeners are only familiar with the commonly grown blue baptisia, Baptisia australis, but baptisias come in a much wider range of flower colors that include white, yellow, purple, pink, and of course, blue.
Bat Face Cuphea
Bat Face Flowers are low maintenance, shrubby perennials that are native to Mexico. They have glossy green, lance shaped leaves and grow from 18"-24" tall with a spread of up to 3 feet. Bat Face Cupheas produce masses of 1" purple tubular flowers with two bright red, upward facing petals all along the stem. Bat faced Cupheas are very drought-tolerant plants.
Bee Balm
The Bee Balm plant is a North American native, thriving in woodland areas. Also known by its botanical name of Monarda, Bee Balm is very attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The Bee Balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white. Bee Balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan bright, summer-blooming flowers give the best effect when planted in masses in a border or wildflower meadow. Some species also have attractive gray-green foliage. In general, Black-Eyed Susan are relatively drought-tolerant and disease-resistant. Flower colors include yellow and gold, and the plants grow 2 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Bulbine
This undemanding plant makes a nice succulent ground cover and blooms throughout the year. It works great as a low border plant in succulent gardens and could be used among rocks in xeriscape plantings. Since it can accept more water, it works nicely in drought tolerant perennial gardens. Bulbine frutescens prefers well-draining soils but it adapts somewhat to heavier soils. It can also be grown in containers.
Butterfly Weed-Mexican
Vibrant yellow, orange, and red flowers are borne from Spring to frost on an upright to spreading perennial. Raise Monarch Butterflies in your own backyard! The Monarchs migrate through our area just as the Asclepias begin to awaken in spring, just in time for the females to lay their eggs on the new growth.
Canna Lilly
Planting cannas in your garden is an easy way to create instant tropical flair. Cannas are tropical and subtropical flowering plants with large, banana-like leaves. A surge in interest and hybridizing has resulted in a dazzling array of cannas to choose from, many with large flowers and variegated leaves that look like stained glass when the sun shines through them.
Cape Blue plumbago
Plumbago is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely form and gracefully arching branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard.
Cast Iron Plant
Excellent for those difficult-to-fill areas in deep shade, spreading gently by underground stems. A nearly fuss-free, lush, leafy evergreen that will tolerate a range of growing conditions including heat, aridity and dry shade. Long lasting plant can be used in areas where all else fails; it is always green, and can handle deep shade under deck stairs or along foundations that receive almost no sunlight.
Catmint
Catmint is an aromatic herb that is commonly grown in the garden. It produces clusters of lavender-blue flowers amid mounds of gray-green foliage. It's a compact grower that forms a mound 12″ high by about 15–18″ wide. The profuse, small, lavender-blue flowers appear in June and July and repeat all summer. A lovely under-planting for Roses.
Columbine
Columbine is an excellent native garden plant - popular in shade gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized areas, it is also effective in borders. This is an erect, branching perennial, up to 2 ft. tall, well-known for its showy flowers. A nodding, red and yellow flower with upward spurred petals alternating with spreading, colored sepals and numerous yellow stamens hanging below the petals.
Coralbean
Coral bean is a native plant that can add interest to the landscape from spring until fall. Red tubular flowers grow on tall stalks in the spring, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies. In the fall, as the rest of the summer garden starts to fade, coral bean's seed pods begin to mature and the show begins. What once looked a bit like English pea pods turn dark and split open to reveal shiny, red seeds nestled inside.
Damianita
Damianita is a Texas Native near the Edward’s Plateau that likes the hot conditions and poor soils of our area. It is a shrubby evergreen plant with a low mounding growth habit with leaves that are needle-like and very aromatic making it deer and rabbit resistant. Damianita will be covered in 1” yellow daisy type flowers year round, and will only reach 1-2’ tall with a 2’ spread making it a good border plant.
Day Lily
Day Lilies are rugged, adaptable, vigorous perennials that endure in a garden for many years with little or no care. Day Lilies adapt to a wide range of soil and light conditions. They establish quickly, grow vigorously, and survive winters with little or no injury. Daylilies are useful in the perennial flower border, planted in large masses, or as a ground cover on slopes, where they form a dense mat in a few years.
Esperanza Orange Jubilee
Orange Jubilee is noted for the fast growing, reaching branch structure with bright orange flowers. They can reach 10 to 12 ft high with long leggy branches. Trim occasionally to keep them full and well behaved. Plant Orange Jubilee where they will receive at least half a day of sun and soil with good drainage. A hard freeze will damage their branches they will recover very quickly in spring.
Esperanza Yellow Bells
Broadly distributed in the extreme desert Southwest through Mexico all the way south to into Argentina. Vigorous and upright to 15 feet but can be maintained at 6 feet. Beautiful yellow to yellow orange red trumpet flowers in terminal clusters; fruits are long, narrow, unattractive brown pods. Full sun is required, will grows in an loose, open and rangy manner if shaded even lightly.
Fall Aster
Asters are easy to grow perennial plants that take care of themselves all summer long. Their vigorous blooms appear later in the season, right when other flowers begin to fade. A surefire way of adding great fall color for years to come, Asters' gorgeous flowers will stay strong until hard frosts set in. Aster is a popular and dependable food source for Monarch butterflies, who rely on the nectar of late-season blooms to fuel their fall migration.
Firecracker Plant
Firecracker Plant is a multi-branched subshrub with slender, rush-like stems that are angled with ridges and leaves that are reduced to little more than small scales. The wiry branches start out erect then fall over to cascade down in lengths as long as 4 feet. From spring until fall outdoors and all year long indoors, coral plant produces hanging clusters of scarlet tubular flowers that look like little firecrackers.
Flowering Maple
Long popular as easy-to-grow houseplants, these Hibiscus relatives are known chiefly through their many colorful hybrids with either bell-shaped or flaring flowers. As a group they represent a complete range of flower colors and forms currently available, and include several new introductions. Many of these varieties make excellent hanging basket specimens or fine subjects for espalier.
Frostweed
This easy-to-grow Verbesina lends stately, dark green leaves and white, autumn flowers to the dappled shade found at the edges of woodlands, where it can form sizable colonies with its spreading rhizomes. Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its name Frostweed.
Gaura
Gaura is a shrubby perennial that produces pretty, 4-petaled flowers that grow over-top a clump-forming habit that offers stemless leaves which gives it a remarkably neat appearance. Its an ideal candidate for borders or where a more formal garden style is appreciated. Attracts butterflies and tolerates heat, humidity and drought.
Gayfeather (Blazing Star)
Valued for its unusual flower shape, blazing star sends up erect spires of usually magenta, sometimes white flowers. Emerging from grasslike foliage, the blooms make a dramatic statement in flower gardens with other perennials, annuals, or even shrubs. Well-drained but moisture-retentive soil is a must for this prairie native.
Gregg's Mistflower
Gregg’s Mistflower is native to the southwestern US. It is a small to medium-sized perennial that can grow from 9 inches to 3 feet tall; in gardens it is usually 1.5 to 2 feet tall. Its leaves are palmate and deeply divided into 3 lobes approximately 5 inches long. Gregg’s Mistflower has a tendency to sprawl and with its roots traveling through the soil, spreads out from its initial planting site.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus are deciduous shrubs with dark green leaves; the plants can grow to 15 feet tall in frost-free areas. Flowers may be up to 6-9 inches in diameter, with colors ranging from yellow to peach to red. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hosta (Variegated)
Hostas come in various designs, heights and sizes, but all form the neat, circular clump they're famous for. They all flower, too, but are really grown for their beautiful perennial plant foliage, which ranges from light green to deep bluish-green. If you give them some shade and plenty of rich soil and water, they'll be a dependable, rich groundcover perennial. These forgiving plants will tolerate a variety of soils.
Hydrangea (All Summer Beauty)
Expect 'All Summer Beauty' to reach 3 to 4 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide. It's also terrific as a foundation plant because the branchy upright silhouette in winter is interesting, and the flowers last forever in summer. It needs partial shade in the south, but does well in full sun farther north. Make sure you keep it watered well, but with good soil drainage!
Iceplant
Hardy ice plant (Delosperma) is a succulent, perennial ground cover with daisy-like flowers. The ice plant is not called an ice plant because it is cold hardy, but rather because the flowers and leaves seem to shimmer as though covered in frost or ice crystals. The plants grow to be about 3 to 6 inches tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Ice plants prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade in the garden.
iris
This enduring perennial, a subject of poetry, painting and countless garden photographs, grows from rhizomes, a fleshy root. The color choices of irises are many. You can choose several different varieties and keep the garden bathed in color from season to season. And another great thing about most irises: once established in the garden, they're fairly low-maintenance. The bearded irises are moderately drought-tolerant; the Siberian irises need moist to wet conditions.
KNOCKOUT ROSE
The Knock Out® Family of Roses are easy to grow and don't require special care. Plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds and borders. Plant them in large groups to create a colorful hedge or along a foundation to provide a bright border. For best performance, we recommend cutting them back every year in early spring after the last threat of frost has passed.
Lantana
Lantana are woody, tropical shrubs with large, rough leaves topped with numerous heads of vividly colored flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. They are free-flowering, often blooming from spring right through to the first frost. It enjoys well-drained soil and lots of sun. Once established, they are drought tolerant.
Lily of the Nile
The South African genus Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) is well-known for being a great summer-flowering, butterfly-attracting perennial in warm climates. Happy in the ground or in containers, with blooms forming whimsical globes in the garden. Agapanthus flowers can range from dark purple to light blue to white. You'll need full sun in order to get a good crop of flowers.
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
The golden-yellow flowers of Lanceleaf Coreopsis bloom for weeks on end, creating a fantastic early summer display. Butterflies are regular visitors, and songbirds feed on the ripe seeds in late summer. This durable plant grows in any well-drained soil, and exults in dry sandy soils. A must-have for any wildflower gardener.
Mexican Heather
Prized for its lacy foliage and numerous jewel-like flowers, cuphea, commonly called Mexican heather, makes an ideal container or border plant. Growing just 10 to 18 inches tall, this shrubby, tropical annual is smothered in blooms all summer long. Plus, the flowers are as attractive to butterflies as they are to you. Colors include white, violet, or red.
Mexican Honeysuckle
Mexican honeysuckle is one of those rare plants that will thrive in filtered shade while handling the intense heat of the summer. Its orange, tubular flowers appear almost year-round, much to the delight of hummingbirds and gardeners alike. And its attractive light green foliage adds a tropical look to the landscape while providing color contrast.
Morning Glory Bush
This interesting plant is in the sweet potato family (Ipomoea) with a shrub-like growth habit. The Morning Glory Bush or Gloria de la Mañana is a vigorous tropical and can potentially reach 9' high or more in frost free climates. It is often recommended that you prune it back fairly hard during winter to produce a fuller denser plant with the most flowering tips.
NANDINA
Lacy green leaves on upright cane-like stems turn brilliant red in autumn. Clusters of tiny cream-colored flowers are followed by bright red berries. Versatile and durable, effective as a specimen plant for screening or in borders. Use for mass plantings to create an intense, colorful landscape effect as color changes. Evergreen.
Pentas
Sometimes called Egyptian star flower because of the bloom’s five-pointed shape. This easy to grow plant provides year-round color and texture in borders, containers or flower beds. The Penta is a warm region tropical blooming plant and its nectar-rich clusters of red, pink, white or lavender flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies; the red Penta is a butterfly’s favorite.
pineapple guava
A versatile evergreen, easy to grow plant yielding edible flowers and tropical fruit! Fleshy, white flower petals have showy red accents, contrasting nicely with the gray-green foliage. Tasty guava-like fruit ripens in late fall. Multiple, upright branching form is easily trained as espalier, hedge or small specimen tree for landscape or container. Moderate grower to 10 to 15 ft. tall and wide.
Pride-Of-Barbados
The Red Bird of Paradise is a medium to large growing shrub with bright orange/red flowers that show from late spring through the fall. Often seen in desert landscapes, semi-tropical yards and open commercial areas this shrub is one of the brightest flowering plants for any use in the Valley. Prune hard in winter to maintain medium to large scale. Unpruned specimens can grow up to 10 to 12 feet.
Primrose Jasmine
Primrose Jasmine is an outstanding evergreen hedge that is covered with bright yellow fragrant flowers that mature to a creamy-yellow flower at long time intervals from December through the Spring. The bright yellow flowers are semi-double and appear scattered on clusters up and down the square stems that arch over and downwards like water streaming from a fountain. It grows 5-10 ft in height and spread.
River Fern
This native southern fern is a large pale green spreader. Its large finely cut upright and arching fronds are deciduous. An open, fountain shape that adds excellent form and texture as a foundation planting and under shade trees. It received considerable publicity in a Southern Living article which suggested it could be grown in full sun. We recommend that it be planted in moist fertile soil in shade or semi-shade.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a magnificent fragrant herb that is native to the Mediterranean. During the Middle Ages, rosemary was used as a love charm. While most of us enjoy the aroma of fresh rosemary, today most people grow it for its culinary uses and ornamental qualities. There are several easy to care for varieties in this family of Lamiaceae.
Ruellia
Shrubs, subshrubs, and evergreen perennials in about 150 species from tropical America, Africa, and Asia belong to the genus Ruellia. The funnel-shaped flowers are the primary draw for many of the species and are sometimes called Mexican petunias. Leaves are often attractively marked as well. They are best used in informal areas of the garden, or in a warm greenhouse. Ruellia love high heat. They may become invasive in warm areas.
Salvia
Native to many places in the world, including Texas, salvias have become a staple for garden designers creating long-lasting colorful beds. Garden-worthy salvias range from Texas-tough perennials to tender annuals that have been extensively bred for the bedding plant industry. Colors take on the rainbow, from purple to red, with blues, whites, and even yellow.
Skyflower
Skyflower can grow up to 15 feet and 10 feet to 12 feet wide landscapers love its fast growing rate. There are a few Texas adapted evergreens that not only have a long period of profuse flowering but are also well adapted to both sun and part shade. Although Sky Flower will die to the ground after a hard freeze the plant is very easy to grow and practically maintenance free. Five petaled flower comes in purple and white.
Society Garlic
From South Africa. Bluish green, very narrow leaves form a dense evergreen clump. In spring and summer, 1- to 2 feet stems are topped by clusters of 8 to 20 small, trumpet-shaped, pinkish lavender flowers. Leaves and flower stems have an onion or garlic odor if cut or crushed; leaves can be used in cooking. Makes a nice edging for vegetable beds; good cut flower. Deer don't browse these plants.
Turk's Cap
Here's one of those wonderful plants that will adjust to just about any situation! It's happy in sand, loam, clay, or limestone, as long as it is well drained. It will grow in full sun but really prefers part to full shade. And if all this isn't great enough, it is also very popular with butterflies and humming birds! Turk's Cap is a Texas native and is often found growing along streams or at the edge of wooded areas.
Verbena
Verbena is a genus of hardy perennial plants that have come a long way. They give new meaning to the term 'summer color', since most verbena selections bloom for months. Verbena plants like full sun and tolerate drought well. The better you treat your verbena, the faster it spreads and flowers. Verbena is great in the ground, but it also also a stunning container plant. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the flowers too.
Wall Germander
Wall Germander is tough, pretty and long-lived. Its glossy green leaves and early summer display of deep pink flowers, Wall Germander is not fussy about its soil, and grows equally well in sun or shade. Tolerating light to moderate foot traffic, it's a low-care groundcover. Makes a wonderful herb, knot garden plant or low clipped hedge. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric). 6-18" tall x 18" wide.