COOL SEASON
Alyssum-(HxW: 3-9”x 6-12”) Full sun to part shade. Plant 6” apart. Average water needs. Compact rapid growing, drought tolerant. Makes great border plant, sweet aroma when in full bloom.
Cyclamen– (HxW: 12-14”x 12-14”) Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight. When dry one inch from top, water by placing pot in shallow pan of water rather than watering around crown. Likes well-drained soil and thrives in cool temperatures (50 -70 degrees.) Adds color in
containers.
Dianthus– (HxW: 6” x 6-8”) Full sun. Plant 8” apart in loose, well-drained soil. Likes regular watering but not standing in water. Can handle frosts; cover when freeze is expected. Grows thick thatch-type stems so do not mulch excessively. Long lasting blooms. Looks great as border plant.
Pansies– (4-8” x 6-10”) Sun to part sun. Texas Superstar®. Plant 6-12” apart in well-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering. Likes consistent moisture but does not like wet feet. Fertilize at planting for even more blooms. Thrives in cool weather. Cover during freezes. Freeze may impact some blooms and leaves, but usually bounces back quickly. Most consistent winter color.
Violas– (HxW: 4-6” x 6”) Sun to part sun. Plant 6-10” apart in well-drained soil. Loves cool weather and rich organic soil. Cover during freezes – some flowers may die back but generally bounce back quickly. Often self-seeds to create extra volunteers. Deadhead to encourage additional blooms.
Snapdragon Snaptini– (HxW: 6-8” x 6-8”) Full sun. Plant 6-8” apart in well-drained soil. Likes consistent moisture, avoid overhead watering. Don’t remove if plants die back in cold. Snapdragons often come back to provide beautiful spring colors when the ground warms up. Flowers look like little dragon mouths when petals are laterally squeezed.
Wallflower-(Cheiranthus cheiri) -(HxW: 10-12”x 8”) Plant in full sun 10-12” apart. Likes well-drained soil. Allow to dry out a little before watering again. Blooms all winter and into spring. Very fragrant.
Ornamental Cabbage– (HxW: 8-12” x 12-14”) Full sun. Plant 12-15” apart in well-drained soil. Too much fertilizer will interfere with color and elongate plant. Cold hardy. Grown for their colorful foliage, ornamental cabbage can be eaten, but not recommended.
Ornamental Kale– (HxW: 12 x 8”) Full sun. Plant 8-10” apart in well-drained soil. Cold hardy. Adds color and variety to the garden. If the bottom leaves of plant turn yellow, remove those with pruning shears.
WARM SEASON
Angelonia Serenita®– (HxW: 12-14” x 12-14”) Full sun. Plant 9-12” apart. Prefers moist, fertile soils with good drainage. Some drought tolerance once established. Heat and humidity tolerant.
Bat Face Cuphea – (HxW: 2’ x 2’) Full sun. Prefers average moisture and rich organic soil. Benefits from occasional fertilizer. Pinch back in midsummer if it gets too leggy. Attracts pollinators.
Begonia ‘Dragon Wing’ – (HxW: 15” x 12”) Part sun, part shade. shade. Medium water needs. Prefers average to moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Will bloom into October with consistent watering and good drainage.
Begonia Super Olympia®– (HxW: 6-8” x 6-8”) Part shade to shade. Plant 9-12” apart. Morning sun only. Plant in well-drained soil. Water deeply to encourage a deep root system. Do not allow soil to dry out.
Celosia – (HxW: 24” x 16”) Full sun. Prefers regular moderate watering and rich well-drained soil.Does not like wet feet. Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Thrives in Texas summers.
Euphorbia ‘White Manus’ – (HxW: 1-2’ x 1-2’) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Water moderately- no wet feet. Can trim back by 1/3 in mid-summer if it becomes too leggy. Pairs well with other flowering plants with similar water needs. Especially good in hanging baskets.
Evolvulus ‘Blue Daze’ – (HxW: 9-18” x 36”) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Heat and sun-loving. (Too much shade produces fewer flowers.) Prefers well-drained soil with regular moisture. Good border plant, ground cover or spiller in baskets.
Gomphrena – (HxW: 1-4’ x 1-4’) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Heat loving and drought tolerant. Medium to low water needs. Prefers well-drained soil. Makes nice cut flowers in arrangements.
Impatiens Beacon® (HxW: 10 -12” x 12-18”) Shade. Plant 8-10” apart. Prefers well drained, organically rich soil. Requires regular watering; keep moist. Will bloom better with all-purpose fertilizer applied every few weeks during summer. Not heat lovers, mulch well and keep in shade.
Lemon Lollipop Golden Shrimp Plant (HxW: 18-24” x 16”) -Full sun, may benefit from some mid -afternoon shade in hot summers. Likes humidity and evenly moist soil but no wet feet. Can benefit from liquid high nitrogen fertilizer. Great in larger pots filled with loose organic potting soil.
Pentas Graffiti® 20/20 – (HxW: 12” x 24”) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Plant 12×16” apart. Water deeply and regularly to establish. Prefer highly organic, moist soils. Apply high-nitrogen plant food every few weeks to keep plants blooming. Late afternoon shade is appreciated.
Petunia ‘Supertunia Vista’ – (HxW: 12-18” x 18-24”) Full sun. Likes evenly moist soil and consistent watering. (Extremes with too much or too little water lessen flower production.) Can fertilize for prolific blooms. Supertunias are self-cleaning, but can be trimmed back 20% if leggy in mid-summer.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)- (HxW: 3-4” x 12-18″) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Prefers hot and dry locations. Tolerant of moist soils with good drainage. Water to establish but then allow soil to dry out between watering. Benefits from all-purpose fertilizer until established.
SunPatiens Compact – (HxW: 24” x 14”) Full sun. Average water needs. Prefers evenly moist well-draining soil. Does not like wet feet. Good filler plant in containers.
Sweet Potato (Ornamental) – (HxW: 10-12” x 2-3’) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Plant 10-36” apart. Handles a wide variety of well-drained soil types. Prolific growers. Prune to keep shape. Do not overwater. Drought tolerant once established. Will require more water if in a container. Trailing plant. Thrives in our summer heat.
Vinca Cora® XDR (Extra Disease Resistant) (HxW: 14-16” x 18-20”) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Plant 12-18” apart. Prefers loose, well-draining soils. Heat loving. Drought tolerant once established. Avoid overhead irrigation. Best planted in late spring or early summer once the soil has thoroughly warmed.
Zinnia ‘Double Zahara’ – (HxW: 16-20” x 16-20”) Full sun. Texas Superstar®. Drought tolerant once established and heat loving. Fertilize regularly for blooms all summer. Plant 8-10” apart. Great choice for beds and borders or large containers with well-draining soil. Disease resistant.