Sustainable Gardening: The Best Drought-Tolerant Blooms for Your Garden

Heidi Bloebaum | Victoria County Master Gardener

Jul 27, 2024

Esperaza (Suzanne LaBrecque)

Purple Coneflower (Suzanne LaBrecque)

Southeast Texas is known for scorching summer heat and lack of rainfall. Both factors make it a challenge to maintain a lush garden. Creating a garden that thrives during the hottest months of the year can be achieved by selecting the right drought-tolerant flowering plants. Consider the following three bloomers for your summer landscape.

Often referred to as Yellow Belles, Gold Star Esperanza (Tecoma stans ‘Gold Star’) shows resilience towards drought and thrives in the heat and humidity of southeast Texas. It showcases beautiful golden-yellow flowers that bloom continuously from spring until fall, offering a colorful display throughout the growing season.

The Esperanza’s trumpet-shaped flowers attract pollinators, including butterflies and bees, creating a lively and dynamic ecosystem in the garden. This Texas Superstar requires minimal watering once established, making it a convenient option for busy gardeners.

Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens or containers on patios. This shrub, reaching heights of 4-5 feet, can be used in a variety of garden settings. Whether planted as a border, in flower beds, or as a focal point in a mixed planting scheme, it can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any garden. Furthermore, Gold Star Esperanza is resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Native to Mexico and Central America, the Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) has become a popular choice for gardens and landscapes in Texas. One key factor that makes Mexican Sunflower so popular, is its ability to thrive in hot and dry environments with minimal watering.

Its deep taproot system allows it to access water deep in the soil, even during times of drought. This root system also helps the plant to withstand high winds and other harsh environmental conditions. It can also store water in its stems and leaves, which helps it to survive extended periods of drought.

In most areas, Mexican Sunflower is an annual, but can be grown as a perennial in zones 9-11. This fast-growing plant can reach heights of up to 8 feet in just a few months, making it an excellent choice for adding privacy to outdoor spaces.

Because it is not indigenous to Texas, Mexican Sunflower can be invasive. By using it as a cut flower, seed production can be reduced and invasiveness can be controlled. Butterflies and hummingbirds cannot resist its large, showy flowers, with vibrant petals in hues of orange, red, and yellow.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), is a beautiful perennial that is a popular choice for gardens in southeast Texas. Its daisy-like flowers with striking purple petals and spiky orange-brown center make it a standout among other flowers.

These vibrant flowers typically bloom from early summer to fall, providing a pop of color in the garden for several months. This extended blooming period allows Purple Coneflower to be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and containers to wildflower meadows.

This Texas Superstar thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Once established, it can withstand drought. The coneflower is resistant to pests and diseases, making it an ideal selection for beginners or those seeking a low-maintenance option.

Bees and butterflies are essential for pollinating plants and promoting biodiversity in the garden. Planting Purple Coneflower can contribute to the well-being of these vital pollinators and create a thriving ecosystem in your yard.

Selecting drought-tolerant flowering plants for your garden that are appropriate for the crossroads’ climate is essential for creating an environmentally sustainable and vibrant space. By incorporating one or more of these plants into your garden, you can create a beautiful, sustainable ecosystem that will flourish for years to come.

The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County.

REFERENCES:

TEXAS GARDENER: Some Like It Hot!

GARDENING KNOW HOW: Gorgeous Drought-Tolerant Container Plants for Full Sun and Heat

COUNTRY LIVING: 20 Drought-Resistant Plants for a Beautiful Yard Even in Dry Climates

LET’S GO GREEN: My Top Picks for Easy & Beautiful Drought-Tolerant Plants

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER: Tecoma stans – Esperanza

Texas Superstar – Gold Star Esperanza

Gold Star Esperanza

PLANT ANSWERS: Deer Problems and Deer Resistant Plants by Jerry Parsons, Ph.D.

CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENER: Mexican Tithonia

DAVE’S GARDEN: Tithonia Species, Mexican Sunflower, Bolivian Sunflower, Marigold Tree

NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)