Gardening in Texas requires selecting flowers that can withstand intense summer heat and prolonged sun exposure. A successful Texas garden relies on choosing resilient varieties adapted to high temperatures and periods of drought. This guide offers recommendations for annuals and perennials that reliably deliver color despite the formidable summer climate.
Understanding the Texas Summer Climate
The Texas summer climate creates a difficult environment for non-adapted plants. Average daily highs frequently exceed 90°F, and intense, direct sun exposure stresses foliage and root systems. Humidity varies significantly across the state, ranging from dry conditions in West Texas to high humidity near the Gulf Coast.
Plant survival depends on managing water loss. Proper soil drainage is also a factor, as heavy clay soils, common in many areas, can retain too much moisture after rain, leading to root rot when combined with heat. Gardeners must select varieties that are drought-tolerant or can handle the variability in moisture content that the Texas summer brings.
Annual Flowers Built for Intense Sun
Annual flowers that thrive in Texas heat complete their life cycle in one season while delivering continuous color. These plants tolerate all-day, direct sunlight without scorching or ceasing bloom production. They are perfect for high-impact seasonal displays, especially in areas receiving six or more hours of direct sun daily.
Zinnias, available in many colors and sizes, maintain bold, bright flowers even during drought conditions. These fast-growing plants can be planted later in the summer than many other varieties, providing color until the first frost. Similarly, the Cora® Vinca (Periwinkle) is a quintessential Texas summer annual known for its heat and humidity tolerance. The newer Cora® XDR varieties are bred to be resistant to aerial blight, a common fungal disease in wet, humid conditions.
Portulaca, often called Moss Rose, flourishes where others fail, distinguished by its succulent-like foliage. Its water-storing leaves make it highly drought-tolerant. The cup-shaped flowers open fully in intense sunlight, providing vibrant reds, pinks, and yellows low to the ground. For vertical color, Angelonia, or Summer Snapdragon, produces upright flower spikes in purple, pink, and white that continue blooming throughout the season without deadheading.
Perennials That Return Year After Year
Perennial flowers offer a long-term solution for the Texas landscape, as their established root systems provide resilience against the summer extremes. Once plants like the native Texas varieties are established, they generally require less intensive maintenance and watering than annuals. This survival advantage is pronounced in the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the region.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are hardy perennials that thrive in full sun and are known for their daisy-like flowers in pinks, purples, and yellows. They are drought-tolerant and attract pollinators, providing consistent color from summer through fall. Another perennial is Lantana, a powerhouse in Texas landscapes, which produces clusters of flowers in combinations of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Lantana is heat and drought-tolerant, with some varieties selected to be nearly sterile, ensuring continuous blooming.
Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) are cheerful, heat-tolerant flowers that feature bright yellow petals and dark centers. These flowers prefer full sun and are reliably drought-resistant once their root systems are established. Various Salvias, including the native Mealy Cup Sage (Salvia farinacea), are also prized for their ability to endure heat and drought. These plants produce spikes of blue, purple, or red flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii), a native semi-woody plant, offers a unique alternative with its distinctive, unopened-looking red flowers. It is celebrated for its adaptability, performing well in full sun to full shade, and attracting hummingbirds throughout the summer and fall. This versatility and hardiness make it a preferred choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, long-lasting presence in their landscape.
Flowers for Partial Shade and Containers
Even areas that receive less than full sun, such as patios or spots under mature trees, still experience high ambient heat, requiring specialized plant selections. Container gardening also demands plants that can tolerate the severe heat buildup in the restricted root zone. These microclimates benefit from plants that can handle high heat but prefer relief from the intense afternoon sun.
Caladiums are excellent choices for adding vibrant color to shady spots, as they are primarily grown for their striking, multicolored foliage rather than their flowers. While they prefer shade, they are heat-tolerant and perform well in containers, provided they receive consistent moisture. Another reliable option for dappled or morning sun is the Begonia, which offers lush foliage and long-lasting blooms.
For container gardens in areas with partial sun, newer varieties of Petunias have been bred to be exceptionally heat and humidity tolerant, resisting the decline that traditional petunias experience in mid-summer. These hybrids maintain their showy blooms and cascading habits. Other plants that do well in containers and tolerate some shade include certain annual Salvias and Lantana, which can be easily managed in pots and moved if the sun exposure becomes too intense.