Best Summer-Flowering Plants for Texas and Other Drought-Prone Areas

Instead of fighting the soaring temperatures, plant these annuals and perennials that thrive in heat

As temperatures soar , many plants turn to natural selection modality . Annualsand perennial that may have bloomed with abandon in May or June shut out down output until cooler temperature bring back . But there are others that prosper in the high temperature . In fact , some plants in my garden do n’t get going until things warm up , like butterfly stroke weed ( Asclepiastuberosaand resume . , Zones 3–9 ) and Turk ’s cap ( Malvaviscus arboreusvar.drummondii , Zones 7–10 ) . Here are a few summer - flower plants for Texas ( and other drouth - prone areas ) that stand up to the worst heating plant of summertime and keep on shining .

Heat-loving native salvias put on a reliable summer show

Few perennials bloom as smartly in the heating of summer as salvia ( Salviaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–10 ) . There are many different species and mixture to choose from , which flower at dissimilar time of the year . For summertime blooms , you’re able to not go amiss with mealy loving cup salvia ( Salvia farinaceaand cvs . , Zones 8–10 ) , which is aboriginal to Texas and New Mexico but grow well throughout theSouthern Plains . With protective cover , I ’ve had this works overwinter in my Zone 7 garden , but many agriculturalist treat it as an annual . It originate about 2 foot tall and wide , with spikes of empurpled - blue flower frequented by butterfly and hummingbird . flora perform best in full sunlight and well - debilitate stain . Another favorite salvia for summer blooms is ‘ Hot Lips ’ little leaf sage ( Salvia microphylla‘Hot Lips ’ , Zones 7–10 ) , with its distinct bicolor heyday .

Rattlesnake master produces far-out spiky flowers that don’t mind the heat

For a truly unique native flora buzzing with pollinator , hear planting rattler master ( Eryngiumyuccifoliumand cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . This prairie indigene produces flush spikes standing 3 to 5 metrical foot mellow above blue-blooded - greenish , yucca - corresponding foliation that leave massivearchitectural impactin the garden . Each flower straw holds piles of spiky , spherical heads packed with tiny white floweret . rattler master bring home the bacon a valuable root of nectar to native bees , white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , butterflies , skippers , and beetles from late leaping through late summertime . Plant in full Lord’s Day in a teetotal , skimpy filth . works grow a recondite taproot and are extremely drought tolerant , but they do not transfer well once established .

Hot temperatures are no match for dazzling Blue My Mind®dwarf morning glory

blasphemous My head ® dwarf morning gloriole ( Evolvulus‘’USEVO1201′ , Zones 9–11 ) bloom nonstop from spring through fall . Native to dry sandy web site in Brazil and Paraguay , it grows well in full sun and well - drained soil and is drought kind once established . It is related to the North American native call Nuttall ’s morn glorification ( Evolvulus nuttallianus , Zones 5–10 ) , which is a rare find in the nursery trade . ‘ Blue My Mind ’ grow as a low - mounding ground cover 8 inches tall and propagate up to 16 column inch . With silvery foliage and intense sorry flowers , this plant dazzles in the high temperature .

Lantana is the rock star of hot summer bloomers

When it comes to blistering summertime bloom , lantana ( Lantanacamaraand cvs . , Zones 7–11 ) puts other annuals to shame . This plant prosper in warmth and does n’t beware humidness . With brightly colourize blooms , lantana attracts a variety ofpollinatorsto the garden . Pictured here is a bumblebee visit Little Lucky ™ Red lantana ( Lantana camara‘Balluced ’ , Zones 10–11 ) . This variety is compendious , turn in a mound just 1 foot tall and all-embracing . Lantanas do beautifully in containers , as they prefer well - drain ground . There are also some varieties that can overwinter in Zone 7 when planted in the ground , including the orange tree - flowered ‘ Miss Huff ’ ( Lantana camara‘Miss Huff ’ , Zones 7–10 ) and the cheery ‘ Chapel Hill Yellow ’ ( Lantana‘Chapel Hill Yellow ’ , Zones 7–11 ) . Give lantanas plenty of sunshine for optimal blooms .

Although not a bloomer, variegated tapioca plant deserves a spot in the hot garden lineup

tropic plantsare always a good selection for the summertime heat . For foliage , one of my favorites is the variegate tapioca plant ( Manihotesculenta‘Variegata ’ , Zones 10–11 ) . Growing 3 to 4 human foot magniloquent and up to 5 foundation wide , variegated tapioca plant make a statement in the garden with stunning palmately lobate leafage . Each digit of the folio is streak in yellow-bellied and adjoin with inscrutable green . Red petioles add even more colour . works in moist , well - draining soil or a largecontainer , and provide plant food to advance rapid ontogenesis . Plant in full sun for best color .

Tap into heat-loving tropical bloomers with stunning esperanza

For brilliant blooms all summer long , try planting the heat and sunshine - have it away Bells of Fire ™ esperanza ( Tecoma stans‘TEC6010916 ’ , Zones 9–11 ) . Growing 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 metrical foot wide , Alexander Graham Bell of Fire ™ is more thickset than the species and makes a stunning specimen in container or garden beds . The red - orange blooms attracthummingbirdsfrom spring through frost . plant adapt well to most grunge type and tolerate drouth once established . The bright green leaf is evergreen plant in hot climates . In cooler regions , nurseryman canoverwinter plant indoors .

Although these plants love the heat, be mindful to be water-wise

Not all heat - loving plants are drought patient of . Many tropical plant , for example , can withstand plenty of heat and humidity as long as they have pee . Pay care to water want when selecting heat - jazz plants , and provide supplementary irrigation as needed . Even some drought - patient of species require extra water during extremely long ironical enchantment .

— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist free-base in Stillwater , Oklahoma . She previously hostedOklahoma Gardening , a hebdomadal PBS television computer programme produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .

picture : Kim Toscano

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