Shared by Better Homes and Gardens, Texas Superstar Plants combines efforts of horticultural leaders at Texas A&M, nursery experts, representatives of arboretums and botanical gardens, and other experts in the field to reveal the most sustainable plants for Texas gardens and landscapes. Both beautiful and enduring, we hope you find something you like!
Salvia farinacea “Henry Duelberg”
Native to Texas, this flower is easy to grow, very drought-resistant, and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It will grow between 2 and 3 feet tall, and it has flower spikes that are 1 foot long, covered in dark, purplish-blue flowers. It can be in bloom virtually all season.
Hibiscus “Lord Baltimore”
“Lord Baltimore” has large bright scarlet flowers, and they bloom from July until winter. This tropical-looking perennial will continue to add color to your landscape for years to come. It is versatile enough to use in large decorative pots, in a perennial border, or in butterfly and hummingbird garden. Growing to about 5 feet tall and wide, the plants dies in winter but regrows quickly each spring.
Cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Perennials are a Texas garden favorite because they thrive in the heat. This perennial, also called “sky flower” because of the light blue blossoms, will bud from May until the winter season. These flowers will attract all sorts of beautiful butterflies, but deer will steer clear of these hardy plants.
Ruellia brittoniana “Dwarf Mexican Putunia”
These petunia’s boast of stunning violet-blue flowers in a trumpet shape, which attracts butterflies of all species. The Mexican petunia is very adaptable and will tolerate wet and dry soils, and it actually flourishes best in full sun exposure. Because of its soft appearance and hardy nature, this is a great choice for any Texas garden.
Rosa Belinda’s Dream “Belinda’s Dream Rose”
We all love the delicate, romantic nature of a rose, but they can be hard to maintain. However, “Belinda’s Dream” was the first rose to receive the prestigious Earth-Kind designation, meaning it’s been proved to be one of the best flowering roses that requires the least amount of care. This plant grows to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet with fragrant pink blossoms of over 100 petals. The blue-green foliage provides a lovely background for the pink roses.
For the full list of plant suggestions, click here.