PERENNIALS
A-C
Acanthus mollis \ Bear’s Breeches
Deeply-lobed, dark-green, large lustrous leaves forming plant 5’ high and 3’ wide. White flowers with purple shaded bracts to rise 3’ above the foliage. Cooler climates experience blooms all sum. In warmer climates blooms in spring, sporatically in summer, and again in the coolness of fall. Plant in humus, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Zones 7-10.
Achillea \ Yarrow
Flower heads consist of clusters of smaller flowers on top of stout stems giving carefree garden color all season. Among the easiest perennials to grow. Yarrow flourishes in poor soil, heat, drought, sun, or partial shade. They’re excellent in arrangements, both fresh and dried. Blooms from summer to fall. Zones 3-8.
A. millefolium ‘Paprika’
Dark cherry red flowers with yellow eyes, 30-36” tall.
A. millefolium ‘Royal Tapestry’
Repeat bloomer has Royal purple blooms with white centers.
A. ‘Moonshine’
Silvery fern-like foliage with sulfur yellow blossoms reaching 18-24” in height.
A. ‘Summer Pastels’
Refreshing pastel colored blooms. Plant grows to 24”.
Agastache
(ag-a-STACH-e)
A. aurantiaca ‘Apricot Sunrise’ \ Hummingbird Mint
Delicate, 1” tubular, pale orange flowers on gray-green leaves, blooming all summer. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun, and grows to 24” tall in an upright manner. Zone 5.
A. barberi ‘Tutti Frutti’ \ Mexican Anise Hyssop
A spectacular flowering perennial that shows a continuous display of tubular raspberry-pink flowers from mid-summer to frost. Foliage emits a fruity aroma. Reaches 48" tall. Needs full sun and well-drained soil. Zones 6-10.
A. cana \ Hummingbird Mint
µTexas Nativeµ This native to West Texas and Southern New Mexico grows on dry mountain slopes. Dark-pink, fragrant flower spikes appear in late summer and early fall. Can reach 2-3’ in height. Plant in a hot dry area in full sun. Zones 5-9.
A. ‘Blue Fortune’
Powder blue, 5” long flower spikes bloom non-stop on this 24-36” tall by 18” wide plant. Easily grown in rock gardens or good garden soils. As plant ages, it produces a light, minty scent to the flowers. Requires good soil drainage and regular watering in hot weather. Prefers full sun. Attracts butterflies. Zones 3-8.
Ajania pacifica ‘Gold & Silver’ \ Pacific Daisy
Stoloniferous plants that grow all summer with lobed leaves edged in white. Flowers with appearande of bright yellow, small buttons, cover the plant in summer. Grows 1’ tall with a 3’ spread. Full sun. Zone 5-9.
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii \ Red Flame Acanthus
µTexas Nativeµ Produces bright red, tubular flowers all through the summer and fall. Grows 3-4’ tall and 4’ wide. Doesn’t seed out as much as the orange variety. Hummingbirds love it too! Zone 7b.
Antennaria parvifolia \ Pussy Toes
µTexas Nativeµ Catch the cat and count its toes! This groundcover forms 2-3” tall mats of silver-grey foliage with tiny, pinkish-white flowers (that look like pussytoes, of course) on short stems. Blooms spring to early summer. Tolerant of poor soil, but good drainage necessary. Sun, part shade. A good short plant for the rock garden or along a path. Zone 4-7.
Aquilegia \ Columbine
(ack-wi-LEE-gee-a)
Delightful border plant that attracts hummingbirds with its graceful, airy-spurred flowers. In hot dry areas, plant in shade to part shade. Does best in well-drained, moist soil, under deciduous trees. Blooms in early spring.
A. canadensis \ Wild Red Columbine
µTexas Nativeµ Has dainty, pinkish-red-yellow blossoms with spurs generally less than 1” long. Blooms early spring, 12-24” tall. Zones 3-8.
A. chrysantha \ Golden-Spurred Columbine
µTexas Nativeµ Fragrant, yellow spurred flowers bloom in spring on this 3' tall perennial. Does best in well-drained, moist soil under deciduous trees. Attracts hummingbirds. Zone 6.
A. chrysantha var. hinckleyana ‘Texas Gold’
µTexas Nativeµ Yellow flowers have slightly longer spurs than A. chrysantha. Grows to 24” and promoted by CEMAP as a Texas Superstar™. Zone 5.
A. flabellata ‘Blue Angel’
Bright violet-blue flowers appear in spring over blue-green foliage. Compact growth habit, 10x13”. Hummingbird attractor. Zone 3.
A. ‘McKana Hybrids’
A popular strain to 30” in mixture of rich colors. Blooms in early spring. Zone 3.
Artemisia \ Wormwood
(ar-te-ME-zhe-a)
A good filler for the garden and a separator of clashing plants. Grown for the silver-gray foliage and not the 1/8” inconspicuous flowers which bloom in late summer. Prized for dried floral arrangements. Tolerant of poor, dry soils in full sun. Aromatic. Wet conditions will cause rot. Zones 4-9.
A. ‘Powis Castle’
Lacy, finely textured foliage forms a dense mound 3x3'. Does not flower. Hardy to at least Zone 5.
A. schmidtiana nana ‘Silver Mound’
Foliage has a silver-white, very soft velvet texture. Forms a rounded mound about 18” in diameter and 8” tall.
Asclepias curassavica \ Mexican Milkweed, Bloodflower
(as-KLEE-pi-as)
µTexas Nativeµ Tropical sub-shrub that grows to 3’ in height. Umbels of vivid orange-red flowers bloom from summer to autumn. Plant in full sun and average to dry infertile soil. Zone 8b.
Asclepias tuberosa \ Butterfly Weed
µTexas Nativeµ Vibrant orange, Ľ” flowers on short, numerous umbels that seem to jump out at you. A natural for full sun. Will tolerate dry infertile soils, but prefers well-drained sandy soils. This showy wildflower is attractive to the Aphrodite and Fritillary butterflies. Grows 18-36” tall and 24” wide. Used for cut and dried flower arrangements. Blooms late spring to mid-summer. Zones 4-9.
Aster
(AS-ter)
Colorful daisy shaped flowers with long lance-shaped leaves. Increasingly popular as an alternate for fall mums. Provide full sun, adequate moisture and well-drained fertile soil. Late summer and fall blooms, good cut flower. Zones 3-8.
A. ‘Alert’
This New York Aster or Michaelmas Daisy, grows 12” tall by 18” wide. A dwarf cultivar that has stunning crimson red flowers and yellow eyes. Thrives with little attention.
A. novae-angliae ‘Alma Potschke’
Reaches 3’ tall and blooms profusely for 6 weeks beginning in early Fall. Flowers are a vivid pink with no trace of violet. Zones 3-8.
A. novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’
A dwarf in the New England Asters with 1” wide flowers of bright purple and yellow centers. Blooms profusely in the fall, grows 18-24” tall.
A. oblongifolius \ Hardy Blue Aster
µTexas Nativeµ Grows 2-4’ high, with blue flowers produced from late summer to fall. Soil with organic matter added will produce better bloom. Drought tolerant. Zone 7.
A. pringlei (novi-belgii) ‘Professor Anton Kippenberg’
Dwarf variety with bright blue, semi-double flowers, 10-14” tall
Baptisia australis \ False Indigo
(bap-TEEZ-ee-a)
µTexas Nativeµ One of the first plants to emerge in spring, with the gray-green leaves quickly becoming a substantial size bush. The 10-12” flowering stalks carry 1” long, indigo blue, pea-like flowers which last about 4 weeks. A low maintenance plant, measuring 4x4’. Grow in full to part sun in well-drained soil. Zones 3-9.
Bletilla striata \ Chinese Ground Orchid
(ble-TIL-a)
Orchid-shaped lavender flowers on spikes that emerge from pseudobulbs. Each spike can have up to 8 dainty flowers, with 4-5 spikes per pseudobulb. Requires moisture-retentive soil amended with organic matter. Partial shade. Grows to 12”. Zone 7.
Bulbine frutescens Orange
(BUL-bah-nay)
Leaves are green, narrow, soft and fleshy, on stems 9–12” long. Delicate, orange raceme flowers arise 10-12” from center of plant. Grow in well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. Blooms most of the year. Zone 8.
Bulbine frutescens Yellow
Yellow flowers bloom on this selection with the same growth habit as Bulbine frutescens Orange. Zone 8.
Callirhoe involucrata \ Winecup
(ka-lee-ROE-ee)
µTexas Nativeµ This species of winecups is a trailing plant that can be used as a groundcover, reaching 6-12” in height. One can understand the common name at first glance of this plant. Glowing, 2” deep-cupped magenta blooms top the finely dissected evergreen foliage. Flowers early spring through summer in full sun or partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil. Zone 4.
Callirhoe involucrata ssp. linearloba \ Striped Winecup
µTexas Nativeµ The bloom of this species is also deep-cupped, 2" wide, but is white with purplish lavender veins and edges. Blooms in spring on 4' prostrate stems. In season the foliage is usually 6-12" tall, forming low, green rosettes in winter. Has a turnip-like tuber that is not too particular to soil type, but needs to be well-drained. Good choice for underplanting with summer perennials in dappled to part shade. Frequent watering can produce blooms all summer. Zone 4.
Calylophus drummondianus var. berlandieri \ Texas Primrose
µTexas Nativeµ Grows 12” tall by 24” wide with vivid 2” yellow buttercup flowers opening in the evening and staying open the next day. Grow in alkaline soil, full sun to partial shade. Blooms heavily in spring and intermittently through fall. Zone 8.
Campanula poscharskyana ‘Blue Waterfall’ \ Bellflower
(kam-PAHN-ew-la po-shar-skee-AH-na)
Dark blue, bell-shaped flowers form over light green foliage on this low-grower. Performs with a cascading and vigorous spreading habit, 8-10” by 24”. Once established, is reasonably drought tolerant. Blooms in summer with some repeat blooming in the fall. Full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Zone 4.
Canna hybrids
(KAN-a)
Relatively low maintenance plants requiring moisture retentive, fertile soil in full sun. Quick growing, with broad tropical looking foliage. Leaves range in color from rich green to a bronze looking red. The Canna is a mid to late summer bloomer. Best in rich, well-drained soil, and full sun. Cold hardy to Zone 7.
C. x ‘Black Knight’
Dwarf form with deep red flowers and burgundy leaves. Grows to 3’ tall.
C. x ‘City of Portland’
Medium grower to 4’ tall with coral pink flowers and green foliage.
C. x ‘Crimson Beauty’
This medium-growing Canna reaches 4’ tall with broad leaves supporting bright crimson flowers.
C. x ‘Pfitzer’s Miss Oklahoma’
Tropical looking plant for sunny borders. Deep green foliage with showy pink blooms. Fast grower reaching a height of 3’.
C. x ‘Pfitzer’s Primrose Yellow’
A dwarf Canna, at 18” tall, is a compact, vigorous grower. Yellow flowers flourish all summer.
C. 'Pfitzer's Salmon Pink'
This dwarf Canna, at 18", is another compact, vigorous grower. Soft, salmon-pink flowers flourish throughout the summer.
C. x ‘Pink Beauty’
Hot pink flowers with yellow edge on this dwarf 3’ tall canna with green leaves.
C. x ‘President’
Red blooms on 30” tall plants with glossy leaves.
C. x ‘Pretoria’
Bold, variegated foliage is striped in bright yellow and green with a brilliant, narrow maroon edging. Bright, deep orange flowers top off this knock-out Canna. Reaches a height of 5’.
C. x ‘Wyoming’
Apricot-orange flowers with purplish-red leaves, grows to 30” tall.
Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’ \ Jupiter’s Beard,
Red Valerian
Not to be confused with the herb Valerian, this easy to grow plant has deep red, fragrant flowers over green foliage. Readily self-seeds. Grows 18x18”. Will adapt to less than great soil. Full sun. Zone 5.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides \ Hardy Plumbago, Leadwort
(ser-at-o-STIG-ma plum-bah-gi-NOI-deez)
Clump forming, 12x18”, perennial with glossy, semi-evergreen foliage that emerges late in spring. Neon to gentian blue, ľ” flowers open late summer and into fall. Tolerant of full sun. Afternoon shade results in open plants which spread more freely. Plant in well-drained soil, as plant cannot tolerate soggy soil. Zones 5-8.
Chrysactinia mexicana \ Damianita
µTexas Nativeµ Yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom from spring to fall. Compact shrub with fragrant, needle-like green leaves. Grows to 2’ tall and as wide. Tough, durable plant that tolerates extreme heat and cold. Plant in full sun and almost any soil. Zone 7.
Clematis
Few vines can compare with the sensational blooms in almost all colors of the rainbow. They can be effectively used on arbors or fences. Clematis will be happy in most soils where their blooms get full sun, but their roots stay shaded. Feathery seed pods are grand in arrangements. Zone 4 unless otherwise indicated.
C. armandii ‘Snowdrift’
Clusters of white, vanilla-scented flowers, 1˝ -2" wide, bloom in early spring. Performs best in well-drained soil. Grows 20-30’. Prune weak or dead stems after blooming. This variety blooms on growth produced the previous year.
C. ‘Candida’
White, 7-9” wide flowers have yellow anthers. Many sepals give the look of double flowers on this 10-15’ plant. Zone 6.
C. ‘Ernest Markham’
Rose-red flowers are 4-5” across, displaying color from mid to late summer. Vine grows 10-12’.
C. ‘Jackmanii’
Eye-catching blooms from June to frost. Enormous deep purple flowers, 8-9” across. Grows 8-12’ tall.
C. ‘Niobe’
Unequaled, 6-8” rich, velvety, ruby red blooms from early summer to fall. Reaches 10-12’ long.
C. ‘Ramona’
Vine growing 10-16’ in height. Bright lavender blossoms have shades of deep purple in the center of 6-8” flowers. Blooms late summer, early fall.
Colocasia 'Black Magic' \ Black Elephant Ear
Exotically tropical, with striking deep purple-black, smokey foliage measuring 2' long. Sun to part shade. Moisture loving. Grows 5-6' tall and as wide. Zones 7b-10.
Colocasia esculenta \ Elephant Ear
Old fashion species used as a tropical landscape accent. Green leaves are large, thick, leathery and heart-shaped 3' long. Grows to an overall rounded mound 4-6' tall and as wide. Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Partial shade. Can tolerate wet soils and shallow water. Zone 8, (7 with protection.)
Coreopsis \ Tickseed
Outstanding drought resistant choice for hot difficult places. Daisy type flowers grow in any well-drained garden soil with full sun. Remove old blooms for continuous summer color. Good cut flower and a must for the flower border. Also use in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets. Sun. Zones 3-9.
C. auriculata ‘Nana’
A dwarf form at 9” with yellow-orange flowers. Heaviest display of blooms in late spring.
C. grandiflora ‘Baby Sun’
Compact plant growing 15-20” tall. Summer blooms are golden yellow with many as bicolors.
C. grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’
Bright yellow, 2” semi-double flowers reaching 20” in height. Earlier bloomer than others.
C. integrifolia \ Chipola River Coreopsis
A great addition to the fall garden with stunning, dark-eyed yellow daisies on 2-3’ tall plants. Grows well in good garden soil or moist, low areas, including bogs, (and the Chipola River in Florida). Plant in sun to part sun. Root hardy to Zone 7.
C. rosea
Delightful pink blooms with fine, thread leaf foliage. A bushy variety preferring moist soil. Grows 18-24".
C. rosea ‘Sweet Dreams’ PP12,720
Stunning bicolor flowers that are larger than the species. Pink flower petals are white tipped with a dark raspberry center over clumps of fine needle-like foliage. Blooms in late spring to mid summer. 18” tall by 24” wide.
C. verticillata ‘Moonbeam’
Thread leaf foliage and creamy, yellow blooms. Grows to 20”. A summer bloomer, requiring only average, well-drained garden soil. 1992 Perennial Plant of the Year.
C. verticillata ‘Zagreb’
Compact, upright plants, 8-18” tall. Expect long summer blooms of clear, deep yellow flowers.
Crinum zeylanicum \ Milk and Wine Lily
Long stalked, clusters of lily-shaped, 4-6” long, pink and white fragrant flowers rise in spring and summer. Clumps of long strap-shaped or sword-shaped leaves emerge from large bulbs with fleshy roots. Plant in soil with plenty of humus, at least 6” under the surface in full sun or part shade. Zone 10, root hardy Zone 7b.
Cuphea hyssopifola ‘Allison’ \ Mexican Heather
Small, delicate, violet flowers with evergreen foliage. Suitable for long, hot summers. Compact growing habit make it great for edging or massed display. Grows 12-18” tall and as wide. Great summer bloomer. Attracts butterflies. Zone 10.
Cuphea x ‘David Verity’ \ Cigar Plant
Tubular flowers cover this shrub-like perennial that prefers warm weather. A warm, brilliant orange at the base of flower turns into a narrow yellow band at the tip of the flower. Blooms mid-spring to early fall in full sun. Grows 30” high by 24” wide. Hummingbirds go wild for this plant! Cold hardy to Zone 7.
Cyperus \ Umbrella Plant
Most Cyperus are bog plants by nature. They grow in rich moist soil or with roots submerged in water, adapting to both sun or shade. Tropical in appearance with umbrella-shaped clusters of whorled foliage atop long, green stems. Produces insignificant creamy white blooms.
C. alternifolius \ Umbrella Plant
Narrow, firm, spreading leaves arranged like ribs of an umbrella at the top of 3-5’ stems. Zone 9.
C. alternifolius ‘Nanus’ \ Dwarf Umbrella
Can be planted in a bog, around or in a water garden as well as normal garden soil. Averages 18” in height. Zone 7.
C. haspan (isocladus) \ Dwarf Papyrus
Small aquatic sedge. Useful as an accent plant in small ponds. Constant moisture in fertile soil is preferred. Scapes reach 12-18” tall. Zone 8.
