Welcome to the sunny world of North Texas gardening! If you’re dreaming of a garden that thrives under the Texas sun with minimal fuss, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting your gardening journey, planting perennials is the key to a vibrant, year-round garden that’s as tough as the Lone Star State itself.
Imagine your garden bursting with color from early spring to late fall, featuring hardy plants that laugh in the face of drought. From evergreen shrubs that keep your garden looking lush all year long to fall-blooming perennials that add a splash of color just when you need it most, there’s a perfect perennial for every corner of your North Texas yard.
Get ready to explore the best perennials for North Texas. Let’s turn your garden into a paradise that flourishes in the heat and keeps you smiling through every season!
Best Perennials for North Texas
1. Phlox Paniculata ‘John Fanick’
Phlox is undeniably one of the showiest perennials for North Texas gardens. ‘John Fanick’ phlox, a colorful perennial, should be nestled in a shady spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Like most shade-loving plants, it appreciates a bit of extra water, but be careful not to overwater, as it may cause the plant to rot. This hardy plant not only adds beauty to your garden but also attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
When planting ‘John Fanick’ phlox, aim for early spring after the last frost threat has passed. This garden phlox is perfect for adding a splash of color to your perennial bed and works well as a ground cover. Imagine your Texas garden filled with vibrant flowers, reaching up to a few feet tall, and complementing evergreen shrubs and Texas Gold Columbine.
2. Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’
One of the most diverse and versatile groups of plants for a Texas landscape are the sages, botanically known as Salvia. These Texas natives are a favorite among garden designers for creating long-lasting, colorful displays that can handle the summer heat. Among them, the ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ salvia stands out as an easy-to-grow Texas superstar. Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil, and give it regular water and fertilizer to keep those vibrant flower spikes coming. And here’s a fun tip: as the spikes finish blooming, you can give the plant a light haircut to keep it looking neat, although it’s not necessary for it to re-flower.
Salvias are not only a visual delight but also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden, making them a top choice for nature lovers. For a touch of variety, consider adding autumn sage, dwarf varieties, and white flowers to your mix. These plants are also pest-resistant, which is always a plus. Pair them with other Texas rock stars like the Mexican petunia and the striking oxblood lily for a garden that’s buzzing with life and color.
3. Magnus Purple Coneflower
In Texas, coneflowers are a fabulous choice for your garden. Plant these beauties in well-drained soil, giving them full sun or a bit of shade from the intense late-day sun. Plant them in spring through early summer to get them off to a great start. Coneflower Purple (Echinacea), a member of the mint family, grows effortlessly in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. But they shine brightest in full sun. These adaptable plants are a gardener’s dream, being tolerant of drought, heat, humidity, and poor soil.
For the best blooms, make sure to divide clumps when they become overcrowded, about every four years. This keeps your coneflowers happy and thriving. Imagine your garden filled with these vibrant flowers, alongside other heat and drought-tolerant plants like black-eyed Susans.
4. Trailing Lantana
Lantana ‘Trailing Purple’ is a superstar in the garden world! These plants are a breeze to grow, thriving in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. While they can handle part shade, they really put on their best show when basking in full sunlight. Perfect for Texas gardens, they thrive in lean, sandy, slightly-dry soils. Some folks may consider Texas Lantana a pesky weed, but that’s just a testament to its nearly indestructible nature!
This perennial is the epitome of heat and drought tolerance, blooming with endless masses of orange/yellow flowers throughout the growing season. It’s disease and pest resistant, making it a low-maintenance marvel that thrives in Austin’s heat.
5. Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’
One of the favorites for a Texas landscape is the diverse and incredibly useful group of plants known as sages, or Salvia. Native to various places around the globe, including Texas, salvias are a staple for garden designers aiming to create long-lasting, colorful displays. Despite their delicate appearance, these Texas native perennials are tough as nails and can handle extreme weather like pros.
If you give them a little trim now and then, they’ll come back refreshed, thicker, and ready to rebloom, spreading joy throughout your yard. These fast-growing shrubs are drought, heat, and sun tolerant, making them a perfect fit for any Texas landscape. Just remember, the one thing they can’t handle is wet feet. Give them well-drained soil, a little fertilizer, and they’ll reward you with their fragrant, vibrant beauty, even in the fall.
6. Verbena ‘Princess Dark Lavender’
Growing ‘Homestead Purple’ in North Texas is a delightful way to add a splash of color to your garden while keeping things low maintenance and fun! This vibrant perennial, with its striking purple blooms, is a fantastic addition to any North Texas landscape. Here’s how to make the most of this beauty in your garden.
First off, let’s talk soil. ‘Homestead Purple’ thrives in well-draining soil, so make sure your garden bed is prepped with the right soil type. This plant is heat and drought tolerant, making it perfect for those hot Texas summers. During the growing season, you’ll be treated to a stunning display of purple flowers that attract all sorts of pollinators.
7. Napier Grass ‘Princess Caroline’
Growing Napier Grass ‘Princess Caroline’ in North Texas is like adding a royal touch to your garden. This majestic perennial, known for its striking foliage and robust nature, is perfect for our hot, dry climate. Here’s how to grow this regal grass and make your garden fit for a king (or queen)!
First off, ‘Princess Caroline’ is a superstar when it comes to being heat and drought tolerant. This makes it an ideal choice for North Texas gardens where the summer sun can be relentless. Plant it in spring, and watch it take off during the summer months, adding a lush, green backdrop to your landscape.
One of the best things about ‘Princess Caroline’ is its versatility. Whether it’s providing a stunning contrast to your vibrant salvia greggii or serving as a focal point in a garden bed, this grass never fails to impress. And while it’s not grown for its flowers, its foliage alone can make any garden look fabulous.
Conclusion
Congratulations, North Texas gardeners! You now have a stellar lineup of the best perennials that can handle our blazing sun, unpredictable weather, and tough soil conditions. With these hardy plants, your garden is set to become a vibrant paradise, bursting with color and life from early spring through the last days of fall.
These perennials are not just beautiful but also drought tolerant and low-maintenance, making them perfect companions for your Texas garden adventures.
