NATIVE OR ADAPTED PLANTS FOR THE HOUSTON / KATY AREA
Thanks to Kathy M. for putting all this great information!
Why native plants?
LOW MAINTENANCE
THE PLANTS ARE USED TO OUR HIGH HUMIDITY AND EXTREME SUMMER HEAT AS WELL AS AN OCCASIONAL BLUE NORTHER
THEY ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE ON RAINFALL AFTER THEY ARE ESTABLISHED.
MORE HEAT AND DROUGHT TOLERANT
These are plants that were brought to the Houston area by our first settlers from other parts of the United States or even other parts of the world. Adapted plants came from similar soil and climate needs and are considered native because they feel at home and grow well here.
The most important thing to remember before purchasing a TEXAS native plant is that Texas is a very large place and just because a plant claims to be native to Texas doesn’t automatically mean it will grow well in Katy. A plant that grows well in El Paso might not tolerate our spring downpours and summer humidity. But a plant that thrives in Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, SC may feel right at home in Katy.
Before you plant, make sure your bed/soil is in good shape. Add several inches of organic matter such as shredded pine bark, peat or rice hulls to your bed to help absorb and store water. Raised beds are a MUST for drought resistant plants since they cannot tolerate wet “feet”. If you are starting a new bed, you might also add an inch or two of bagged soil. Work/till all of the soil and organic matter together.
Mulching also cuts down on the amount of water lost to evaporation.
Something to remember when choosing a plant, part sun or afternoon sun suffices for a full sun plant in our environment. But if a plant gets lanky or doesn’t flower, it may need more sun.
HEAT AND DROUGHT TOLERANT FLOWERS FOR KATY AREA
(All of these must be planted in raised beds)
SUN – LOW TO MEDIUM HEIGHT
BLUE DAZE, BUTTERFLY WEED, COPPER CANYON, DAISIES, CRINUM, CUPHEA, FERN LEAF, LAVENDER, GAURA, LANTANA, MEXICAN MINT, MARIGOLD, ZINNIAS, PLUMBAGO, RUBEKIA (BLACK EYED SUSAN), PAVONIA, SCAVEOLA
SUN – TALLER GROWING
ORCHID TREE, CASSIA, CESTRUM, DURANTA, HARDY SALVIAS, ESPERANZA (YELLOW BELLS), OLEANDER, MORNING GLORY, VITEX , POINCIANA, HAMELIA (HUMMING BIRD BUSH)
VINES THAT GIVE YOU SUMMER COLOR WITH LITTLE TO NO ATTENTION
BUTTERFLY VINE, CORAL VINE, CROSSVINE, HYACINTH, BEAN VINE, RANGOON CREEPER
SHADE FLOWERS – LOW TO MEDIUM HEIGHT
BEGONIAS, CRINUMS, CALLA LILY (WHITE ONLY), CHENILLE, PLANT NEWER VARIETIES OF HOSTAS, WHITE SPIDER LILIES, PENTAS (ALSO DO WELL IN SUN)
SUMMER PHLOX, PINK POLKA DOT PLANT, PLUMBAGO “KATIE”, COMPACT RUELLIA,
SHRIMP PLANT, STRAWBERRY BUSH
SHADE – TALLER GROWING
BARLARIA, CUTLEAF, CONEFLOWER, FIRESPIKE, HIBISCUS (NEEDS SOME SUN), TURKS CAP, GINGERS RANGE FROM GROUND COVERS TO TALL SPIKES – TRY THEM IN SHADY AREAS
NATIVE PLANTS THAT MAKE GREAT CUT FLOWERS
PURPLE GAY FEATHER (Liatris), GOLDENROD (Doesn’t Cause Hayfever), When the flowers start to fade on these, drain the water from the vase. Both flowers will dry naturally in the vase and last a couple of years.
HYDRANGEA and HORSEMINT remain attractive after drying.
PURPLE CORNFLOWERS will lose their petals but the cone will add unusual interest to an arrangement.
PASSION FLOWERS, HIBISCUS, and DAYLILIES look beautiful floating in a pool of water.
Fertilizing with a slow release fertilizer is the key to profuse flower production.
GULF COAST HARDY PERENNIALS
BLACK EYED SUSAN, KLONDIKE, COSMOS, CROCOSMIA, DAYLILIES ‘First Love’, ‘Melody Pink’ DIANTHUS, ‘Strawberry Fields’, GOMPHRENA, HIBISCUS, HYDRANGEA, JACOBINA, PENTAS, PURPLE CORNFLOWER
NATIVE BLOOMERS THAT CUT WELL
BLUEBONNET, COREOPSIS, GOLDENROD, INDIAN BLANKET (Gaildardia), INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, LANTANA, QUEEN ANNES LACE, SUNFLOWER
FRAGRANCE
BUTTERFLY GINGER, NICOTINA (Flowering Tobacco)
VINES
SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS, CORAL VINE, PASSION FLOWER VINE
This is great info!
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