My daughter is living in Oklahoma City and is expecting me to come up there and figure out what's wonderful to grow uup there. She recently moved into a house because they are planning to have children. (!!!) So please help me figure our what to plant when I go up July 20. I checked my "Southern Living " book but, of course, I want it to be perfect. Help!
Surely someone out there knows about ok city!?! Gina is expecting me to come across.
This message was edited Saturday, Jul 6th 11:29 PM
what's growing in Oklahoma City ?
Marie, visit any nursery around OKC and they can show you what grows there. It should be about Zone 6b......
We moved from Tulsa a couple years ago (after living there for 15 years); the conditions in OKC are similar, although I think a bit drier and warmer than Tulsa. Here are some general guidelines I'd recommend:
Look for plants that can withstand the constant wind - you get used to it when you live there, but it takes its toll on plants that tend to transpire heavily. So look for plants that have leathery or glossy leaves, especially for shrubs - crepe myrtles, hollies, barberries all seemed to do well for us.
When buying shrubs, buy bigger containers, even if it means buying fewer shrubs- I'd buy five or six 3- or 5-gallon plants over 12 or 15 quart- or gallon- size. They'll have a bigger root system and will perform better.
If your daughter little experience/interest in gardening pick plants that are lower maintenance AND easily replaced if one dies; don't go for the rare stuff. Choose the bigger plants for her, and leave room for her to fill in with annuals or perennials as her interests and budget permit.
We just came thru there on our way home from Texas, and all we saw were watermelon-colored crepe myrtles. Choose ANOTHER color so she can have something different from every other resident. I always thought I wanted that color crepe myrtle, but after seeing EVERY yard with one that color in it, I decided I want another color. I only saw ONE red oleander in our trip thru the town, so that might be a consideration - it was stunning!
Lots of roses, Chrysantemums, Shasta Daisy, and Rudbekia. And don't forget the Zinnias, and marigolds!!
"eyes"
i just got 2 "red" crepe myrtles this weekend at a yard sale. i love that red, is so striking. go_vols, looks like you gave a great synopsis there.
Thanks,
This will give me a start and some ideas to work on.
She says her husband (under stress of dental school), loves to unwind by watering the flowers every evening. This will give me a little leeway, too.