After the H E A T...what flowers would be "neat"?

Hi all you Texas gardeners...

I just pulled out a huge section of marigolds that had fried for the most part, and am now thinking ahead to September and beyond....

Does anyone have plans for fall flowers that do well here in Texas? This is my first year with new beds....did the summer thing, and now want to start thinking about (dreaming about) cool weather stuff.

Could you suggest flowers for cooler weather....what you usually plant in the fall. Could you show pics of last fall's beauties??

Thanks!

Connie, I don't have a pic handy, but at this time of year my grasses seem to take center stage, just like in your pic above. I have purple fountain grass and a little pink muhly. Lantanas seem to go on a flowering rampage at this time also. and Hibiscus.

I'm giving marigolds, coneflowers, a few herbs and veggies a shot. Hope it's not too hot, and that it doesn't get too cold too soon. I figure it's prudent to learn in fall and I probably will avoid mistakes come spring. I hope.

Connie, asters do well here, I agree....my purple fountain grass is a star in the fall.

So...fly_girl...when do you plant the asters? And what colors do they come in? I try to just use oranges, purples, and a few hot pinks...no pale colors or white.

I do love my PFG but need shorter things...flowers...to plant in front of it say...in Sept....something that will last until the first freeze, which might be Jan or Feb, yes?

Mine is a medium color of purple, they're not blooming yet so I can't show you a picture. I've seen pink too. What about plumbago, do you like it?

my aster is white. I am aware it comes in pink and purple. I would love to find a pink one. anybody have any names of pink varieties? thanks

Connie, How about melapodium, bright orange and on the short side. I think they will last but not sure if until feb.

Connie, love that llittle grass.....is it 'Pink Crystals?'

I have lots of plumbago....I'm looking for annuals, I guess...ones that love the cold weather...to put in borders in the front.

Voss....I'll check out the melapodium...never heard of it! Is that the Latin name for something I know?

Fly...yes it is...and it was T I N Y when I planted at the beginning of the summer...never dreamed it would produce inflorescences this year!!! I'm excited!!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/gardening_landscaping_files/melampodium.jpg&imgrefurl=http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/gardening_landscaping_files/july_in_the1.htm&h=1824&w=1520&sz=363&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=KSZo79HJ9PBn8M

Connie, you should be finding this at HD, lowes, etc. starting about now. not expensive and easy to find.

I love the way it sparkles... That is one grass I don't have that I will have to see about getting.

On the melampodium, they are great little plants. I think they're not more widely used becasue they don't have a common name and the actual name is a mouthful! LOL I've grown them for several years and they reseed so I've never had to replant. They aren't invasive and new unwanted seedlings are easily removed. The tag on the ones I bought said they got 8 to 10 inches tall, but mine are almost 3 feet tall! Here's a pic to give you some idea of the look of the plant. They may be in plant files too, I haven't checked. They are planted with a blue plumbago and what's left of the periwinkles that didn't succumb to fungal problems. Hope this helps you.

Melampodium. That is a mouth full. lol My Mother has several of those but we didn't know the name. I'm glad to know they will do well right on into fall and that they reseed. I will be able to get some for my gardens from my Mother.
Lin

I looked up Melampodium (same?) in the Plant Files and it called them Star Daisey, Butter Daisey, and "Melanie" is the one I like...more orang-y. Is this the same?

I know of one fall-blooming plant that is drought-hardy and can really take the heat! Firebush. I almost never water it. It dies back every winter and returns in spring. I don't know what winter temp would kill it. Great plant!
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1844/index.html

Freezes to ground level for me every winter for the last 7 years but returns every spring.
Blooms constantly from May till freeze for me--really tought--really huge 7' tall x 7' wide.
Hamelia patens

Great plant and the hummers love it.

I do have one of the Mexican Firebush (called Mexican Firecracker where I bought it!) and love it already! I guess I should have said I need something that is low and just grows for one season--an annual. I have one strip out front that I like to change out seasonally. If I can find the 'Melanie' Melampodium I think I'll plant it!!!

I love the Firebush. I have two. The hummers love it too.

I've never had the orange melampodium. I grow the Showstar ~ yellow. From seeds... always wanted to try the blackfoot daisy but haven't got there yet.

So is the blackfoot daisy another one that's good from Sept to freeze?

Calendulas bloom through the winter here, you can start them from seed in the fall.

I just looked up the Calendulas in the Plant Files and it appears they also are from the aster family. I guess it's one kind of aster or another?? :)

In the plant files, on the blackfoot daisy (melampodium), one of the ratings indicated it was still blooming in Nov in z 8a. I really don't know as I haven't tried it... sorry pod