As a novice, I'm finding I'm not picking the best flowers to grow in the Houston area. Even when the plant information clearly states full sun, I'm not sure they understand our hot, Texas sun. My garden area receives about 5 hours full sun with the remainder of the day receiving bright, indirect sun. I'm really interested in passion flowers and clematis, but I'm not sure if this would be the best time to plant them. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Plant suggestions for zone 9a
i always bush the zone.. but i have seen beautiful clematis in New Mexico so sure would grow there to..
bush?
Lifesaver, you'll find that we have a huge variety of plants that do well here, both natives and tropicals, with little trouble. I don't personally grow either passion vine or clematis, but I'll sure someone will chime in with the best of those for our area. I have a huge variety of plants in my garden, primarily selected for lack of trouble, fragrance and attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds. My favorites:
Perennials: Day lilies, salvias, Louisiana Iris, plumbago, Begonias, Cupheas
Shrubs: Esperanza, Butterfly bush, Hummingbird bush, Plumeria, Hibiscus, Duranta, Loripetalum
Small Blooming Trees: Little Gem Magnolia, Vitex, Confederate Rose, Crepe Myrtles
Large Trees: Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Red Oak
Vines: Mexican Flame vine, Bleeding heart, Coral Vine
These are just a few of my favorites. Feel free to look at my journal to see pics of some of these listed as well as others I'm growing.
You'll find lots of friendly folks here willing to help with ideas and problem solving. Hope this is of some use.
Crow
Passion flowers grow great here. There are several varieties of clematis that grow well also. If you're particularly looking for hardy vines for the area, there are lot's of options. Mexican Flame vine, evergreen wisteria, orchid vine, snail vine, dutchman's pipevine, definitely the passion flowers (and yes, you can plant them now...they're very hardy). For shrubs and flowers, try esperanza, golden dew drop (duranta), mexican bauhinia, almond verbena, brugmansias and daturas, candlestick plant, blue daze, red crocosmia, ixora, turk's cap, day lilys, salvias, daisies, echinacea, shrimp plant, the list goes on and on.....
Most of these plants are very hardy perennials.
What valuable information guys. I will have a great time looking at all the possiblities presented. I'm still in shock about how willing people are to share their knowledge. I am printing out your suggestions and when it stops storming, I'm off to the garden centers to see what I can find.
Crow, I will certainly be checking out your journal.
Do any of you have a preference on what gardening centers to use? I've noticed plants form Lowe's seem to survive longer than most while Houston Garden Center plants almost never thrive.
thanks for the inspiration, I'm sure if it could, my garden would thank you!
You're not far from The Arbor Gate in Tomball. That place is fantastic!
I'm not familiar with your side of town, so all my suggestions would be too far away to do you much good. Like Knolan, I've heard Arbor Gate is great.
I'm in New Caney which is just a bit north and east of you..Feel free to look at my journal too.
I try to check DG before I plant..I don't trust what the tags say either..
A nursery on 59 a bit north of 1960 called Nautius has a nice selection of plants and generally is less expensive than the large Garden Centers..It's on the left as you go north( by the river more or less)
I can't wait to go to The Arbor Gate..Have never been there..
I love Joshua's in the Heights in Houston, for Natives, and also Buchanans in the same area..
Lynn
A good reference website is texassuperstar.com
link here http://texassuperstar.com/
Living in a zone (such as 9a) without freezes has advantages. You can grow esperanza, duranta, plumbago as perennials
This message was edited Jun 30, 2007 8:19 PM
aunt anne i meant push sorry. i do make mistakes quite bit..
This clematis does really well for me--I'm on west side of Houston:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/100601/