Hi,
Sorry to post twice, I changd the subject..
I am in Houston, zone 8b I believe..
I plan to pull out 4 ixoras that were planted by my landscaper last summer. They looked nice for about a month but they just don't get enough sun to thrive and they really started to thin out. And I also cannot see them doing well at all in our rare but occasional freezes. I want to put in a few firespike, which I think will do better in the dabbled sun (there is a queen palm shading the area lightly). I am also looking for something evergreen to put in with the firespike because I assume they will die back each winter. Any suggestion? Flowering is great, but interesting evergreen foliage is nice as well.Thanks!
tall evgreen plant/shrub to replace ixora in Houston
Hi Bohnco,
Actually, the ixora's do pretty good here, even with a freeze as long as the roots are well watered before a freeze and they're mulched well. I blanket mine for extra protection. They do like sun, though. You could always transplant them to a sunnier location.
You could try various abutilon's, duranta, oakleaf hydrangea, dwarf viburnum. You'll get lots of ideas from everyone soon.
I am moving the ixora to friend's yard in Galveston, full sun. My landscaper, who is very good, said they do well here, as you noted. I just think they want full sun and what they are getting now is more dabbled. So I want something there that will thrive. I have plenty of duranta. The oakleaf hydrangea sounds wonderful and I have been reading about them.
Thanks, Brett