The Best Flowers to Plant in Houston
Gardeners in Houston, Texas, can grow several great flowers with the city being in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a. This rating means that the minimum average temperature is 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The growing season for Houston is typically 300 days out of the year and the winters only see cooling temperatures not hard freezes. Plants do well in this environment, and gardens in Houston show it.
Mums
The garden mum (Chrysanthemum hybrids) is a perennial that is an easy growing and fast growing evergreen. It grows according to the cultivar selected with a variety of sizes and colors. The plant can be short or up to 5 feet high. Blooms open in summer and fall on average with some selections blooming in spring as well. USDA hardiness zones for a mum are 5 through 9. Planting should be in acidic moist soil with sun or partial sun conditions. To propagate, use division or cuttings.
- Gardeners in Houston, Texas, can grow several great flowers with the city being in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a.
- The growing season for Houston is typically 300 days out of the year and the winters only see cooling temperatures not hard freezes.
Annual Lion's Ear
This mint family favorite, Leonotis nepetifolia, is commonly known as annual lion’s ear. It is drought tolerant and attractive to hummingbirds. Smooth leaves are 2 to 5 inches long and clusters of flowers are 2 to 4 inches wide. Blooms are fuzzy and orange. The USDA hardiness zone range of this plant is 8 through 11 and it can be propagated via seed. Plant in full sun with regular watering, but know it is tolerant of partial shade.
Blue Daze
The blue daze or evolvulus (Evolvulus glomeratus) is from the morning glory family and is an evergreen perennial shrub. It grows 2 to 3 feet wide and 12 inches tall. Gray fuzzy leaves are a half inch wide and egg-shaped. Flowers are funnel-shaped and blue or lavender, and 1 inch wide. Plant in full sun with well-drained sandy soil. They are hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11 and can be propagated via cuttings or seed.
- This mint family favorite, Leonotis nepetifolia, is commonly known as annual lion’s ear.
- The blue daze or evolvulus (Evolvulus glomeratus) is from the morning glory family and is an evergreen perennial shrub.
African Bush-Daisy
This perennial shrub from the aster-daisy family is botanically known as Gamolepis chrysanthemoides. It is attractive to butterflies because of its blooms. It grows 3 feet high and 4 feet wide with yellow flowers and green glossy leaves. African bush-daisy should be planted in acidic or slight alkaline soils with full sun. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11. Propagate via seed.
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Writer Bio
T.M. Samuels has been a freelance writer since 1993. She has published works in "Arthritis Today," "Alabama Living" and "Mature Years," and is the author of a gardening book. Samuels studied pre-medicine at Berry College.
