There is nothing more attractive than a lush healthy lawn adorned in a beautiful array of color.
This is not only limited to spring, but it can be accomplished year round.
By choosing the right flowering species and knowing when these plants bloom, you can strategically plant your yard for a colorful show year round.
Seasonally, garden centers will showcase colorful flowers for sale in flats. Flats are immature plants sold in small containers and are commonly used as bedding plants.
They are rapid growers and should be spaces 8-12″ apart in a flower bed. These plants are usually annuals, meaning they will only last for one season.
Perennials, in contrast, last several years. There are also some annuals, such as the periwinkle (pictured) that behave as perennials because they reseed themselves every year. These types of annuals may die back in the colder months, but reappear as warmer weather approaches.
Landscaping in Houston and Keeping Color During Cooler Months
While landscaping in Houston and considering weather changes, there are several species of plants that will adorn your landscape with color despite the climate changes.
For the cooler months, place your plantings where they will be protected from hash winds and that will receive ample sun. Suggested cool weather plants are:
- bachelor’s buttons
- calendula
- carnation
- columbine
- English daisy
- larkspur
- pansies
- petunias
- snapdragons
- sweet peas
- violas
Our area has basically two seasons, we have a warm season and a cool season, and there is an array of plants that are suited to each season as well.
Colorful Plants
Adding color to your garden is not limited to just flowers.
There are plenty of colorful plants as well that can paint your landscape with an array of color. Sanchezias (pictured) have yellow-green foliage, and amaranth will show of it’s reds, yellows and oranges.
The wandering jew, with its greens and purples will liven up shady areas of your yard.
Wildflowers
In Texas, there is also a wide array of wildflowers that can give your garden a color burst.
Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and buttercups are just a few to name.
Many wildflowers are produced by bulbs, tubers corms and rhizomes.
Houston gardeners are finding that planting colorful wildflowers in place of the higher maintenance annuals make gardening a breeze and are supporting state conservation efforts; however, it’s important to note that obtaining wildflower specimens must be done through local garden centers or nurseries.
It’s against state law to collect plants from the wild. Seed companies or nurseries are the best way to start your own personal wildflower garden.
To obtain year round color, simply following these simple steps will enable your landscape design to remain colorful- despite the season.
Utilize shrubs and plants that have colorful or variegated leaves.
Plant spring blooming bulbs in the fall, summer blooming flowers in early spring.
Pay attention to sun loving and shade loving species.
Plant colorful cool weather flowers in flower beds in early fall.
Plant annuals in early spring.
