Texas homeowners want beautiful, thriving yards full of plants; however, it’s important to consider the extreme summertime heat. Luckily, several perennial plants thrive in warm weather and even prefer the full Texas sun.
Heat Tolerant Perennials for Your Texas Yard
Perennials are plants that live for at least two years and return each growing season without replanting. Homeowners love to plant perennials because of their longevity and low maintenance needs.
However, if you live in a hot climate, such as Texas, it’s important to plant perennials that can withstand high temperatures. Otherwise, due to the hot weather and humidity, they may die and not return in their second season.
Luckily, there are a variety of heat-tolerant perennials for your Texas yard. You can still achieve the look you want and ensure that your perennial plants can withstand the Texas heat and thrive year after year. Some options include:
- Lantana
- Egyptian star flower
- Black-eyed Susan
- Columbine
- Hibiscus
- Verbena
Let’s dive into heat-tolerant perennial options.
Lantana
Lantana, pictured above, is known for its vibrant, multi-colored blooms. Its flowers add visual intrigue and texture to your landscaping. Lantana thrives in full sun and loves warm weather, making it well-suited for Texas summers.
When properly cared for, this hardy perennial will continue to bloom from spring through fall.
Egyptian Star Flower
Egyptian star flowers, also known as Pentas, are lush perennials that are known for attracting pollinators to your lawn. They produce beautiful star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink and white. If you want to see butterflies and hummingbirds out your window, adding Egyptian star flowers to your yard is a great choice.
These perennials are also heat tolerant and do well in Texas yards. They like full sun and warm weather. Like other perennials, they will die back in the winter and return in the springtime.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are resilient and gorgeous perennials known for their bright yellow flower petals with dark-colored centers. These whimsical plants handle heat well and require little maintenance.
If you’re looking for a colorful perennial plant that doesn’t require much oversight to thrive, Black-eyed Susans should be at the top of your list.
Columbine
Columbine are wildflowers that are native to Texas, and they make beautiful additions to Texas landscaping. As native flowers, columbines can withstand Texas heat. They like full sun or light shade, and are good at adapting to a variety of soil types, making them a great choice for versatility.
Columbine flowers have a chandelier shape, and they bloom in a variety of colors. However, in Texas, you are most likely to see yellow columbine, also known as “Texas Gold.”
Looking for more native plant options? There are a variety of native trees for your San Antonio yard.
Hibiscus
Want to bring the tropics to your Texas yard? Hibiscus flowers are beautiful perennials that have a tropical flare. These flowers show off with vibrant colors and large petals, making them a focal point for landscaping. They love heat and thrive in Texas’ warm weather. They prefer full sun, and, with the proper care, will return year after year.
Verbena
Verbena are delicate perennial flowers that are beloved for their long blooming seasons. They grow small, colorful flowers in clusters, and they’re great for attracting pollinators to your yard. Verbena are heat and drought-resistant flowers that thrive in full sun.
Not sure which perennials are right for your Texas yard? A lawn care specialist can help plan and execute your landscaping ideas. They can advise you on which plants will grow best in your lawn’s conditions.
An expert will also ensure that your perennials stay healthy all year and return every spring. Contact a lawn care service if you’re ready to refresh your yard for spring and plant long-lasting perennials.
What is the Most Drought Tolerant Perennial?
Another lawn care issue that Texas homeowners need to consider is droughts. If you live in a region of Texas that doesn’t get much rain, it’s important to plant drought-tolerant plants.
There are a variety of drought-tolerant perennials that will continue to bloom every spring, even without that much watering. Some of these include:
- Red yucca
- Texas sage
- Agave
- Russian sage
- Blanket flower
Let’s dive into these drought-tolerant perennials.
Red Yucca
Red yucca, pictured above, is a drought-tolerant plant that adds color and intrigue to your yard. The Texas native plant has long, arching flower stalks with red or orange blooms. Popular in xeriscaping, red yucca is a low-water plant that thrives in well-draining soil and full sun.
Texas Sage
Texas sage adds elegance and beauty to your lawn with its velvety silver leaves and bright purple flowers. Luckily, it’s also a drought-tolerant plant. While the flowers need rainfall to bloom, the plant can still thrive in hot, arid climates. It’s a low-maintenance plant that Texas homeowners love because it returns year after year.
Agave
As a succulent, agave plants can thrive with very little water. These bold perennial plants have strong blue-green leaves and are known for their nectar. They stand out in any Texas lawn, especially in regions with droughts.
Russian Sage
Similar to Texas sage, Russian sage thrives in sunny conditions with little water. However, it does not look exactly like Texas sage. Russian sage has silvery foliage and produces spiky purple-blue flowers. It has an airy texture that adds plenty of charm and delicacy to your Texas yard.
Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers are colorful perennials that produce bright orange, red and yellow blooms in the summer months. These flowers thrive in dry soil and are incredibly low-maintenance. They’re a great drought-tolerant flower that will reliably return year after year.
Choosing the right drought-tolerant perennial plants for your yard depends on your region’s climate and soil conditions. Working with a local lawn care expert who knows your area and can make personalized recommendations is best. You can bring the yard of your dreams to life with the help of a local professional.
Can You Plant Perennials in Hot Weather?
Technically, you can plant perennials in hot weather. However, some extra care and preparation may be required to make sure they thrive. High temperatures can put stress on young plants, which impacts their ability to establish strong root systems.
Heat dries out the soil quickly, which also makes it different for young plants to get the moisture they need. Plants can also suffer more transplant shock in hot weather.
However, you can still successfully plant perennials in hot weather with the right accommodations. For example, choose perennials that are heat tolerant, such as the plants mentioned above.
Next, plant in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day. Provide your new plants with plenty of water, and use mulch to help lock in the moisture. You can also shade your plants with cloth or garden umbrellas to prevent them from getting too much sun exposure in the early days. Finally, plant them in well-draining soil.
With the proper precautions, perennials planted in hot weather can thrive. However, it’s better to plant them in the spring or fall months when the weather is cooler. They will experience less stress and have a better chance of developing strong root systems when the weather is mild.
Planting at this time also allows them enough time to get established before the winter or summer months hit. They’ll be able to withstand the cold or heat better when they are more mature.
For more tips on how and when to plant perennials, contact a lawn care specialist. An expert can offer personalized advice that applies to your region. They can also oversee the planting and maintenance so you can simply enjoy your beautiful yard.
Landscapers are also excellent at offering ideas you have thought of, such as landscaping ideas for the front of your house. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional to get to work on the yard of your dreams.
Turn Your Yard Dreams Into Reality
With the help of a lawn care specialist, you can bring your yard dream to life. An expert can help you in each step of the process so you can simply enjoy your new outdoor space. Get in touch with a lawn care service today.
ABC Knows Texas Plants
Living in Texas is unlike living anywhere else, with its beautiful weather all year round, even if it is a bit hot and steamy in the middle of summer. The best part of living in Texas is that you can have a beautiful yard, lawn, patio and deck, full of flowers and greenery, no matter what time of year it is. ABC Home & Commercial Services has been keeping Texas yards happy and healthy for decades. ABC’s lawn care professionals can help keep your grass cut, your sprinklers working and your landscaping fresh and vibrant.
