Gerbera daisies are known for their bright and cheerful daisy-like flowers. They originate from South Africa and come in various sizes and colors including pink, yellow, salmon, orange and white, with flower sizes anywhere from 2 to 5 inches across. 

The Blackfoot Daisy is a rugged, heat and drought tolerant native - a superb choice for low-water wildflower gardens. White, yellow-centered, honey-scented daisies cover the mound of grey-green foliage throughout an extensive bloom period, given moderate summer moisture. 

An essential addition to any Central Texas garden or flowerbed, the hardy Butterfly weed is essential to the survival of Monarch butterflies. Mature butterflies feed on the nectar produced in the flowers, while the foliage provides food for their larvae. The brilliant orange and yellow flowers are showy in massed plantings, but fascinating up close with their intricate detail.  Butterfly weeds typical grow to around  three feet in height and are native throughout the eastern and southern regions of the country.

These verbena-like flowers have long since been admired for their extended bloom time and  also make a great choice for those wishing to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. There are several varieties of Lantana available that offer a multitude of colors such as red, yellow, orange, purple, pink and lavender.  Though some parts of the country treat lantana as an annual, in Texas lantana is considered a perennial. Grow lantana flowers in the garden or in containers. Trailing varieties can even be grown in hanging baskets.  They prefer full sun but will grow in partial shade as well.  Lantana has also shown to be deer tolerant.

The clear crisp flowers and glossy green leaves of vinca are so perfect you may be tempted to rub them to see if they are real.  Also known as periwinkles, vincas are useful in borders, flowerbeds, rock gardens and containers and provides instant color wherever it grows. They come in a wide variety of colors from white, different pinks and lavender.  Vinca is drought tolerant and requires almost no maintenance to keep it looking terrific.  It performs best if you water the plants whenever the top inch or so of the soil feels dry to the touch. Take care not to overwater this plant; it's easily susceptible to root rot. 

Beautiful blasts of blue best describe plumbago, a native of South Africa. With its’ ease of growth, minimal basic needs and negligible pest and disease problems, it is a nearly perfect choice for those who like to think of themselves as plant killers. Plumbago requires very little care and fulfills a variety of needs in the landscape. It is fast-growing and has light-green oblong leaves which are evergreen and stay the same color in winter, providing an attractive, year-round frame for its fragrant, phlox-like sky-blue flowers. To encourage its best growth and performance, plumbago should be planted in soils that are slightly acidic and drain well.  It tolerates partial sun and partial shade, but the flowers it produces won't be as numerous as those of plants grown in full sun conditions.  One of the best things about plumbago is that it's moderately tolerant to drought conditions, especially once it’s established in the landscape.  Watering once every week or two is sufficient.

If you want to attract lots of hummingbirds, then the easy-growing firebush will do the trick. Also called scarlet bush, it is not only among the easiest of plants to grow, but it also stays in bloom throughout the growing season with clusters of tubular red buds and flowers. It's drought tolerant but doesn't mind regular watering. It is perfectly happy in alkaline soils but also fine in acid ones. Full sun will keep it happy and blooming, but so will a fair amount of shade. Firebush makes a great, fast-flowering annual shrub for borders or containers.  In addition to attracting hummingbirds, vivid, long-blooming firebush serves as both larval food and nectar plant for butterflies

Showcasing red, delicate flowers in large loose clusters throughout the warmer months of the year or nearly year-round where winters are mild, the red firecracker fern is also known as the Coral Fountain Plant since it looks like a fountain of green, fine textured stems covered in colorful tubular flowers originating from a central point. It looks great spilling from containers, raised beds, over walls, and can even be used as an informal groundcover.   The firecracker fern thrives in sun or part shade is drought tolerant once it is well established and virtually maintenance free.  It can also be considered for xeriscaping and is excellent for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. 

If you are looking for a plant that is tough as nails and blooms from spring through fall, then guara may be a great fit for your garden.  With white or pink flowers, guara is a Texas native that loves full sun and tolerates drought.   The blooms have earned it the common name of Whirling Butterflies since it gives the impression of butterflies flitting in the breeze when the wind is blowing.  The flowers also attract hummingbirds.

Society garlic, a groundcover that produces delicate, star-shaped purple flowers, grows to about a foot tall and is wonderful in borders or mass plantings. Native to the rocky grasslands in eastern South Africa, society garlic is actually not in the same category as garlic and onions.  They are however in the same plant family as onion. The common name "society garlic" comes from the old rumor that this plant tastes like garlic without causing bad breath.  It does produce sweet-smelling flowers with stems that smell faintly of garlic when crushed.  Society garlic is a perennial with narrow, grass-like green leaves that reach about a foot tall and flowers rise up on stalks about two feet tall. 

Chrysanthemums are a classic addition to brighten any autumn garden. Growing mums is not complicated once you learn the basics of chrysanthemum care. The right chrysanthemum flowers for your garden will come from a diverse selection of hardy or garden mums. When growing mums, you’ll find plants that are dwarf to giant, in colors from white and yellow to the deepest burgundy and purple. Mums may be planted in either spring or autumn, though fall offers the greatest benefit of avoiding summer heat and should be planted in well-draining soil. They are adaptable to soil types, but do best in organic soils and prefer a sunny spot in the landscape. The most important technique of how to care for mums is pinching expended blooms. This will ensure an abundant show of autumn color. 

With yellow, daisy-like flowers during spring and early summer on thin wiry stems that wave in the breeze and flag down passing butterflies, this native perennial is also known as hymenoxys. The long narrow leaves of gray-green foliage form a clump from which the flower stems arise. When in full bloom, Four Nerve Daisy can appear covered with flowers and the individual flowers are long lasting.  The bright-yellow flowers are mostly found from February through early summer, although it has been known to show flowers almost every day of the year.

If you're looking for ways to add bright color to your landscape, salvia can't be beat.  Also known as sage, salvia comes in a variety of colors including blue, lavender, red, pink and white, and are known for their fragrant foliage. There is an amazing diversity of varieties, each one with its own level of hardiness but they all have one thing in common--they are gorgeous! Most forms of salvia can be counted on to produce tall spikes or an abundance of nectar-rich blooms favored by butterflies and hummingbirds.  They thrive in hot weather and are relatively drought and disease resistant. Heights vary by variety, but most grow between 18 and 36 inches tall. Salvia is deer resistant

One of the best flowering perennials for a sunny location, echinacea, more commonly known as the coneflower, is very easy to grow. These heat- and drought-resistant beauties develop wave after wave of blooms all summer long. Plus, coneflowers are at the top of the list for hungry butterflies and other pollinators that will flock to your flowerbeds to enjoy the nectar-rich blooms. A variety of birds love them as well.  Coneflower colors include pink, red, orange, white, and yellow. Most varieties have large single-petaled blooms and grow 18 to 36 inches tall.

Plant coneflowers in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. They aren't too fussy about soil type, but prefer a rich, well-drained location. Remove the faded flower heads as they appear to encourage the development of additional flower stalks. Coneflowers also make a beautiful statement in containers.

With a light, airy pink display that is worthy of a fairy princess, pink mulhy grass is an easy-to-grow, ornamental grass which provides gorgeous late-season color.  Its delicate pink plume seed heads completely envelop the foliage in late summer, swaying gently in the late summer and fall breezes.  They can be planted en masse, in a patio container or placed between shrubs in the landscape. This beautiful but rugged perennial is deer resistant, thrives in nearly any soil, and tolerates heat, humidity and even drought conditions.

Plant your pink mulhy grass in any type of soil, so long as it drains well.   Several can be planted together but space them at least 2 feet apart for an eye popping affect. The lighting should be as bright and sunny as you can find in your garden or landscaping. With the exception of light trimming if you wish, this grass thrives on cruel neglect. It tolerates rocky soil where there is little organic matter, merciless sun and stretches of dry weather.

The cascading leaves on this plant have a fountain-like appearance, thereby giving the grass its name. Fountain grass is a mound-forming, perennial ornamental grass and a garden and landscaping favorite, as the care of fountain grass is easy. Clump-forming grasses grow in mounds or clumps, making them ideal for many areas without becoming invasive. It can be used alone as a specimen plant or in a border alongside other perennials.
Blooming of its foxtail-looking flowers generally takes place from late summer through the fall. The small flowers of fountain grass are tan, pink or purple. During fall and throughout winter, this plant will also reward growers with spectacular foliage displays. There are different types of fountain grass from which to choose, ranging in size from 12 inches to 3 feet. One of the most common varieties is dwarf fountain grass and its light tan blooms turn pinkish brown in the fall. Purple fountain grass has both purple foliage and blooms and is another popular landscaping option.

A Texas native perennial with bright green foliage and hot red-orange tubular flowers beloved by hummingbirds and butterflies, Flame acanthus, also known as the hummingbird bush, is a tough and must-have plant for landscape. The blooms will last from the middle of the summer to early winter. Due to its hardiness and adaptability, Flame acanthus is a great option for xeriscaping. It also works well as a border along a sidewalk or driveway as it grows around 3 - 4 feet in height but also works well in pots. The bark is light and flaky and makes an interesting winter and early spring accent.

Often referred to as summer snap dragons because they produce a profusion of flowers resembling small snapdragons which bloom all summer long as well asinto the fall, Anfgelonias are a perfect addition to summer landscapes. Planting them in masses will make a striking display. They have the appearance of being delicate and difficult to grow but are actually quite easy, especially since they love the sun. Excellent for growing in containers and window boxes, they are also strong performers in beds and along borders. Their beautiful spikes come in a wonderful array of colors from mauve, purple and pink to blue and white and are available in tall, upright and short bushy varieties. Many think their fragrant blooms smell like apples and they make excellent cut flowers

Native to South America, the graceful, flowering bulbine was relatively unknown in the U.S. until recently. Bulbine flowers make a colorful accent for flower beds, herb gardens or a mixed container with star-shaped blooms in yellow or orange. Growing bulbine is an excellent choice for gardens and landscapes as they are drought tolerant. In fact, these flowers are often found in rock gardens with poor soil just for this reason. They can also bloom throughout the year. The sap of the succulent leaves is used medicinally in the same way as gel of the aloe vera plant, leading to the common name of burn jelly plant.

The name rock rose acknowledges the resemblance of the flowers to old-fashioned, single roses and the preferred habitat of the plants—rocky, relatively poor soil. A native shrub beloved by pollinators and originating in the Texas rocky woods and banks, the Texas rock rose is carefree and versatile. Its hibiscus-like pink- to rose-colored flowers adorn the shrubby perennial from early summer through fall. It makes wonderful curbside borders and will continue to provide months of easy-care color despite the heat.

One of the must-haves for the garden is the spiderwort. These interesting flowers not only offer something different to the landscape but are extremely easy to grow and care for. While no one officially knows how it got its name, some people think the plant was named for the way its flowers hang down like spiders. Others believe it comes from its medicinal properties, as it was once used to treat spider bites. The three-petaled spiderwort flowers are usually blue to purple, but may also be pink, white or red. They only remain open for a day while blooming in the morning hours and closing at night. The plant’s foliage consists of arching grass-like leaves that will grow about a foot or two in height, depending on the variety.

If you are looking for a plant that blooms nonstop from early summer to fall and requires only a minimum of attention, then verbena is the answer. Verbena will provide an endless display of colorful summer flowers when planted in the sunniest and possibly driest area of your landscaping. This family of tender perennials show off finely cut foliage topped by spectacular clusters of purple, red, white, yellow, orange, or bi-colored blooms. The nectar-rich flowers are also prized by butterflies and hummingbirds. Depending on the variety, verbena will grow 12 to 30 inches in either upright or trailing forms. It is a sun-worshipper that makes a magnificent addition to garden beds, window boxes, or hanging baskets.

Known by numerous names such as Calibrachoa, Million Bells and Mini Petunias, this fairly new species is dazzling and fun plant. The names Million Bells and Mini Petunias comes from the fact that it features hundreds of small, bell-like flowers that resemble miniature petunias. Available in a wide variety of colors form violet, blue, red, magenta, pink, orange, yellow and white, its trailing habit and bountiful flowers makes it perfect for use in hanging baskets, containers or as a small area ground cover. They grow from to 3 to 9 inches tall and will bloom from spring through fall.

The Shrimp plant is very appropriately named. It is easily recognized by the colorful, drooping, shrimp-like bracts it produces, giving a tropical feel to the garden. This easy-to-grow plant can reach two to six feet tall, and the white flower inside the bracts attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.