5 Great Reasons to Grow an Esperanza Plant (Tacoma stans)
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5 Great Reasons to Grow an Esperanza Plant (Tacoma stans)

Want a plant that thrives in full sun and blooms through the hot Texas summer? You need some Esperanza plants in your life! Also known as Yellow Bells, the scientific name for this plant is Tecoma stans. This shrub has bright yellow bell-shaped flowers paired with olive green leaves. It is one of the few Texas native ornamental shrubs that is frequently used by San Antonio landscapers. I have one in my garden and love it!

Top 5 Texas Fall Flowers to Grow
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Top 5 Texas Fall Flowers to Grow

These five native Texas fall flowers not only look good, they DO good in your garden beds! They serve as host plants for butterflies and moths and provide a critical nectar source for Monarch butterflies which migrate through the state at this time of year. In fact, several of these native species are considered keystone species – some of the best pollinator plants around!

5 Reasons to Grow Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora)
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5 Reasons to Grow Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora)

Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora) may just be my favorite Texas wildflower! I love its unique stacked blooms and pretty purple flowers. This plant goes by more than one common name – you may have also heard it called Lemon Beebalm, Horsemint, or Lemon Bergamot. All are referring to the same plant! Native to the southern US, this wildflower can handle full sun to partial shade. It starts putting on basal leaves in early spring and blooms in the summer.

5 Reasons to Grow Silver Ponyfoot
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5 Reasons to Grow Silver Ponyfoot

Need a beautiful ground cover to add to your garden? Silver Ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea) is a full sun-loving native plant that thrives in well-drained soil. This pretty groundcover is known for its silver leaves and silver stems. Dichondra argentea is a native plant – found in parts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona! In addition to being a great ground cover, it looks beautiful flowing over rock walls or cascading over an elevated pot or hanging basket.

Top 10 Native Yellow Perennial Flowers

Top 10 Native Yellow Perennial Flowers

Want to smile every time you look out at your garden? Fill it will sunny yellow perennial flowers that are native to your local area. Not only will they brighten your garden, they will bring it alive with pollinators! These 10 awesome yellow perennial flowers to add to your flower beds. Many of them are profuse bloomers that will provide a pop of yellow from from early spring until late summer.

Top 10 Native Perennial Flowers That Bloom All Summer

Top 10 Native Perennial Flowers That Bloom All Summer

Do you want your garden to be bursting with color with perennial flowers that bloom all summer? Then these 10 native perennials are for you! Each of these long-blooming native plants not only LOOK good, they DO good by serving as butterfly host plants and important nectar sources for pollinators. Native perennials are low maintenance, hardy plants that thrive in their local climates. Once established, they require very little regular watering beyond the average rainfall. Plant a mix of these for a wide range of colors and consistent pops of color throughout the season.

Top 5 Native Annual Flowers that Bloom All Summer

Top 5 Native Annual Flowers that Bloom All Summer

Many native wildflowers are fleeting, only providing a burst of color for a few weeks in the spring. However, there are a handful of hardy native wildflowers that can be counted on for a summer of beautiful blooms. Incorporate these long-blooming annual plants into your perennial garden bed for even more bright colors!

Top 7 Native Texas Vines to Grow!
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Top 7 Native Texas Vines to Grow!

Want to add some native Texas vines to your garden? You have some beautiful ones to pick from! They provide nectar for pollinators, serve as host plants for butterflies and moths, and some provide fruit for birds! They are a great alternative to non native vines commonly sold at the nursery such as Star Jasmine, Chinese Wisteria, and English Ivy.