We’re really in the thick of it down here in Texas these days. The heat is on and it’s not for everyone… or every plant for that matter. Here are some heat-lovers for your garden that will cut down on your landscape maintenance and your frizzled plant heartbreak.
Even though it’s still February, we can tell that the heat of the summer will soon be upon us. Texas summers are in a category all their own, the heat you will experience during a Texas summer is quite unlike anywhere else in the U.S. What plants can survive the heat of a Texas summer? Luckily, the Dallas Arboretum has conducted heat trials to find the best heat-resistant plants. The following plants had the strongest performance during the trials.
Celosia
Contents
Celosia is one of the greatest plants ever! They’re one of the most dynamic in appearance both in regard to their shape as well as their color. If you want a vivid pop of color, look no further! One of the neatest things about celosia is how dramatically different the varieties can be.
The crested celosia that you see in the featured image above resembles beautiful little brightly colored brains and the spiked celosia that you see pictured in this section have a gorgeous feathery appearance. Keep these beauties in the sun and you won’t be disappointed.
Acalypha
Acalypha, ‘Tiki Tropical Tempest’, won “Best in Show”. The lime-green, yellow and dark-green foliage help this plant to stand out. This colorful plant stands 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide.
Moss Rose
Moss Rose is the ultimate when it comes to gorgeous, heat-tolerant ground cover. It’s extremely low maintenance and works great in containers as well. And did we mention the colors?! Moss rose will pretty much thrive in all situations and all soil types. Make this a go-to if you’re new to gardening! In a nutshell, this is one of the best heat-loving plants.
Catharanthus
Catharanthus, ‘Cora Cascade Strawberry’, winner of “Best New Color” is another colorful heat-surviving plant. This makes a great trailer plant for containers with its 3 feet of length and high contrast between the light and dark pink.1. Acalypha ‘Tiki Tropical Tempest’ won “Best in Show”. The lime-green, yellow, and dark-green foliage help this plant to stand out. This colorful plant stands 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide.
Globe Amaranth
You can find these beautiful hardy orbs in multiple colors. They make a wonderful addition to many flower beds and will be a lovely addition to a cut flower arrangement. They will withstand heat and even drought conditions like champs.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus, ‘Mahogany Splendor’, won “Best New Foliage”. Even though this plant doesn’t flower until after the first frost, the burgundy leaves can help make any border colorful.
Salvia
Here’s another plant that is a favorite for butterflies and hummingbirds. Salvia, also known as sage, is super easy to grow and is a favorite for its drought tolerance. You can plant it in both well-drained flower beds as well as containers. What’s also fabulous about salvia is that there frequently ignored by rabbits, deer, and other garden decimators.
Begonia
Begonia, ‘Ikon’, winner of “Best Basket Plant” has our attention! The plant can take the heat of a full Texas sun and doesn’t need a large quantity of water.
Coleus
You can’t go wrong with this fantastic must-have for the garden. This versatile plant has sun and shade-loving varieties and can make for a spectacular filler plant or even be a garden star in its own right. There are so many different colors available that you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the perfect pick for your garden. They’ll do well in containers and well-draining flower beds.
Helichrysum
There were actually two winners for “Best Basket Plant”, Helichrysum ‘Silver Leaf Yellow’ is the 2nd winner. The little yellow button flowers will add a pop of color and can withstand the Texas summer sun.
Mandevilla
Mandevilla, Sun Parasol Giant Series – Pink, White, Crimson takes the prize for “Best Vine”. Turner reports that this large star-shaped flower was one of the most popular favorites among Dallas Arboretum guests.
This is a truly gorgeous flowering vine. It grows and climbs quickly. You can find them with flowers in white, red, and pink that will bloom profusely! The vine will climb best on a lattice or similar type of structure and you can train it to grow as you’d like.
Ligustrum sinense
The “Best New Shrub” award goes to…Ligustrum sinense, ‘Sunshine’. This flexible plant can be kept at 1 foot tall, or left unpruned it can reach 3 to 5 feet tall.
Lantana
Are you looking for something to bring the butterflies and hummingbirds calling? Get some lantana planted. You can find them in red and yellow, as well as lavender. Lantana is a lover of humidity making it perfect for the swampier parts of Texas.
Tecomaria capensis
There is a three-way tie in the Best Novelties” category. Who doesn’t love good honeysuckle? Especially one like Tecomaria capensis, ‘Sunbird’ Cape Honeysuckle that can withstand the heat.
Impatiens
If you’re looking for lots of colors that goes on all summer long like the energizer bunny then impatiens are your flower! There are few things that make a well-manicured landscape shine like some well-packed impatiens. You can plant them in spring and enjoy them until it’s time to swap them out for the mums. They look beautiful in both mono-color and multi-color displays.
Tecoma
In addition to being the 3rd “Best Novelties” winner, Tecoma, ‘Bells of Fire’, attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. As an added bonus the orange blooms flower in early and late summer.9. Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’ is another “Best Novelties” winner. Like the name states, Turner claims this plant “blew his mind” and that the vibrant true blue flower can’t be beaten!
Primula vulgaris
The Primula vulgaris Belarina Series winner of “Best Cool Season Novelty” stuck around for a surprisingly long period of time as most Primula tend to do.
Primula
Primula Kennedy Irish Series was also considered a “Best Cool Season Novelty”. The pastel flowers and burgundy foliage both provide great color.
Lysimachia congestiflora
The ability of Lysimachia congestiflora, ‘Superstition’, to stick around all year and not just during the summer, helped this plant to win the “Best New Perennial Groundcover” title.
Superstition dots the ground with yellow flowers in the spring and has a maroon color in the fall.
Marigold
Marigold ‘Bonanza Deep Orange’ takes the cake in the “Best New Fall Color” category. This orange marigold will have you thinking of pumpkins long before fall. The great color will last right through the summer heat to fall.