Autumn is a great time for flowering plants in Texas, at least in Central Texas.
The following describes some of the plants we have in our landscaping with some tips on how to maintain them.
Country Girl Daisy
In the photo below, these plants appear to have white flowers, but they are actually tinged with pink. They are actually a member of the Chrysanthemum family and only bloom in the fall. The area we are growing them in has a lot of other stuff (like weeds) growing in it, so they require some attention. I cu them back to the ground in the spring, and they usually begin showing their green leaves around August.
Country Girl Daisy
Country Girl Daisy Close Up
Fall Aster
Fall aster is a perennial and is hardy. Supposedly it has no problems with our winters, but I cut it back every year. It prefers well-drained soil and needs very little water once established, so be careful not to overwater it. For some reason, this plant bloomed twice this year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
Fall Asters
Mexican Petunias
The Mexican petunia is one of several desert plants that are recommended for warm, dry climates. They are inexpensive, low maintenance, and drought-resistant. They also spread like crazy!
In the picture below, you will see where we planted four (that’s right – 4!) plants. All the others were self-propagated. This is a great plant for landscape borders.
Original Plants
Mexican Petunia Close Up
Turk’s Cap
You can see only one plant in the photo below. There is another hidden behind the big one. We did not plant this plant – most likely seeds were contained in bird droppings. Turk’s Cap is part of the okra family, so the whole plant is edible. We have not eaten the whole plant, but have eaten the berries. To me they taste like little oranges. I cut the plants to the ground in the early spring and fertilize them.
Turk’s Cap
Flame Acanthus
Flame Acanthus is also known As: Hummingbird Bush, Texas Firecracker Plant, Wright’s Desert Honeysuckle, Wright Acanthus. I cut it back to the ground in the winter. Every year I think – this plant is not going to grow, and every year (so far) it has. It blooms from midsummer through frost (or, in this area, as close to frost as we get).
Flame Acanthus
Salvia
Salvia blooms virtually all year, but there is a trick to getting it to bloom more than once – you have to “dead head” it. I did that by taking electric garden shears and lopping off 3 inches or so on the top. As you can see, they are blooming quite well.
Salvia
Vitex
Why am I including Vitex in the list of plants that bloom in the fall? Normally it blooms in the spring and for a good deal of the summer, but this year, as of a week ago, it had new blooms. I think nature is getting confused by the warming planet. Anyway, here is a picture of our Vitex as of a few days ago. Leave it alone and it will propagate just about everywhere. If you want bushes, cut it back to just about ground level in February. It you want trees, just leave it alone. We have both.
Vitex
White Mist White Mist blooms all year long, but blooms best and appears bushier if severely cut back each winter. Drought tolerant. Adapt to most well-drained soils. May be transplanted year-round if cut back by one third. This year, after it stopped blooming in about August, I cut it back to the ground. It is now blooming again. Butterflies love it.
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