Perennial Suggestions

[Us3]

Hi, I was hoping to get suggestions from the group. I live in Dallas, and it is hot, hot hot here today, whew! Anyhow, I'm looking for suggestion and advice on planting perennials in our newly excavated back yard. I'm the annual queen in our neighborhood. Twice a year I come up with a new color theme for my annual planting and the front beds look great! I'm quickly finding that planting annuals twice a year is a LOT of work! I'd like to plant mostly perennials in our back yard for color, and to be honest, I do not know anything about them!!!

We like a more formal layout and plan to have at least one tree (a flowering pear or an oak), a couple of well groomed crape myrtles, and a couple large yupon and lots of smaller ones. We are thinking of using colorful or flowering shrubs for texture and color also (maybe texas sage, burning bush ect).

The backyard will have sun most of the day with maybe some late evening shade. So the perennials would have to stand up to intense heat and sun. I think a low profile flowering perennials is what I have in mind (sounds more and more like annual, huh? haha). Any advice or suggestions are appreciated!

Sonya

 

[Snowwark]

It sounds like you have another fun project underway, Sonya.

Is your backyard completely bare (except for the play area)? Do you have a fence, or plan to put up some kind of trellis or arbor for growing vines? They always look great! How about a water feature of some sort? Questions, questions....lol..

I'm a LONG way from Texas, so here's a link to some perennials that do well way down your way. Check out the link at the bottom of the webpage (Perennial Garden Color), it's interesting too!

Perennials for Texas Landscapes

Now we have an Annual Queen (you), and a Perennial Favourite (Mamu).

Any other suggestions for Sonya, Buds?

 

[Rajah]

Not much help for ya since the best things in my garden are whatever mystery plants the builder planted. LOL! (I'm in Houston) But, I have had luck once with a potted geranium (this thing wouldn't die -- when we moved, it stayed in the garage for a month and went down to a single leaf. That was last Sept. Now it's made a beautiful comeback, is almost the size of a full geranium, and has given me several flower bunches this year. ). My mom also likes to plant...I think they're periwinkles. Lots of little flowers about the size of a quarter, and the ones with the heart-shaped leaves come back every year.

We tried planting some azalea this spring -- worked *wonderfully*... until it got hot. We've now lost two of those and the remaining two aren't looking very good. We thought they got good shade there, but apparently not good enough.

We do have an oak in the back yard which was really pretty last fall, and really pretty in the spring with the fresh bright-green new leaves. Now it's looking pretty good, too, and requires no maintenance.

I can say that pansies don't do well once it gets hot (they aren't perrinnial anyway, are they?), that frescia may come back next year but they only lasted a few weeks (very pretty during those weeks, though), and that my iris have never produced anything but the green leaves.

Good luck whatever you try!

--

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! I once had some hosta and a Mandevilla vine on the back porch of our apartment and they thrived! But they didn't survive the move.

 

[Us3]

Originally posted by Snowwark
Is your backyard completely bare (except for the play area)? Do you have a fence, or plan to put up some kind of trellis or arbor for growing vines? They always look great! How about a water feature of some sort? Questions, questions....lol..

a Perennial Favourite (Mamu).

Yes, everything is bare right now. We originally had a rather steep sloping back yard, we just had a 4 foot retaining wall built and lots of soil brought in! The fence is a board on board cedar fence, it looks great with the cedar brown stain and top cap!! We have a rectangular back yard with a small porch and courtyard area (house has U shape in back). The back yard is a blank slate and I'm so excited about designing and planting!

I'm thinking of adding a fountain to the center of courtyard area with a rounded walk around it (this is where I want to add some of the small flowering perrenials ) The play area will be going in later this month...we are still waiting for the new soil to settle good! I just can’t see planting annuals in the back for color like I do in the front! I love the color though because I love taking pictures outside of my daughter (my other hobby! )

Thanks for the link! Any other southern people out there with suggestions of what may survive in this heat?

Mamu (the perennial favourite) do you have any suggestions?


Take care,
Sonya

 

[marydmjj]

Sonya: I have a great plant disk and will look up your conditions and preferences today. I'll post back as soon as I can.

 

[Mamu]

I live in a completely different climate, but a lot of the plants that I grow can be successfully grown in Texas.

Here are 2 web sites that may help you choose the plants that are best for your area.

Perennials for Texas

Perenials for Texas

Some of my choices would be coreopsis, iris, daylilies and you could always plant grasses they are quite beautiful. Many different shades and sizes.

Let us know what your choices are.

 

[marydmjj]

Sonya: here is a short list of perennials that grow in your zone in full sun. baby's breath, coral bells, California poppy, cottage pink, cranesbill, dahlia, daylily, dwarf larkspur, mum, verbena, lemon balm, lupine, coneflower, balloon flower, sage, shasta daisy, snapdragon, speedwell, columbine, geranium, bee balm, candytuft, foxglove, phlox, hollyhock. Looks like pampas grass, fountain grass, maiden grass, zebra grass, blue fescue & cloud grass are a few listed in grasses. You could also plant some azalea and boxwood which are nice in a formal garden.

 

[Snowwark]

I think a courtyard with a fountain would be perfect!! I've always thought that if we ever had a chance to build a house, it would be sort of H shaped, with a courtyard. Oh to dream....

Have you been checking out gardening magazines and books for ideas?

 

[Us3]

Oh yes, I love flipping through the magazines for ideas! The U shape of the area in the back yard is just beconning for a focal point, and what better way to do dress it up than a fountain! I'm bursting with excitement over this back yard project, but I realize my husband and I will probably be working on the entire backyard for close to a year. Between the play area, courtyard area, walkways, and perrenial beds...it will definately take us a while to afford and work all of it! The main objective is to get the play yard built for our 4 yo dd and then the courtyard for our enjoyment! I'll post pics as it all come together. Thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

[Tulirose]

Hi US3. I didn't check out the links provided and I don't see it on Mary's abbreviated listing, and I know not much about Texas plants but if they will grow in your zone you MUST plant PEONIES!!!!

Of course, that's JMHO.