Heat-Loving Annuals

 

As David Bowie sang, “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes”—it’s time to start changing out those cool-season annuals for plants that can handle an East Texas summer!

I know, I know—some of your cool-season plants may still look really good, and it’s hard to dig them up. But planting summer annuals as conditions warm gives them time to begin establishing their root systems before our most intense summer heat arrives.

 
 

Some of Our Favorite Summer Annuals

 

For the Sun

 

Vinca

Vinca are upright, colorful plants that love the heat and bloom throughout the warm season. Give them plenty of sunlight and, most importantly, well-drained soil. Vinca don’t like staying constantly wet.

If established plants become tall or leggy, they can be trimmed back to encourage fresh, bushier growth. If fertilizer is needed, use a product appropriate for flowering annuals and follow the label directions.

 

 
 

Profusion Zinnia

Aptly named, Profusion Zinnias produce mounds of colorful flowers throughout the warm season and can continue blooming until frost. They’re heat tolerant, easy to care for, and generally don’t require regular deadheading to keep the show going.

One of my favorites!

 

 
 

Bronze Leaf Begonia

An old standby for a reason! Bronze Leaf Begonias form compact mounds of colorful flowers backed by beautiful bronze foliage.

They can tolerate more sunlight than many green-leaf Wax Begonias, although the amount of sun they handle depends on the variety and growing conditions. In East Texas, protection from intense afternoon sun can help keep plants looking their best.

Use them in flower beds, borders, hanging baskets, and containers.

 

 
 

Annual Salvia

Annual Salvias offer colorful flower spikes in a variety of sizes and colors. Many have an upright growth habit that makes them perfect for adding height to flower beds or using as a Thriller in containers.

Their flowers are also attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators.

 

 
 

Pentas

Pentas are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Their clusters of star-shaped flowers come in shades of red, pink, lavender, white, and other colors depending on the variety.

Their bushy growth habit makes them a beautiful choice for both flower beds and containers.

 

 
 

Sun Coleus

Coleus proves you don’t need flowers to have incredible color! Their foliage comes in a huge range of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes.

Many modern Coleus varieties tolerate considerable sunlight, but sun tolerance varies by cultivar. Even sun-tolerant varieties may appreciate some afternoon protection during our hottest East Texas weather.

If your Coleus becomes too tall or lanky, pinch or trim the stems to encourage branching and a fuller plant. With SO many varieties available, they’re always a go-to plant of mine.

 

 
 

For the Shade

 

Impatiens

Impatiens create beautiful mounds of flowers in shady areas and come in a huge assortment of colors. Use them alone, as borders, in masses throughout a flower bed, or in hanging baskets and containers.

Traditional Impatiens generally prefer shade or filtered light. Morning sun can work well, but protection from the intense afternoon sun is especially important in East Texas.

 

 
 

Torenia

Torenia is a beautiful choice for areas with shade or morning sun and afternoon protection. Depending on the variety, plants may have a more upright or trailing growth habit.

Upright varieties work beautifully in beds and mixed containers, while trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets and spilling over the sides of pots.

 

 
 

Green Leaf Begonias

Green Leaf Begonias have the same compact, mounding habit we love in Wax Begonias but generally prefer shadier conditions than bronze-leaf varieties.

Bright shade or morning sun with afternoon protection can keep them happy and blooming. They’re great for beds, baskets, and containers.

 

 
 

Shade Coleus

Shade-loving Coleus brings incredible foliage color to areas where flowering annuals may struggle. Use them to add contrast, texture, and bold color to shady beds and containers.

Kong Coleus is especially impressive with its oversized, brightly colored leaves. Give these varieties bright shade or filtered light and protection from harsh afternoon sun.

 

 
 

Caladiums

Graceful and colorful, Caladiums are one of our favorite ways to brighten shady areas. Their colorful foliage makes a beautiful statement in mass plantings, borders, small groupings, and containers.

Light tolerance varies considerably by variety. Some Caladiums prefer mostly shade, while newer sun-tolerant selections can handle considerably more sunlight. In East Texas, afternoon protection is still beneficial for many varieties.

 

 
 

Bring on the Summer Color!

 

When choosing summer annuals, don’t look at color alone. Match each plant to the sunlight, drainage, and moisture conditions in the area where it will be growing.

Give your plants the right spot from the beginning, allow them time to establish before the hottest part of summer, and you’ll be well on your way to beautiful East Texas color all season long!