Texas Superstars

TexasSuperstar®

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Strong and Stunning Plants for Texans.

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What ittakes to be aSuperstar®

It isn’t easy to become a Texas Superstar®plant. Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the cut.Every plant earning the Texas Superstar®designation undergoes several years ofextensive field trials by Texas A&MAgriLife Research and the Texas A&MAgriLife Extension Service, both part of theTexas A&M System. They must be shownto be super-performing plants under Texasgrowing conditions. During the field trials,plants receive minimal soil preparation,reasonable levels of water and no pesticides.What does that mean to the average home-owner? It means landscape success withbeautiful, proven, Texas-tough plants. Find these plants at your local nursery and be sure and look for the TexasSuperstar® logo on the plant tags. VisitTexasSuperstar.com for additional detailsabout these amazing stars. The term“Texas Superstar” is a registered trademarkof Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M System.

GO TEXAN

GO TEXAN is the Texas Department ofAgriculture’s program promoting the prod-ucts, culture and communities that callTexas home. As a mark of Lone Star pride,the GO TEXAN logo – a glowing brand inthe shape of Texas – can be found on every-thing from floral products and grapefruit tocowboy boots and retirement destinations.For more information see GoTexan.org.

Angelonia, SummerSnapdragonAngelonia angustifolia Serena series

Angelonia is a spreading annualwith upright flower spikes thatresemble minature snapdragons.The Serena series are the onlyangelonias that are grown fromseed. Flower colors availableinclude white, pink, purple,lavender, and lavender pinkwhich flower season long untilfrost. Angelonia can be used asa border planting, a groundcover, or as a trailing plant formixed containers.

Exposure: full sun Height: 12 to 18 inchesPlant type: annualPlanting time: springSoil type: most soil types aslong as well drainedSuggested uses: mass beddingor ground cover, mixed borders,and containersSpecial Notes: Very reliableperformer in all areas of Texas;tolerates heat well.

“Baby’s Breath”EuphorbiasEuphorbia hypericifolia (syn. Chamaesyce hypericifolia)

These Euphorbias are very finetextured, rambling annuals thatpresent the appearance of acloud of white in the landscape.Very well suited for the hotTexas summers, these unusualplants perform well as edging,ground cover, and mixed con-tainer plants. Several varietiesperformed well in the TexasSuperstar® trials, inlcuding“White Manaus”, “BreathlessWhite”, “Silver Fog” and “HipHop” and thus are all recommended.

Exposure: Full sun. Height: 12 to 18 inchesPlant type: annualPlanting time: springSuggested uses: edging, groundcover, and mixed containerplantsSpecial notes: Very useful forblending other flowering plantstogether in either mixed bordersor mixed container plantings.Flower heavily through the summer and till frost.

Texas BluebonnetLupinus texensis

USDAZone7

The Texas state flower is ahardy winter annual native toTexas. This species is the mostcommonly seen variety alongroadsides and in pasturesthroughout the state. Flowers aredensely arranged on a spikewith a characteristic ice whiteterminal tip.

Exposure: full sun Height: 12-24 inches Plant type: annual Planting time: fallSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: flower beds,meadows and hillsidesSpecial notes: The Texas blue-bonnet, which blooms betweenMarch and May, has a blueflowering stalk tipped withwhite (like a bunny’s tail). Thesehearty plants rarely suffer frominsect and disease problems,however a well- balanced fertil-izer applied in the fall will helpwith flower production.

A N N U A L P L A N T S

Lady Bird Johnson RoyalBlue BluebonnetLupinus texensis ‘Lady Bird Johnson Royal Blue’

USDAZone7

A selection of the Texas stateflower with a distinct royal(cobalt) blue color named inhonor of former first Lady, Lady Bird Johnson; flowers aredensely arranged on a spikewith a characteristic ice whiteterminal tip.

Exposure: full sun is essentialfor optimum bloomHeight: 12 to 14 inchesPlant type: annualPlanting time: sow scarifiedseed in the fall; if one misses the planting window, transplantscan be set out in late winter. Soil type: numerous, but mustbe well drained.Suggested uses: accent beds,meadows and hillsides as wellas containers.Special notes: The distinctcobalt color sets this bluebonnetapart from the TexasBluebonnet. It is a vigorousplant and will do best if spaced12 inches apart. It tends to produce more seed than otherbluebonnets so it should easilynaturalize in an area given proper care.

Texas MaroonBluebonnetLupinus texensis,‘TexasMaroon’ ,‘Alamo Fire’

USDAZone7

A selection of the Texas stateflower is a hardy winter annu-al native to Texas. Flowers aredensely arranged on a spikewith a characteristic ice whiteterminal tip.

Exposure: full sun Height: 12-14 inches Plant type: annual Planting time: fallSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: bedding, window boxes, patio containersand hanging basketsSpecial notes: Texas maroonbluebonnets have a spreadinggrowth habit and reddish-maroon flowers with a charac-teristic white terminal tip. It isrecommended they are spaced12 inches apart when transplant-ing or seeding.

Dakota Gold HeleniumHelenium amarum Dakota Gold

Helenium is a native Texaswildflower that now hasimproved cultivars for gardenuse. Plants are Texas tough, continuing to grow and flowerwith little or no irrigation onceestablished. Young plants aresmall flattened rosettes offoliage in the spring (or evenlate winter in southern locations)that develop strong tap roots. By mid- to late spring a canopyof thready dark green foliagedevelops and 1" diameter brightyellow composite flowers beginto appear. Flowering continuesthrough autumn. The cultivar‘Dakota Gold’ grows typicallyas low cushions of foliagetopped with bright yellow flow-ers. Plants can be grown onmost any well drained soil witha sunny exposure. Good for lowinput landscapes where irriga-tion water is limited.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 6 to 8 inchesPlant Type: reseeding annualPlanting Time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: well drained slightlyacidic soil is best, but it adaptsto alkaline clay soils as long asdrainage is adequateSuggested uses: accent, borderSpecial notes: PVP 200600009issued June 22, 2010.

Globe AmaranthGomphrena globosa

Globe amaranth (known bysome as bachelor’s buttons) areversatile, often overlooked sum-mer annuals that thrive in theTexas heat. Varieties range insize from 8 inches to 48 inches,and vary in color from whites,to pinks, to lavendars, to dark,rich purples. Many named vari-ety series were tested and foundto be true Texas Superstars®including the All Around, LasVegas, QIS, and Audray seriesand Fireworks.

Exposure: Full sun Height: 1 - 4 feet and about aswide depending on variety Plant Type: heat-loving, sum-mer annual Planting Time: early summerafter nights have become warm. Soil Type: well-drained; toler-ates wide range of soil types Suggested use: mass plantings,combination plantings withother summer annuals such assalvia and Mexican mintmarigold, and also make nicecut flowers for beautifying theindoors.

Ask a certified nursery professional at your local nursery for Texas Superstars and support local Texas producers.


Cool Season EuphorbiasEuphorbia martinii, E. characias subsp. wulfenii, E.amygdaloides

USDAZone6

These cold and drought tolerantwinter annuals provide moundsof color in the landscape fromfall to spring in all parts ofTexas. They are not fond ofsummer heat, but may behave asperennials in western Texas. Fora tight mounding plant of bluishgreen foliage, select ‘Tiny Tim’.For variegated foliage, try‘Ascot Rainbow’. For more of ared or dark maroon color, try‘Blackbird’. ‘Rudolph’ has darkgreen foliage with red accents.‘Tasmanian Tiger’ or ‘GlacierBlue’ is notable for excellentcream and green variegatedfoliage. All are recommended.

Exposure: Full sun to partialshadeHeight: 1 to 2 feet Plant type: cool season annualPlanting time: late summer and fallSoil type: best in potting soil incontainers, but will perform inground beds if soil is very welldrainedSuggested uses: best use is inmixed containers, but also inwell drained landscape beds orrock gardensSpecial Notes: Very pest anddisease resistant. They are hardyto zone 6 and hardy in contain-ers unless the temperature dropsbelow 15F. The most heat toler-ant are ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and‘Tiny Tim’.

Rio Series MandevillaMandevilla syn. Dipladenia

The Rio series mandevillas sportglossy foliage and broad, showy,trumpet-shaped flowers thatcome in pink, hot pink, anddeep red. These mandevillasgrow upright with little twining.These compact plants grow bestin patio containers, and can begrown alone or mixed withother annuals wherever a splashof color is needed. They toleratesummer heat, but would benefitfrom some afternoon shade.

Exposure: full sun for part day;likes afternoon shade Height: 1 - 2 feet and about as wide Plant Type: treat as a summerannual in most of Texas; peren-nial in south Texas Planting Time: spring or earlysummer Soil Type: well drained contain-er mix, or in soil bed with highorganic matter and gooddrainage Suggested use: accent plant incontainer on patio Special notes: Excellent plantaround pools or wherever a col-orful, tropic effect is needed.

Mari-mumTagetes erecta

There are several different varieties of African-type (large-flowered) marigolds such as theAntigua, Discover, or Taishanseries which can be used to produce the Mari-mum effect.The Mari-mum type marigoldsbloom two to three times longerthan chrysanthemums and arevery low maintenance.

Exposure: full sun Height: 8-16 inches Plant type: annualPlanting time: transplant in latesummer using plants with onlytight flower buds showing –preferably no open flowersSoil type: well-drained soil withorganic matterSuggested uses: Mari- mumshave such visual impact thatthey’re a wonderful choice formass planting along the frontedge of a flower bed, walk-ways or garden paths. Mari-mums also do extremely well in containers.Special notes: Applying1-2 pounds of a slow releaselawn fertilizer per 100 squarefeet of bed area will enhanceblooming.

LarkspurConsolida ambigua

USDAZone7

This reseeding annual has abackward-projecting spur,formed by the upper petal of theflower. The long spikes or pani-cles of flowers come in both sin-gle and double forms. Colorsrange from various shades ofblue or purple- blue to pink andwhite. The soft, lacy foliagemakes a great backdropfor the showy flower spikes.

Exposure: full sun for bestbloom but will tolerate partialshadeHeight: 36 inchesPlant type: reseeding annualPlanting time: fallSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: in bedding,window boxes, cut flowers anddried flowersSpecial notes: The RocketLarkspur performs best in hardiness zone 7, spaced 10-12inches apart. Disease or pestproblems are minimal if plantsare grown in well-drained soils.

Tidal Wave Silver andCherry Petunia Petunia x hybrida

These petunias represent twocolors from the Tidal Waveseries of petunia. They are moreheat, disease and cold tolerantthan typical grandiflora typepetunias. The vigor of theseplants ensures a plentiful flowersupply during the summer andinto the fall.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 18-20 inches but canspread 4 feetPlant type: annualPlanting time: spring and summer, can be planted inOctober/November for late-winter and early-spring floweringSoil type: adaptable to different soil types as long aswell-drainedSuggested uses: bedding,ground cover, large containersSpecial notes: Flowers are more vibrant if drip irrigation is used. Drought tolerant, butbenefits from regular wateringand regular fertilization. If trimming is desired in mid tolate summer, the plants can belightly trimmed about 20 percent (a string trimmer works well). Water and lightly fertilize after trimming to stimulate growth and flowering.

Laura Bush PetuniaPetunia x ‘Laura Bush’

This is an old-fashioned reseed-ing petunia. It is more cold tol-erant, disease resistant and heattolerant than modern hybrids.

Exposure: full sun Height: 24 inches Plant type: annual Planting time: springand summerSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: bedding, window boxes, patio containersand hanging basketsSpecial notes: The Laura Bushpetunia performs best in hardi-ness zone 7. It has a spreadinggrowth habit with medium-sizeviolet flowers. It grows bestwhen transplanted 36 inchesapart. This Texas Superstarblooms from spring until frost.Between bloom cycles, pruneback by 20 percent and lightlyfertilize.


Vinca Cora SeriesCatharanthus roseus

Cora and Nirvana vinca (com-monly referred to as periwinkle)are the first varieties of thisspecies to be resistant to theAerial Phytophthora fungus, a devastating disease thatuntil now limited the use of thisspecies in Texas landscapes. In addition, they are heat andhumidity tolerant and deerresistant. They are available in a wide array of colors witheither upright or trailing habitsand flower throughout the sum-mer with some of the largestflowers in the genus.

Exposure: full sun, but will tolerate semi-shadeHeight: 14-18 inches Plant type: annual Planting time: late springto summerSoil type: adaptable to mostsoilsSuggested uses: bedding, containers, hanging baskets(trailing types), window boxesSpecial notes: The best time toplant vinca is after the soil hasthoroughly warmed in latespring or early summer. It does best in hot weather. It isdrought tolerant, but does bestwith good soil drainage and regular water and fertilization at moderate levels.

Fall ZinniasZinnia marylandica, Zinnia

hybrida, and Zinnia elegans

The Profusion and Zahara seriesof zinnia produce disease resist-ant mounds of color that lastuntil frost when planted in latesummer. The more traditionalflowers of the Dreamland andMagellan series can also beenjoyed at this time of yearwhile avoiding the diseaseissues that can show up in thespring. All have vibrant colorswith the cool nights of fall onsturdy compact plants.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 12-18 inchesPlant type: annualPlanting time: late summer toearly fallSoil type: Adaptable to soil typeif well drained and a variety ofpotting mixesSuggested uses: mixed borders,mass bed displays, and containersSpecial notes: Very heat tolerant. Do not overwater.

Butterfly Deep PinkPentasPentas lanceolata

Highly heat, soil, and pest tolerant, this very low mainte-nance tropical annual provides a profusion of bright pinkblooms spring through late fall.Excellent for mass plantings and containers where it attractsbutterflies and hummingbirds.

Exposure: Full sun to partialshadeHeight: 24 inches tall, 24 inches widePlant type: annualPlanting time: springSoil type: adaptable to mostsoils as long as well drainedSuggested uses: mass bedding,mixed borders, and mixed containers Special notes: Benefits frommulching and regular summerirrigation.

‘Princess Caroline’Napier GrassPennisetum hybrid

USDAZone7

‘Princess Caroline’ has beautiful wide leaves that are a deep purple in color whichreflex gracefully on a vaseshaped plant. It does not flowerand is resistant to leaf spot thatcan be seen on older varieties.It is very heat and drought tolerant and is perennial in most of the state.

Exposure: full sunHeight: grows from 4 to 6 feettall depending on amount ofwatering and length of thegrowing seasonPlant type: perennial in most of the statePlanting time: springSoil type: almost any welldrained soilSuggested uses: specimenplant, accent plant in mixed borders or quick growing screenSpecial notes: Plants freeze tothe ground, but make rapidgrowth in the spring to make astrong statement in the land-scape. Hardy in north Texas iftemperatures are mild and it isgrown in a protected location.Very little fertilizer is needed toget this plant to perform.Nitrogen fertilizer will cause theleaves to green up and lose thestriking purple foliage that is ahallmark of this great plant.

Texas Gold ColumbineAquilegia chrysantha var.

hinckleyana ‘Texas Gold’

USDAZone6

This cool season perennial hasbright yellow, lightly fragrantspring flowers atop its longstems. Its gray-green foliage isever- green in warmer climates.

Exposure: filtered shade in thesummer and full sun in the winter and spring, such as ound under the canopy of adeciduous treeHeight: 18-24 inchesPlant type: cool season perennialPlanting time: spring Soil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: gardenaccent, specimen, hummingbirdgarden and container gardenSpecial notes: The Texas Goldcolumbine has an open clump-ing habit and grows as wide as24 inches. It works best in a full sun environment with medium water.


A N N U A L P L A N T S P E R E N N I A L

Lord Baltimore Perennial HibiscusHibiscus x ‘Lord Baltimore’ USDAZone5

This perennial has glossy foliage and large red flowers up to 10 inches wide.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 5 feetPlant type: perennial Planting time: spring Soil type: prefers neutral to acid soilsSuggested uses: perennial border, butterfly and hummingbird gardensSpecial notes: The LordBaltimore performs best in hardiness zone 5. It has attrac-tive foliage, provides stunningcolor, loves the heat andrequires very little maintenance.It also has excellent pest anddisease resistance, and worksbest with medium amounts of water.

Pink Flare andPeppermint FlareHibiscusHibiscus x ‘Pink Flare’ and

‘Peppermint Flare’USDAZone5

Part of the Flare Series, theseshowy perennials have largeglowing fuchsia flowers. Theoffspring have the same superiortraits as the original but theircolors are pink and peppermint(white with red stripes). Theirmaple-like emerald-greenfoliage is very attractive oncompact plants that are practi-cally sterile, which encouragescontinuous bloom.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 3-5 feetPlant type: herbaceous perennialPlanting time: springSoil type: any soil type, including high pH claysSuggested uses: perennial border, butterfly and humming-bird gardens, containersSpecial notes: Great grown ascomplements with Flare, MoyGrande and Lord Baltimorehibiscuses with an expandedcolor range. Peppermint Flareoffers an unusually striking two-tone flower.

Moy Grande PerennialHibiscus Hibiscus x ‘Moy Grande’USDAZone5

The giant-flowered rose mallowhas the largest flowers of anyhardy perennial. These aredescendants of the native hibis-cus found in Louisiana andother Gulf Coast states. YingDoon Moy cross-bred aHibiscus moscheutos hybridwith Hibiscus grandiflorus tocreate the largest, open-facehibiscus flower in the world.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 5 feetPlant type: perennialPlanting time: springSoil type: well-drained soil containing plenty of organicmatter and nutrientsSuggested uses: perennial border, butterfly and hummingbird gardensSpecial notes: Moy Grande will grow up to 5-feet wide and bloom between May andSeptember. Removing spentflowers and developing seedpods will promote rebloom.Flowers are usually 12 incheswide and have a rose-pink color.Moy Grande hibiscus will per-form best in hardiness zone 5.

Flare Perennial HibiscusHibiscus x ‘Flare’USDAZone5

This herbaceous perennial hasapple-green foliage and large iridescent fuchsia-red flowers up to 10 inches wide.

Exposure: full sun Height: 3-4 feetPlant type: perennialPlanting time: springSoil type: any soil type, including high alkaline claysSuggested uses: perennial bor-der, butterfly and hummingbirdgardens and containersSpecial notes: The Flare hibiscus performs best in hardiness zone 5. It produceslarge leaves and is a profusebloomer with a mounding habit. It is also self-sterile,which encourages re-bloom.The Flare hibiscus will bloomfrom summer through the first frost.

New Gold LantanaLantana camera ‘New Gold’USDAZone8b

The New Gold Lantana is a low maintenance plant withgolden yellow flowers. It isdrought and heat tolerant, and its reduced fruit set promotesprolific blooming from springuntil frost.

Exposure: full sun Height: 12-24 inches Plant type: small spreadingwoody shrub, herbaceous perennial or annual dependingon the locationPlanting time: spring to sum-mer from containersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alka-line with moderate drainageSuggested uses: accent, bedding, bank cover or patiocontainersSpecial notes: When well established, the plants are verydrought tolerant and continue to produce bright and attractiveblooms in the hottest of weather. Whiteflies can sometimes be a pest. This annual also needs periodicrenewal pruning to remove old dead wood.

P E R E N N I A L P L A N T S

Dwarf Mexican PetuniaRuellia brittoniana(various dwarf cultivars)USDAZone8

Under proper growing condi-tions, dwarf Mexican petuniastend to reseed and produce tallupright clumping, dark greenplants with lance-shaped leavesand bright, tubular flowers whenin full bloom during the hottestpart of the summer.

Exposure: full sun to partialshadeHeight: 6-8 inchesPlant type: herbaceous perennial or annual dependingon the locationPlanting time: spring to summer from containersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alkaline with moderate drainageSuggested uses: accent, smallscale groundcover, perennialborders, edging or mixed plantingsSpecial notes: Dwarf Mexicanpetunias are very adaptable andwill tolerate both wet and drysoils. They prefer full sun, butwill grow in shade though flowering will be less. Althoughdwarf Mexican petunias aredrought tolerant once estab-lished, they perform best withregular irrigation duringdroughts and with regular feeding of high phosphorus fertilizers.

John Fanick PerennialPhlox Phlox paniculata,‘John Fanick’USDAZone4

Masses of fragrant, light pinkflowers sporting a dark pink eye in the summer highlight this heat and drought resistantperennial. It blooms severalweeks later than Victoria phloxand does not lodge as easily asVictoria. It is more diseaseresistant as well.

Exposure: full sun for bestbloom but will tolerate partial shadeHeight: 24-36 inches Plant type: perennial Planting time: spring Soil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: specimen andbackground in perennial gardensand as a cut flowerSpecial notes: The JohnFanick perennial phloxhas attractive evergreen foliagewith a compact growth habit.This Texas Superstar toleratesheat, drought and powderymildew, but avoid overhead irrigation with salty water.Plants should be spaced between 24 and 36 inches apart.Cut back in late summer for fall blooms.

Turk’s CapMalvaviscus arboreus var.drummondii USDAZone7b

A rapidly growing, coarse textured plant that produces aprofusion of “turban-like” flowers in various colors rang-ing from bright red to pink towhite. Flowers are produced allsummer, but heavily in the falland attract hummingbirds andbutterflies. Turk’s cap is nativeto south Texas, where itbecomes an established perennial, but in north Texas isshould be used as an annual.Turk’s Cap is very drought tol-erant once established. The cul-tivar “Pam Puryear” has softpink flowers and 'Fiesta' is avariegated form with yellow and white splotched leaves.

Exposure: Sun or shade; flowers heavier in sun, but thefoliage is more attractive withsome shade. Height: 3 to 6 feet with aboutequal spreadPlant type: perennialPlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adaptable to mostsoilsSuggested uses: accent, perennial border, butterfly andhummingbird gardens, and as adeciduous hedgeSpecial notes: Root-hardyperennial in most of Texasincluding to zone 7b.

Victoria PerennialPhloxPhlox paniculata ‘Victoria’USDAZone4

This heat and drought resistantperennial sports masses of purplish-pink (magenta) flowersin the summer and in the fall(if cut back after summer bloom occurs).

Exposure: full sun for bestbloom but will tolerate partialshadeHeight: 24-36 inches Plant type: perennial Planting time: springSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: specimen and background in perennialgardensSpecial notes: The Victoriaperennial phlox has an attractiveevergreen foliage with a com-pact growth habit. It is a hardyperennial with showy clusters of magenta pink blossoms. Italso has lighter green foliageand a more open growth habitthan the John Fanick. This Texas Superstar tolerates heat,drought and powdery mildew,but avoid overhead irrigationwith salty water. Plants shouldbe spaced between 24 and 36inches apart. The ideal hardiness zone is 4.


Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis USDAZone8b

Beautiful trailing or spreadingperennial with a profusion oflavender, purple or white flow-ers that bloom consistently fromspring through frost and attractbutterflies. Outstanding heat,wind & drought tolerance.

Exposure: Full sunHeight: 1 foot tall, 4 feet widePlant type: perennialPlanting time: spring to summer from containersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alka-line with moderate drainageSuggested uses: mass bedding,ground or bank cover, and as aspiller over the edge of bedsabove garden walls or in containersSpecial Notes: Hardy to zone8b and resistant to lantana lacebug.


Henry Duelberg SalviaSalvia farinaceaUSDAZone7

Henry Duelberg is a low- maintenance; heat-tolerant,Texas native plant that pro-duces masses of showy blueflowers from spring untilthe first frost.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 3 feet; width 3 feetPlant type: perennialSoil type: adapts to most soilsSuggested uses: bedding, containers, xeriscape, perennialborder, cut flowerSpecial notes: Shearing fre-quently between bloom cycleswill promote bloom develop-ment. Henry Duelberg is notpreferred by deer.

Mystic Spires Blue SalviaSalvia longispicata xfarinacea ‘Mystic Spires Blue’USDAZone7

Mystic Spires Blue Salvia is acompact form of another popu-lar salvia called Indigo Spires.Though shorter than IndigoSpires, it flowers even morefreely during the entire growingseason. It produces masses oftrue blue flowers that mix nicelywith other annuals and perenni-als, is tolerant of heat andhumidity (low and high)and is not bothered by pests, diseases or deer!

Exposure: full sun Height: 18-30 inches Plant type: perennial Plantingtime: spring to summer fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soils,but needs good drainageSuggested uses: bedding, containers, perennial border, cut flowerSpecial notes: Mystic SpiresBlue Salvia is hardy to zone 7with good drainage. Excesswater and fertilizer can result inexcessive vegetative growth andlack of flowers. If needed, plantscan be pruned during the grow-ing season as reflowering occursquickly. Shoots can be pruned to12 inches or more in the fallafter being killed by freezing,but refrain from pruning to theground until growth is strong in the spring.

Mexican Bush SageSalvia leucantha USDAZone8

A tough, drought tolerant, highly pest resistant salvia with showy spikes of purple and white, or solid purple, blossoms that appear in the fall. Also good as a cut flower.

Exposure: Full sunHeight: 3 to 4 feet tall, 3 feet widePlant type: perennialPlanting time: spring or summer from containersSoil type: adaptable, but needsexcellent drainageSuggested uses: accent, bedding, perennial bordersSpecial notes: Perennial insouthern half of state to zone 8 with good drainage. Stemsbrittle - protect from high winds.

Blue Princess VerbenaVerbena x hybrida

‘Blue Princess’USDAZone7b

This butterfly-attracting, easycare perennial has masses ofbeautiful, lavender blue flowers.

Exposure: full sun Height: 12 inches Plant type: perennial Planting time: springSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: bedding plant,containers, baskets, perennialborder, butterfly and humming-bird gardensSpecial notes: The BluePrincess verbena blooms earlyspring through late fall. Shearbetween bloom cycles to promote new blooms. RosePrincess is also available. Both are available as virusindexed plants.

Cape Plumbago Plumbago auriculataUSDAZone8b

Cape Plumbago produces profuse blue flowers and thrivesin the hot Texas summer. It issometimes called “sky flower”because of the sky-blue color of its flowers. It produces from May until the first frost.

Exposure: full sun; partial sunHeight: 4 feet tall, up to5 feet widePlant type: perennialPlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alka-line with moderate drainageSuggested uses: container oraccent plant Special notes: Dried flowersshould be pruned from thePlumbago to encourage re-blooming and to maintaindesired plant shape. It is excellent for attracting butter-flies. It can handle hot, humidsummers and is reason- ablydrought tolerant. Imperial Blue is a variety that holds its color well.


Gold Star EsperanzaTecoma stans ‘Gold Star’USDAZone9

This heat-loving, semi-ever-green shrub has golden-yellowbell-shaped flowers late springthrough fall.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 4 feetPlant type: root hardy perennialPlanting time: springSoil type: well-drained soilSuggested uses: containers,flower beds, butterfly and hummingbird gardensSpecial notes: Gold Star esperanza is recommended forhardiness zone 9. It has attrac-tive glossy foliage and grows up to 3-feet wide. Gold Staresperanza requires mediumamounts of water. Water weeklyin lieu of one inch of rain.Immediately remove the fruit(beans) after flowering to pro-mote rebloom. Make sure you have Gold Star and not atecoma grown from seed.

FirebushHamelia patensUSDAZone9

Firebush offers real hope toheat-hammered summer land-scapes. Once established, firebush is very heat anddrought tolerant. Firebush is anevergreen shrub or small treenative to many areas in tropicaland subtropical America.

Exposure: full sun Height: 18-30 inches Plant type: annual fromCentral Texas northward,perennial in South TexasPlanting time: set trans-plants from mid-May throughsummer months and space one foot apartSoil type: almost any well-drained soil, even highly alkaline, heavy claysSuggested uses: mass plantingswith white blooming annuals,containers and hummingbirdgardensSpecial notes: The firebushblooms between June andNovember with terminal clustersof scarlet red, tubular blossomswith deeper red throats. Itsfoliage turns to a bloodred color in the fall. Firebushdoes not usually show signs ofinsect or disease damage whengrown outdoors in a full sunlocation.

DurantaDuranta erectaUSDAZone9

Brazilian Sky Flower is a rapid-growing, dense shrub with small glossy leaves and aprofusion of pendulous racemesof small flowers with colors varying from light blue to purple.

Exposure: sun or shade;flowers heavier in sunHeight: 12-15 feet in southTexas depending on pruningPlant type: root-hardy perennialin South Texas, but annual ortender perennial in most of the statePlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soilsSuggested uses: can be used asa container plant or an accentplant in a landscapeSpecial notes: Some selec-tions fruit heavily and the plant becomes covered withsmall, golden ball-like drupes.Must be treated as an annual-root hardy perennial in mostparts of Texas, but will beperennial in South Texas.Brazilian Sky Flower bloomsbest from summer until the

Compact Spicy JatrophaJatropha integerrimaUSDAZone9

This subtropical evergreen shrub has glossy leaves andclusters of star-shaped brightscarlet or vermilion flowers.Jatropha is a spectacular shrubin bloom, which is most of theyear in warmer portions of thestate, and spring to frost in colder locations.

Exposure: best floweringis in full sun, but plants willremain attractive in partial shadeHeight: in tropical climatesplants may grow 8-10 feet tall,but as patio plants or summerannuals they are usually 3-5 feet tall.Plant type: summer annualwhere winters are cold, woodyshrub along the coast and insouth TexasPlanting time: spring after danger of frost is pastSoil type: adapted to most well-drained garden soils andcan be grown in a variety of potting mixesSuggested uses: use as a summer accent where frosts are frequent or in a mixed shrub border where winters arewarm. Use as a container plantto attract butterflies and hummingbirds.Special notes: Fruit are reported to be poisonous, butappear to be seldom produced in most Texas regions.


Pride-of-BarbadosCaesalpinia pulcherrimaUSDAZone8b

Pride of Barbados is an ever-green shrub or small tree infrost-free climates, a deciduousshrub in zone 9, a returningperennial in zone 8 and an annual in North and West Texas. Pride-of-Barbados dies to the ground following frost or freezing temperatures, but in zone 8b (South CentralTexas) it comes back reliable in middle spring. Pride-of-Barbados has incredibly showyblossoms of orange and red. The striking orange-red flowersare an attention grabber!

Exposure: full sun Height: 8-12 feet Plant type: summerannual, perennial, or woodyshrub depending upon the severity of winter temperaturesPlanting time: spring to earlysummerSoil type: very easy to grow in alkaline to acidic, well-drained soilsSuggested uses: use as a specimen or in a mixed shrub borderSpecial notes: Plants toleratevery high temperatures anddrought, but do not toleratepoorly drained soils. Pride-of-Barbados is best grown in raised beds in humid climates.

P E R - A N N U A L P L A N T S

Belinda’s Dream RoseRosa x ‘Belinda’s Dream’USDAZone7

A cross between ‘Tiffany’ and ‘Jersey Beauty,’ this fastgrowing shrub is upright andsturdy and has bluish-greenfoliage. Its blossom is a cleanpink, double and high-cen-tered rose in the classic hybrid tea style and has a rich fragrance. Blooms occurin abundance all through thewarm months, especially ifspent blooms are removedimmediately.

Exposure: full sun for bestbloomHeight: 5 feetPlant type: shrub rosePlanting time: fall and springSoil type: well-drained soil isbest but will grow in highalkaline clay soilsSuggested uses: shrub border,cut flowers, dried flowers forpotpourriSpecial notes: Belinda’sDream performs best in hardiness zones 7-9. It has abush habit and can be as wide as 4 feet. Needs day-long full sun and good airmovement over the leaves.Drip irrigation or a soakerhose is recommended.The plant is occasionallyattacked by black spot duringthe cool season but is usuallyvigorous enough to overcomethe disease.

Grandma’s Yellow RoseRosa ‘Nacogdoches’USDAZone6

Grandma’s Yellow Rose isdeep yellow with 17 to 25petals and repeatedly bloomsfrom spring until the first hardfrost. Its new leaves have ashade of bronze, then turn darkgreen. Flowers have a light andspicy fragrance. It is a repeatbloomer from spring until frostand is quite disease resistant. It is cold hardy to zone 6.

Exposure: full sun for at leastsix hours per dayHeight: 4-5 feetPlant type: shrub rosewith a floribunda type habitPlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: well-drained slightlyacidic soil is best, but it adaptsto alkaline clay soils as long asdrainage is adequateSuggested uses: accent, shrubborder with perennials, lowhedges, cut flowersSpecial notes: Can be attackedby black spot during wet periods, mainly in the springand fall. A few fungicide appli-cations in the spring or duringlong wet periods will control the disease. Plants tolerate the disease well by readily producing new growth afterdefoliation

Lynn’s Legacy CenizoLeucophyllum langmaniaeUSDAZone8

Lynn’s Legacy (also known asLowery’s Legacy) was select-ed for its profuse and frequentflower displays. Its sage-greenfoliage is a wonderful backdropfor the lavender flowers.Compared to most selectionsof Texas sage, it is not asdependent on changes in relative humidity for floweringand can bloom more often during the course of the sum-mer than other selections.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 5 feetPlant type: woody shrubPlanting Time: anytime from containersSoil type: tolerant of most soils as long as they are welldrained and not soggySuggested uses: general- purpose shrub where a touch of silvery foliage is desired;other uses include as a founda-tion shrub, in island plantings,xeriscapes or in mixed boarders; with appropriate substrate, it can be used in containers on sunny patiosSpecial notes: Multiple flower-ing flushes frequently occur during a growing season; avoidover-watering.

Thyrallis or Shower-of-Gold Galphimia glauca

Galphimia gracilisUSDAZone8b

As the name implies, Shower-of-Gold offers season-longspikes of bright, yellow flowers; flowers are mostly held at or above the dark-greento blue-green foliage; with periodic pruning, plants develop a dense handsomecanopy with enough flowers todraw the eye from a distance.

Exposure: full sun to very light shadeHeight: 3-5 feetPlant type: woody shrub (South Texas) or summer annual (North Texas)Planting time: anytime fromcontainers as a shrub, spring as a summer annualSoil type: tolerant of most soils as long as they are welldrained Suggested uses: general- purpose evergreen shrub inwarmer portions of Texas; tolerates summer heat as a patio container; nice back-ground for perennial or annualborders in South Texas.Special notes: This plantblooms whenever temperaturespermit; annual pruning willmaintain a denser habit andplants work well when prunedback as a sub-shrub or herba-ceous perennial.

W O O D Y S H R U B S

Variegated TapiocaManihot esculentaUSDAZone11

Variegated Tapioca is a tropicalplant grown as an annual in allbut southern-most Texas. Thevariegated leaves form a char-treuse/yellow pattern. It is anon- blooming plant that offersa tropical flare to summer landscapes.

Exposure: full sun; partial sun,however plants are most color-ful when grown in full sunHeight: 4 feet tall, up to5 feet widePlant type: annual in all butsouthernmost TexasPlanting time: spring after last frostSoil type: requires a well-drained soil or container pottingmix and will tolerate a widerange of pHSuggested uses: container oraccent plantSpecial notes: Variegated tapioca is a heat lover and doesnot grow vigorously until thenight temperatures are consistently above 60° F. It will exhibit chilling injury when night temperatures dip below 50° F. Keep the growing medium moist, andmulch if planted in the soil.Plants will grow just as well in alkaline soil as they will inacidic soils. They are somewhat tolerant to foliar salt exposure in the CoastalBend area.

Knockout™ RoseRosa ‘Radrazz’USDAZone4

The Knockout™ Rose producesfluorescent, cherry-red bloomsthat begin in spring and continueto provide color until the firstfrost.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 3-4 feet, but can growup to 5-feet high and5-feet wide when maturePlant type: shrub rosePlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alka-line with reasonable drainageSuggested uses: accent, shrubborder, rose garden or lowhedgesSpecial notes: TheKnockout Rose grows wellin planting zones 4 through9 and is highly tolerant of blackspot, powdery mildew andaphids. It is also cold- hardythroughout the state, will growin a wide range of soils (evenhighly alkaline clays) and isvery heat and drought tolerantonce established. The doubleform is more compact and hasmore color impact.

Possum Haw Deciduous Holly Ilex deciduaUSDAZone5

This outstanding small nativetree requires very low mainte-nance. It will drop its leaves in fall to reveal showy red ororange berries (on femaleplants) that remain throughoutthe winter. Possum Hawattracts songbirds and is heatand drought tolerant.

Exposure: full sun to partialshadeHeight: 10-15 feetPlant type: large deciduouswoody shrub or small treePlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soils from acidic to slightlyalkalineSuggested uses: accent, shrubborder, fall to winter speci-men, limbed up as a smallornamental tree or patio treeSpecial notes: Plant femaleclones for fruit effects, however a male pollinatormust be in the area. Possumhaw tolerates seasonal poorlydrained soils.

Shantung MapleAcer truncatumUSDAZone6

This beautiful maple has aspreading canopy with attractive foliage that turns spectacular red or red-orange in late fall. It is reminiscent of Japanese maple but muchtougher.

Exposure: full sun to partialshadeHeight: 25 feetPlant type: ornamental deciduous treePlanting time: fall and springSoil type: various soil types and tolerates alkaline soilsSuggested uses: shade tree forsmall yardsSpecial notes: Shantung maples tolerate heat, howeverthey are not adapted to WestTexas, and the trunk must bewrapped the first three years to prevent sunscald. Performs best in hardiness zone 6.

Texas Lilac VitexVitex agnus-castusUSDAZone7

The Texas Lilac Vitex is asmall-flowering tree and grows best when planted in full sun and in a location thatdrains well.

Exposure: full sun Height: 10-15 feet Plant type: large deciduouswoody shrub or small treePlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom acidic to moderately alka-line with moderate drainageSuggested uses: accent, shrubborder, seasonal screen orlimbed up as a small ornamental treeSpecial notes: Texas Lilac Vitexneeds periodic renewal pruningto remove old dead wood.It prospers in hot and dry envi-ronments. It is also a spectacularbutterfly-attracting plant. Thethree cultivars of Texas Lilacavailable are Le Compte, ShoalCreek and Montrose Purplewhich all have exceptionallylong flower spikes. Also avail-able in pink and white. Avoiduse in areas where it becomesweedy.

Marie Daly Rose Rosa x polyantha ‘Marie Daly’USDAZone5

This easy care shrub rose hasfew thorns and lots of very fra-grant, double pink blooms. Itoffers successive flushes ofbloom from spring to frost.Developed for Texas, this roseoffers a new color of renownedantique rose ‘Marie Pavie’ andgood disease and alkaline soil tolerance.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 3 feetPlant type: shrub rosePlanting time: fall and springSoil type: well-drained soil isbest but will grow in high alka-line clay soilsSuggested uses: cut flowers,dried flowers for potpourri andlandscapesSpecial notes: Marie Daly Rose performs best in hardinesszone 5. It has a bush habit andcan be as wide as 3 feet. Needsdaylong full sun and good airmovement over the leaves. Drip irrigation or a soaker hoseis recommended.

T R E E S


Chinese PistachePistacia chinensisUSDAZone5

This is a long-lived shade treewith spectacular red, red-orangefall color. It has outstanding heatand drought tolerance and isextremely pest resistant.

Exposure: full sun Height: 40-50 feet Plant type: deciduous shadetreePlanting time: fall (Septemberthrough November) is bestSoil type: grows in any type ofsoil; try to avoid heavy claysthat hold waterSuggested uses: ideal size forshade for single- story homesSpecial notes: Develops anumbrella-like canopy and has awidth of 30 feet. Fruit set willonly occur on female treeswhich can result in undesireableseedlings. Choose male selec-tions when possible. Light butfrequent fertilizations are recom-mended. Once established, it hassuperior drought, heat and windtolerance but will not tolerateexcess or standing water. Theideal hardiness zone is 5.

Natchez Blackberry Rubus fruticosus ‘Natchez’USDAZone5

Natchez blackberry is a thornless cultivar out of theUniversity of Arkansas. It is atrailing plant that produces anabundance of large, elongatedfruit. The fruit is the largestproduced by a thornless culti-var. Fruit quality is firm andoutstanding and could be acommercial variety.

Exposure: full sun for maxi-mum production.Height: Canes are trailing andcan attain heights of six toeight feet. Some sort of trelliswill be in order to keep thecanes off the ground.Plant type: biennial; grow atop the first year, those canesfruit the next year and thenthey die. The plant sends upnew canes each growing sea-son for the next year’s crop.Planting time: Plant dormantroot cuttings in early winter orplants in early spring threefeet apart.Soil type: numerous as long aswell drained. Iron chlorosismay be an issue when soil pHis over 7.8.Suggested uses: Containerpatio plant or a fruit producingaccent bed in the landscape.Special notes: To maintainplant health and vigor, someof the fruit should be removedeach growing season. Toomuch fruit can cause subse-quent prima canes to be weakwith a poor crop the next year.

Chinkapin OakQuercus muehlenbergiiUSDAZone5

Chinkapin Oak is an attractivemedium to large shade tree suit-able for use in much of Texas.Its distinctive saw-tooth leaves,which resemble those of thechinquapin tree found in theeastern United States, are a richgreen, turning yellow to bronzein fall.

Exposure: full sun Height: 50-60 feet Plant type: large deciduous treePlanting time: anytime fromcontainersSoil type: adapts to most soilsfrom slightly acidic to moderate-ly alkaline with moderatedrainageSuggested uses: shade tree,street tree or park treeSpecial notes: It grows in thewild on well-drained bottomlandsoils and lime- stone hills nearwater, but it is adaptable to arange of soils and exposures. It is moderate- to fast-growingand develops an open roundedcrown as it ages. Chinkapin oakis heat and drought tolerant,which makes the species widelyadaptable throughout Texas.

Caricature PlantGraptophyllum pictumUSDAZone11

Caricature Plant is an excellentsummer annual for a wide rangeof light conditions from fullsun to dense shade. Several newcultivars on the market offerfoliage that varies from darkgreen or chocolate bronze withcreamy white centers to tri-color foliage with various combinations of green, white,cream and pink.

Exposure: full sun to denseshadeHeight: 2-4 feet as an annual, to 6-8 feet as a tropical shrubPlant type: summer annual (cold climates) or woody shrub(tropics)Planting time: anytime fromcontainers as a shrub, late springfor use as a summer annualSoil type: tolerant of most soilsas long as they remain moistduring the growing seasonSuggested uses: ideal for thosetransition beds from sunnycourtyards to the dense shade ofentryways; can also be used ininteriorscapes and containers.Special notes: Caricature Plantis very heat tolerant, but wiltsunder drought conditions; it iscold sensitive and can be dam-aged by temperatures muchbelow 55° F.

Lacey OakQuercus glaucoidesUSDAZone7

This beautiful small oak, nativeto the Texas Hill Country, has aspreading canopy with attractivebluish-green foliage. Lacey oaksare highly tolerant of heat,drought, alkaline soil and pests.They make wonderful shadetrees for smaller yards.

Exposure: full sunHeight: 25 feetPlant type: deciduous treePlanting time: fall and springSoil type: will survive in well-drained clay soils, but growsbest in well-drained limestonesoilsSuggested uses: Xeriscapes orlow water-use landscapes areperfect conditions for growingLacey oak. Works best as ashade tree in a small to mediumlandscape.Special notes: Best adapted tothe western two-thirds of thestate. Don’t water too frequently.

T R E E S

Moth OrchidPhalaenopsisUSDAZone11

The moth orchid is one of thebest orchids for growing in thehome. Clumped orchid plants in small pots are usually themost spectacular bloom producers.

Exposure: place near brightwindows with no direct sunHeight: 2 feetPlant type: sub-tropical indoorplantsPlanting time: pot in late springor early summer, after bloominghas completedSoil type: well-draining mix,such as fir bark, tree fern fiber,various types of stone, peatmoss or combinations; standardpotting mixes will kill themSuggested uses: interior plantsto add color to a home or officeSpecial notes: Keep the temperature above 60° F atnight and between 70° F and82° F during the day.Temperatures below 78° F forthree to five weeks with goodlight are needed for initiatingflower spikes. Thoroughly waterand then let stand and do notwater again until nearly dry.Apply a complete fertilizer on aregular schedule during theactive growing season to oneteaspoon per one gallon at eachwatering. Potting should bedone in late spring or early sum-mer after blooming is complete.

Satsuma MandarinCitrus reticulataUSDAZone9

Satsuma mandarin is one ofthe most cold tolerant citrusfor Texas. The tree has attrac-tive, evergreen foliage andproduces white flowers withan awesome fragrance. Thefruit is very sweet, juicy, easyto peel and is usually seedless.

Exposure: minimum of 8 to 10 hours of sun per dayHeight: 8 to 10 feet high and wide on a rootstock in the ground; three to four feetin a containerPlant type: evergreen citrustreePlanting time: early springafter danger of frost haspassedSoil type: adaptable if welldrained or a well-drained potting soilSuggested uses: accent plantfor the patio and containersSpecial notes: Performs best in hardiness zone 9. It willflower in early spring withfruit ripening in early to latefall. Containers should be atleast 20 gallon with gooddrainage. Incorporate a slowrelease fertilizer into the mixand water with a water solublefertilizer monthly. Containerscan be moved in when asevere freeze warning is pre-dicted. In ground plants mayneed some protection as well.

Orange Frost MandarinHybridCitrus reticulataUSDAZone8

Orange Frost Mandarin hybridis a cross between a very coldhardy Changsha tangerine and avery high quality Satsuma. Thefruit is very sweet, easy to peeland only has one or two seedsper fruit. More importantly thetree has more cold hardinessthan Satsuma and can be growna bit further north.

Exposure: minimum of 8 to 10hours of sun per dayHeight: Eight to ten feet highand wide in the ground; four tosix feet in containersPlant type: evergreen citrus treePlanting time: early spring afterthe danger of frost has passedSoil type: adaptable if welldrained or a well-drained potting soilSuggested uses: accent plant for backyard and potential patio containersSpecial notes: This TexasSuperstar® should expand theplanting zone for citrus in theground to as far north as zone 8. Some protection will berequired in the establishmentphase. Trees will be on theirown roots and will come backtrue if frozen back. The tree will also work well in contain-ers. Amend the mix with slowrelease fertilizer and water oncea month with a water solublefertilizer.

Miho Satsuma MandarinCitrus reticulataUSDAZone9

Miho Satsuma on its own rootsproduces a smaller tree that willcome back true to type if frozento the ground. Of all theSatsuma varieties Miho has per-formed the best. It produces anattractive evergreen tree withvery fragrant flowers in earlyspring. The fruit ripens in earlyfall and is very sweet, easy topeel and usually seedless.

Exposure: minimum of 8 to 10hours per dayHeight: five feet high and wide;a bit smaller in containersPlant type: evergreen citrus treePlanting time: early spring afterthe danger of frost has passedSoil type: adaptable if welldrained or a well-drained potting soilSuggested uses: accent plant for the patio and containers.Special notes: Performs best inhardiness zone 9. It will flowerin early spring with fruit ripen-ing in early to late fall. If using a container, at least a 20 gallonsize with good drainage is suggested. Incorporate a slowrelease fertilizer into the mixand water with a water solublefertilizer monthly. Containerscan be moved in when a severefreeze warning is predicted. Inground plants may need someprotection as well.

‘NuMex Twilight’Ornamental PepperCapsicum frutescens

‘NuMex Twilight’

A showy ornamental pepperthat matures is about 85 days.Plants produce good yields of¾" long by ½" wide hot, edible peppers. Peppers growupright in clusters, are veryhot, and turn from purple, toyellow, to orange, to red whenmature. The effect is veryshowy against the green stemsand leaves and white flowers.New growth, flowers and pep-pers are continually producedwhich keeps the plant showyall season long.

Exposure: Full sun Height: 2 feet by 2 feet widePlant type: annualPlanting time: from springthrough late summer fromcontainersSoil type: adaptable to goodsoil type with good drainageSuggested uses: bedding invegetable or flower gardensand in containersSpecial notes: Can be startedfrom seed in early spring andset out after all danger of frostis past. Excellent for mixingvegetables into ornamentalflower gardens.This ornamen-tal pepper is suitable for growing in pots or containers.

S P E C I A L T Y P L A N T S


Ask a certified nursery professional at your local nurseryfor Texas Superstars and support

local Texas producers.

Texas DawnNymphaea spp.USDAZone Variable

Texas Dawn received theInternational Water LilySociety’s 1990 AmericanAward. It can be expected toproduce seven to eight bloomsat a time by mid- summer. Texas Dawn produces richyellow flowers with outer petalsblushed pink, greenish yellowwith pink border sepal and deepyellow anthers. Flower size is 3- 8 inches with a lemony fragrance.

Exposure: full sunHeight: flowers grow 3 - 8inches above the surfaceof the waterPlant type: perennialPlanting time: spring- summerwhen water temperature is 70- 85° FSoil type: heavy claySuggested uses: ponds, cutflowers, dry flowersSpecial notes: Green top leavesspeckled purple with purpleundersides. Leaves are 8 incheswith a 3 - 5 foot spread. Eventhough Texas Dawn requires full sun, it is one of a few varieties that can bloom withthree hours of sun daily, increasing your landscapingoptions. Other well-adaptedwater lily varieties includeClyde Ikins, Colorado,Laydekeri Fulgens, PanamaPacific, Perry’s Double White,Red Flare and Star of Siam.

‘Purple Flash’Ornamental PepperCapsicum annuum ‘Purple Flash’

An exotic looking ornamentalpepper with leaves that arealmost black and overlayed withsplashes of dark purple andwhite. Fruit are small and sec-ondary to the foliage for display.

Exposure: full sun to partialshadeHeight: 12-15 inchesPlant type: annualPlanting time: springSoil type: will grow in mostwell drained soils and in avariety of potting mixesSuggested uses: a great veg-etable to mix in flower bor-ders, use in mass plantings, orin containersSpecial notes: Plants are heatand drought tolerant. Fruit areextremely hot to the taste.

Explanation of Symbols

USDA Hardiness ZonesThis designates the zone where a plant is typically considered coldhardy. Summer annuals do not have a hardiness designation, butwinter annuals do. Please see the maps on the back cover for akey to the hardiness zones. The maps were prepared by the U.S.Department of Agriculture and can be found on the web site.

Water UseThe number of raindrop symbols denotes the level of water

use that can be expected for a particular plant. Even the mostdrought tolerant plants need adequate moisture for initial estab-lishment.

= Low expected water use= Moderate expected water use= High expected water use

Texas Superstar® Deer-resistant plantsThe designated deer symbol indicates “deer resistant”. Deer

tend to avoid some plants and relish others. While no plant canbe guaranteed to be “deer-proof,” some types of plants are lessappealing to deer. Highly recommended by many gardeners is agood deer repellent to prevent deer damage for a 6 month timeframe after planting for plant establishment.

Texas Superstar® Videos

See the “Texas Superstars® Overview Video” athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUwk7zDONoE

See Tom Spencer, host of Central Texas Gardener on KLRU,interview Brent Pemberton, Chair of the Executive Board,about the Texas Superstar® Program athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QAcX5IstCI

See Texas Superstar® commercials produced by the TexasDepartment of Agriculture at:Texas Superstars® at Local Nurserieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byjEvb9DF-c Texas Superstars® TV Spot 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLYcpXN9x5Q Texas Superstars® TV Spot 2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR5Ps9Z_4iU Texas Superstars® TV Spot 3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drzipQBS9aw

Texas Superstars perform best at the hardinesszones indicated; however, Texas Superstars arewidely adapted across the state.

U S D A H A R D I N E S S Z O N E S

Due to the wide diversity in climatic conditions across the Stateof Texas, some perennial plants may be treated as annuals.

Contact your local Extension Agent for advice.

For more information:

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

Proving that Texas Superstars® are outstanding landscape plants specifically adapted to Texas

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension CenterP.O. Box 200

Overton, Texas 75684Telephone: (903) 834-6191Contact: Brent Pembertonwww.texassuperstar.com

TEXAS NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

A Texas trade association representing grower, retail, landscape and supplier segments of the nursery and

landscape industry

7730 South IH-35, Austin, Texas 78745Telephone: (512) 280-5182

Fax: (512) 280-3012www.tnlaonline.org

www.landscapetexas.org

Promoting and resourcing Texas-grown horticulture and other Texas agricultural products

P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711Telephone: (877) 99-GOTEX

For the hearing impaired: (800) 735-2989 (TTY)Fax: (888) 216-9872www.gotexan.org

®

Texas Superstars

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