Flower Bed Ideas for Texas

Native Flowers

• Most Texans have a sense of pride in their home state, and so the idea of an all-native flowerbed is not only appealing, but also full of possibility. The first flower on the list, of course, would have to be the bluebonnet, which is the Texas state flower. A thin, tall plant, it is part of the lupine family and produces a cluster of small cobalt petals at the top of each stem. Other native flowers include wild petunias, blackfoot daisies and yellow bells. All are accustomed to the Texas climate, and growing them can be a unique way to display Texas pride.

Flowering Succulents

• Much of the lower half of Texas is covered in arid, desert landscape. Such settings certainly narrow down the flowerbed possibilities, but one choice that not only thrives in the hot sun but produces beautiful blossoms is the flowering succulent plant. A succulent is related to the cactus in that possesses a thick, green shell of a skin that is designed to retain water. While these succulents also can be prickly, they are typically smaller and grow lower to ground, more like a typical plant. The flowering varieties include the desert rose, which has a red blossom not unlike the typical rose, and the aeonium sunburst, which produces a stunning blossom shape with a succulent shell.

Fragrant Flowers

• For those who live outside the dry desert landscape, in such areas as the Piney Woods of East Texas, a larger variety of options is available, including creating the always appealing fragrant flower bed. While the conditions aren't completely void of heat, it can get chilly, which is why German red carnations, which are tolerant of cold weather and have a subtle, yet fragrant odor, are worth considering. On the other hand, flowers such as the aromatic yellow-blossomed Mexican mint marigold are typically resistant to droughts, which can be a problem during the hot summer months, even in the least arid parts of the state.