Flowers for Cemeteries in Texas

Crinum Lilies

• Crinum lilies or milk and wine lilies (Crinum x herbertii) grow in cemeteries across Texas. They bloom in the spring and summer, producing white or pink flowers on 36-inch stems above bright green, strap-like leaves. They are semi-evergreen in the southern part of the state but return reliably from the massive bulbs every spring everywhere else. They are known for their toughness and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Knock-Out Rose

• Red roses stand for earthly love and the achievement of perfection. The knock-out rose produces red roses all season on shrubby plants that are 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Once established, the knock-out rose is drought and disease tolerant. Plant the knock-out rose in the fall so it can become established before the following summer.

Wildflowers

• Wildflowers return every year after going to seed in late summer and fall. If they spread beyond the grave site by reseeding, groundskeepers can simply mow them. Texas is home to a wide variety of wildflowers. Buy a wildflower mix that is suitable for your area, such as the gulf coast or dry Texas hill country. Plant wildflower seeds over the grave site in the fall for best results. After the plants go to seed, the dried stems will be visible, but you can easily mow or clear them by hand.

Flame Acanthus

• Acanthus symbolizes triumph over life's sorrows. The flame acanthus (Acanthaceaae Anisacanthus wrightii) is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 4 feet tall and wide under optimal conditions. It is not invasive, and one plant will perform reliably for many years. All summer long, this native Texas plant produces tubular red-orange flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds.

Rosemary

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) produces blue or white blooms throughout the spring and summer. There are many varieties available, but the low-growing, or prostrate, types, such as the 'Huntington carpet' variety are more suitable for cemetery planting. It grows 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet wide. Rosemary is symbolic of "remembrance."

Miniature Crepe Myrtles

• Miniature crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) perform as well as the taller tree types but remain much smaller, with some selections only growing to 8 inches tall. They are heat and drought tolerant once established and are suitable for growing in the eastern half of the state. They will need supplemental moisture in the drier western portion of Texas. The blooms are purple, white, pink or red depending on the variety and are produced all summer. All crepe myrtles are deciduous.