Know your Hardiness Zone

• Purple Coneflowerpurple coneflower image by dwags from Fotolia.com
  
  Before you plant flowers, it's a good idea to determine the hardiness zone in which you will plant. Hardiness zones are determined by the level of hardiness a plant will need to survive in each zone. The hardiness of a plant is determined by the amount of heat it can withstand and the amount of water it requires to thrive, among other factors. Not all flowers will thrive in every zone, while others will thrive in every zone as long as they are planted with respect to the climate conditions in the zone. Texas has four hardiness zones: 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  
  The best time for planting in zone 6 is between September 1 and October 15. In Zone 7, the best time to plant is between September 15 and November 1. In Zones 8 and 9, the best time to plant is between October 1 and December 1.
  
  

Consider Native Plants

• Purple Aster, native to Central, East & South Texasaster and drone image by Yuri Davidov from Fotolia.com
  
  Native plants have adapted to the climate demands of each region and are usually more hardy than non-natives that could survive well in your hardiness zone. Native plants are less likely to be invasive and require fewer pesticides. Native plants survived the hard freezes of the 2009 winter in Texas.
  
  Many native flowers are now common in Texas gardens: Purple Coneflower, Texas Star, Turks Cap, Yucca, Texas Thistle, Coral Bean, Cow Pen Daisy, Horse Mint and Rock Rose.
  
  

Wildflowers

• Indian PaintbrushIndian Paintbrush image by Slapper from Fotolia.com
  
  Black-eyed Susans, Indian Paintbrush and Evening Primrose are the delights of spring in Texas. Wildflower seeds may be planted in your own garden or spread over your backyard to create a wildflower meadow. The best time to plant seeds is in fall so they can develop their root systems. Most wildflowers will bloom March through May and June.
  
  Wildflower seeds can easily be planted in your yard with a seed distributor. It is recommended to use a high pure live seed ratio, expecting only 2/3 of every pound of seed to germinate. It is best to plant seeds after mowing and then rake the seeds into the ground to ensure seed-soil contact. Soil preparation is unnecessary for native wildflowers. Fertilizer is not recommended, since this will produce more foliage than blooms.
  
  

Bluebonnets

• Wild BluebonnetBluebonnets 4 image by Olivia Ogden from Fotolia.com
  
  The most desired flower in most Texas gardens is the Bluebonnet. They are the most finicky and most traditionally difficult to grow from seed. Today chemically-treated (scarified) Bluebonnet seeds can be purchased that are more likely to grow. Blooms are more likely if the seeds are planted in well-drained soil where the flower can receive 8 to 10 hours of direct sun. Seeds should not be planted too deeply, but lightly covered with soil. Bluebonnets make great foliage plants even after they are past their bloom.
  
  

Vines

• Gulf Fritillary Butterfly image by jshynes from Fotolia.com
  
  Vines also bring great summer color from seeds planted in the fall. Carolina Snailseed (also called Moonseed) is a drought-tolerant vine with large foliage and red berries. The vine is native from East Texas to Florida and North Virginia.
  
  Cross Vine is another native vine that thrives from East Texas to Florida. This vine can be planted from seed or cuttings and provides beautiful, evergreen fence coverings. The vine blooms with red-orange flowers in spring.
  
  Passion Flowers bloom from April to October. The spectacular flower of this vine lasts only one day. Passion Flower is native to Texas streams and forest edges. The flower is a favorite food of the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly.