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SuperstarTEXAS ® Strong and Stunning for Texans

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER

® It isn’t easy to become a Superstar® . Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the cut. Every plant earning the Texas Superstar® designation undergoes several years of extensive field trials by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, both part of the Texas A&M System. They must show superior performance under Texas’ tough growing conditions. During the field trials, plants receive minimal soil preparation, reasonable levels of water and no pesticides. What it takes to be a Superstar® What does this mean to the average homeowner? It means you will find landscape success with beautiful, proven, Texas-tough plants. Find these GO TEXAN plants at your local nursery and be sure to look GO TEXAN is the Texas for the Texas Superstar® logo on the plant tags. Department of Agriculture’s program promoting the Visit TexasSuperstar.com for additional details. products, culture and communities that call Texas The term “Texas Superstar” is a registered trademark of Texas A&M home. As a mark of Lone AgriLife Research, Texas A&M System. Star pride, the GO TEXAN logo–a glowing brand in the shape of Texas–can be found on everything from floral products and grapefruits to cowboy boots and retirement destinations. For more information, visit GoTexan.org. Angelonia, before the summer heat. If Exposure: full sun Summer Snapdragon planting in mid-summer, a Height: 12–24 inches Angelonia angustifolia shady location is advised. Plant type: annual Serena series Soil type: A well-prepared Planting time: fall bed with organic matter and Soil type: well-drained soil good drainage is best, but this Suggested uses: beds, Angelonia is a spreading plant is tolerant of many soil and hillsides annual with upright flower types. Should be kept moist spikes that resemble minature but not too wet. Moderately Special notes: The Texas snapdragons. The Serena drought tolerant. bluebonnet, which blooms series are the only angelonias Suggested uses: excellent for between March and May, has Summer Snapdragon that are grown from . mass bedding, in mixed borders a blue flowering stalk that is Flower colors available include and containers. tipped with white, just like white, pink, purple, lavender Special notes: Be careful a bunny’s tail. These hearty and lavender pink. They flower plants rarely suffer from not to overwater, especially insect and disease problems, all season long until frost. if growing in containers Angelonia can be used as however a well-balanced a border planting, a ground fertilizer applied in the fall will cover or as a trailing plant for “Baby’s Breath” help with flower production. mixed containers. Euphorbias Euphorbia hypericifolia Exposure: full sun (syn. Chamaesyce hypericifolia) Texas Maroon Height: 12–18 inches Bluebonnet Plant type: annual texensis Planting time: spring These Euphorbias are very ‘ Texas Maroon’ Soil type: most soil types, finely textured, rambling (syn. ‘Alamo Fire’) Whopper Begonias as long as well drained annuals that present the appearance of a cloud of Suggested uses: mass bedding white in the landscape. Very A selection of the Texas or ground cover, mixed borders well-suited for the hot Texas state flower is a hardy and containers summers, these unusual plants winter annual native to Special notes: Very reliable perform best as edging, ground Texas. are densely performer in all areas of Texas; cover and mixed container plants. arranged on a spike with tolerates heat well. Several varieties performed a characteristic ice white ® well in the Texas Superstar terminal tip. trials, including “White Manaus,” Whopper Begonias Exposure: full sun Begonia x semperflorens- “Breathless White,” “Silver Fog” cultorum Whopper® Series and “Hip Hop.” Height: 12–14 inches Exposure: full sun Plant type: annual Height: 12–18 inches Planting time: fall Superstar Wax begonias have long been Soil type: well-drained soil “Baby’s Breath” Euphorbias Plant type: annual a staple of Texas landscapes. Planting time: spring Suggested uses: bedding, This recently introduced series window boxes, patio containers distinguishes itself with large Suggested uses: edging, ground cover and mixed and hanging baskets on large plants that Special notes: Texas maroon have enormous flowers. They container plants bluebonnets have a spreading are outstanding in shade and Special notes: Very useful growth and reddish- partial shade, and will tolerate for blending other flowering full sun except in extreme heat. plants together in either mixed maroon flowers with a Both green and bronze foliage borders or mixed container characteristic white terminal types are available with red plantings. Flowers heavily tip. It is recommended they or flowers. “Everything is through the summer until frost. are spaced 12 inches apart bigger in Texas” and Whopper when transplanting or seeding.

begonias fit the bill! Texas Bluebonnet annuals Exposure: partial to full shade; Lupinus texensis does well in morning sun and Bluebonnet will tolerate full sun, except in extreme heat, especially with The Texas state flower is a low relative humidity. hardy winter annual native to Height: in shade can reach Texas. This is the most 24–30 inches with a 12–16 inch commonly seen variety along spread. Will be shorter and roadsides and in pastures more compact with more sun. throughout the state. Flowers Plant type: annual are densely arranged on a Planting time: best in spring spike with a characteristic just after frost but can be ice white terminal tip. planted later. Will be more heat and sun tolerant if allowed to establish well Maroon Bluebonnet Lady Bird Johnson Royal heat but may behave as Suggested use: mass plantings, Blue Bluebonnet perennials in western Texas. combination plantings with other Lupinus texensis For a tight mounding plant of summer annuals such as bluish green foliage, select and Mexican mint marigold, and the ‘Tiny Tim’ variety. For also make nice cut flowers for A selection of the Texas state variegated foliage, try ‘Ascot beautifying the indoors flower with a distinct royal Rainbow.’ For more of a red (cobalt) blue color was named or dark maroon color, try Dakota Gold Helenium in honor of former first lady, ‘Blackbird.’ ‘Rudolph’ has Helenium amarum ‘Dakota Gold’ Lady Bird Johnson; flowers dark green foliage with red Lady Bird Johnson Bluebonnet are densely arranged on a accents. ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ or spike with a characteristic ‘Glacier Blue’ is notable for Helenium is a native Texas ice white terminal tip. excellent cream and green wildflower that now has variegated foliage. Exposure: full sun for improved for optimum bloom Exposure: full sun to use. Once established, Plants Height: 12–14 inches partial shade are Texas tough, continuing to grow and flower with little or Plant type: annual Height: 1–2 feet Plant type: cool season annual no irrigation. Young plants are Planting time: sow scarified small flattened rosettes of foliage seed in the fall; if one misses Planting time: late summer and fall in the spring (or even late winter the planting window, transplants in southern locations) that Soil type: best in potting soil can be set out in late winter develop strong tap . By in containers but will perform Soil type: numerous, but must mid-to-late spring, a canopy of in ground beds, if soil is very be well-drained thready dark green foliage well-drained Cool Season Euphorbias Suggested uses: accent beds, develops and 1 inch diameter meadows and hillsides, as Suggested uses: best used in bright yellow composite flowers well as containers mixed containers, but also in begin to appear. Flowering Special notes: The distinct well-drained landscape beds continues through autumn. The cobalt color sets this blue- or rock ‘Dakota Gold’ typically bonnet apart from the Texas Special Notes: These plants grows as low cushions of Bluebonnet. It is a vigorous are very pest and disease foliage topped with bright plant and will do best if spaced resistant. They are hardy to yellow flowers. Plants can be 12 inches apart. It tends to zone 6 and hardy in containers, grown on most any well- produce more seed than other unless the temperature drops drained soil with a sunny bluebonnets, so it should below 15° F. The most heat exposure. Good for low input easily naturalize in an area tolerant varieties are ‘Ascot landscapes where irrigation given proper care. Rainbow’ and ‘Tiny Tim.’ water is limited. Globe Exposure: full sun Globe Amaranth Cool Season Euphorbias Height: 6–8 inches Euphorbia martinii, Gomphrena globosa Plant type: reseeding annual E. characias subsp. wulfenii, E. amygdaloides Planting time: anytime Globe amaranth (known by from containers USDA Zone 6 some as bachelor’s buttons) Soil type: well-drained slightly These cold and drought- are versatile, often overlooked, acidic soil is best, but it adapts tolerant winter annuals summer annuals that thrive in to alkaline clay soils as long as provide mounds of color in the the Texas heat. Varieties range drainage is adequate landscape from fall to spring. in size from 8 to 48 inches, and Suggested uses: accent, border They are not fond of summer vary in color from whites to annuals pinks to lavenders to dark, rich Larkspur purples. The All Around, Las Consolida ambigua Vegas, QIS and Audray series, and Fireworks varieties are USDA Zone 7 Dakota Gold Helenium good performers. This reseeding annual has a backward-projecting spur, Exposure: full sun formed by the upper of Height: 1–4 feet and about the flower. The long spikes or as wide, depending on variety panicles of flowers come in Plant type: heat-loving, both single and double forms. summer annual Colors range from various Planting time: early summer shades of blue or purple-blue after nights become warm to pink and white. The soft, lacy Soil type: well-drained; foliage makes a great backdrop tolerates a wide range of for the showy flower spikes. soil types

Larkspur Exposure: full sun for best bloom; Exposure: full sun with Exposure: full sun will tolerate partial shade afternoon shade Height: 24 inches Height: 36 inches Height: 1–2 feet in height Plant type: annual Plant type: reseeding annual and width Planting time: spring Planting time: fall Plant type: treat as a summer and summer Soil type: well-drained soil annual in most of Texas; Soil type: well-drained soil Suggested uses: in bedding, perennial in south Texas Suggested uses: bedding, window boxes, cut flowers and Planting time: spring or window boxes, patio containers dried flowers early summer and hanging baskets Special notes: The Rocket Soil type: well-drained Special notes: The Laura White Stream Lobularia Larkspur performs best in container mix or in soil bed Bush petunia performs best hardiness zone 7, spaced 10–12 with high organic matter and in hardiness zone 7. It has a inches apart. Disease or pest good drainage spreading growth habit with problems are minimal if plants Suggested use: accent plant in medium-size violet flowers. It are grown in well-drained soils. container on patio grows best when transplanted Special notes: Excellent plant 36 inches apart. This Texas White Stream Lobularia around pools or wherever a Superstar blooms from spring Lobularia ‘White Stream’ colorful, tropic effect is needed. until frost. Between bloom cycles, prune back by 20 Mari-mum percent and lightly fertilize. White Stream is a new type of Tagetes erecta that will survive the Tidal Wave Silver and heat of Texas summers. It is a Cherry Petunia spreading annual that makes There are several different Petunia x hybrida ‘Tidal Wave Rio Series Mandevilla good ground cover and produces varieties of African-type Silver’ and ‘Tidal Wave Cherry’ fragrant flowers all summer. It (largeflowered) marigolds such is vegetatively propagated. as the Antigua, Discover or Taishan series that can be used to These petunias are more heat, Exposure: full sun for produce the Mari-mum effect. disease and cold tolerant than optimum flowering The Mari-mum type marigolds typical grandiflora-type Height: 4–6 inches by about bloom two to three times longer petunias. The vigor of these 12–18 inches wide than and are plants ensures a plentiful Plant type: annual very low maintenance. flower supply during the Planting time: in early spring summer and into the fall. after the danger of frost has Exposure: full sun passed on 1-foot spacings Height: 8–16 inches Exposure: full sun Soil type: tolerant of all soil types, Plant type: annual Height: 18–20 inches; can as long as it’s well-drained Planting time: transplant in late spread up to 4 feet Suggested uses: for the summer using plants with only Plant type: annual Mari-mum garden as ground cover or tight flower showing and Planting time: spring and foreground planting; also useful preferably no open flowers summer, can be planted in as a spiller in mixed containers Soil type: well-drained soil with October/November for late- Special notes: Water use organic matter winter and early-spring flowering is moderate with limited Suggested uses: Mari-mums Soil type: adaptable to tolerance to drought. have such visual impact that different soil types; must be they’re a wonderful choice for well-drained Rio Series Mandevilla mass planting along the front Suggested uses: bedding, Mandevilla (syn. Dipladenia) edge of a flower bed, walk-way ground cover and large or garden path. Mari-mums also containers do extremely well in containers. Special notes: Flowers are The Rio series mandevillas Special notes: Applying 1–2 more vibrant if drip irrigation sport glossy foliage and pounds of a slow release is used. Drought tolerant but broad, showy, trumpet- fertilizer per 100 square feet of benefits from regular watering Laura Bush Petunia shaped flowers that come bed area will enhance blooming. and fertilization. If trimming is in pink, hot pink and deep desired in mid-to-late summer, red. These mandevillas grow Laura Bush Petunia the plants can be lightly upright with little twining. Petunia x ‘Laura Bush’ trimmed about 20 percent with These compact plants grow a string trimmer. Water and best in patio containers and lightly fertilize after trimming to can be grown alone or mixed This is an old-fashioned stimulate growth and flowering. with other annuals wherever reseeding petunia. It is a splash of color is needed. more cold tolerant, disease They tolerate summer heat resistant and heat tolerant but also benefit from some than modern hybrids. afternoon shade. Tidal Wave Silver and Cherry Petunia Butterfly Deep late spring or early summer. Texas Gold Columbine Pink Pentas It does best in hot weather. Aquilegia chrysantha var. Pentas lanceolata It is drought tolerant, and hinckleyana ‘Texas Gold’ needs good soil drainage and regular water and fertilization USDAZ one 6 This cool season perennial has Highly heat, soil and pest at moderate levels. bright yellow, lightly fragrant tolerant, this very low main- spring flowers atop its long tenance tropical annual Fall Zinnias stems. Its gray-green foliage is provides from bright pink Zinnia x marylandica in warmer climates. blooms spring through late Zinnia elegans Butterfly Deep Pink Pentas fall. Excellent for mass Exposure: filtered shade in the plantings and containers summer, and full sun in the where it attracts butterflies The Profusion and Zahara winter and spring, such as and hummingbirds. series of zinnia produce found under the canopy of a Exposure: full sun to disease-resistant mounds of partial shade color that last until frost when Height: 18–24 inches Height: 24 inches tall, planted in late summer. The Plant type: cool season perennial 24 inches wide more traditional flowers of the Planting time: spring Dreamland and Magellan series Plant type: annual Soil type: well-drained soil can also be enjoyed at this time Suggested uses: garden accent, Planting time: spring of year while avoiding the specimen, hummingbird garden Soil type: adaptable to most disease issues that can show and container garden soils as long as well-drained up in the spring. Special notes: The Texas Gold Suggested uses: mass Exposure: full sun columbine has an open clumping Cora® Series bedding, mixed borders and habit and grows as wide as 24 Height: 12–18 inches mixed containers inches. It works best in full sun Special notes: Benefits Plant type: annual with medium water. from mulching and regular Planting time: late summer summer irrigation. to early fall ‘Princess Caroline’ Soil type: adaptable to soil Napier Grass Vinca Cora® Series type if well-drained and a Pennisetum x ‘Princess Caroline’ Catharanthus roseus variety of potting mixes Suggested uses: mixed USDA Zone 7 borders, mass bed displays ‘Princess Caroline’ has Cora and Nirvana vinca and containers beautiful wide leaves that are (commonly referred to as Special notes: Very heat a deep purple in color. It does periwinkle) are the first tolerant; do not overwater. not flower and is resistant to varieties of this species to spot that can be seen on Fall Zinnias be resistant to the Aerial older varieties. It is very heat Phytophthora fungus, a and drought tolerant and is devastating disease that perennial in most of the state. until now limited the use of Exposure: full sun this species in Texas land- Height: grows from 4–6 feet tall

scapes. In addition, they are perennials depending on amount of watering heat and humidity tolerant and length of the growing season and deer resistant. They are Plant type: perennial in most available in a wide array of of the state colors with either upright Planting time: spring or trailing habits and flower Soil type: almost any well- throughout the summer. drained soil Exposure: full sun, Suggested uses: specimen plant, tolerates semi-shade accent plant in mixed borders or Texas Gold Columbine Height: 14–18 inches quick-growing screen Plant type: annual Special notes: Plants freeze to the ground, but they grow Planting time: late spring rapidly in the spring to make to summer a bold statement in any land- Soil type: adaptable to scape. Hardy in north Texas if most soils temperatures are mild and it is Suggested uses: bedding, grown in a protected location. containers, hanging Very little fertilizer is needed for baskets (trailing types) this plant to perform. Nitrogen and window boxes fertilizer will cause the leaves Special notes: The best time to green up and lose the striking to plant vinca is after the soil purple foliage that is a hallmark has thoroughly warmed in of this great plant. ‘Princess Caroline’ Napier Grass Flare Perennial Lord Baltimore New Gold Hibiscus x ‘Flare’ Perennial Hibiscus Lantana camera ‘New Gold’ USDA Zone 5 Hibiscus x ‘Lord Baltimore’ USDA Zone 8b This herbaceous perennial has USDA Zone 5 The New Gold Lantana is a apple-green foliage and large This perennial has glossy low maintenance plant with iridescent -red flowers foliage and large red flowers golden yellow flowers. It is that grow up to 10 inches wide. up to 10 inches wide. drought and heat tolerant, and its reduced set promotes Exposure: full sun Exposure: full sun prolific blooming from spring Height: 3–4 feet Height: 5 feet until frost. Flare Perennial Hibiscus Plant type: type: perennial Planting time: spring Planting time: spring Exposure: full sun Soil type: any soil type, Soil type: prefers neutral to Height: 12–24 inches including high alkaline clays acid soils Plant type: small spreading Suggested uses: perennial Suggested uses: perennial woody , herbaceous border, butterfly and humming- border, butterfly and perennial or annual depending bird gardens, and containers hummingbird gardens on the location Special notes: Produces large Special notes: The Lord Planting time: spring to leaves and is a profuse bloomer. Baltimore performs best in summer from containers It is also self-sterile, which hardiness zone 5. It has attractive Soil type: adapts to most soils encourages re-bloom. The Flare foliage, provides stunning color, from acidic to moderately hibiscus will bloom from summer loves the heat and requires alkaline with moderate drainage through the first frost. very little maintenance. It also Suggested uses: accent, bedding, bank cover or patio containers Pink Flare and Peppermint has excellent pest and disease Flare Hibiscus Pink Flare and Peppermint resistance, and works best Special notes: When well with medium amounts of water. established, the plants are very Flare Perennial Hibiscus drought tolerant and continue Hibiscus x ‘Pink Flare’ and Moy Grande Perennial to produce bright and attractive ‘Peppermint Flare’ blooms, even in the hottest USDA Zone 5 Hibiscus weather. Whiteflies can Part of the Flare Series, these Hibiscus x ‘Moy Grande’ sometimes be a pest. Prune showy perennials have large USDA Zone 5 annuals for best results. glowing fuchsia flowers. The giant-flowered rose The offspring have the same mallow has the largest flowers superior traits as the original of any hardy perennial. These but, their colors are pink and are descendants of the native peppermint (white with red hibiscus found in Louisiana stripes). Their -like and other Gulf Coast states. Lord Baltimore emerald-green foliage is very Ying Doon Moy cross-bred a Perennial Hibiscus attractive on compact plants Hibiscus moscheutos hybrid that are practically sterile, which with Hibiscus grandiflorus to encourages continuous bloom. create the largest, open-face Exposure: full sun hibiscus flower in the world. Height: 3–5 feet Exposure: full sun Plant type: herbaceous Height: 5 feet perennial Plant type: perennial Ask a Planting time: spring Planting time: spring certified Soil type: any soil type, Soil type: well-drained soil including high pH clays containing plenty of organic nursery Suggested uses: perennial matter and nutrients professional border, butterfly and humming- Suggested uses: perennial at your local bird gardens, and containers border, butterfly and Moy Grande Perennial Hibiscus Special notes: These flowers are hummingbird gardens nursery for great grown as complements Special notes: Moy Grande Texas with Flare, Moy Grande and Lord will grow up to 5 feet wide, ® Baltimore with an and bloom between May and Superstars expanded color range. Pepper- September. Removing spent and support mint Flare offers an unusually flowers and developing seed striking two-tone flower. pods will promote rebloom. local Texas Flowers are usually 12 inches producers. wide and have a rose-pink color. Moy Grande hibiscus will perform best in hardiness zone 5.

New Gold Lantana Trailing Lantana to white. Flowers are produced Special notes: Dwarf Mexican all summer but are especially petunias are very adaptable heavy in the fall. They attract and will tolerate both wet and USDA Zone 8b hummingbirds and butterflies. dry soils. They prefer full sun Beautiful trailing or spreading Turk’s cap is native to south but will grow in shade, though perennial with a profusion of Texas, where it becomes an flowering will be less. Although lavender, purple or white flowers established perennial, but in dwarf Mexican petunias are that bloom consistently from north Texas, it is used as an drought tolerant once estab- spring through frost and attract annual. Turk’s Cap is very lished, they perform best with butterflies. Outstanding heat, drought tolerant once regular irrigation during droughts Trailing Lantana wind and drought tolerance. established. The cultivar and regular feeding of high Exposure: full sun “Pam Puryear” has soft pink phosphorus fertilizers. Height: 1 foot tall, 4 feet wide flowers and ‘Fiesta’ is a Plant type: perennial variegated form with yellow John Fanick Planting time: spring to and white splotched leaves. Perennial Phlox summer in containers Exposure: sun or shade; Phlox paniculata ‘John Fanick’ Soil type: adapts to most soils flowers heavier in sun, but USDA Zone 4 from acidic to moderately alka- the foliage is more attractive Masses of fragrant, light pink line with moderate drainage with some shade. flowers sporting a dark pink Suggested uses: mass Height: 3–6 feet with about eye in the summer highlight bedding, ground or bank cover, equal spread this heat and drought resistant and as a spiller over the edge Plant type: perennial perennial. It blooms several of beds above garden walls Planting time: anytime weeks later than Victoria phlox Turk’s Cap or in containers from containers and does not lodge as easily Special Notes: Hardy to Soil type: adaptable to as Victoria. It is more disease zone 8b and resistant to most soils resistant as well. lantana lacebug. Suggested uses: accent, Exposure: full sun for best perennial border, butterfly bloom; will tolerate partial shade Turk’s Cap and hummingbird gardens, Height: 24–36 inches Malvaviscus arboreus var. and deciduous Plant type: perennial drummondii Special notes: -hardy Planting time: spring perennial in most of Texas, USDA Zone 7b Soil type: well-drained soil including zone 7b. A rapidly growing, coarse- Suggested uses: specimen textured plant that produces and background in perennial a profusion of “turban-like” Dwarf Mexican Petunia gardens and as a cut flower flowers in various colors Ruellia brittoniana Special notes: The John ranging from bright red to pink (various dwarf cultivars) Fanick perennial phlox Dwarf Mexican Petunia USDA Zone 8 has attractive evergreen Under proper growing condi- foliage with a compact growth tions, dwarf Mexican petunias habit. This Texas Superstar produce compact, clumping tolerates heat, drought and mounds of dark green, lance- powdery mildew, but avoid perennials shaped leaves and bright, overhead irrigation with salty tubular flowers when in full water. Plants should be spaced bloom during the hottest part of between 24 and 36 inches the summer. When conditions apart. Cut back in late summer are favorable, they will reseed, for fall blooms. but the resulting plants retain the dwarf, clumping character. Victoria Perennial Phlox Exposure: full sun to Phlox paniculata ‘Victoria’ partial shade John Fanick Perennial Phlox USDA Zone 4 Height: 6–8 inches This heat and drought resistant Plant type: herbaceous perennial sports masses of perennial or annual depending purplish-pink (magenta) on the location flowers in the summer and in Planting time: spring to the fall (if cut back after summer summer from containers bloom occurs). Soil type: adapts to most Exposure: full sun for best soils from acidic to moderately bloom; will tolerate partial shade alkaline with moderate drainage Height: 24–36 inches Suggested uses: accent, small Plant type: perennial scale , perennial Planting time: spring borders, edging or mixed plantings Soil type: well-drained soil

Victoria Perennial Phlox Suggested uses: specimen Exposure: full sun Suggested uses: bedding, and background in Height: 3–4 feet tall, 3 feet wide containers, perennial border perennial gardens Plant type: perennial and cut flowers Special notes: The Victoria Planting time: spring or Special notes: Mystic Spires perennial phlox has an summer from containers Blue Salvia is hardy to zone 7 attractive evergreen foliage Soil type: adaptable but needs with good drainage. Excess with a compact growth habit. excellent drainage water and fertilizer can result It is a hardy perennial with Suggested uses: accent, in excessive vegetative showy clusters of magenta pink bedding and perennial borders growth and lack of flowers. If needed, plants can be pruned blossoms. It also has lighter Special notes: Plant these green foliage and a more open during the growing season as Cape growth habit than the John perennials in the southern reflowering occurs quickly. Fanick. This Texas Superstar half of the state. Stems can be pruned to 12 tolerates heat, drought and are brittle so protect inches or more in the fall after powdery mildew, but avoid from high winds. being killed by freezing, but overhead irrigation with salty refrain from to the water. Plants should be spaced Henry Duelberg Salvia ground until growth is strong between 24 and 36 inches Salvia farinacea in the spring. apart. The ideal hardiness USDA Zone 7 zone is 4. Henry Duelberg is a low- Blue Princess maintenance, heat-tolerant Glandularia x hybrida Cape Plumbago native plant that produces ‘Blue Princess’ masses of showy blue flowers from spring until the first frost. USDA Zone 7b USDA Zone 8b This butterfly-attracting, easy Mexican Bush Sage Cape Plumbago produces Exposure: full sun care perennial has masses of profuse blue flowers and Height: 3 feet x 3 feet beautiful, lavender blue thrives in the hot Texas Plant type: perennial flowers. It is also sold as summer. It is sometimes Soil type: adapts to most soils ‘Princess Dark Lavender.’ called “sky flower,” because Suggested uses: bedding, of the sky-blue color of its Exposure: full sun containers, xeriscape, perennial flowers. It flowers from May Height: 12 inches border and cut flowers until the first frost. Plant type: perennial Special notes: Shearing Planting time: spring Exposure: full and partial sun frequently between bloom Soil type: well-drained soil Height: 4 feet tall, up to cycles will promote bloom 5 feet wide development. Henry Duelberg Suggested uses: bedding Plant type: perennial is not preferred by deer. plant, containers, baskets, perennial border, and butterfly Planting time: anytime and hummingbird gardens from containers Henry Duelberg Salvia Mystic Spires Blue Salvia Special notes: The Blue Soil type: adapts to most soils Salvia longispicata x Princess verbena blooms from acidic to moderately farinacea ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ early spring through late fall. alkaline with moderate drainage USDA Zone 7 Shear between bloom cycles Suggested uses: container or Mystic Spires Blue Salvia is a to promote new blooms. Rose accent plant compact form of another popular Princess is also available. Special notes: Dried flowers salvia called Indigo Spires. It is should be pruned from the also sold as ‘Playin’ the Blues.’ Plumbago to encourage Though shorter than Indigo re-blooming and to maintain Spires, it flowers even more desired plant shape. It is freely during the entire growing excellent for attracting butter- season. It produces masses flies. It can handle hot, humid of true blue flowers that mix summers and is reasonably nicely with other annuals and drought tolerant. The imperial perennials. It is tolerant of heat Mystic Spires Blue Salvia Blue variety holds its color well. and humidity and is not bothered by pests, diseases or deer. Mexican Bush Sage Salvia leucantha Exposure: full sun Height: 18–30 inches USDA Zone 8 Plant type: perennial A tough, drought tolerant, Planting time: spring to highly pest resistant salvia summer from containers with showy spikes of purple Soil type: adapts to most soils and white, or solid purple but needs good drainage blossoms that appear in the fall. This works well as a cut flower.

Blue Princess Verbena Ask a certified nursery professional at your local nursery for Texas Superstars® and support local Texas producers.

Beautiful Texas Maroon Bluebonnets in containers at a Texas A&M Student plant sale.

A landscape setting showing the use of Texas Superstar® plants including Duranta, Mexican Bush Sage, Baby’s Breath Euphorbia, and Butterfly Deep Pink Pentas. USDA hardiness zones

Texas Superstars perform best at the hardiness These are the locations in the state where official Texas Superstar® zones indicated. However, Texas Superstars are trial sites are located. They represent parts of Texas with varying rainfall amounts, temperature patterns, and soil types. widely adapted across the state. The zone indicated Lubbock is the coldest zone for which a plant is adapted. San Antonio These plants can also be grown in warmer zones. College Station Overton Due to the wide diversity in climatic conditions across Texas, some perennial plants may be treated as annuals. Contact your local Extension Agent for advice on which plants will work best in your area. Brazilian Red Hots Plant type: annual in most of Suggested uses: use as a Alternanthera Texas as it is sensitive to frost. ground cover or foreground Alternanthera dentata In frost-free areas, it can be a planting, or in containers ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ short-lived perennial. Special notes: Plants are very Planting time: Best in spring heat tolerant. Burgundy foliage after frost; can also be planted contrasts well with plants that Brazilian Red Hots are a in mid-summer or fall if watered have yellow, gold, or even white dependable selection of the adequately for establishment. and pink blooms. old-time Joseph’s Coat that Soil type: A well-prepared soil Brazilian Red Hots grows with a mounded habit. amended with organic material Pride-of-Barbados Alternanthera The attractive, lively, hot pink with good drainage is best, but and rose shaded foliage makes will tolerate poor soils. USDA Zone 8b it a delightful addition to any Suggested uses: excellent as Pride-of-Barbados is an Texas garden. It’s an easy to a stand-alone plant, whether evergreen shrub or small grow plant that prefers partial planted as a mass border tree in frost-free climates, a shade, but it can tolerate the planting or accenting a deciduous shrub in zone 9, a Texas hot summer heat, if repertoire of other popular returning perennial in zone 8 planted early in the spring. Texas Superstar selections, and an annual in North and However, its attractive such as Cora Vinca, Butterfly West Texas. Pride-of-Barbados foliage color is most vibrant Pentas, Serena Angelonia and dies to the ground following when it receives intense sun- Baby’s Breath Euphorbias. frost or freezing temperatures, light. The plants are somewhat It will also complement combi- but in zone 8b (South Central drought tolerant once they nation plantings in containers. are established. Supplemental Texas), it comes back reliable in Special notes: Plants benefit the middle of spring. Pride-of- Little Ruby Alternanthera irrigation in well-prepared soil from being cut back lightly as may be needed to establish the Barbados has incredibly showy days become longer in late blossoms of orange and red. plant. Though not the biggest spring for a vigorous flush feature of this plant and often The striking orange-red flowers of summer color and possibly are an attention grabber. inconspicuous, ball-shaped again in late summer for white flowers spring out above fall satisfaction. Exposure: full sun the foliage in the mid-winter in Height: 8–12 feet regions where there is no or Plant type: summer little frost. Little Ruby Alternanthera Alternanthera ‘Little Ruby’ annual, perennial or woody Exposure: prefers partial shade shrub depending upon the in hot regions but will tolerate severity of winter temperatures full sun well if planted early; This is a recent selection that Planting time: spring to can tolerate more sun in the is a smaller, more compact early summer northern part of the state version of the traditional garden Soil type: very easy to grow Pride-of-Barbados Height: 24–36 inches tall with plant known as Joseph’s Coat. in alkaline to acidic, well- a 12–18 inch spread It has a long planting season drained soils and can be used as a ground Suggested uses: use as a per-annuals cover where its foliage color specimen or in a mixed blends well with other plants shrub border Tropical or as a container plant. Foliage Special notes: Plants tolerate is a rich burgundy in full sun. It very high temperatures and tolerates and is still attractive drought, but they do not tolerate

perennials in shade but the foliage is more poorly drained soils. Pride-of- greenish in color. Barbados is best grown in Exposure: Full sun for the raised beds in humid climates. darkest burgundy foliage to

used partial shade Duranta Height: 12–5 inches by 14–16

Duranta as inches wide USDA Zone 9

an Plant type: grown as a warm Also known as Brazilian Sky season annual but may be

annual Flower, is a rapid-growing, perennial in areas that only dense shrub with small glossy experience light frost leaves and a profusion of Planting time: typically in the pendulous of small spring after danger of frost has flowers with varying in color passed but may also be planted from light blue to purple. during the summer and into the fall in warm regions Exposure: sun or shade; flowers heavier in sun Soil type: tolerant of soil types; prefers good drainage and a soil rich in organic material Height: 12–15 feet in South Exposure: full sun Special notes: Fruit are Texas depending on pruning Height: 18–30 inches reported to be poisonous but Plant type: root-hardy Plant type: annual from appear to be seldomly produced perennial in South Texas, but Central Texas northward, in most Texas regions. annual or tender perennial in perennial in South Texas most areas of the state Planting time: set transplants Variegated Tapioca Planting time: anytime from mid-May through summer Manihot esculenta ‘ Variegata’ from containers months and space one foot apart USDA Zone 11 Soil type: adapts to most soils Soil type: almost any well- Variegated Tapioca is tropical Suggested uses: can be used drained soil, even highly plant grown as an annual in Gold Star Esperanza as a container plant or an alkaline, heavy clays all but southern-most Texas. accent plant in a landscape Suggested uses: mass The variegated leaves form Special notes: Some selections plantings with white blooming a chartreuse/yellow pattern. fruit heavily, and the plant annuals, containers and It is a non-blooming plant that becomes covered with small, hummingbird gardens offers a tropical flare to golden ball-like drupes. Must Special notes: The firebush summer landscapes. be treated as an annual-root blooms between June and hardy perennial in most parts of November with terminal Exposure: full or partial sun; Texas, but it will be perennial in clusters of scarlet red and however, plants are most South Texas. Brazilian Sky Flower tubular blossoms with deeper colorful when grown in full sun blooms best from summer until red throats. Its foliage turns Height: 4 feet tall, up to the first frost. to a blood red color in the fall. 5 feet wide Firebush does not usually show Plant type: annual in all but Gold Star Esperanza signs of insect or disease damage southern-most Texas ‘Gold Star’ when grown outdoors in a full Planting time: spring after sun location. last frost Firebush USDA Zone 9 Soil type: requires a well-drained This heat-loving, semi- soil or container potting mix; evergreen shrub has golden- Firecracker Jatropha integerrima will tolerate a wide range of pH yellow ball-shaped flowers that Suggested uses: container or bloom in late spring through fall. USDA Zone 9 accent plant This subtropical evergreen Exposure: full sun shrub has glossy leaves and Special notes: Variegated Height: 4 feet clusters of star-shaped bright tapioca is a heat lover and Plant type: root-hardy perennial scarlet or vermilion flowers. does not grow vigorously until Planting time: spring Jatropha is a spectacular shrub the night temperatures are Soil type: well-drained soil in bloom, which is most of the consistently above 60° F. Suggested uses: containers, year in warmer portions of the It will exhibit chilling injury flower beds, butterfly and state and spring to frost in when night temperatures hummingbird gardens colder locations. dip below 50° F. Keep the growing medium moist, and Firecracker Jatropha Special notes: Gold Star Exposure: Best flowering is in esperanza is recommended for use mulch if planted in the soil. full sun, but plants will remain Plants will grow just as well hardiness zone 9. It has attractive attractive in partial shade. glossy foliage and grows in alkaline soil as they will in Height: In tropical climates, up to 3 feet wide. Gold Star acidic soils. They are plants may grow 8–10 feet tall, esperanza requires medium somewhat tolerant to foliar but as patio plants or summer amounts of water. Water weekly salt exposure in the Coastal annuals, they are usually 3–5 in lieu of one inch of rain. Bend area. feet tall. Immediately remove the fruit Plant type: summer annual (beans) after flowering to Thyrallis or where winters are cold, woody promote rebloom. Shower-of-Gold shrub along the coast and in Galphimia glauca south Texas Firebush Planting time: spring after USDA Zone 8b Manihot esculenta danger of frost has past As the name implies, Shower- ‘Variegata’ Tapioca of-Gold offers season-long USDA Zone 9 Soil type: adapted to most spikes of bright, yellow Firebush offers real hope to well-drained garden soils and flowers. Flowers are mostly heat-hammered summer land- can be grown in a variety of held at or above the dark-green scapes. Once established, potting mixes to blue-green foliage. With firebush is very heat and Suggested uses: Use as a drought tolerant. Firebush is an periodic pruning, plants summer accent where frosts develop a dense handsome evergreen shrub or small tree are frequent or in a mixed shrub native to many areas in tropical canopy with enough flowers to border where winters are warm. draw the eye from a distance. and subtropical America. Use as a container plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Thyrallis or Shower-of-Gold Exposure: full sun to very Lynn’s Legacy Cenizo Suggested uses: shrub border, light shade langmaniae cut flowers and dried flowers Height: 3–5 feet ‘Lynn’s Legacy’ for potpourri Plant type: woody shrub in Special notes: Belinda’s USDA Zone 8 South Texas or summer Dream performs best in Lynn’s Legacy (also known as annual in North Texas hardiness zones 7–9. It has Lowery’s Legacy) was selected a bush habit and can be as Planting time: anytime from for its profuse and frequent wide as 4 feet. Needs day- containers as a shrub, spring flower displays. Its sage-green long full sun and good air as a summer annual foliage is a wonderful backdrop movement over the leaves. Soil type: tolerant of most for the lavender flowers. Lynn’s Legacy Cenizo Drip irrigation or a soaker hose soils as long as they are Compared to most selections is recommended. The plant is well-drained of Texas sage, it is not as occasionally attacked by black Suggested uses: generally dependent on changes in spot during the cool season, but used as an evergreen shrub relative humidity for flowering it is usually vigorous enough to in warmer portions of Texas; and can bloom more often overcome the disease. tolerates summer heat as a during the course of the patio container; nice back- summer than other selections. ground for perennial or annual Grandma’s Yellow Rose borders in South Texas. Exposure: full sun Rosa ‘Nacogdoches’ Special notes: This plant Height: 5 feet Plant type: woody shrub USDA Zone 6 blooms whenever temperatures Grandma’s Yellow Rose permit. Annual pruning will Planting time: anytime from containers repeatedly blooms from spring maintain a denser habit, and until the first hard frost. Its new Soil type: tolerant of most plants work well when pruned leaves have a shade of bronze, Belinda’s Dream Rose soils as long as they are well- back as a sub-shrub or then turn dark green. Flowers drained and not soggy herbaceous perennial. have a light and spicy fragrance. Suggested uses: general- It is a repeat bloomer from purpose shrub where a touch spring until frost and is quite of silvery foliage is desired; disease resistant. other uses include as a foundation shrub, in island plantings, Exposure: full sun for at least xeriscapes or in mixed six hours per day borders; with appropriate Height: 4–5 feet substrate, it can be used in Plant type: shrub rose containers on sunny patios Planting time: anytime Special notes: Multiple flowering from containers

woody flushes frequently occur during Soil type: Well-drained slightly a growing season. Be sure to acidic soil is best, but it adapts Grandma’s Yellow Rose avoid over watering. to alkaline clay soils as long as drainage is adequate. Belinda’s Dream Rose Suggested uses: accent, shrub Rosa ‘Belinda’s Dream’ border with perennials, low and cut flowers USDA Zone 7 A cross between ‘Tiffany’ Special notes: These and ‘Jersey Beauty,’ this fast can be attacked by black spot growing shrub is upright and during wet periods, mainly in sturdy and has bluish-green the spring and fall. A few foliage. Its blossom is a clean fungicide applications in the pink, double and high-centered spring or during long wet rose in the classic hybrid tea periods will control the disease. style and has a rich fragrance. Plants tolerate the disease Blooms occur in abundance well by readily producing new ® Knockout Rose all through the warm months, growth after defoliation. especially if spent blooms are removed immediately. Knockout® Rose Rosa ‘Radrazz’ Exposure: full sun for best bloom USDA Zone 4 Height: 5 feet The Knockout® Rose produces Plant type: shrub rose fluorescent, cherry-red blooms Planting time: fall and spring that begin in spring and continue to provide color Soil type: Well-drained soil is until the first frost. best, but they will grow in high alkaline clay soils. Exposure: full sun Basham’s Party Pink disease problems plant where Height: 3–4 feet, but can Crapemyrtle it is mostly sunny and there is grow up to 5 feet high and indica x good air movement. Avoiding 5 feet wide when mature Lagerstroemia faurei direct irrigation spray on the Plant type: shrub rose ‘Basham’s Party Pink’ foliage will also reduce disease Planting time: anytime incidence and lessen the from containers USDA Zone 8 potential for foliar damage Basham’s Party Pink crape- Soil type: adapts to most soils where salty irrigation water myrtle is one of the best large from acidic to moderately alka- is a problem. Plants are cold crapemyrtles for USDA zone line with reasonable drainage tolerant in USDA plant hardi- Marie Daly Rose 8 and warmer locations in Suggested uses: accent, ness zone 8 and warmer, but Texas. This beautiful tree-form they should be used only in shrub border, rose garden crapemyrtle can be grown or low hedges protected locations in colder as a single or multiple trunk climates. If frozen to the ground Special notes: The Knockout specimen maturing with beautiful in a severe winter, established Rose grows well in planting fluted smooth , which plants will usually regrow zones 4 through 9 and is highly exfoliates in shallow plates several feet in a single tolerant of black spot, powdery to expose predominantly light growing season. mildew and aphids. It is also tans, gray and silver-gray bark cold-hardy throughout the state, highlighted with some reddish Possum Haw will grow in a wide range of soils brown under-tones. The graceful (even highly alkaline clays), and canopy is covered in spring to Deciduous is very heat and drought tolerant early summer with one or more Ilex decidua once established. The double flushes of large soft lavender- USDA Zone 5 form is more compact and has pink terminal flower clusters. This outstanding small Basham’s Party Pink Crapemyrtle more color impact. The dark green foliage appears native tree requires very to have inherited some resistance low maintenance. It will Marie Daly Rose to pests and diseases from its drop its leaves in fall to Rosa ‘Marie Daly’ L. faurei heritage and a lesser reveal showy red or orange (on female plants) USDA Zone 5 propensity for seed pods than that remain throughout the This easy care shrub rose has some of the other hybrids from winter. Possum Haw attracts few thorns and lots of very its L. indica parentage. It was songbirds while being heat fragrant, double pink blooms. introduced to the nursery trade and drought tolerant. It offers successive flushes by the legendary Texas plantsman of bloom from spring to frost. and nursery professional Mr. Exposure: full sun to Developed for Texas, this rose Lynn Lowrey in 1965. Makes partial shade the ‘Basham’s Party Pink’ the offers a new color of renowned Height: 10–15 feet granddaddy of Texas hybrid antique rose ‘Marie Pavie’, Plant type: large deciduous Possum Haw as well as good disease and crapemyrtles and a time tested Texas Superstar®. woody shrub or small tree Deciduous Holly alkaline soil tolerance. Planting time: anytime Exposure: full sun Exposure: full sun for from containers optimum flowering Height: 3 feet Soil type: adapts to Height: 20–30 feet tall with Plant type: shrub rose most soils from acidic two-thirds to similar spread Planting time: fall and spring to slightly alkaline Plant type: Small-to-medium Soil type: Well-drained soil Suggested uses: accent, single or multiple stem shrub border, fall to winter is best, but it will grow in high deciduous tree alkaline clay soils. specimen or as a patio tree Planting time: Fall or early Suggested uses: cut flowers, Special notes: Possum Haw spring planting is best, but tolerates poorly drained soils. dried flowers for potpourri plants can be readily established and landscapes from containers or balled-and- Shantung Maple Special notes: Marie Daly burlap at any time of year with Acer truncatum Rose performs best in hardi- appropriate irrigation. ness zone 5. It has a bush Soil type: tolerant of all but USDA Zone 6 habit and can be as wide as 3 very alkaline soils as long as This beautiful maple has a Shantung Maple feet. It needs daylong full sun the soil is well-drained spreading canopy with and good air movement over Suggested uses: specimen attractive foliage that turns the leaves. Drip irrigation or a flowering tree, small shade spectacular red or red- soaker hose is recommended. tree, near patios and outdoor orange in late fall. It is entertainment areas, street reminiscent of Japanese trees with training, in cut maple but much tougher. flower arrangements, or in very Exposure: full sun to large landscape containers. partial shade Special notes: Water during Height: 25 feet establishment and in severe Plant type: ornamental drought. To reduce foliar deciduous tree Planting time: fall and spring Chinkapin Natchez Blackberry Soil type: various soil types Quercus muehlenbergii fruticosus ‘Natchez’ and tolerates alkaline soils USDA Zone 5 USDA Zone 5 Suggested uses: shade tree Chinkapin Oak is an attractive Natchez blackberry is a for small yards medium-to-large shade tree thornless cultivar out of the Special notes: Shantung suitable for use in much of University of Arkansas. It is a tolerate heat, however Texas. Its distinctive saw-tooth trailing plant that produces an they are not adapted to West leaves, which resemble those abundance of large, elongated Texas. The trunk must be of the chinquapin tree found in fruit. The fruit is the largest Lacey Oak wrapped the first three years the eastern United States, are a produced by a thornless to prevent sunscald. Performs rich green and turn from yellow cultivar. Fruit quality is firm best in hardiness zone 6. to bronze in fall. and outstanding, and it could Exposure: full sun be a commercial variety. Lacey Oak Exposure: full sun for Quercus glaucoides Height: 50–60 feet Plant type: large maximum production USDA Zone 7 deciduous tree Height: Canes are trailing and This beautiful small oak is Planting time: anytime can be 6–8 feet tall. Some sort of native to the Texas Hill Country from containers trellis will be needed in order to and has a spreading canopy Soil type: adapts to most keep the canes off the ground. with attractive bluish-green soils from slightly acidic to Plant type: biennial; grow a top foliage. Lacey are highly moderately alkaline with the first year, those canes fruit tolerant of heat, drought, moderate drainage the next year and then they die. alkaline soil and pests. They Suggested uses: shade tree, The plant sends up new canes Chinkapin Oak make wonderful shade trees each growing season for the for smaller yards. street tree or park tree Special notes: It grows in the next year’s crop. Exposure: full sun wild on well-drained bottomland Planting time: Plant dormant trees Height: 25 feet soils and limestone hills near root cuttings in early winter Plant type: deciduous tree water, but it is adaptable to a or plants in early spring Planting time: fall and spring range of soils and exposures. three feet apart. Soil type: will survive in well- It is moderate to fast-growing Soil type: numerous soil types drained clay soils; grows best and develops an open rounded will work as long as they are in well-drained limestone soils as it ages. Chinkapin oak well-drained. Iron chlorosis may be an issue when soil pH Suggested uses: Xeriscapes or is heat and drought tolerant, is over 7.8. low water-use landscapes are which makes the species widely perfect conditions for growing adaptable throughout Texas. Suggested uses: container Lacey oak. Works best as a patio plant or a fruit producing shade tree in a small-to- accent bed in the landscape medium landscape. Special notes: To maintain Special notes: The oaks are plant health and vigor, some best adapted to the western of the fruit should be removed two-thirds of the state. Don’t each growing season. Too water too frequently. much fruit can cause subse- quent prima canes to be weak with a poor crop the next year.

Caricature Plant specialty Graptophyllum pictum USDA Zone 11 Caricature Plant is an excellent summer annual for a wide range of light conditions Natchez Blackberry plants from full sun to dense shade. Several new cultivars on the market offer foliage that varies from dark green or chocolate bronze with creamy white centers to tri-color foliage with various combinations of green, white, cream and pink. Exposure: full sun to dense shade

Caricature Plant Height: 2–4 feet as an annual, be done in late spring Miho Satsuma Mandarin to 6–8 feet as a tropical shrub or early summer after reticulata ‘Miho’ Plant type: summer annual blooming is complete. USDA Zone 9 (cold climates) or woody shrub Miho Satsuma produces an (tropics) Satsuma Mandarin attractive evergreen tree with Planting time: anytime from Citrus reticulata very fragrant flowers in early containers as a shrub, late spring spring. The fruit ripens in early for use as a summer annual USDA Zone 9 Satsuma mandarin is one of fall and is very sweet, easy-to- Soil type: tolerant of most soils the most cold tolerant citrus peel and usually seedless. as long as they remain moist Moth Orchid for Texas. The tree has attractive, during the growing season Exposure: minimum of 8–10 evergreen foliage and produces hours per day 5 Suggested uses: ideal for white flowers with an awesome those transition beds from Height: five feet high and wide; fragrance. The fruit is very smaller in containers sunny courtyards to the dense sweet, juicy, easy-to-peel and Plant type: evergreen shade of entryways; can also usually seedless. be used in interiorscapes citrus tree and containers Exposure: minimum of 8–10 Planting time: early spring after Special notes: Caricature hours of sun per day the danger of frost has passed Plant is very heat tolerant, but it Height: 8–10 feet high Soil type: adaptable if wilts under drought conditions. and wide on a rootstock well-drained It is cold sensitive and can in the ground; 3–4 feet in Suggested uses: accent plant be damaged by temperatures a container for the patio and containers much below 55° F. Plant type: evergreen Special notes: This tree citrus tree performs best in hardiness zone Satsuma Mandarin Moth Orchid Planting time: early spring 9. It will flower in early spring Phalaenopsis after danger of frost with fruit ripening in early to has passed late fall. If using a container, USDA Zone 11 Soil type: adaptable if at least a 20 gallon size with The moth orchid is one of the well-drained good drainage is suggested. best orchids for growing in the Suggested uses: accent plant Incorporate a slow release home. Clumped orchid plants in for the patio and containers fertilizer monthly. Containers small pots are usually the most Special notes: This plant can be moved in when a severe spectacular bloom producers. performs best in hardiness freeze warning is predicted. Exposure: place near bright zone 9. It will flower in early In ground plants may need some windows with no direct sun spring with fruit ripening in additional protection. Height: 2 feet early to late fall. Containers Plant type: sub-tropical should be at least 20 Arctic Frost gallons with good drainage. indoor plants Mandarin Hybrid Miho Satsuma Mandarin Planting time: pot in late spring Incorporate a slow release Citrus reticulata ‘Arctic Frost’ or early summer after blooming fertilizer monthly. Containers has completed can be moved in when a severe USDA Zone 8 ‘Arctic Frost’ is another Soil type: well-draining mix freeze warning is predicted. In Mandarin hybrid resulting from such as bark, tree ground plants, you may need fiber, various types of stone, some additional protection. peat moss or combinations; standard potting mixes will kill them specialty Suggested uses: interior plants to add color to a home or office Special notes: Keep the temperature above 60° F at night and between 70° F and 82° F during the day. Temperatures plants below 78° F for three-to-five Arctic Frost Mandarin Hybrid weeks with good light are needed for initiating flower spikes. Thoroughly water and then let stand and do not water again until nearly dry. Apply a complete fertilizer on a regular schedule during the active growing season to one teaspoon per one gallon at each watering. Potting should a cross between the seedy Special notes: This Texas Height: 12–15 inches but cold hardy Changsha Superstar® should expand the Plant type: annual tangerine and a very high planting zone for citrus in the Planting time: spring quality Satsuma. The hybrids ground to as far north as zone Soil type: will grow in most are the work of the late Dr. 8. Some protection will be well-drained soils and in a Ying Doon Moy, longtime required in the establishment variety of potting mixes plant breeder at the San phase. The tree will also work Suggested uses: a great Antonio Botanic Garden well in containers. vegetable to mix in flower before his death in November borders, use in mass plantings Orange Frost Mandarin Hybrid 2012. The fruit is very sweet NuMex Twilight or in containers and tart, easy-to-peel and only Ornamental Pepper Special notes: Plants are heat has one or two per fruit. Capsicum frutescens and drought tolerant. are ‘NuMex Twilight’ extremely hot to the taste. Orange Frost Mandarin Hybrid Texas Dawn Water Lily Citrus reticulata ‘Orange Frost’ A showy ornamental pepper Nymphaea ‘Texas Dawn’ that matures in about 85 days. USDA Zone 8 Plants produce good yields of USDA Zone 6 Orange Frost Mandarin three-quarter of an inch long by Texas Dawn received the hybrid is a cross between a one-half inch wide hot, edible International Water Lily very cold hardy Changsha peppers. Peppers grow upright Society’s American Award in tangerine and a very high in clusters, are very hot, and 1990. It can be expected to ‘NuMex Twilight’ quality Satsuma. The fruit is change colors from purple to produce seven to eight blooms Ornamental Pepper very sweet, easy-to-peel and yellow to orange to red when at a time by mid-summer. Texas only has one or two seeds per they mature. The effect is very Dawn produces rich yellow fruit. More importantly, the showy against the green stems flowers with outer tree has more cold hardiness and leaves and white flowers. blushed pink, greenish yellow than Satsuma and can be New growth, flowers and with pink border and grown a bit further north. peppers are continually deep yellow anthers. Flower Exposure: minimum of 8–10 produced all season long. size is 3–8 inches with a lemony fragrance. hours of sun per day Exposure: full sun Height: 8–10 feet high and Height: 2 feet by 2 feet wide Exposure: full sun wide in the ground; 4–6 feet Plant type: annual Height: flowers grow 3–8 in containers Planting time: from spring inches above the surface Plant type: evergreen through late summer of the water citrus tree Plant type: perennial ‘Purple Flash’ from containers Planting time: early spring Soil type: adaptable to good Planting time: spring to Ornamental Pepper after the danger of frost soil type with good drainage summer when water has passed Suggested uses: bedding in temperature is 70–85° F Soil type: adaptable if vegetable or flower gardens, Soil type: heavy clay well-drained and in containers Suggested uses: ponds, cut Suggested uses: accent plant Special notes: These peppers flowers and dry flowers for backyard and potential can be started from seed in Special notes: Even though patio containers early spring and set out after Texas Dawn requires full sun, all danger of frost has passed. it is one of a few varieties that Excellent for mixing vegetables can bloom with three hours of into ornamental flower gardens. sun daily, increasing your specialty landscaping options. Other Purple Flash well-adapted water lily Ornamental Pepper varieties include Clyde Ikins, Colorado, Layde-keri Fulgens, Texas Dawn Capsicum annuum ‘Purple Flash’ Panama Pacific, Perry’s Double

plants White, Red Flare and Star of Siam.

An exotic-looking ornamental ‘Green Magic’ Broccoli pepper with leaves that are Brassica oleracea almost black and overlayed ‘ Green Magic’ with splashes of dark purple and white. Fruit are small A superb early hybrid variety and secondary to the foliage from Calabria strains that for display. produce high quality, attractive smooth dome heads with tight Exposure: full sun to green beads. partial shade

‘Green Magic’ Broccoli Exposure: full sun Planting time: in early spring Size: Plants vary between after the danger of frost has 1–2 feet in height and spread. passed and in the summer 80 to Heads can weigh between 90 days prior to the first freeze 350–400 gm. in the fall; best to use high qual- Plant type: annual ity transplants; if seed is used, it Planting time: ‘Green Magic’ is should be started 6 to 8 weeks a hybrid, which matures in 90 prior to the planting date days from direct seeding or 60 Soil type: numerous types as days from transplanting. Green long as well-drained Magic’s superior heat tolerance Suggested uses: for the ‘Tycoon’ Tomato makes it good for spring and garden or commercial planting fall crops, although broccoli performs best when it experi- ‘Dwarf Cherry Surprise,’ or ences cool growing conditions. Hence, planting date depends ‘BHN 968’ Tomato lycopersicum ‘BHN 968’ on location, but ideally the (syn. ‘Dwarf Cherry Surprise’) heads will mature when the temperatures are cool. If planting ‘BHN 968’ is a determinate in spring, plan to harvest before plant, which produces an abun- the temperature reaches 80° F; dant yield of cherry tomatoes. the heads will bolt in high heat. The fruit are one half to three If planting in fall, start 10 to 12 quarter of an inch in diameter weeks before first frost date. and are four times sweeter than Soil type: best in a well regular cherry tomatoes. The ‘Dwarf Cherry Surprise’, prepared garden soil plant is resistant to Verticillium, ‘BHN 968’ Tomato Suggested uses: good for fall Fusarium, Tobacco Mossaic and spring crops. Also, the Virus and Tomato Spotted Wilt foliage is very ornamental for Virus, as well as nematodes. mixed-use gardens. Exposure: full sun for Special notes: Good tolerance optimum production to downy mildew. Size: 3–4 feet high and 2–3 feet wide ‘Tycoon’ Tomato Plant type: annual Solanum lycopersicum ‘Tycoon’ and determinate ‘Tycoon’ is an exceptional large Planting time: in early spring rounded beef slicer tomato after the danger of frost has variety. The plant is determinate passed and in the summer 80 to and is known for its heat setting 90 days prior to the first freeze ability as well as its resistance in the fall; best to use high to tomato yellow leaf curl quality transplants; if seed is virus. This particular virus has used it, should be started 6 to 8 become a major problem in the weeks prior to the planting date fall over the past few years as Soil type: numerous types as the virus is transmitted by white long as well-drained flies, which become worse in Suggested uses: for the serious drought conditions. In garden or commercial planting specialty addition, the plant is resistant Special notes: ‘BHN 968’ is to Verticillium, Fursarium races an outstanding selection for one and two, tomato spotted the home garden or accent wilt virus, as well as nematodes. containers. The naturally The fruit is firm and actually short plant stature makes for more oblate than round. outstanding yields in a small plants amount of space. Fruit sweet- Exposure: full sun for ness and quality is exceptional. optimum production These are great for school Size: Plants are 3–4 feet high gardens and children, as the and 2–3 feet wide. Average fruit plant will make an abundance size is 10 ounces, but reports of fruit in a short period of time. up to 1.5 pounds have been recorded. Plant has the capacity of yielding 25 to 30 pounds of high quality marketable fruit. Plant type: annual determinate type TEXAS SUPERSTAR® VIDEOS CONTACT INFORMATION

Watch the “Texas Superstar® Overview Video” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUwk7zDONoE

See Tom Spencer, host of Central Texas Gardener on KLRU, interview Brent Pemberton, chair of the Executive Board at Texas A&M AgriLife Research Texas Superstar®, about the Texas Superstar® Program at: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QAcX5IstCI Proving that Texas Superstars® are outstanding landscape plants specifically adapted to Texas

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center USDA Hardiness Zones P.O. Box 200 This designates the coldest zone where a plant is typically Overton, Texas 75684 considered cold hardy. Summer annuals do not have a hardiness Telephone: (903) 834-6191 designation, but winter annuals do. Please see the maps in the www.texassuperstar.com center spread of this booklet for a key to the hardiness zones. The maps were prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Water Use The number of raindrop symbols denotes the level of water use that can be expected for a particular plant. Even the most drought tolerant plants need adequate moisture for initial establishment. Texas Nursery & Landscape Association = Low expected water use = Moderate expected water use A Texas trade association representing grower, retail, = High expected water use landscape and supplier segments of the nursery and landscape industry Texas Superstar® Deer-resistant plants The designated deer symbol indicates “deer resistant plants.” 7730 South IH-35 Deer tend to avoid some plants and relish others. While no plant Austin, Texas 78745 can be guaranteed to be “deer-proof,” some types of plants are Phone: (512) 280-5182 less appealing to the animals. Highly recommended by many Fax: (512) 280-3012 gardeners is a good deer repellent to prevent deer damage for www.tnlaonline.org a six month time period after planting for plant establishment. www.landscapetexas.org Attractive to The bee symbol indicates that the designated plant is attractive to pollinators. This could include honey bees, bumble bees, or any other pollinators that are commonly found in gardens of a particular area.

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