By Melody Stramer, Bexar County Master Gardener
February 2024
Whenever anyone asks me for recommendations for their yard, especially if they are new to the area or new to gardening, I always mention Texas Superstars. Gardening in south Texas is challenging! The extremes of heat, cold and drought with attendant water restrictions that have plagued us in the last few years make it even more difficult.
The idea, of course, is to place a plant where it will grow and thrive based on its needs and the planting site you choose. You can maximize your odds of success by choosing plants from the Superstar list. This is because Texas A&M has extensively researched a wide variety of plants and named those that regularly stand out in their ability to thrive in our climate.
Because of the difficulties we’ve faced of late, I am especially glad I’ve taken my own advice and increased the number of Superstars in my landscape every year. And I am delighted to say they continue to shine despite the many weather-related adversities we face. Since we all tend to get the itch to add new plants in spring (which is just around the corner!), I thought it was worth sharing a few words and pictures to illustrate how the Superstars just keep on giving through it all. And please remember these are not ‘old timers’, but they still shine.
We have over a dozen Superstars actively beautifying the landscape now in the Annual, Perennial, and Per-Annual categories, plus Knock Out Roses, so I’ll concentrate on just some of them.
- A favorite is my Lindheimer Muhly Grass, added last year, which provides lovely winter interest at present.
- Mystic Spires Blue Salvia never stopped blooming and continues to do so.
- Vinca Cora is a persistent wonder of bright colors that deer don’t bother, and they have re-seeded for me in the spring.
- Whopper begonias are still blooming.
- Angelonia Serena is another favorite every year and is still providing lush blooms in various colors, plus it’s attractive in a vase as well.
You can find Texas Superstars at your local independent nurseries. They should have a Superstar designation on or in the container. See the latest list at www.texassuperstar.com.
All photos by Author