We rounded up 6 of the most heat-proof perennials to plant in your North Texas garden. Not only are they beautiful, but these ultra-reliable perennials are all designated as both A&M Texas Superstars and “FlameProof” by the Dallas Arboretum Plant Trials department. Virtually indestructible!
What is a Texas Superstar?
Each year, a nine-person board made up Texas A&M AgriLife experts in the fields of horticulture, plant physiology and other disciplines names plants to the list of Texas Superstars.
To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must undergo several years of extensive field trials and show superior performance and reliability under Texas’ tough growing conditions. During the field trials, Texas Superstars receive minimal soil preparation, reasonable levels of water, and no pesticides. Texas Superstars must also be easy to propagate, ensuring the plants are widely available and reasonably priced.
What makes a plant “FlameProof”?
I had the distinct honor of working as a horticulture intern in the plant trials department at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens under Jimmy Turner. Jimmy is a world-renowned horticulturist, and his colorful personality made the plant trial presentations as entertaining as they were informative. Jimmy coined the phrase “FlameProof” (yes, spelled that way) to describe varieties of plants that displayed a particular resilience through our relentless North Texas summer heat.
Though the Dallas Arboretum plant trials tend to focus on annuals, there are several perennials through the years that earned Turner’s special designation.
When to plant perennials in North Texas
Hands-down the best time of the year to plant perennials in North Texas is fall. Planting perennials in September and October gives them a long period of cool weather to establish deep root systems before the summer heat arrives the following year. Perennials can also be planted here in the spring with success, but fall is the optimal planting window for our area. Perennial transplants are available at quality garden center during the appropriate planting times.
6 Heat-Proof Perennials to Plant Now
1. Napier Grass ‘Princess Caroline’
Napier grass is the perfect space-filler, and lends a lush, tropical vibe to any garden. Very heat and drought tolerant, ‘Princess Caroline’ grows to 4-6 feet tall. It will freeze to the ground, but regrows rapidly in spring. Avoid excessive
2. Verbena ‘Princess Dark Lavender’
‘Princess Dark Lavender’ also known as ‘Blue Princess’ is a favorite of butterflies and bloomed all summer long in the Arboretum trials. Cut back this evergreen in between blooms to maintain shape. This variety can grow quite large – a good option for bedding and covering large spaces.
3. Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue”
Mystic Spires is a dwarf version of Indigo Spires and noted as one of the best blue salvias ever tested by the Arboretum. Avoid excess water and
4. Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’
Henry Duelberg is a classic, low-maintenance perennial for North Texas gardens. A favorite of pollinators, it grows to three feet tall by three feet wide and will bloom from spring to frost with frequent shearing. Take care to avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing which will cause plants to flop and reduces flowering.
5. Phlox paniculata ‘John Fanick’
Phlox is one of the showiest perennials for the North Texas garden. So showy, in fact, that many are surprised to learn this is a perennial and not an annual. ‘John Fanick’ is fragrant, heat-tolerant, and drought tolerant. Cut back in mid-summer to promote fall blooms.
6. Trailing Lantana
Trailing Lantana is one of the most heat tolerant plants for North Texas. Freezing to the ground in winter, lantana bounces back quickly in spring, and displays mounds of blooms all summer. Allow to cascade over retaining walls or the sides of elevated garden beds for added drama. The “Luscious” series from Proven Winners is designated as “FlameProof” and boasts 11 different color options.
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