© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Cool Season Annuals for Houston By Angela Chandler.

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved

Cool Season Annuals for Houston

By Angela Chandler


Our “first” season

• In a majority of the Gulf Coast, fall should be considered our most important growing season– Mild winters– More chance of consistent moisture– Sun angle less harsh – even at midday– Many plants considered to be perennials in most of

the country can be grown as annuals here from Oct – April

• Some are coveted beauties such as Delphiniums, English Daisies, and Poppies


Annuals for Houston

• Includes true annuals and perennials ‘grown as annuals’– Some are perennial in other areas of the

country but will not tolerate year-round Houston conditions

• Timing is critical for good results

– Some can become perennial if specific conditions are met

– All can be grown as annuals in most normal fall and winter conditions


Where can I find these plants?

• Local nurseries– Few will be available – it’s just not practical for them– Might not be available at the right time– Might be past peak bloom opportunity

• Seed companies and bulb companies– Obtain catalogs early

• Seeds to be sown directly or bulbs for fall planting - order to be shipped before early October

• DIY transplants – order seeds to be shipped by early July


Preparation is a must

• Annuals and perennials grown as annuals will require:– A very well prepared bed

• Loose, well drained

– Higher than normal nutrient level• Compost, time release fertilizer

• Will do best if bed is prepared at least two-weeks before planting

• The majority of these plants can be direct seeded, making this a VERY economical effort


Cool Weather Annuals

• Plant October through January

• Includes:– True annuals– Perennials grown as annuals– Bulbs that prefer cooler climates and do not

naturalize dependably in our area

• Some require specific cultural techniques for best results – such as pre-chilling


Lobularia maritimaSweet Alyssum


Eustoma grandiflorumLisianthus or Bluebells

At right is our native Texas

Bluebell


Bellis perennisEnglish Daisy


Brassica oleraceaOrnamental Cabbage & Kale


Brassica oleraceaOrnamental Cabbage & Kale


Calendula officinalisPot Marigold


Chrysanthemum hybridsMums


Chrysanthemum leucanthemumOx-eye Daisy


Senecio cinerariaDusty Miller


Senecio cinerariaDusty Miller


Cyclamen persicumCyclamen


Delphinium elatumDelphinium The Delphiniums

below were grown at Mercer Arboretum in their fall garden – we

have always been told we could not grow them here, but the

trick is to grow them in our “first” season –

FALL!!


Delphinium grandiflora‘Dwarf Blue Butterfly’


Dianthus sp.Pinks

Spring Charm

Sweet William

Telstar Mix


Digitalis purpurea‘Foxy’ Foxglove


Alcea roseaHollyhocks


Consolida hybridsLarkspurs


Linaria hybridsToadflax

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/images/low/A591-0901020.jpg


Linaria hybridsToadflax

With Cardoon at Mercer


Mimulus hybridsMonkey Flower

Viva

Mystic Orange


Tropaeolum majusNasturtium

Peach Melba

Alaska Mix

Jewel Mix


Nicotiana alataFlowering Tobacco

Domino Mix Sensation Mix


Viola wittrockianaPansy


Petunia hybrids Garden Petunia

‘Laura Bush’


Papaver sp.Poppy


Primula malachoidesFairy Primrose


Primula malachoidesFairy Primrose


Primula obconicaGerman Primrose


Primula polyanthaPolyanthus


SchizanthusPoor Man’s Orchid


Antirrhinum majusSnapdragon


Beta vulgarisSwiss Chard

Gorgeous AND edible!


Lathyrus odoratusSweet Peas


Anemone coronariaWindflower


NarcissusDaffodils

Mt. Hood

Fortune

Cassata


Iris xiphiumDutch Iris


Hyacinthus hybridsGarden Hyacinth


Ranunculus asiaticusFlorists Ranunculus


Tulipa hybridsTulips

Blueberry Ripple Darwin Mix


Tulipa clusianaSpecies Tulips

Lady Jane

T. clusiana var chrysantha

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Cool Season Annuals for Houston By Angela Chandler.

Documents

fall garden

normal fall

season fall

houstonincludes true

cool season annuals

middaymany plants

bluebellsat right

right timemight