Wildflower Wednesday

On the fourth Wednesday of the month, Gail over at Clay and Limestone asks garden bloggers to write about wildflowers. This is my second time to participate in Wildflower Wednesday and once again I’m thrilled. I love wildflowers or native plants for many reasons, but one of my favorites is the sense of place they give a garden. I love growing what would naturally occur in my area or comes from an area similar to my own. These photos were taken today in my garden.

Lance-leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is a perennial wildflower and it started blooming a few days ago. New plants are easily started from seed. This flower also looks great in arrangements.

The Copper Iris (Iris fulva) grows wild in Louisiana. My Houston garden has very similar conditions, so it is equally at home here. Although this iris loves a boggy situation, I find it also grows well in a raised bed.

Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea) blooms in my garden almost ten months out of the year. The lovely trumpet shaped red flowers attract hummingbirds.  I find when the temperatures begin to heat up, this salvia prefers afternoon shade.

Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnaris) took me several years to finally get established in my garden. Now, it is one of my showiest wildflowers. I just love the flower shape.

Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) is so dramatic with its’ large leaves and huge flowers. The silvery grey leaves are lovely even when the plant is not in flower. The flower spikes easily reach in excess of six feet tall.

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulcella) is such a cheerful flower. It is usually a perennial in my garden. I love it in flower arrangements.

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea) is such an unattractive name for such a beautiful flower. Mine have just set bud. The flower is true blue and a welcome addition to my garden.

Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) lets me know when it is spring in Texas. You see it popping up everywhere. I let it ramble through my garden and bloom where is pleases, then when the weather heats up it will disappear until next spring.

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is as the name suggests native to northern Mexico. In my garden it tends to bloom spring and fall. This lovely perennial has fuzzy silver leaves that add great texture to the garden.

Drummond Phlox (Phlox drummondii) I have only grown for three years. Each year I seem to have a few more plants. This annual comes in shades of white, pink and crimson.

Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata) is native to Mexico and Central America, but can now be found growing wild in Texas and Florida. These lovely pink flowers are soon followed by small cherry shaped fruits. The birds especially mockingbirds quickly consume the fruits.

Gulf Coast Penstemon (Penstemon tenuis) is a native to the southern coastal areas of the U.S. It grows well in my garden. I find the lovely lavender flowers blend well with roses and many other early spring bloomers. This plant readily reseeds, so I always have a few new plants each year.

To see what wildflowers were blooming in my garden last month visit: Wildflower Wednesday