Wildflowers earned their name because they spread themselves freely without much help from planters and gardeners. It doesn’t matter if you own Texas ranch land or live on a block filled with Texas Hill Country homes, wildflowers are a set-it-and-forget-it kind of plant. Get them in the ground, give them some water, and they require little careafter that. They’re hardy, grow quickly, and it takes a lot for them to die. If your thumb isn’t as green as your neighbors’, you may want to go this route.

In addition to their simplicity, Texas wildflowers add beauty and color to your landscape, while helping to promote indigenous species. Here are a few varieties to consider:

1 – ALAMO FIRE

Also known as the “maroon bluebonnet,” these burgundy colored beauties thrive in well-drained raised beds. They don’t love terribly flat land, and do best on a sunny, hilly area. The nice thing about the Alamo Fire is that after cross pollination, you may be surprised with blue and purple blooms as well. (If you’d rather keep one uniform color, remove these blooms and transplant to another area.) Don’t worry about giving them a lot of water, these plants do well without a lot of fuss. Texas bluebonnets are perennials so you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.

2 – BLACK EYED SUSAN

The most common of all wildflowers, the Black Eyed Susan is an annual in cooler climates, but has the ability to come back each year in warmer climates. It loves sun, requires little water, and forgives you if you don’t pay attention to it every day. However, you don’t want to let the soil dry out either. Black Eyed Susan grow tall, and are terrific vase flowers.

3 – CONEFLOWER

Perfect for Texas ranch land, the purple or yellow Coneflower does well in dry climates. It’s drought tolerant, and enjoys abundant sunshine, and well drained soil. Coneflowers are perfect for lazy gardeners because they require little care, but bloom all throughout spring and summer. Plus they’re perennial, and there will be plenty each season for you to cut flowers to display indoors.

4 – MEXICAN HAT

These striking perennials bloom fiery red. They’re a favorite of South Texas homeowners because they do so well in dry, hot weather. Make sure to give them a sunny spot in your garden, in a well drained area, and they’ll show you love from June to September.

5 – SHASTA DAISY

The hardy Shasta Daisy is part of the Chrysanthemum family, but definitely resembles a daisy. This is a great Texas wildflower to plant in the back of your garden because it grows so tall. It’s not a fan of the shade, and likes soil that has good drainage. This robust perennial is terrific for cut flower lovers, and will last up to a week in the vase.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

One or all of these varieties will add color and interest to your Texas home. You don’t need a degree in horticulture, or landscaping experience to get them to grow well for you. Get them in the ground, make sure they have sun and water, and have a colorful garden that will last throughout the warm months.