What Can You Grow in a Garden in Texas?

Plant different types of gardens in Texas.

Texas' large size creates various United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones capable of hosting different types of plants. Some plants do well throughout most of the state, allowing you to create a satisfying garden.

Vegetable Gardens

Texas hosts many types of vegetables.

Texas vegetable gardens host many types of vegetables with varying requirements for sunlight and care. For small gardens, consider onions, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce and green beans. For large gardens, consider melons, corn, cucumbers and sweet potatoes.

Butterfly Gardens

Certain plants attract butterflies.

Butterfly gardens provide a colorful landscape and food for adult and immature butterflies. Texas butterfly gardens can include the blue mist flower, gayfeather and different sages.

Annual Flower Gardens

Add color with marigolds and other annuals.

Colorful annuals -- plants that live for one season -- that do well in Texas include both spring-flowering and summer-flowering species. Spring-flowering species include poppies, violas, calendula and pansies. Summer-flowering species include begonias, marigolds, petunias, salvia and alyssum.

Perennial Flowers

Coneflowers return year after year.

Perennials return year after year. Those that do well throughout most of Texas include several iris species, purple coneflowers, sweet violets and lilies. Perennial grasses for Texas gardens include fountain grass, pampas grass and purple autumn grass.

References

• Texas A&M University: Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide
• Texas A&M University: Butterfly Gardening in Texas
• Texas A&M University: Extension Service: "Seasonal Color...Care and Management"; Don C. Wilkerson, Ph.D, Professor and Extension Horticulturist Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M University: Outstanding Perennials for Texas

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map