Monthly Tips

If you want your Central Texas landscape to absolutely glow in June while supporting wildlife, native perennials are hard to beat. These plants evolved for our heat, limestone soils, drought cycles, and unpredictable weather — which means less watering, less fuss, and more pollinators all summer long.

Here are some of the best hardy native perennials for June color in Central Texas and the pollinators they bring in:

 Flame Acanthus

One of the toughest summer bloomers you can plant. Flame acanthus explodes with orange-red tubular flowers right when the heat ramps up.

Why it shines in June

* Thrives in brutal heat

* Handles drought exceptionally well

* Blooms from late spring into fall

**Pollinators attracted**

* Hummingbirds

* Native bees

* Butterflies, especially sulfurs

**Planting tip

Give it full sun and good drainage. It may look slow in spring, but once summer hits, it takes off.

 Blackfoot Daisy

This cheerful white daisy blooms almost nonstop and smells lightly sweet after rain.

Why it shines

* Compact and tidy

* Excellent for borders and rock gardens

* Extremely drought tolerant

**Pollinators attracted**

* Small native bees

* Hoverflies

* Butterflies

**Planting tip

Don’t overwater it. Blackfoot daisy actually performs better with a little neglect.

 Turk’s Cap

Perfect for shadier spots where you still want bold summer color.

Why it shines

* Red blooms through the hottest months

* Great under oaks

* Tough and dependable

**Pollinators attracted**

* Hummingbirds

* Carpenter bees

* Butterflies

**Planting tip

Morning sun and afternoon shade help it stay lush through summer.

 Mealy Blue Sage

A Central Texas classic with spikes of purple-blue flowers that bloom for months.

Why it shines

* Long bloom season

* Handles heat beautifully

* Easy to divide and spread

**Pollinators attracted**

* Honeybees

* Bumblebees

* Monarchs and other butterflies

**Planting tip

Deadhead occasionally to keep fresh blooms coming.

 Gregg’s Mistflower

This is butterfly magnet territory. In late summer it becomes absolutely covered in pollinators, but it starts building color in June.

Why it shines

* Soft lavender-blue blooms

* Spreads naturally

* Excellent wildlife value

**Pollinators attracted**

* Queen butterflies

* Monarchs

* Skippers

* Native bees

**Planting tip

Give it room — it likes to wander.

Copper Canyon Daisy

Not technically native to all of Central Texas, but highly adapted and fantastic for bold color.

Why it shines

* Bright golden blooms

* Aromatic foliage

* Blooms heavily in warm weather

**Pollinators attracted

* Butterflies

* Bees

**Planting tip

Cut it back once in midsummer to keep it full and bushy.

 Winecup

A low-growing native with vivid magenta blooms that spill beautifully over stone walls and beds.

Why it shines

* Great groundcover

* Heat tolerant

* Blooms heavily in spring into early summer

**Pollinators attracted**

* Native bees

* Small butterflies

**Planting tip

Excellent for slopes and areas with reflected heat.

The list could go on till the cows come home but I only have so much room here.

So, for more information reach us here at Grizzly’s Hidden Falls Nursery & Landscaping

Last tip... Ditch the lawn and put in a xeriscape