• Oxblood lilies (Rhodophiala bifida) – One of the first plants to greet the coming fall is the oxblood lily. An old favorite of our grandmothers, the strap-like foliage of this reliable bulb appears like clockwork in August, followed shortly by dark red trumpet-shaped blooms in early September. Oxbloods are no-care plants, and are perfect for well-drained areas that receive a minimum of attention.
• Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) – Another no-care plant is the lovely goldenrod. These native beauties line our roadways during autumn, and they or their many cultivated varieties are wonderful inclusions in home flowerbeds. Some people think goldenrod causes allergies, but don’t believe it. The real culprit is ragweed, which blooms at the same time.
• Fall aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) – A particular autumn standout is the fall aster. This sun-loving Texas native is absolutely covered with beautiful star-like purple flowers in mid-fall. Like goldenrod, it has low water requirements after establishment. To get the best fall showing out of this mounding perennial, do not prune after mid-summer.
• Firespike (Odontonema strictum) – Firespike is a plant that loves shade. During the spring and summer, its tall, dark green foliage provides a good backdrop for other shade lovers, but be ready for fireworks in autumn – tall spikes of red or purple flowers appear until freezing weather. After a freeze, don’t be fooled into thinking the plant has been killed because it happily returns in spring.
• Angel trumpet (Brugmansia sp.) – The giant hanging blooms of angel trumpets are at their best during fall and are a sight to behold when the plant is in bloom. Available in several colors, these plants die back in freezing temperatures but re-sprout in spring. For best results provide plenty of water, fertilizer and dappled shade. The big caveat with these plants is that every part is poisonous, so don’t plant them where pets and children can get at them and always wear gloves when pruning to avoid sap.
• Giant cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala) – If you want a plant that will draw hummingbirds and butterflies to your fall garden, try Giant Cigar Plant. Also called “candy corn plant,” the 1.5 inch flowers on this cuphea really do look like Halloween candy. They grow three feet high with an equal spread, so they are good planted at the back of flowerbeds. They are drought-tolerant after establishment. They may die back after a freeze but are usually root hardy in this area.
• Texas Turk’s cap (Malvariscus arboreus var. drummondii) – Texas Turk’s cap is another great one for drawing hummingbirds and butterflies. This south Texas native is hardy and relatively non-invasive. It forms clumps with a height and spread of about three feet, can take sun to shade and requires little water once established. Upright turban-like blooms form red fruits relished by birds. It generally dies back in winter but reappears in spring. A tropical form called giant Turks cap also exists. They grow to around 10 feet in height, with downward-hanging blooms. Giant Turk’s cap is more susceptible to cold weather, so plant them in sheltered spots.

Foliage performers

• Coleus (Coleus blumei) – Coleus is a go-to plant for standout color. While it does produce flower spikes, the leaves are the real attention-getters. Coleus prefer medium water and regular fertilizer. They don’t handle freezing, so treat them as annuals if placed in flower beds. They are fabulous in pots – not only because they make porches pop with autumn color but also because they can be brought indoors during cold weather. Coleus grows best in partial shade, although some sun-tolerant varieties have been developed.
• Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) – Croton is another great foliage plant that homeowners love to use in pots when dressing up porches in celebration of the fall season. Their large leaves are bright and colorful, and the plants can grow quite tall. Croton do not like cold weather, so treat them as annuals if placed in flower beds. They can be grown indoors but are a bit temperamental if over- or under-watered and if they don’t receive enough light.

Great fall gardens

The great thing about living in South Texas is that we get to take advantage of our long autumn months to really make our gardens shine. Add the plants listed above to your fall gardening and enjoy beautiful blooms and foliage until – and sometimes after – cold weather arrives.