Just bought a house and need plant ideas?

Lantana, lantana, lantana. I love this plant. It is an annual in Ga, but it may last longer in Houston. There are several varieties (from ground cover to 5'), they are low maintenance, abundant bloomers, and tolerate heat.

I am also fond of mixed perennial/ annual beds. Perennials that are low maintenance and heat tolerant are Sedums (also several varieties from 3" to 18"), Red Hot Poker plant, and Stella De Oro lilies.

Annuals include Pentas, Wave Petunias, and I love growing Peppers. The plant is remarkable pretty and you get food.

Good Luck.

Zoning in Texas for garden is good. There are a lot of choices. Don't go with what we think is good. You yourself have your choice of flowers. Get those one that you love the most first and start from there and then go down the list. You can go crazy, you have an ideal place that can grow almost anything. Don't worry about anything. Flowers has their own way of beautifying any space. There is no such thing as right and wrong combinations when it comes to flowers. They all blend together. That's my philosophy. Good luck!

The best thing to do is drive around and find a garden design that you would like, take a photo and then go to your local garden center. It's up to you if you want high maintenance to no maintenance, bulbs to shrubs. Get a plan,prep the area and don't buy before you know about the plants. This will save you money, time, frustration and disappointment.

I would suggest any home improvement store. I would NOT suggest buying from Wal-Mart or Target, any supermarket. If your looking for quality plants, and yes even counts for plants. I would go to a nursery, but if mediocrity is your way than go to lowes or home depot. If you don't have the money, I would go for wal-mart though, they do have warranty but its not a very good place to buy plants and other home improvement items.

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