What to Plant in Your Flower Bed: DFW Seasonal Guide
Choosing the right plants for your Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) flower bed makes the difference between a thriving garden and a struggling one. Our extreme climate—with hot summers, mild winters, and unpredictable rainfall—requires strategic plant selection.
Spring Planting (March-May)
Annuals
- Pansies: Early spring color, fade by May
- Snapdragons: Cool-season blooms until heat arrives
- Petunias: Plant after last frost (mid-March)
- Marigolds: Heat-tolerant, bloom through summer
Perennials
- Salvia: Texas native, attracts hummingbirds
- Lantana: Drought-tolerant, blooms until frost
- Black-eyed Susan: Native wildflower, low maintenance
- Shasta daisy: Classic white blooms
Summer Planting (June-August)
Heat Survivors
- Pentas: Butterfly magnet, thrives in heat
- Vinca: Reliable summer color
- Zinnias: Easy from seed, cutting flowers
- Portulaca: Succulent groundcover for hot spots
Fall Planting (September-November)
Cool Season Stars
- Pansies: Return for winter color
- Ornamental kale: Frost improves color
- Chrysanthemums: Classic fall blooms
- Asters: Native, feeds pollinators
Winter Interest (December-February)
Evergreen Options
- Dusty miller: Silvery foliage year-round
- Ornamental cabbage: Color intensifies in cold
- Violas: Hardy winter blooms
Native Plant Recommendations
These Texas natives thrive with minimal care:
- Turk’s cap: Shade-tolerant red blooms
- Fall aster: Purple clouds in October
- Mexican bush sage: Purple spikes, deer resistant
- Coral honeysuckle: Native vine for trellises
Planting Tips for Success
- Amend soil: Add compost to clay soil
- Space properly: Account for mature sizes
- Mulch: 3 inches after planting
- Water deeply: Encourage deep roots
- Deadhead: Remove spent blooms for more flowers
Professional Planting Services
Groundhogs Services sources quality plants and handles professional installation throughout DFW. We select varieties proven to thrive in our climate.
