Question about Allamandas and general Houston-area planting

11 years ago

With our move to Texas last summer, we also acquired a severely neglected yard. After putting in some good effort to get in better shape, we got what you now see in the picture (that was in August).

The yellow Allamandas did really well and looked great for a long time but have now completely died down to soil level. Is this normal? I pruned them way down the other day - I hope that was the right thing to do? Will they come back? Did they die from lack of water (or frost, although we only had a few nights that went down to 32 or 31 or so) or is that just what they do in winter here?

Also, what else could I plant there that would look nice and thrive in this flowerbed? As you can see, there is a large tree that adds quite a bit of shade during the day. Only the outer edges of the bed get what one might consider full sun.

Any advice for this gardening-newbie AND Texas-newbie would be welcome! Thanks!

Comments (2)

eahamel
11 years ago
I think the allamandas will be okay. The guys across the street planted several in front of their house (facing north) and they're fine, even with the two nights below 32 that we've had. His haven't died back, so maybe yours didn't get enough water? Keep them watered a while and see if they will come back from the roots.

Right now, you could put some caladiums in that bed, the shade loving ones in shady areas, and sun lovers at the edges. They are pretty and will last for months.

BTW, that isn't a large tree. It's a sort of medium southern live oak that's really too close to the house. It will crack your foundation before it's a mature tree, and will grow over your roof, and you'll need to keep those branches closest to your house pruned. A tree that large should be at least 30 feet from your house, if not farther. Stupid landscapers probably put it in when the house was built.
ms. violet grey
11 years ago
Purple coneflowers, salvia, roses- designated as Earth Kind.
I highly recommend Belinda's Dream. Check out nurseries in the Houston Heights (such as Buchanan's Native Plants, Joshua's, Another Place in Time).

The Antique Rose Emporium, outside Houston (check out their website).

Crape (Crepe) Myrtles are beautiful and abound in Houston.
You'll see them in different colors, pastel pink, fuschia, lavender, red, white (The Muskogee-white and Dallas Red) get notoriously big.

In the northern states, many wish they could grow Crape Myrtles, as we wish for peonies!
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