Flowers That Tolerate the South Texas Sun

South Texas, sitting just north the Mexican-United States border, has a dessert like climate. The sun is exceedingly intense in the region, regularly reaching temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Often times, the intense sunshine and heat may be too much for flower species. There are, however, several varieties of flowering plants native to South Texas, which makes them ideal for gardens in that area.

Thelesperma filifolium, commonly called green thread, is a native wildflower of South Texas. Reaching a height of 26 inches, the flowers are seen along roadsides. Revered for its bright yellow blooms and hardy growing nature, the plant prefers full sun and thrives in the hot South Texas sun. Green thread blooms through March and June and often flowers come up through the fall. Green thread seeds can be easily purchased online, and plant nurseries often sell sprouted versions of the plant.

Aphanostephus skirrhobasis, lazy daisy, is a wildflower native to South Texas. Growing 2 feet high and blooming through February and November, it is nearly and all-year flowering plant. The lazy daisy gets its name from its blooming habit. All blooms close until midday, when the sun is strongest, giving the plant a lazy blooming appearance. Lazy daisy is best grown from the seed. Though considered an annual, it often replants its self from seed droppings in late fall and winter. The blooms are white with a yellow interior.

Callirgoe involucrate, the wine cup flower, is a flowering perennial of South Texas. The red wine color of the flower and its wine cup shape lends to its common name. The flower requires full sun, and its growth is vine like, spreading out 2 to 3 feet. Best grown from seed, the plant is hardy and should be spaced 3 feet from other plant species. Trim back at the end of summer for improved fall growth.

The Texas bindweed, Convolvulus equitans, is an indigenous wild flower from South Texas. A perennial, this vine like plant produces white flowers with a deep purple center. Able to grow 8 feet from its root base, the plant can overwhelm other plants. Do not plant other species within the growing range of the Texas Bindweed. Plant in full sun; the blooms appear nearly all year and are very drought tolerant. The Texas bindweed, like most types of wild flowers, grows best from seed.