Turks Caps Flowers

Hatton: Shrubs provide color with little water

One challenge our gardens have in the heat of summer even in normal years or weather is that of providing color. Annuals often fill the bill for gardeners to supplement color offered by perennials that bloom in the summer. However, many annuals did not survive this year due to the early heat and relentless wind that did not allow them to become established.

But even with color provided by annuals and perennials, I like to have other summer bloomers like numerous crape myrtles. I also have several shrubs in my gardens that stand out at this time of the year. Three are Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii), lantana (Lantana camara ‘Pink Dawn’) and butterfly bush (Buddleia).

Turk’s Cap, a Texas native plant, is recommended for shade and light shade. Its flowers are small but quite bright and noticeable. Mine has red flowers, and there are white varieties as well. The foliage is dark green and lush-looking, even with our harsh weather this summer.

Farther south it is a deciduous shrub requiring spring pruning to keep it smaller. However, here it dies back to the ground each winter. It reaches about 4 feet in height and is not quite as wide. It is drought-tolerant and is tolerant of a wide range of soils, but for best health the soil should drain well. Be patient in spring as it is late to break dormancy and begin growing.

Lantana is also tolerant of drought and of many different soils. Like Turks Cap, it dies to the ground each year. Some years it comes back and some years it does not, however, it self-seeds such that I always have at least one plant in the spot I want. Mine reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and as wide and remains in full bloom until late in the season.

The shrub is covered with blooms and can be used as a focal point or simply as a spectacular background plant. Lantanas come in many different colors and color combinations and can be grown in containers as well as in the garden. Plant in full sun, and be patient in spring as with Turk’s Cap.

Turk's cap named new Texas Superstar

COLLEGE STATION - Gardeners, hummingbirds and butterflies have made in the shade with Turkish cap, the newly appointed Superstar by Texas AgriLife Research.

And "under the sun too," as the plant tolerates full sun as well, said Dr. Brent Pemberton, horticulturist AgriLife Research and chairman of the executive board of the Texas Superstar.

Although not new to Texas by any means, Turkish cap was named 2011 Texas Superstar, because when it comes to climate and soil, it is a very tough, versatile plant, he said.

“It’s a native plant, native to South Texas, and is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds,” Pemberton said. “It’s extremely drought-tolerant and will thrive in dry soils. It does very well in the shade but will take quite a bit of sun, so it is a very versatile plant; something that is pretty well adapted all over the entire state.”

To be designated a Superstar, a plant must be not just only beautiful but perform well for consumers and growers throughout Texas, Pemberton said. Superstars must also be easy to propagate, a requisite that ensures designees are not only widely available throughout Texas but reasonably priced too.

Most Superstars are selected only after extensive tests at Overton, Lubbock, San Antonio and College Station by AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists.

Pemberton said they broke the rule a bit with Turk’s cap, but for good reasons.

“We haven’t had formal tests for the last couple of years like we have for most Superstar plants, but this has been a plant that has been grown all over the state, and one we’ve known of for a long time,” he said. “It’s an old garden plant; something that’s found in old-home sites, in old gardens.”

Pemberton said Turk’s cap has been a “pass-along” plant for many, many years. Because it’s easy to grow and propagate, gardeners would pass along clippings to relatives and friends down through several generations.

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