Sunny Spots

Texas Hot

South Texas is warm most for the year and downright hot in the summer. It’s Texas, yet wild Texas is full of plants that are never watered and make it through all but the longest droughts.

Your landscape can do the same, and unlike the true deserts of the American west, central Texas has a wide variety plants to choose from. You do not have to recreate a desert landscape in San Antonio. In fact, it is best not to as rock landscapes mimicking the desert west add to the heat and are more trouble to maintain than you think.

Sunny Spot Elements

Plants

Select your plants carefully. Your sunny spots can host a variety of tough blooming perennials and wildflowers as well as structural plants you’ll find in the agave, sotol and cactus category.

Water

New plants will need to be watered to get established. The best way to water new plants is with a handheld hose. Use the 3-2-1- method. In a deep heat wave, you’ll need to add a bit of water. Watch your plants for morning wilt. That is a good indication they could use a drink.

Mulch

Best choice: Leaves from your trees raked and spread into your beds. This is also the easiest and cheapest choice.

Next choice: Organic mulch, usually shredded pine bark mulch. Stay away from cypress mulch. It’s made from cypress cut in the Everglades.

Last choice: Inorganic mulch, better known as rock or decomposed granite. If you do use it, use it sparingly and with purpose. It will not improve soil like leaves and organic mulch. It is also harder to maintain, only vigilant cleaning will keep it weed free. Weed block will not prevent weeds.