Adorable Annuals for Your Houston, Texas Cottage Garden

Cottage gardens are certainly not short on charm, and the trees, shrubs and flowers you plant there should only add to this attribute. Flowers in a cottage garden should reflect an old world grace, creating a garden that is filled with blooms that are carefree and quaint. If you are searching for annuals that will add to the appeal of your Houston, Texas cottage garden, try some of the plants below.

Hollyhock. These old-fashioned blooms will look wonderful in your Houston, Texas cottage garden, blooming from April through June. A tall plant, its flowers are pink, red, white and yellow. They look beautiful against a rustic fence or stone wall. Plant in full to partial sun and protect them from a frost. These annuals will reach heights of six feet.

Pansy. Pansies are the original cottage garden flower, and these annuals will not disappoint. Pansies can be blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow or multicolor, so you are certain to find some that suit your cottage garden color scheme. These annuals do best in full sun, and will bloom from November through May. Pansies are hardy and will easily survive the Houston, Texas winter. They will look adorable in containers in your cottage garden, or in a mixed border.

Torenia. The "summer pansy" has adorable, old-fashioned flowers that are cupped. Torenia can be blue, pink, purple, white, yellow or multicolor, another flower that is sure to be a fit in your cottage garden. Plant these annuals in partial sun or shade, and protect them from a frost. You can buy trailing varieties that will add charm to your cottage garden when planted in hanging baskets or containers. These annuals also make a perfect groundcover for your Houston, Texas garden, and will bloom from May through November.

Foxglove. A lovely, old-fashioned flower that blooms in pink, salmon, cream and white. These annuals will look gorgeous in your Houston, Texas cottage garden, and will blossom during April and May. Foxglove will attract hummingbirds to your cottage garden, which can only add to the charm. The tall (2-3 feet) spiky flowers are bell shaped, and do best when planted in the fall in full to partial sun. Foxglove are root hardy and will regrow after the winter.

Delphinium. The quintessential cottage garden flower, these annuals bloom in blue, rose, lavender, lilac, purple, violet, red and white. The tall flowers are highly ornamental, and will attract butterflies to your Houston, Texas cottage garden. I have read that these can be difficult in Houston, Texas gardens, but if planted in full sun, (using organic soil that has good drainage), they should be fine. Plant them in the fall for spring blooms, and keep them well watered. Delphiniums are perfect in a Houston, Texas mixed border, and also make lovely accent plants.

Calendula. Calendula can bloom in single or double daisy-like flowers. Plant in full sun and these annuals will bloom from November to May, bringing color in the winter to your Houston, Texas cottage garden. You may hear these annuals referred to as pot marigolds, as they were once grown in a pot and used for cooking (the blooms and leaves are edible.) These annuals will look very sweet and charming in containers or mixed borders in your Houston, Texas cottage garden.

Stock. This highly fragrant flower is great for cut bouquets and arrangements. These annuals can be pink, red, or white, and bloom from February through May. Growing to be about two feet tall, these flowers will look beautiful in your Houston, Texas cottage garden, adding charm in a container or when used in a mixed border. Plant in full to partial sun in your Houston, Texas garden for best results.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.chron.com/apps/chron_data/plants.mpl