What to Plant Right Now for Summer Color

If you’ve been eyeing your front beds and wondering why they look a little tired, you’re not alone — and you’re not late. Late May is actually the sweet spot for setting up strong summer color in Fulshear. The soil is warm, the days are long, and the right plants will hit their stride just as everything else in the neighborhood starts to bake.

I spent years in commercial landscape design before real estate, so this time of year still gets me excited. Here’s what I’d be putting in the ground right now.

Know What You’re Working With First

Fulshear sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. That means brutal summer heat — regularly 95–100°F — high humidity, and heavy clay soil that drains like a parking lot after a storm. Before you spend a dime on plants, amend your beds with compost. Even two inches worked into the top six to eight inches of clay makes a meaningful difference in drainage and root development.

Full Sun Stars

Pentas — My top pick for Fulshear front beds. Butterflies love them, they bloom nonstop from now until first frost, and they handle the heat without complaint. Plant in clusters for the biggest impact.

Lantana — Technically a perennial in Zone 9b, which means if you get it established now, it may come back next year. ‘New Gold’ and ‘Miss Huff’ are workhorses.

Angelonia — Sometimes called summer snapdragon. Spiky, elegant, fragrant, and genuinely heat-proof. Purple or white looks sharp against brick exteriors common in this area.

Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) — Old reliable. Glossy leaves, mounding habit, flowers in just about every color. Drought-tolerant once established. Don’t overwater — it will punish you for it. I personally love the trailing Vinca if you can find it.

Portulaca — If you have a bed with afternoon blast and poor soil, this is your answer. Jewel-toned blooms that open in full sun. Thrives exactly where other plants give up. Don’t overwater this one!

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) — Tough, Texas-native, reliably cheerful with red-and-yellow blooms. Bonus: deer-resistant.

Zinnias — Plant seeds directly now. They grow fast, bloom profusely, and cutting them only makes them flower more. ‘Profusion’ series is especially heat-tolerant.

For Shade or Part Shade

Caladiums — Morning sun, afternoon shade? Caladiums are your summer MVP. Showstopping foliage in white, red, pink, and green combinations. They go in the ground now and don’t look back until October.

Impatiens — Best in consistently shaded spots. ‘SunPatiens’ is a hybrid that tolerates more sun than standard impatiens.

Torenia (Wishbone Flower) — Underused and underrated. Purple, pink, and white blooms all summer. Pairs beautifully with caladiums.

Practical Tips

• Water deeply every 2-3 days, not daily — clay holds moisture and overwatering rots roots
• Three inches of shredded hardwood mulch is non-negotiable in Fulshear summers (brown mulch, not dyed mulch)
• Pick 2-3 colors that complement your exterior and repeat them — repetition creates cohesion
• Plant in the evening, not midday — give transplants their first 24 hours out of full sun

Bottom Line

Fulshear summers are no joke — but they don’t have to mean brown, struggling beds. The right plants, planted now, will carry you from June through October with minimal fuss. And if you’re prepping your home for the market, a well-planted front bed is one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make.

Questions? I’m always happy to walk through it.

Christa Burgess
(832) 526-2619