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ladybug9a

Need suggestions

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

In my front yard I had many Ixoras for several years...maybe 20 or more shrubs. The rows by my walkway to my front door were lush and would flower all year. The polar vortex killed them and I see no signs that they may come back. They will be sorely missed :(.I am reluctant to replace them since our weather pattern has increasingly been unpredictable. I am wondering if any rose would work here? North facing, but the area near the walkway had enough sun to keep the Ixora blooming? Needs to be very disease resistant...everything blackspots here :(The area near the foundation is trickier...it gets more shade so I dont think Rose's would work. Any suggestions for perennials for color?
Edited to clarify I had 20 shrubs, not that they were 20 years old. My mistake!

Comments (8)

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks Seil! My poor Ixora would bloom spring to fall in that location. I am not sure of number of hours it got sun, it's on the north side of the house. I figured if the Ixora bloomed that much, it would be fine?

  • 5 years ago

    Rekha, having lived in Houston I remember how beautiful and rewarding Ixoras can be. Do you not feel you got your $$ worth from those plants? it sounds like they rewarded you for years. Rather than experiment with other plants, why not just replace them with the same. You know they work and give positive results. Tropicals like Ixoras are usually well priced in Houston because nurseries can grow them so fast. I find very few plants beyond some trees are "forever" in my landscape, so I am willing to gamble a bit if the plant gives enough reward.

    ladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Austin
  • 5 years ago

    I doubt if you will find another plant that give so much carefree color for your front. I have even considered growing a few as annuals here in Dallas. Huge flower heads, constant bloom, no major disease, or insect issues. Hard to beat and yours lasted for years. Wow.

    ladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Austin
  • 5 years ago

    Thanks Austin...out of my 20 or so Ixoras, about 6 were there before we bought our house and they did real well. Dont know how long they have been there, more than the 6 years we have owned the house. They were great. So I planted a whole bunch more, bring the total to about 20 in 2017 and the 2017/2018 winter promptly killed them to the roots. Most including the older ones came back. The older ones did great, the newers ones not so much but I was giving them time. I can see me replacing the old 6 as they must be getting enough sun or whatever they need and they bloomed great, but seriously doubt my DH will let me replace the ones we put in in 2017, they did not do well at all.


    I have until fall to decide what to do...

    The whole front yard looks so bad I dont even want to step out:(



  • 5 years ago

    Wow that is a lot of the same. I assumed it was only an accent, but I have seen Ixoras make a great hedge. Texas A&M website has great suggestions for Houston plants in case you have not looked at it.... Their descriptions may help you to find what suits you best. My Belinda Dream bloomed in a lot of shade in Houston and had the benefit of great smells to greet you, it was totally no care; when it got blackspot (as does every rose in H eventually) it did not seem to mind. The rose was so dependable it was boring. :) I had it mixed with Encore Azaleas and it worked. That should give an idea of the amount of sun they received. I would try one before you comment which is easy to do because they are everywhere at any nursery in H and comparatively inexpensive.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks Austin..I have Belindas dream and its sport Blush but in full sun. I do like it so probably will try it. Yes, i have a hedge if Ixora..I'll try to find a picture but it was incredibly lush!



  • 5 years ago

    I bet. Good luck All tropical can be iffy over the long haul but do so great. Have you ever tried Ground Orchids? I lived inside the loop where it is warmer, but it was always fun to watch Its spring exotic display. They multiply and look nice in shade gardens with those strappy leaves. I have never been particularly good with regular orchids, which is why I probably found them so appealing. Cossandra was also a great filler, blue sky vine (Thunbergia grandiflora) and Allamanda Henderson. I love Dallas for my roses because they are so much easier to grow here but miss the beautiful tropical plants the work so well in H. Ahhhh so many lovelies.

    ladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Austin