Happy Plants

The easiest way to grow a happy and lush garden is to include plants that thrive in our Oklahoma climate. "Ask Bea and Friends" are building a list of plants you see in commercial plantings, public gardens and home gardens around central Oklahoma and providing valuable information to help you grow an amazing garden.

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Photo Name Annual / Perennial Sun Water Leaves Additional Care Nature Blooms Prune Type Notes
PrimrosePerennialFull sunSemi-arid let Mother Nature waterAggressive. Will continue spreading when happy.Spring Early SummerGround Cover, tall
CatmintPerennialSun to Light ShadeMother NatureSpring Early SummerPruned down annuallyShrub
TBDPerennialSun to ShadeWeeklySpring through SummerPruned to the ground annuallyGrassGenerally reaches 3 feet tall.
Day LillyPerennialSun (plants will grow in shade but may not bloom)Mother NatureAggressive. Will continue spreading when happy.SummerBy Prefence can leave or cut to ground in fallPlantPlant is available with various colors of bloom.
SantalinaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedSlow growing.SummerPlantIs a good fill and has good color.
Golden SumacPerennialSun to Light ShadeDeciduousLike a treeTree or ShrubThis plant is considered either a small tree or a tall shrub. Golden Summac is grown for its leaf color.
DianthusBi-annual (dies after two years)SunweeklyDead-head to produce more blooms.All Summer and partially in most wintersPlantPlant is available with various colors of bloom.
YarrowPerennialSunEvery 2 weeksSummerCut back in early spring or early fallPlant
Smoke Tree (pruned as shrub)PerennialFull SunMother NatureDeciduousNo blooms when pruned as shrub.Cut back to height throughout growing seasonTree
ArtemisiaPerennialSunEvery 2 weeksCut back in fall or early springShrubShrub comes in many varities.
Lamb's EarPerennialFull SunEvery 2 weeksIt's a pain in neck to take care of this plant.Cut back in fall or early springGround CoverGround cover has a lavendar flower. Underneaththe leaves gets really ugly so you'll want to periodically prune the "ugly" so it does not show.
SantalinaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedSlow growing.SummerPlantThis is a small, grean leaf shrub. This variety grows bigger than the silver leaf variety.
Variegated PrivetPerennialSunMother NatureNearly deciduousFast growing.Springas shrub or treeShrubIf you prune variegated privet as a tree, it can easily get more than 10 feet tall.
Curly ParsleyBi-annual (dies after two years)Sun or ShadeWeeklyEvergreenGreen leafs all winter.Herb
Gold Shield YuccaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedEvergreenRemove dead leaves to keep plant looking attractive.Year-roundYucca's blooms are unpredictable and can break off before achieving a full bloom.unpredicatable bloom
ArtemisiaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedSomewhat fussy regarding conditions.Partial to year-roundGround Cover
Oakleaf HydrangeaPerennialPartial shade to full shadeWeeklyDeciduousSpringAfter it blooms - Prune out any dead wood, and for shape, remember it blooms on old woodShrubUSE NEW PIC - large shrub
Bronze FennelPerennialSunWeeklyVERY aggressive.at willPlantButterlies love bronze fennel.
AzaleaPerennialShadeWeeklyEvergreenTouchy to grow.Springat willShrubConditions have to be just right for azaleas to grow well in the Oklahoma City metro area.
HostaPerennialShadeWeekly or more in heat of summerCut back in the fallPlant
SedumPerennialSemi-ShadeWeeklyDead-head to produce more blooms.SummerPlant
PenstemonPerennialSunWeeklySpringPrune in the fallPlantMany varieties available. All should do well in Oklahoma.
Mexican Sage (babies shown)PerennialSun to Partial ShadeWeeklyFall (new plants may be in bloom but will rebloom in fall)Prune post bloom in fallShrubUSE NEW PIC
Pansies and ViolasAnnualsSunFall, Winter and SpringPlantAlthough an annual, violas may reseed.
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-ShadeWeeklyLate SpringCut back in fall for looksPlantBeautiful flowers with short blooming window. (Water more if in direct sun.)
DianthusBi-annual (dies after two years)SunweeklyDead-head to produce more blooms.All Summer and partially in most wintersPlantPlant is available with various colors of bloom.
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-ShadeWeeklyLate SpringCut back in fall for looksPlantBeautiful flowers with short blooming window. (Water more if in direct sun.)
HoneysucklePerennialSunSpring Early SummerPrune to ground or early springVineWhite and Yellow varieties of honeysuckle are easier to grow in central Oklahoma.
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-ShadeWeeklyLate SpringCut back in fall for looksPlantBeautiful flowers with short blooming window. (Water more if in direct sun.)
Rose, Small YellowPerennialSunWeeklyProne to mildew.Springat willShrubRoses are vulnerable to mildew which is more prevelant in shade.
Russian SagePerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedVERY aggressive.SummerPlant
Vinca MajorPerennialSun or ShadeGround CoverMay bloom in Summer. As shown with a little sticky weed mixed in with ground cover.
Smoke TreePerennialFull SunMother NatureDeciduousTree
Red TBDPerennialSunShrub
TBD
ThymePerennialSunSemi-arid, well-drained but needs weekly wateringSummerPrune out old growth to prevent ugly sticks underneathHerb
PoppiesPerennialSunWeeklySpringPlantPlant is available with various colors of bloom and reseeds most years.
Tradescantia (form of Purple Shield)PerennialSunWeeklyDeciduousGround Cover
YarrowPerennialSunEvery 2 weeksSummerCut back in early Spring or early Fall.Plant
Red YuccaPerennialSunsemi-arid, dry, well drainedSpringPlantOnce established, this plant is very hardy.
SedumPerennialParial shade or sunsemi-arid, dry, well drainedGround Cover
SantalinaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedSlow growing.SummerPlantPlant provides good fill and good cover.
SedumPerennialSemi-ShadeWeeklyDead-head to make plant look attractive.SummerPlant
Golden SpiriaPerennialPartial SunWeeklyEarly SummerPlantHas a pink flower.
ArtemisiaPerennialSunSemi-arid, dry, well drainedSomewhat fussy regarding conditions.Partial to year-roundGround Cover
Tradescantia (Purple Shield)PerennialAnyDeciduousMore agressive than other tradescantia.Ground Cover
HawthornePerennialSunEvergreenSpringShrubVarieties have pink or white flowers.
Varigated Liriope (Monkey Grass)PerennialSun or ShadeEvergreenCut off old growth and divide in Spring.PlantVariegation will be more showy in sun. Unlike green monky grass, the variegated variety will stay in clumbs.
Bath Pink DianthusPerennialDead head to keep blooming. Expands faster than other dianthus.Ground Cover
Paprika YarrowPerennialThis variety is not as strong as yellow yarrow. This variety tends to flop at bloom as it grows.
Yarrow and Bath Pink Dianthus
HostaPerennialShadeWeekly or more in heat of summerCut back in the Fall.Plant
Ferns, MixedPerennialShadeDeciduousPlant
Celandine PoppyPerennialShadeDoesn't like wet feetPlantSelf-seeds.
OxalisPerennialShadePlant
HostaPerennialShadeWeekly or more in heat of summerCut back in the Fall.Plant
HostaPerennialShadeWeekly or more in heat of summerCut back in the Fall.Plant
ColumbinePerennialShadePlantVarieties come in many colors.
Parsley FernPerennialShadePlant
HelleboresPerennialShadeGround Cover
ColumbinePerennialShadePlant
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshadePlantGrows on stem ; flowers grow beneath leaf.
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshadePlantGrows on stem ; flowers grow beneath leaf.
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshadePlantGrows on stem ; flowers grow beneath leaf.
HostaPerennialShadeWeekly or more in heat of summerCut back in the Fall.Plant
Ferns, MixedPerennialShadeDeciduousPlant
Ferns, MixedPerennialShadeDeciduousPlant
Photo Name Annual / Perennial Sun
PrimrosePerennialFull sun
CatmintPerennialSun to Light Shade
TBDPerennialSun to Shade
Day LillyPerennialSun (plants will grow in shade but may not bloom)
SantalinaPerennialSun
Golden SumacPerennialSun to Light Shade
DianthusBi-annual (dies after two years)Sun
YarrowPerennialSun
Smoke Tree (pruned as shrub)PerennialFull Sun
ArtemisiaPerennialSun
Lamb's EarPerennialFull Sun
SantalinaPerennialSun
Variegated PrivetPerennialSun
Curly ParsleyBi-annual (dies after two years)Sun or Shade
Gold Shield YuccaPerennialSun
ArtemisiaPerennialSun
Oakleaf HydrangeaPerennialPartial shade to full shade
Bronze FennelPerennialSun
AzaleaPerennialShade
HostaPerennialShade
SedumPerennialSemi-Shade
PenstemonPerennialSun
Mexican Sage (babies shown)PerennialSun to Partial Shade
Pansies and ViolasAnnualsSun
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-Shade
DianthusBi-annual (dies after two years)Sun
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-Shade
HoneysucklePerennialSun
PeoniesPerennialSun and Semi-Shade
Rose, Small YellowPerennialSun
Russian SagePerennialSun
Vinca MajorPerennialSun or Shade
Smoke TreePerennialFull Sun
Red TBDPerennialSun
TBD
ThymePerennialSun
PoppiesPerennialSun
Tradescantia (form of Purple Shield)PerennialSun
YarrowPerennialSun
Red YuccaPerennialSun
SedumPerennialParial shade or sun
SantalinaPerennialSun
SedumPerennialSemi-Shade
Golden SpiriaPerennialPartial Sun
ArtemisiaPerennialSun
Tradescantia (Purple Shield)PerennialAny
HawthornePerennialSun
Varigated Liriope (Monkey Grass)PerennialSun or Shade
Bath Pink DianthusPerennial
Paprika YarrowPerennial
Yarrow and Bath Pink Dianthus
HostaPerennialShade
Ferns, MixedPerennialShade
Celandine PoppyPerennialShade
OxalisPerennialShade
HostaPerennialShade
HostaPerennialShade
ColumbinePerennialShade
Parsley FernPerennialShade
HelleboresPerennialShade
ColumbinePerennialShade
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshade
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshade
St John's Wort, VariegatedPerennialshade
HostaPerennialShade
Ferns, MixedPerennialShade
Ferns, MixedPerennialShade