A mixed border is a garden that combines a variety of plants such as trees, shrubs, and perennials to create a pretty, interesting border for a walkway, garden path, or patio. Most gardens contain mixed borders, although certain gardens may focus on only using a particular type of plant (for example, roses). If you are looking for some lovely and interesting shrubs to plant in your Houston, Texas mixed border, try some of the plants below.
Flowering Maple Abutilon. This hardy shrub has beautiful bell-shaped flowers that will bloom from spring through fall. Plant in partial sun in your mixed border, and you’ll find this shrub is very easy to maintain. This is a good plant if you are looking for one that will grow to about ten feet in your Houston, Texas border.
Agarita. An evergreen shrub with bright red berries, this moderately growing plant has sweet yellow flowers. Plant in your Houston, Texas mixed border and expect a height of about seven feet. This shrub will be about six feet wide at maturity. It prefers full sun, and the Houston winter will not bother it.
Autumn Rouge Azalea. All azaleas are pretty in mixed borders, but this one is a hybrid with gorgeous double blooms of rose. This shrub prefers morning or filtered sun, but will also do well in bright shade. Plant in your Houston, Texas border in either the fall or the spring, and it will bloom from spring through fall. This shrub will reach about four feet in height and four feet wide, a great plant for mixed borders.
Barbadoso Cherry. This Texas native has bright red berries that will bring birds to your Houston, Texas garden (or walkway, or patio, or wherever you plant your mixed border.) It prefers full sun, and its pink and white flowers will bloom from May through October. Its red berries are also great for making jelly! This is a taller shrub for your border, reaching heights of eight feet. There is also a three-foot dwarf version.
Buttonbush. If you are looking for a tall accent shrub for your mixed border, try the buttonbush. It will grow to fifteen feet in Houston, Texas, and has lovely sphere-shaped white flowers that bloom from June through September. The flowers will attract birds and butterflies to your Houston yard. This Texas native prefers full to partial sun.
Cherry Sage. A lovely accent plant for your mixed border, this small shrub will bring butterflies and hummingbirds to your Houston, Texas garden. It reaches a maximum height of three feet, and has beautiful bright red flowers that do well as cut flowers. Plant in full to partial sun and it will bloom from spring through fall.
Scarlet Clerodendrum. This fast growing shrub has fantastic scarlet blooms that will brighten up your mixed border. Reaching heights of six feet, this shrub also has pretty heart shaped leaves. Plant in partial sun to full shade in your Houston, Texas garden. This shrub also does well in shade and woodland gardens.
Firecracker Fern. A fern that enjoys full sun, this shrub has spectacular tubular red blooms. It will flower from April through frost, bringing hummingbirds to your mixed border. This fast growing shrub will reach heights of four feet, and tolerates the Houston, Texas sun very well (it is also drought resistant.)
Indian Hawthorn. An all around terrific plant for mixed borders, this shrub has blue berries in the summer and gorgeous red foliage in the winter. Its pink and white flowers aren’t bad, either. Plant in full sun in your Houston, Texas garden, and it will bloom from February through May. Expect heights of three to five feet.
