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The Flowers and Garden Favorites Turning My Texas Home Into a Cottage Garden Dream

There’s just something about colorful flowers welcoming you home.

Or in my case, welcoming…me. Because if we’re being honest, introvert life means I’m mostly planting beautiful things for my own happiness, not a parade of guests.

And honestly? I love that.

Gardening has become one of those hobbies that keeps teaching me something new every year. Every house I’ve lived in has given me a completely different growing challenge, and each move has changed what thrives, what struggles, and what earns a permanent spot in my garden plans.

My Connecticut home taught me how to work with shade. The front of the house faced north and got very little sun, which meant my options were limited. Begonias and Impatiens became my reliable stars, bringing color where many flowers simply wouldn’t survive.



Then came Illinois.

Another north-facing home, but with slightly better light. Suddenly petunias entered my life in a big way. I fell in love with building layered containers full of height, texture, and color. Purple trailing blooms, bright pops of pink, crisp whites spilling over planter edges. It was cheerful, beautiful, and made me ridiculously happy every time I pulled into the driveway.



I also started experimenting with vegetables and herbs, with mixed success, but enough success to get hooked.

Then Texas changed everything.

My home here faces south, which finally gave me the sunshine I always wanted…along with a whole new climate to figure out.

Texas gardening is its own adventure.

Some plants absolutely thrive in the heat. Others surrender dramatically.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

  • Lantanas are nearly unstoppable
  • Petunias can flourish with consistent watering
  • Tomatoes belong in the ground early here, think March, not May
  • Chives are low-maintenance champions
  • Herbs can be hit or miss depending on variety and placement

This year, I’ve fully leaned into my gardening era.

I expanded everything.

I planted herbs for cooking, fragrance, beauty, and natural pest control. I added companion flowers around my vegetables. I planted multiple tomato varieties. And of course, my porch containers are once again overflowing with flowers.

My happy place.

My Current Herb and Pest-Repelling Garden

This year I planted:

I love combining beauty with purpose, and many of these help deter pests while making the garden smell amazing.

As always, pet safety matters in our house with Walt and Lilly around, so anything not pet-safe stays elevated and out of curious doodle reach.

My Tomato Picks This Year

I kept it simple with two favorites:

Fresh summer tomatoes are worth every ounce of effort.



My Flower Obsession: Proven Winners Supertunias

I have a flower weakness, and it’s officially Proven Winners Supertunias.



Once I discovered them, there was no going back.

Huge blooms. Gorgeous color options. Strong performance. Long-lasting color.

Everything I want in a flower.

I usually gravitate toward:

  • pinks
  • purples
  • whites
  • a little yellow for contrast

One of my favorite easy options is the Flower Pillow, a curated combination that arrives ready to plant and always performs beautifully.



Even in Texas heat.

Garden Containers I Keep Buying Again

I’m loyal to what works.

For years, my go-to containers have been Bloem Dura Cotta planters. They’ve survived weather in Connecticut, Illinois, and Texas without fading, cracking, or giving up. They come in pretty much every color, shape, and size you can dream up. 

That’s impressive durability.

I also love elevated planter boxes for adding height and dimension to my porch and patio, and this year I added a rainbow vertical planter tower that makes me smile every single time I see it.



Sometimes gardening is about vegetables.

Sometimes it’s about joy.

This year, mine is both.

Now I’m just waiting for the herb tower to fill in, the tomatoes to take off, and those petunias to explode into color.

And I already know I’ll be out there every day checking on everything like a proud plant mom.

What are you growing this summer?

Explore more North Texas ideas: Visit my DFW & Texas Guides page for more firsthand articles about gardening in the Texas climate, local outings, dog-friendly places, and life in Arlington.

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Location: Arlington, TX, USA

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