Plants Suitable for Oklahoma

 Many plants are suited for Oklahoma lawns and gardens. In selecting plants for specific yards or containers it’s important to match the plant’s environmental tolerance with the conditions of the precise spot and specific yard or container where the plant will be grown. All of the plants listed below have been proven to withstand environmental stresses common to Oklahoma. However, it’s important to remember that every plant needs special attention immediately after being planted, while establishing its roots. Plus, every plant, flowering or not, needs special attention during times of environmental extremes. Annual Vinca Tolerant of heat and humidity, annual vinca requires full sun and warm soil to thrive, so you want to avoid planting in early spring and wait until warmer weather is more common. Flowers of this plant come in shades of pink, white, red and purple. This plant grows to 6 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 24 inches wide. Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil: Well drained, slightly dry Hardiness: Use as an annual   Evening Primrose Native to western Oklahoma, evening primrose is a xeriscape perennial that thrives in well-drained soil and requires little moisture once established. Excellent for use in a rock garden or along the edge of a perennial bed, it can spread to two feet and is low-growing. Exposure: Full sun Soil: Well drained Hardiness: USDA Zone 4   Summer Snapdragon With orchid-like flowers that bloom from summer until the first frost, summer snapdragon can be used as an annual in Oklahoma. Its flowers come in blue, purple, pink, yellow and white. Drought tolerant, it is often used as a bedding plant, in a container or to add color to a mixed border. Exposure: Full sun Soil: Well drained Hardiness: Use as an annual   Torenia   Torenia, or wishbone flower, produces flowers from spring until fall and each flower has a wishbone shape at its center. Great for borders, in a pot or mixed with other plants in a large container, these plants form in mounds that are 6-inchs high and 12-inches wide. Exposure: Partial shade Soil: Moist, well drained Hardiness: Use as an annual   Extensive information about all types of plants and flowers that flourish in Oklahoma can be found in the Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide developed by the Oklahoma State University Extension Program.