Plant of the Month
The plants listed on this page were selected by the members of the Allen Garden Club at their monthly meetings. Look for these plants at your local nurseries to grow in your own home gardens.
February 2025: Daffodil Narcissus
If you want to grow your own, follow these tips. Plant the bulbs in late fall to early winter under three to four inches of soil. Then water them and feed with an all purpose fertilizer or composted manure. After they bloom, allow the tall green leaves to yellow before cutting them back. This will allow the daffodil bulb to generate new energy for the next growing season. Daffodils can be planted when they become available in the fall through December.
There are thousands of hybrid varieties in as many combinations of colors. Most daffodil flowers are fragrant, and some even appear and bloom in early winter.
Daffodil bulbs are used extensively in landscaping because they are quick to naturalize and they deter animal pests. Both bulbs and leaves produce toxic crystals that rodents and deer don’t like. Thus, they protect more scrumptious flowerbed or garden delicacies with which they share soil.
March 2025: Grape Hyacinth Muscari neglectum
Grape hyacinths are a nice little flower that adds a pop of blue to the landscape from February through mid March. Plant the bulbs in the fall when they become available through December. Fertilize the area with organic matter or composted manure. These little bulbs will naturalize in the gardens and can also be planted in lawn areas since their flowers and foliage will fade before it is time to mow.
April 2025: Iris Iris
August through September is the best time to plant iris although it can be planted almost anytime during the growing season. Plant your iris in soil that has been amended with plenty of organic matter to improve drainage. Plant your iris so the tops of the rhizomes are at the top of the soil or barely covered. Place your iris divisions 12-24 inches apart in a sunny part of your garden. They need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. You'll need to water your newly planted iris, but once established, don't let the soil get soggy. Fertilize your iris in October with a low nitrogen fertilizer - 10-20-10 or similar balance. Cut the bloom stalks close to the ground after they finish blooming.
May 2025:
June 2025:
August 2025:
September 2025:
October 2025:
November 2025:
Previous Years Plants of the Month
2024 Plants of the Month:
February: Pansy Viola
March: Daffodil Narcissus
April: Iris Iris
May: Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia
June: Zinnia Zinnia angustifolia
August: Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
September: Spider Lily Lycoris Radiata
October: Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum
November: Turk's Cap Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. ex Cav. var. drummondii
2023 Plants of the Month:
February: Lenten Rose Hellebores orientalis
March: Redbud Cersis canadensis
April: Bluebonnet Lupinis texensis
May: Salvia "Henry Duelberg" Salvia farinacea
June: Daylily Hemerocallis
August: Lantana Lantana urticoides (L. horrida)
September: Butterfly Weed Asclepsias tuberosa
October: American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana L.
November: Fall Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium
December: Tillandsia Tillandsia
2022 Plant of the Month:
February: Lenten Rose Hellebores orientalis
March: Daffodil Narcissus
April: Texas Gold Columbine Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Hinckleyana’
May: Iris Iris
June: Plumeria Plumeria
August: Turk's Cap Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
September: Plant of Barbados Caesalpinia pulcherrima
October: Autumn Sage Salvia greggii
November: Fall Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium
December: Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
2021 Plants of the Month:
February: Ornamental Kale/Cabbage
March: Daffodil Narcissus
April: Texas Gold Columbine Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Hinckleyana’
May & June: Lance-leaf Tickseed Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
August: Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum × superbum
September: Turk's Cap Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
October: Autumn Sage Salvia greggii
November: Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum