My flower bed needs some color. What can I plant now that would give me some color all year?

I live in TX, so something native would be nice. I do not have a green thumb or a lot of money. I just want to run to the store real quick and pick up something pretty that will last a while. These will go in my 2 front beds which get shade in the morning and sun in the late afternoon %26amp; evening.
My flower bed needs some color. What can I plant now that would give me some color all year?
What%26#039;s in my sun/shade beds?





1. Dianthus (sweet william, %26quot;pinks). http://www.rmrp.com/Images/Plants/D/Dian... http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougcwaylet... Come in many colors. Annual, but may return if it seeds or if your winters are mild.





2. Shasta Daisy. http://www.savvygardener.com/photos/imag... Perennial. Spreads. Likes sun/shade mixture and moist soil. Needs frequent watering if ground is dry.





3. Garden Phlox. http://forum.garten-pur.de/attachments/P... Tall plant. Sun/shade mixture. Perennial. Many different colors. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.





I don%26#039;t have creeping phox (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bunchofpant... but understand it is very pretty.





4. Impatiens are annuals.(http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccked/544... must have shade and moist, fertile soil. They cannot tolerate sun. Mine died of a fungal infection.





5. Petunias. The most popular bedding plant in America. Sun/shade mixture. Many, many colors. May self-seed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/89017356@N0...





Happy planting!
Reply:Daisy%26#039;s, roses and boganvilla (spelling?). That is what I had the best luck with.
Reply:Hey Tara the correct spelling of bougainvillea is bougainvillea





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvill...
Reply:I am like you. I live east of Dallas. Four years ago a bought a new house in December and wanted something to help take away the grounds which did not look good yet. I went to a garden center and was told that %26quot;PERENNIALS%26quot; were year round plants. I bought 24 plants. All colors. They are still alive; and I enjoy beautiful flowers all year long. They cost very little. I paid $35 for all. Mine are in front of house which faces west. Full evening sun.
Reply:Try lantana they are very drought tolerant,and are native perennial.They come in bright yellow,orange,pink%26amp;whight,and purple.The butterflies love it!!4%26quot; pots are usually about 2.50ea.Rule of thumb,any plant that starts out with the name %26quot;mexican%26quot; usually will be native in texas.Lantana also has a citrus fragrance to it that will detour any pest,like,mosquitoes.It will spread for you ea plant about 3%26#039; wide and not too tall about 2%26#039;.Your garden center can educate you on many different varieties of perinnials at low cost.Most are its the size of container that determines cost.
Reply:most durable and easy to grow would be calle %26quot;impatience%26quot;. As long as they have water they will provide you with a whole aray of colors ... white, purple, pink, light blue, red ... very attractive in a group or large setting.





I have them bordering my back yard and it is quite beautiful. Easy maintenance as well.





And flower for the full years growing season.www.poetry.com