Texas star hibiscus, Lycoris aurea

In Navasota, Helen Sørensen O’Dowd Quinn goes from summer to fall with a punch. From late spring to frost, her native Texas star hibiscus stops traffic and the pollinators! This perennial will return after frost, so simply cut it back in early spring to prompt new growth.

In fall, her Lycoris aurea bulbs pop up to contrast that color wheel. Most of us are familiar with the red Lycoris radiata, which Helen grows as well. L. aurea is the most reliable of the zinger yellows for us.