Zexmenia shines in Texas landscapes – by Steve Huddleston

It’s a perennial that can take on the life of a small shrub in the south parts of its adapted range. It’s native to a large part of the middle of the state, and it handles our Texas soils, heat, and drought well. Include it with your perennials the next time you go planting.

Zexmenia can handle the sun, heat, drought, and Texas summers in general – and still keep on blooming. All images clickable for larger views.

What you’ll want to know…
Common names: Zexmenia, orange zexmenia, hairy wedelia, wedelia, and Texas creeping oxeye.

Scientific name: Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida.

Plant family: Asteraceae, the Aster family.

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Native range: Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, the Trans-Pecos, and northeastern Mexico.

Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8a-10b.

Mature size: 18 in. tall and 24-36 in. wide. Will be smaller in colder parts of the state and larger in warmer areas. It benefits from trimming after the first freeze to keep plants tidy.

The plant’s little daisy-like blooms are like tiny rays of sunlight bounding around in your garden.

Exposure: Blooms best and stays most compact in sunny locations. Will become spindly in part shade.

Foliage: Gray-green and rough textured. Borne on stems that will develop roots where they come into contact with the soil.

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Flowers: 1-in. wide, daisy-like blooms are sunny orange-yellow, borne on wiry stems May-November.

Use with: Native Texas plants, including these examples. Autumn sage (Salvia greggii), Texas lantana (Lantana urticoides), agarita, and grasses, including Mexican feathergrass and Lindheimer’s muhly.

Posted by Steve Huddleston

About the Author

Steve Huddleston served as Senior Horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden before his retirement. He then returned to the Garden as Public Relations Manager. He retired from that second position as well, but don’t expect to see him in the domino hall. Steve manages his own landscape design business which still gives him an opportunity to create beauty with plants. And, Grandpa Steve is going to be spending special family time in the future as well. And, of course, writing for e-gardens monthly.

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