April showers bring May flowers, but you might be asking yourself what you should try to grow. For those who don’t consider themselves to have a green thumb, a garden may seem like a tough task to take on. Thankfully, local places like Ellis Home and Garden help you not only pick out your plants and seeds but also assist you in buying the necessary materials needed to maintain your growing garden. 

With over 35 years of experience, Tony Thornton, Manager of Ellis Home and Garden, says these are some great flora you should consider planting in Bossier Parish: 

• Lantana – This drought-tolerant plant is one of Thornton’s favorites. It is an annual bloom that comes in a variety of bright colors.
• Vincas – Blooming annually in shades of pink, white, purple and blue, vincas are great for southern climates. 
• Purslanes – In bright shades of pink, yellow, orange, white, and red, these are great for annual gardens that are likely to have full sun.

• Moss Rose – These plants prefer full sun and are native to hot climates. They flower in many colorful shades. 

• Luna Hibiscus – This seasonal plant flowers with large flowers in bright colors. They are also annual blooms. 
• Coneflower – These drought-tolerant flowers have a spiky center with bright petals that bloom out in bright shades of yellow, purple, pink, and white.
• Crepe Myrtles – Crepe Myrtles thrive in direct sunlight. They flower in various colors such as purple, pink and white during June through September. They can grow quickly, so make sure they are planted in the best place that won’t cause potential damage to any structures or underground utilities. 
• Vitex Trees – These trees feature a beautiful purple bloom during. They are also tolerant of droughts, which makes them a good plant to consider for those hot summer months! They are trees, though, so they would be best in the yard or the corner of a garden. 

If you choose to add any of these blooms to your bushes, they are more likely to thrive due to their drought tolerant nature. 

“Make sure you search for low maintenance,” Thornton explained. “Those are easy for the beginner, and it doesn’t have people discouraged thinking this plant thing isn’t for them.”

Once you’ve selected your plants, make sure your garden is prepped and ready. Preparation will be key in ensuring your plants thrive. You should aim to understand the type of soil as well as the direct sunlight or shade cast on to your garden. Some plants will need compost to make the soil better if they don’t grow as well in the dirt in Northwest Louisiana. Some plants prefer direct sunlight, while others prefer some shade. Take note of where the sun rises to at the hottest part of the day so you know if your plants will do well.  

Another tip from Thornton is that adding certain types of mulch and pine straw are good options to help maintain moisture in your garden. 

At Ellis, in addition to the plants themselves, you can find a variety of potting soils, pesticides to keep away those pesky insects, fertilizers, pine straw and mulch.

They also have accessories to decorate your garden with to make it more personalized. From garden flags to windchimes, statues and bird baths, even different ways to display your blooms, through various pots and vases, there is something to make every garden feel like your own oasis. 

If you’re looking for more, Ellis Home and Garden has a blog and Facebook page that features tips, tricks, and DIYs for various holidays or special occasions. Flower Friday is a wonderful resource that shares in great detail about the flowers and recommends care, from sunlight intake to watering and even protection for those blooms when they are not in season. 

You can also visit their Garden Center in person where you can receive advice and assistance with selecting your new plants. If you’re a beginner or even a seasoned pro, Ellis Home and Garden can help make sure your garden looks great all year round.