@flaflwrgrl The photo I posted earlier was taken today. These grow in full Texas sun in an area with very shallow, very lean soil on a slope over a limestone outcropping which got fenced into the yard because I couldn't get posts set in it and the posts ended up at the bottom of the slope. Lots of sun, survives drought in this location. There are fewer plants now than when I first spread the seeds I collected from the roadside stand in the photo you referenced. The drought takes it toll on plants. They are classified, and are essentially, biennials so it's not until the second year you get a good show after first planting them. A few bloom sooner and after they are established and continually reseeding the biennial effect is not noticeable. I see them growing around in the county on the edge of the road, on railway right of ways, in wooded areas with lots of shade. Where I never see them grow is any place that has animal traffic. Either cattle and horses, sheep and goats eat them or the tall spire of the foliage just gets knocked down. They have spread to some unlikely places in my yard including right next to the fence line, but I have yet to see a single plant on the pasture side of the fence. Many of the current crop of plants have migrated and are growing happily under the shade of oak trees. They don't look any different than those in full sun. I hope I'm organized enough and remember to collect some seeds this year. I want to reseed a couple of spots where they have migrated elsewhere.
