1. Rudbeckia - common name: Black-eyed Susans
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| Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Eyes' |
I have several different types of Rudbeckia, and there are usually some blooming at any given point from early summer until fall. Nothing seems to stop them, not even this summer's record week of 105°F (40°C) temperatures. In fact, I still have a lot blooming (yes, it's mid-November). They even politely seed a few babies around. And the bees and butterflies love them. And magic fairies sprout from them ready to grant wishes.
Okay, I might have been lying about the last part. On to number 2...
2. Gaillardia - common name: Blanket Flower
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| Gaillardia x grandiflora |
Pretty much ditto everything from #1, including the magic sprouting fairies. Gaillardia is a rather short-lived perennial often described as 'tough-as-nails.'
3. Salvia
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| Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' |
I've heard rumors of a few Salvias that like shade, but I'll bet you'd have to go looking for them. I have Salvia by my mailbox, among other places, if that tells you anything. Salvias come in many different colors and heights, which begets quite the dilemma - which one of the hundreds of heat-loving varieties do you like the best?
4. Gaura lindheimeri - common names: Wand Flower, Beeblossom
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| Gaura lindheimeri 'Gaudwwhi' |
With it's graceful, airy wands of darling little white or pink flowers, Gaura looks dainty and delicate. Don't be fooled - it's anything but.
5. Stachys - common name: Lamb's Ear
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| Stachys byzantina 'Helen Von Stein' |
What other plants made my Hell list of drought-tolerant, heat-loving plants? Well, the next post will be coming soon! Now if anyone needs me, I'll be busy petting my Lamb's Ears...
I concur! Verbena bonariensis is another one that is unfazed by the summers here, and rewards you (or curses you) with offspring.
ReplyDeleteHa, I agree! It definitely needs it dry - with the rain we got towards the end of the summer, all my Verbena bonariensis got a terrible case of powdery mildew. Too much water for it!
DeleteOddly enough, most of those grow well in the Pacific NW (not lambs ears) so they must be all around hardy types. I haven't noticed any wish granting fairies, but possibly that is because I haven't been looking. Maybe now you could do the post "Ten Perennials that You Might Be Able to Grow when Hell freezes over"!
ReplyDeleteThose are called Annuals, right? ;)
DeleteYou would have way more experience with cold-proof plants up there, since here the oven is barely turned off enough for a short winter. If you or any other Northerner wants to write the post, I'll link to it!
You will be shocked to know that I think I killed both of my black-and-blue salvias! I have no idea how. But, I just love the look of them, so I'm sure I'll try again. Great list!
ReplyDeleteOh how sad, those ones are so pretty! Do you leave the stems all winter? I've heard if you cut them too soon, water can get in the hollow stems over winter and freeze the root.
DeleteI have trouble keeping those salvias also, between the weeds and neglect. I do agree Verbena bonariensis is another good one in our garden.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad! Mine seem to coexist with the weeds fairly well. I love the Verbena as well - it seems to go with everything!
DeleteGood series! I've found similar results with some of these. I didn't realize Gaura was so sturdy, though. Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI love Gaura. It's so pretty, yet does really well on my hot, very sunny slope in my back yard!
DeleteMore plants to add to my list, of maybe they will do well here.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jen
Some of them, like the rudbeckia, are pretty hardy anywhere!
DeleteYellow, orange and blue flowers beautifully present in the garden.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Thank you! I love these colors.
DeleteI couldn't agree more...I have some blanket flower still blooming.
ReplyDeleteMine are still blooming as well. They just don't want to stop!
DeleteTotally enjoyed the humor in this post.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteI think maybe you have more humidity over summer than we do, because some of these are not drought-hardy here. Rudbeckias and Gaillardias can dry up and so can Salvia guaranitica in full sun (although the roots don't die, just the tops). It does better in light shade for me. I agree with you about Gaura and Lambs Ears, though.
ReplyDeleteSedum: Drought and neglect tolerant, Insect, deer and rodent resistant, Full Sun/Full shade tolerant, Practically maintenance free.
ReplyDeleteBreak off stems to the crown after first frost. Pinch back for shorter growth. To propagate: Stick a stem into the ground and water it a few times. Slow to spread and does not go to seed.
In my opinion, you cannot find a better plant for both beginners and experienced gardeners.