Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Drought-tolerant plants

With all the recent rains, it may seem silly to touch bases on this topic but a great drought-tolerant plant mentioned in yesterday's post (close-up shot below of Eryngium 'Sapphire Blue') is worth revisiting. It's a plant often overlooked. Its salt-tolerance makes it a fitting choice for coastal plantings and it is eye-catching for cut-flower arrangements.

Day lilies are another great choice; the varieties and colors are endless. They also offer early green foliage and some have extended blooms. Ornamental grasses and sedums also provide varying height and textures to a perennial bed and require little water. An appreciation of the prairie mixes that contain flowers such as Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan), Echinacea purpurea, (Cone flower), Gaillardia aristata (Blanket Flower), Gypsophila elegans (Baby's Breath),Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William) and Asters, although typical to wildflower plantings, require less water and offer stunning contrast. Creating these types of drought-resistant plant combinations also establish an enticing habitat for wildlife in your garden.












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