With our busy lives, who has time to pamper plants? Certainly not me! And with increased concerns of drought, there’s more reason than ever to add drought-resistant, self-reliant flowering shrubs, bulbs and rhizomes to the garden. I’ve got a few recommendations for you based on what’s worked in my landscape. These plants have not only added beauty to my garden, they’ve survived everything from late frost to severe drought (as well as the occasional neglect)!
Tall bearded Irises love direct sun and prefer dry to moist, but well-drained, soil.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
The original Knock Out® rose is a tough, sun-loving shrub with pink to rose-colored blooms.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
The sweet fragrance of gardenias will fill your garden – especially in morning and evening, when it’s a bit cooler.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Daffodils are very self-reliant if planted in good soil with adequate drainage.
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Canna lilies are great background plants because their stalks are so tall, there’s nothing to block out those beautiful blooms!
Photo Credit: Mary Moore
Irises: There are lots of Iris species out there, and you can get the rhizomes from just about any garden center, as well as a variety of specialty companies. One of my favorite species is the tall bearded Iris (Iris germanica). The key to growing this beauty is to pick a sunny spot with good drainage. It tends to like it dry, so be careful where you put it in your garden – even planting it in the path of water drainage can result in root rot. When it comes getting the rhizomes in the ground, plant them at ground level – with the top of the root showing. Give them 2-3 feet of space each, unless you want to dig up and divide the rhizomes yearly. Then sit back and wait for the show!
Knock Out® roses: These hardy landscape shrubs can be used as a striking stand-alone accent or as a stunning hedge. The original Knock Out rose (Rosa ‘Radrazz’) is covered with rich red to pink flowers that are almost florescent in color. But there’s more to this amazing series of wonderful shrubs: All Knock Out roses are drought-resistant, mildew-tolerant and resistant to black spot!
To plant them, pick a spot with at least 5 hours of direct sun each day and good drainage. Dig the hole at least twice the size of the root-ball, and mix in compost to encourage the roots to grow. When planting, the root-ball should be 1-2 inches above ground level to prevent it from settling in below that. (‘Radrazz’ needs room to grow aggressively, so even if you’re trying to build a rose hedge, plant them at least 2 feet apart.)
Gardenias: Common gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is an evergreen shrub with glossy, green leaves and fragrant, white flowers that will just fill your yard with summer fragrance. Native to China, Taiwan and Japan, this shrub grows in sizes ranging from the 1- to 2-foot-tall ‘Radicans’ to several larger varieties that can reach up to 8 feet high!
Gardenias are very easy to start from cuttings. My grandmother taught me how to take a 6- to 8-inch-long branch and strip the leaves below the first two sets of leaves. Then she’d fold a paper towel down to a 1-inch-wide strip, wet it and wrap it around the middle of the gardenia branch. Next, she’d take an old soda bottle, fill it with water and insert the branch, using the paper towel as a cork. Then she’d place the bottle on the porch where it got early morning sun. In a matter of weeks, she had a rooted gardenia! She’d pot the young plant in a small container to allow it to develop a better root system, then she’d find a well-draining spot for it in the garden where it could get plenty of sun.
Daffodils: Daffodils (Narcissus), of course, are one of the most welcome signs of spring. Established beds are a sea of yellow, covering formal gardens and natural areas alike. Varieties range from tiny daffodils like ‘Falconet’ to large trumpet-type daffodils like ‘King Alfred’. They can be white, yellow and even shades of salmon and pink. The bulbs increase every year, producing more and more flowers.
It’s best to plant daffodil bulbs in fall in a sunny spot that has good drainage. You can buy your own bulbs or find someone with an established bed (they’re very easy to divide). Smaller bulbs should be planted closer to the surface than the larger ones. A general standard for daffodils is to plant the bulb down into the soil about 2 ½ times the height of the bulb, and about 6 inches apart. (Then try to enjoy winter while you wait for the springtime show!)
Canna lilies: Believe it or not, the Canna lily is not a true lily – it’s actually related to the banana plant. These beauties are native to Asia, as well as tropical North and South America. They’re known for their large leaves that can be green, reddish-purple or rust-colored and are sometimes variegated with bright streaks. The flowers range from yellow to dark red and bloom during summer at the top of 2- to 4-foot-tall stalks. Plant the rhizomes at least 2 inches deep and 12 inches apart in a sunny spot with good drainage. Water sparingly. The plant will reproduce quickly and give your garden plenty of brightly colored flowers!
All these blooming beauties will add fantastic color and texture to your garden for years. Be sure to take pictures of your own flowers and post them where your gardening friends can see them – you may just inspire others to try a few of these tough, heat-tolerant beauties as well!
