Thursday, August 23, 2007

Dry Summer Perennial Stalwarts

Echinacea "Green Envy" - from the White Flower Farm website.

Phew. The Kids are keeping me very busy this week. You see, I work at a University and the little chillins (and much of the faculty) have returned and things go upside-down for a bit.

But I couldn't contain my enthusiasm when an email greeted me this morning from White Flower Farm. With a listing of their recommendations for perennials that make-do in thirsty, crunchy climates and offer up their wares during the quieter summer months. I've added a few of my own - based on local, Zone 7 observations.

Test one out for next season. You can even get them established this fall (more on that soon).

Feel confident. Feel horticulturally invincible. Enjoy the summer-long color. Stare the lack of rain right in the face and laugh. Hands on hips. Chin up. Knowing you've got next year's drought licked.

Sedums
Echinacea purpurea varieties (Coneflower)
Achillea varieties (Yarrow)
Coreopsis varieties
Baptisia australis (False/Wild Blue Indigo)
Perovskias (Russian Sage)
Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
Phlox
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

2 comments:

Steph said...

I was the not the biggest fan of sedums, but they are really growing on me. I love their color this time of your when the buds are a sweet salmony pink against the soft green of their foliage.

Tracey said...

I felt the same exact way about sedum, Steph. And I have since fallen for their colors. Especially since they are still kind of soft - in the midst of all the more electric, vibrant colors of late July and August.