Well the rain finally came. However it was too late for 3 out of 5 of my in ground brugs. I have others in containers but the area where I put the others was way too sunny. I have some hardy hibiscus, tropical hibiscus, daturas, and/or confederate rose hibiscus. I'd planned to put them other places. I have some daylilies coming and already some medium to small irises planted in containers awaiting cooler weather. This area that needs something is in direct afternoon sun. I don't know what, if anything that I can put there to replace. Anybody with ideas?
what to do?
Flame Acanthus for sure. Takes the full TX sun and hummers love it.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60921/
This message was edited Sep 13, 2009 11:09 PM
It spreads?
No, it isn't invasive. I haven't had my long but they do get large. I put the PF link in the previous post.
Or did I miss something, maybe you wanted a plant that spread?
I'm partial to the confederate rose/hibiscus, but it will die down in winter for zone 8b. It can grow 10+ feet in one season. Blooms late summer/early fall. What kind of an effect were you after? I haven't had any success with over wintering a tropical hibiscus outdoors.
Sorry, Sheila...I agree with the anisacanthus not spreading.It does not spread by roots, that is true, but...it reseeds a lot in full sun and even inadequate moisture. It is a wonderful plant and I have had it for over 20 years...and I have plenty of seedlings if anyone wants some...always! Deer leave it alone. Hummers fight over it this time of year...good plant.
Annie...have you tried vitex or pride of barbados? rosemary or masses of coneflowers?
I have a similar area that I am filling in with Pride of Barbados, lantana, and mexican oregano...a little clashing on the colors, but the hummers and butterflies love it...it is poor soil, sitting on a limestone ledge, in hot, hot sun, with little supplemental water and grazing deer...I just put in some lemon grass for additional height and the deer are leaving it alone!...I might circle the entire area with the lemon grass!!!
I have 2 other vitex in the yard. I love them they're always a buzz of activity. I need to take a pic of the area that I'm talking about. I'm at work right now, but will post one this evening. Putting the brugs in there was a bad idea. I have a golden rain tree in there that is surviving. I'll get a picture so you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Lady in red bloom like crazy in the sun. My turk's caps seem to love the sun. Oleanders seem to tolerate anything, but bloom best in the sun. Texas mist flower thrives on neglect and sun.
I can bring you any of the above. However, I took oleander cuttings before they bloomed, so who knows what color they are?
Charlene
Oleander is a thought too. Though my neighbors let their cows roam all over my yard. They haven't bothered the brugs, so hopefully they'd be smart enough to leave the oleander alone as well.
How about Esperanza? Or Mexican Firebush?