yellow bells

I see these for sale all over the place. They are usually listed to zone 8 as far as hardiness goes. Last year I planted one in mid summer. I kept it watered and it grew quite a bit and flowered until late into the fall. It died last winter (no protection). How hardy do you find these plants to be? Do they grow in my area without winter protection? I have a dead M. Fan and am thinking that area would be great for one of these plants.
C
I want to plant it to the left of the stump(where the dying R. hirta are). After my last attempt, thinking spring is a better time?

And, why is my flame acanthus so tall! I cut it back in spring and it just keeps getting bigger. My other plant (orange not red) is much smaller.

I am more south and last year's 16 degrees got my Esperanza, its second year. I know that the roots need to be really established for it to withstand the cold so I would either put it in a big pot till early spring, or baby it the first year.
I was told to cut mine back in January to make it bushier. Thought the freeze might have done it for me until it never came back. I picked one up a month ago and have it growing in a pot, as much because of the heat and drought as anything. I am going to try for a late January, early February planting.

Cheryl, I have three Yellow Bells planted in the ground. The roots survived last winter with a good heavy mulch all around the root zone, they are not very vigorous and haven't bloomed yet, but they survived the winter.
I have another plant in a pot, that i brought into the garage when it got to freezing and that one has bloomed more than once.
I guess if they die to the roots it takes them longer to bloom, I hope they do it before winter sets in.
Don't complain about your Flame Acanthus it looks great, but if you don't want it that big, trim it again, no problem.

I'm not sure I want one if yours hasnt' bloomed yet. What other larger perennial or smallish shrub might work. There is afternoon sun, good dirt but that area dries out quickly. I want someting with an earlier or longer bloom time.
C

How about Rock Rose?

I might try one there but I have had them in other places and they were over run with mildew. I have one remaining plant in a shady and moist area and oddly that one never has issues with mildew. They are really pretty when healthy and you can't beat the length of time they are in bloom. The hirta will come back and be nice until about July so maybe I can accept something that is tough and blooms mid-late summer. Maybe I need to think about the future to keep my mind off of what is happening with some of my plants.
Josephine I will say none of my native plants except the hirta are dying, its almost exclusively the non-native species. They don't look their best but they are green and hanging on with some blooms.
C

My Rudbeckia hirta bloomed its heart out, but it got too tall and when I cut it back it didn't rebound.
The Carolina phlox is doing well although a little stressed in the full sun areas, it is just too hot lately.
The Turk's cap, Flame acanthus and Ruellia nudiflora are doing good as well as the Rudbeckia fulgida, this one is a perennial and is shorter than the hirta, but can not take too much sun. I like it.

I have seen it for sale but don't have that one. I don't really have any areas that don't get afternoon, hot sun. I have started to cut back the hirta but if I do that just leaves the area with less shade on the soil so I am waiting. They make so much seed its scary. Even though they are disapearing fast, they were so lovely for a long time in spring and early summer, that they are definately worth growing. My turks cap is large and full of flowers but I have had no hummers in the yard this year, sadly. I need plants that can take sun and heat, period!
C

Cheryl, your Flame Acanthus looks just like mine -- tall and happy. I hope you don't cut it back, as it's one of the hummingbirds' favorite plants and is one they depend on this time of year.

Carla

Only seen a couple in the yard this year and none stayed for a meal?