Plants that are doing well right now

I should have entitled this "Plants That Can Take the Heat" so that the title is not deceptive. I hope that new posts are added as DGers find more plants that survive the late summer heat.

I occassionally am asked to assist the garden editor of the San Antonio Express News by providing information about and photos of plants to use in the newspaper. She asked what plants are doing well right now at the end of the summer when it is so hot. It took a while to list these for her and I thought the list might be helpful to others. I am sure I left some out. If anyone would like to add any that are doing well for them, please do so. The ones with an "X" are plants that I do not have in my landscape, but are doing well here in San Antonio in other people's landscapes.

Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

Klondike Cosmos, Sulphur Cosmos, Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) - doing especially well in this heat and lack of rain
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/218/index.html

Swamp Hibiscus, Scarlet Rose Mallow, Texas Star, Scarlet Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) - given to me by Kipper when it was small (at the end of April( - it is 6 or 7 feet tall now
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1872/index.html

Peregrina, Spicy Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2447/index.html

Bush Allamanda (Allamanda schottii) - hasn't stopped blooming all summer
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55239/index.html

Double Portulaca, Double Purslane 'Fairytale Cinderella' and other cultivated portulacas
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/67558/index.html

Thrift-leaf Perky Sue, Four-Nerve Daisy, Slender-stem Bitterweed, Plains Hymenoxys (Hymenoxys scaposa)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53549/index.html

Bougainvillea 'Coconut Ice'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/100947/index.html

Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55375/index.html

Corkscrew vine (Vigna caracalla) - have photo of the blooms
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1884/index.html

Knotweed, Fleece Flower, Tovara 'Red Dragon' (Persicaria microcephala)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1134/index.html

Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/23/index.html

Butterfly Clerodendrum; Blue Glory Bower (Clerodendrum ugandense)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1874/index.html

Moonflower, Moon Vine (Ipomoea alba)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/893/index.html

Agastache 'Heather Queen' (Agastache cana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/79844/index.html

Blackfoot Daisy, Black Foot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/259/index.html

Fairy Duster Hybrid, Red Fairy Duster Hybrid 'Sierra Starr™'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/105834/index.html

Bog Sage (Salvia uliginosa)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1152/index.html

Mexican Sage 'Port de Zorro' (Salvia mexicana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/80587/index.html

Scarlet Sage, Scarlet Salvia, Red Sage, Red Salvia 'Red Hot Sally' (Salvia splendens)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59127/index.html

Mandevilla, Dipladenia (Mandevilla splendens)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1711/index.html

Blue Daze, Hawaiian Blue Eyes 'Blue Daze' (Evolvulus glomeratus) - blooms late summer through fall
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/194/index.html

West Texas Mist Flower (Eupatorium greggii)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53449/index.html

Ornamental Pepper 'Holiday Cheer' (Capsicum annuum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/104649/index.html

Ornamental Pepper 'Explosive Ember' (Capsicum annuum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56161/index.html

Dwarf Pomegranate 'Nana' (Punica granatum) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55136/index.html

Garden Phlox 'David' (Phlox paniculata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51621/index.html

Garden Phlox 'John Fanick' (Phlox paniculata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57939/index.html

Garden Phlox 'Victoria' (Phlox paniculata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57940/index.html

Pigeon Berry, Bloodberry, Rouge Plant, Baby Pepper, Coral Berry (Rivina humilis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58615/index.html

Darling Daisy, Dwarf Shasta Daisy 'Darling' (Leucanthemum x superbum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/99545/index.html

Cockscomb, Plume Plant, Feathered Amaranth (Plumosa Group) 'New Look' (Celosia argentea var. plumosa)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56656/index.html

Bleeding Heart Vine, Glory Bower (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/506/index.html

Blue Anise Sage, Brazilian Sage 'Black and Blue' (Salvia guaranitica)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54031/index.html

Meadow Sage (Salvia chiapensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60118/index.html

Canna Lily 'Lucifer' (Canna x generalis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37420/index.html

Lemon Yellow Rosemallow (Hibiscus calyphyllus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37991/index.html

Ruby Grass 'Pink Crystals ™' (Rhynchelytrum nerviglume) - dwarf ornamental grass, has started to bloom in the past 2 weeks
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/67224/index.html

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2657/index.html

White Velvet, White Gossamer Plant, Hairy Wandering Jew (Tradescantia sillamontana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31747/index.html

White-Flowered Wandering Jew, Inch Plant, Small-leaf Spiderwort, River Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54391/index.html

Pale Pavonia, Pale Texas Rosemallow, Pale Rock Rose (Pavonia hastata) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59615/index.html

Rock Rosemallow, Texas Swampmallow (Pavonia lasiopetala)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57756/index.html

Pavonia (Pavonia spinifex) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1820/index.html

Roving Sailor, Twining Snapdragon, Snapdragon Vine (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) native vine (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1203/index.html

Japanese Barberry, Dwarf Redleaf Barberry 'Crimson Pygmy' (Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59576/index.html

Hummingbird Bush, Flame Acanthus, Wright Anisacanth, Muicle (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60921/index.html

Pyramid Bush, Wooly Pyramid Bush, Tea Bush, Raichie, Broom Weed (Melochia tomentosa) - rare
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73674/index.html

Periwinkle, Vinca 'Little Pinkie' (Catharanthus roseus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73362/index.html

Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine (Senecio confusus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1329/index.html

Silver Dichondra, Silver Pony-foot, Kidneyweed (Dichondra argentea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/76508/index.html

Crepe Myrtle, Crape Myrtle 'Dwarf Red' (Lagerstroemia indica)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38051/index.html

Crepe Myrtle, Crape Myrtle 'Basham's Party Pink'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38007/index.html

Four O'Clock, Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/92/index.html

Jujube, Chinese Red Date, Chinese Plum (Ziziphus jujuba) - (X) in a neighbor's yard
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/50048/index.html

Golden Thyrallis, Shower of Gold, Rain of Gold (Galphimia glauca)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/348/index.html

Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2050/index.html

Rose of Sharon 'Lucy' (Hibiscus syriacus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/48614/index.html

Rose of Sharon 'Double Purple' (Hibiscus syriacus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/48596/index.html

Rose of Sharon 'Minerva' (Hibiscus syriacus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/48621/index.html

Golden Dew Drop, Sky Flower, Pigeon Berry 'Sweet Memories' (Duranta erecta)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60098/index.html

Hosta 'So Sweet'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2996/index.html

Moses-in-a-Basket, Boatlily, Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/650/index.html

Desert Willow, Desert Catalpa, Flowering Willow, Orchid of the Desert (Chilopsis linearis) - (X) I don't have one, but they are doing great in other landscapes
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/265/index.html

Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1188/index.html

Shell Ginger 'Variegata' (Alpinia zerumbet)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55244/index.html

Indian Holly Fern, Simplicior Holly Fern, Variegated Shield Fern, East Indian Holly Fern 'Variegata' (Arachniodes simplicior)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59265/index.html

Desert Bird of Paradise, Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) - (X) I don't have one, but they are beautiful right now
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2120/index.html

Variegated Tropical Hibiscus 'Snow Queen' (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/47435/index.html

Texas Wild Olive, White Geiger, Anacahuita (Cordia boissieri) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2246/index.html

Firecracker Plant, Firecracker Flower, Kanakambaram (Crossandra infundibuliformis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1337/index.html

Bloodflower, Swallow-wort, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/604/index.html

English Stonecrop (Sedum anglicum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37070/index.html

Wood Sorrel, False Shamrock (Oxalis regnellii)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1241/index.html

Star Begonia (Begonia heracleifolia) - seems to love the heat
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59888/index.html

Firecracker Plant, Mexican Honeysuckle, Orange Plume Flower (Justicia spicigera)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1335/index.html

China Rose, Butterfly Rose 'Mutabilis' (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55699/index.html

Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/622/index.html

Shrimp Plant 'Yellow Queen' (Justicia brandegeana) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60080/index.html

Texas Betony, Scarlet Hedgenettle (Stachys coccinea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1292/index.html

Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy 'Indian Summer' (Rudbeckia hirta) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54127/index.html

Key Lime, Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/49906/index.html

Lily Turf, Lilyturf, Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1612/index.html

Chinese Witch Hazel, Chinese Fringe Flower 'Hines Purpleleaf' (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56040/index.html

Asparagus Fern, Sprenger Asparagus 'Sprengeri' (Asparagus densiflorus) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1850/index.html

Zinnia 'Profusion Orange'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/61928/index.html

Bush Morning Glory, Morning Glory Tree, Badoh Negro, Borrachero, Matacabra (Ipomoea carnea) - (X) gave to my neighbor
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/52996/index.html

Esperanza, Texas Yellow Bells 'Sunrise'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/61000/index.html

Orange Esperanza, Orangebells, Orange Trumpet Bush, Orange Star 'Orange Jubilee' (Tecoma x)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60979/index.html

Chiltepin, Chilipiquin, Chiltecpin (Capsicum annuum var. aviculare)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31752/index.html

Running Pop, Love-In-A-Mist, Stinking Passion Flower (Passiflora foetida) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1194/index.html

Devil's Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Downy Thorn Apple 'Double Purple' (Datura metel)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60033/index.html

Texas Flowery Senna, Flowering Senna, Flowery Senna, Tree Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush (Senna corymbosa) - (X) starting to bloom now
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60780/index.html

Joseph's Coat, Dwarf Rose Joseph's Coat 'Rosea Nana' (Alternanthera ficoidea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59743/index.html

Firecracker Plant, Cigar Plant 'David Verity'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/76493/index.html

Cigar Plant, Cigar Bush 'Starfire'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60176/index.html

Velvet Pod Mimosa, Gatuno, Velvetpod Catclaw (Mimosa dysocarpa var. wrightii) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60112/index.html

Firecracker Shrub, Mexican Firebush, Scarlet Bush, Hummingbird Bush (Hamelia patens)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1844/index.html

Carolina Moonseed Vine, Carolina Snailseed (Cocculus carolinus) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1574/index.html

Variegated Devil's Backbone, Japanese Poinsettia, Slipper Spurge, Redbird Cactus, Christmas Candle (Pedilanthus tithymaloides)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1716/index.html

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1695/index.html

Mexican Mint Marigold, Spanish Tarragon, Texas Tarragon, Sweet Mace, Yerbis Anis (Tagetes lucida) - blooms late summer into fall
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/318/index.html

Texas Muhly Grass, Florida Muhly Grass 'Regal Mist' (Muhlenbergia capillaris) -blooms late summer into fall (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59737/index.html

Candle Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Candletree, Candelabra Bush, Ringworm Tree (Senna alata) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/371/index.html

Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/890/index.html

Weeping Lantana, Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2042/index.html

Yellow Orchid Vine, Yellow Butterfly Vine, Gallinita (Mascagnia macroptera) (X) I don't have one, but they are doing great in other landscapes
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1845/index.html

Firespike, Cardinal Guard, Scarlet Flame (Odontonema strictum) - blooms late summer through fall
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1854/index.html

Philippine Violet (Barleria cristata) - starting to bloom again
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2401/index.html

Confederate Rose, Cotton Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) - blooms late summer and early fall - (X) don't have one, but I wish I did
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/714/index.html

Plectranthus 'Mona Lavende
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57891/index.html

Mealy Cup Sage (Salvia farinacea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/127/index.html

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) - blooms late summer and early fall (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1837/index.html

Meyer's Lemon Tree 'Meyer' (Citrus x meyeri)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/49905/index.html

Lazy Daisy, Doze Daisy, Dozedaisy, Arkansas Lazy Daisy, Texas Lazy Daisy (Aphanostephus skirrhobasis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57959/index.html

New Gold Lantana, Gold lantana 'New Gold'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59488/index.html

Rabbit's Paw, Creeping Daisy, Water Zinnia (Sphagneticola trilobata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1303/index.html

Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31558/index.html

Purslane, Pigweed, Wild Portulaca, Little Hogweed, Pusley, Verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/242/index.html

Chameleon Plant 'Chameleon' (Houttuynia cordata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2164/index.html

Oleander (Nerium oleander)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1327/index.html

Plumbago, Cape Leadwort (Plumbago auriculata)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/414/index.html

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1074/index.html

Hardy Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow 'Disco Belle Rosy Red' (Hibiscus moscheutos)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/40901/index.html

Leadwort, Hardy Blue Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) -blooms late summer tthrough fall
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/876/index.html

Narrow-Leaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/255/index.html

Hummingbird Sage, Texas Sage, Scarlet Sage 'Coral Nymph' (Salvia coccinea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31635/index.html

Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Colobe Pink' (Ruellia brittoniana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38183/index.html

Burro's Tail, Donkey's Tail (Sedum morganianum) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2543/index.html

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/487/index.html

Speedwell 'Sunny Border Blue'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55794/index.html

Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Katie' (Ruellia brittoniana)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38186/index.html

Brazilian Plume, Flamingo Flower, Jacobinia, Pine-Bur Begonia (Justicia carnea)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/643/index.html

Moss Rose, Purslane (Portulaca grandiflora)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/241/index.html

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/278/index.html

Giant Tree Cholla, Tree Cholla, Candelabrum Cactus, Cane Cactus, Cane Cholla, Walking Stick Cholla (Cylindropuntia imbricata) (X)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/66650/index.html

Tropical Hibiscus 'Golden Wind' (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/107065/index.html

Tropical Hibiscus 'Flaming WInd' (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/107060/index.html

Narrow-Leaf Zinnia 'Gold Star' (Zinnia angustifolia)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/103923/index.html

Diascia 'Hannah Rose'
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/90033/index.html

Yuccas (X)
Spanish daggers (X)
Cactii (I have a few kinds)


This message was edited May 22, 2007 12:33 PM

We really are fortunate here - in spite of or even because of - the heat. Such a wealth of beauty that can be enjoyed! Thanks for this impressive list, htop! I see several candidates for my "must-have" collection.

Your welcome, Yuska.

Thank you Hazel for this list. When I first saw it yesterday, all I could think of was 'HOLY COW!!!' I was so impressed. We are so lucky to have you!.

I'll be coming back to this list as I plan my new garden in a year or two (We are still at the 'when will the plans be ready' stage.'
Veronica

Your welcome, Veronica. I am glad it will be useful to you.

Hazel, that was an impresive list indeed! Now I must ask: are all these plants in your garden?
If so, that is quite a collection.

I have three also doing well, that I think are not on your list.

Partridge Pea, Cassia fasciculata.
Turk's Cap, Malvaviscus drummondii
Frostweed, Verbesina virginica.

Josephine.

This is my first year for Rock Rose.I planted two against a fence by my driveway.They began to bloom last spring and have bloomed all summer.Every morning when I go out for my newspapers I gather more seed.Next year I intend to have more of these beautiful shrubs.I reccomend this plant.Gabriell

frostweed, I have a lot that are on the list. I went back and put an "X" by those plants that are not presently in my landscape. I did not add any of my plants that are suffering a bit in the heat and/or those that require a lot of water right now like my sweet violets, begonias, impatiens, some of my gingers, and geraniums, etc. I also did not include my foundation shrubbery like nandina, redtip photinia which do well all of the time. Thanks for adding some more that are doing well for you.

gabriell, the rock rose is a great plant. Thanks for the information.

More plants that are doing great for me that I left off of the first list above for those who might want to know which ferns do well in the heat (check to determine if the fern is winter hardy in your area):

Foxtail Fern 'Meyersii' (Asparagus densiflorus)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31438/index.html

Southern Shield Fern, Southern Wood Fern, Southern Maiden Fern, River Fern (Thelypteris kunthii)l dies back and returns in the spring
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/7026/

Japanese Shield Fern, Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1812/index.html

Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1649/index.html

Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/365/index.html

Korean Tassel Fern, Japanese Lace Fern, Holly Fern (Polystichum polyblepharum)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2144/index.html

More plants that I have that can take the heat:

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1367/index.html

Gold Dust Plant 'Variegata' (Aucuba japonica)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/130/index.html

Bush Lily, Clivia Lily, St. John's Lily, Boslelie, Fire Lily (Clivia miniata) - is not winter hardy in zones above Zone 9
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2201/index.html

'Belinda's Dream' shrub rose - just keeps on loving the heat, Texas A&M SuperStar
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56186/index.html

Polyantha Rose 'The Fairy' - given to me by silverfluter
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2863/index.html

Baby Sunrose, Heartleaf Ice Plant 'Red Apple' (Aptenia cordifolia)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53485/index.html

Spider Plant, Airplane Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) I have mine in the ground; they die back in the winter, but return in the spring. I do not have to water them a lot; my Mother's which are in the ground have received little supplemental water for the past 3 years - just had to water them after they received no supplemental water this year (they had folded up some and were light green after receiving very little rain); need shade
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/68558/index.html

Variegated Spider plant, Airplane Plant 'Variegatum' (Chlorophytum comosum) - I have mine in the ground; they die back in the winter, but return in the spring. I do not have to water them a lot; need shade
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1989

Various Hens and Chicks

I have a bunch doing well also but for this thread I just took a pic of my gardenia veiitchi, sort of a low growing variety. Have given me fits over a 3 yr period but it's finally becoming a low maint. shurb (as long as I water, fertilize, add iron, talk to it, bribe it, etc. etc.)

Speaking of low maintenance. Someone once said:
" The only kind of low maintenance gardening is the kind you do on your knees"
And to that I say Amen, but I love it anyway.
Josephine.

Whew! I know that list was a lot of work and I thank you for it, Hazel. :-)
Terrie

vossner, my friend gave me 2 of the gardenia veiitchi. One slowly died from what appeared to be some kind of root rot and the other one is doing great. I have it in a container right now. How much sun does yours receive? What kind of fertilizer do you give it?

Josehine, that quote about low maintenance gardening hits the nail on the head. :o)

Terrie, the lists I have added herr did take a lot of time and I hope that the postings here will be useful. You are welcome and thanks for your comments.

Htop, this particular variety seems to be very temperamental. I originally bought about 5-6 1 gal. plants. It has been the hardest plant for me to get to "understand". They are all planted in bright morning light and a couple of hours of mid afternoon sun, in clay soil. I amended w/ lots of peat moss. Seems like I killed a couple from overwatering, replaced, then killed the replacements by underwatering! My third effort was to apply ironite, water thoroughly then mulch heavily. Since then things have been mostly good, with one little shrub that I may replace or I may just let the others which have grown a good amount take over. They have been floiferous for me. In the spring I am religious about applying miracid, but get bored and hot, and give it up.

I have an August Beauty gardenia planted in my second home. Soil is highly acidic there and light is indirect bright light all day long. I do the miracid thing in the spring and that's it. The top is so heavy now that I've had to stake the trunk. I saw a gardenia standard at Epcot in FL, fell in love with the looks of it and went home and tried my hand at it. Being that the trunk is so weak, I may have to do a little research about this in order to correct the problem. The "pom-pom" is about 3' X 3', it may be that I need to keep it at no more than 2 X 2. I will try to remember to take pic and post here sometime.

that's my story.

I don't really know why one of them died and am just guessing that its rots rotted. It was in a container with the same type of soil, etc. right next to the other one that looks really good with dark green leaves. It is not blooming right now, may not be getting enough sun. Thanks for the information. The August Beauty sounds really nice. Please do post a photo of it.

Hazel, I have enjoyed this list immensely. My garden looks pretty bad right now, so I'm paying close attention. (I was considering just ripping everything out and filling my back yard with gravel!)

Another little plant just blooming it's pretty little head off all through the Summer is Dahlberg Daisy. It's an annual, but re-seeds well. I love to see where it will pop up.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/86242/

Maggie, I had totally forgottten the Dahlberg Daisy because I forgot to plant it this year. The foliage is so nice and the do bloom for such a long period of time. Thanks for your post. This August sure is a lot hotter than last August. I think last year in San Antonio we had very few 100 degree days. The number of days of 100 or near to it are sure testing our plants (as well as our) ability to hang on until the weather cools. Some of mine now are showing signs of starting to struggle. My 'Victoria' phlox; bougainvilleas that are in hanging baskets; purple coneflowers and coleus that are receiving direct sun as it shifts back south need a lot of water now.

I'm glad to hear my purple coneflowers are not the only ones struggling. I had three last year, this year only one of them even bloomed, but that wasn't until a couple of weeks ago and it was only two flowers. The other two may be lost (I think they were helped along on their downward turn by an animal that burrowed around mercilessly in that bed this Summer, it was very hard to keep the huge air pockets out of that bed!) Another one has started to grow out of that mess. Too late to bloom this year, but it's hope for next year.

I have two of the gardenia veiitchi, they were both doing really well, then I moved one from the ground(Bleu was trampling it to death). It has never recovered. The other one is in a big pot with coleus and is doing great.

I've killed my share of Gardenias. I know many of the puzzle pieces to keeping Gardenias alive and flourishing, but not enough to keep them alive for longer than a year. This much I knew before tonight: Gardenias prefer acidic (Although, I read that with proper care, they can handle a pH of 7.5.), well-drained soil, high in organic matter. They prefer light to moderate shade and no root competition. They are not cold hardy and can be killed by temperature below 15ºF. They like constant moisture, but not wet, roots. Poorly drained soil can lead to root rot. They suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.

This is what I learned tonight after a long search: Gardenias resent root disturbance (How do you get them out of the pot without disturbing the roots?). I've always loosened some of the roots so they are in closer contact with the new soil. Maybe that's not the thing to do with Gardenias. Mulch instead of cultivate under them. They are high maintenance plants. They are very suceptible to nematodes especially in sandy soil. Grafted Gardenias have a better chance of surviving in the ground because they are usually grafted onto nematode-resistant Gardenias. They drop their buds if they are overwatered, underwatered, humidity is too low, they have received insufficient light, and if the temperatures are too high. Night time temperature of between 50 - 55ºF are needed for bud formatiion. Supposedly, they do better in a pot. I have the dead skeleton of a standard Gardenia 'August Beauty' in a pot. Maybe the pot was too small. I watered it every day, yet the soil was dry by the time I watered it again. Some wag said in one of the articles I read that Gardenias die at the mention of 'clay'.

It's a wonder anyone can manage to keep one alive.

If I can just find the right spot and the right pot...

Yes, I finally gave up on gardenias entirely! I thought I had something going for awhile, with a dwarf in a nice container, but after simply "being there" for six months, (after managing to keep it barely alive for a year), it finally gave up the ghost. I won't waste any more time on them.

At my old office, there was a huge gardenia bush growing on the side of the building. It bloomed profusely and always looked great. Nobody - I mean nobody- ever gave it a second thought, much less worried about watering and feeding it!

here is a pic of my August beauty Gardenia that I have in my 2nd home growing as a standard. The tree is a mass of white when in full bloom. It is 4-5 years old, and about 5 ft tall, with a weak trunk. I think it needs a haircut to achieve the pompom look. Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated. So weird, though, this plant requires very little attention, as oppossed to my other ones at the Richmond house.

I forget what these little yellow flowers are called but are beautiful everyday. I think they are an annual that reseeds easily. (Picture taken today.)

Nice bed trunnels! What are the little red flowers next to them?

Thanks, Mel, but was hoping you were going to tell me the name of the YELLOW flowers. lol The little red things are ornamental peppers that were a beautiful purple for a couple of months and just turned red recently. They multiply like crazy!

trunnels, the little yellow blooming plants might be a type of Melampodium.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=Melampodium&Search=Search

Calalily, I hope the one Gardenia veiitchi I have left that is in a container keeps doing well. I will count myself lucky.

bettydee, thanks for all of the info about gardenia care.

maggie, if the one gardenia I have that is still alive dies, it will be my last attempt at growing them. One of my friends gave me the 3 recent ones as a Christmas present. My first thought was that I had better enjoy them while I could because they wouldn't last too long.


vossner, your 'August Beauty' looks like it is doing great. Because I jhave killed so many gardenias, I am not about to give you any suggestions about pruning it for fear I will put a curse on your plant.

trunnels, your bed is beautiful. I love ornamental peppers too. The yellow bloomers might be a type of Melampodium.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=Melampodium&Search=Search

Thanks, Hazel! You are absolutely right about the yellow flowers (someone reminded me on another thread). Last year I had two ornamental pepper plants, one in each bed. I had so many come up from seed this year that I gave away about half and they still fill the beds. I have really enjoyed the constant color from them.

One plant that is doind really well is the native pepper Capsicum annuum var aviculare, Chiltepin. Two summers ago, I threw some seed over the porch railing. By the end of last year's growing season, it was about 1' high. This year it has been getting lots of water and fertilizer because I have some Brugmansias in pots nearby. It has grown by leap and bounds. It is now about 3' high and 4' wide. It is loaded with lots of large (for its species) green peppers. By the end of next month, it should be lit up like a Christmas tree with red peppers. The plant gets morning sun and bright shade the rest of the day.

bettydee, thanks for adding the Chiltepin. I really love this plant. It requires no care and has such nice deep green foliage to set off the color of the peppers. I too have thought it looks like a little Christmas tree. We use the peppers a lot in chile and salsas.

My hubby reminded me of his favorite plant this year....our Esparanza. It has come back four years in a row now. That is very unusual for this area, but it's in a little microclimate on the south side of our brick home, surely using the heat from the red brick to stay warm!

The plant is now over 5 ft tall this year, and covered with gorgeous yellow blooms . Iv'e been collecting seed pods from it, now I need to see what I can do to grow some more!

mel

Betty and Mel, would love to see pictures!!

Mel, I call my 'Gold Star' esperanza "my happy plant" because the yellow blooms make me feel so cheerful when I see them. I have 2 hybrids also. One has all orange blooms and the other has bicolor orange and yellow blooms. These have done great also. Their leaves and blooms are smaller than the ones on the 'Gold Star'. Thanks for sharing your information.

Oooohhhhh. Orange flowers ! Hubby would love that! I'll have to keep my eye out for one!

I will snap a pic this week and share! One day it might not come back, and I'll wish that I had a photo, anyway, huh?

mel

I would send you some seeds of both of the different colored ones, but they are hybrids and will not be true to the mother plant. I tried to root cuttings last year, but failed. I would love to see a photo of your plant. Be sure to deeply mulch over the root zone this winter.

Here's a link to the one with all orange blooms:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60979/index.html

Here's a link to the one with bicolor yellow and orange blooms:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/61000/index.html

Those are lovely. I was wondering if seeds would grow from the mother... I have been collecting them this year, and have a few dozen pods so far! Any tips on how to go about planting them? I have no idea where to start!

melanie

Melanie, they seem to germinate really well. If you have the 'Gold Star' esperanza, it is a hybrid too ... so new plants can be grown from the ripened dried seeds; but, they won't necessarily be identical to the mother plant. I have a bunch of plants that have come up from seeds around my 'Gold Star', but they haven't bloomed so I don't know if they are the "native" esperanza or the hybrid. The native esperanza grows taller, does not branch as much, blooms later, has smaller blooms and does not bloom as prolifically as the hybrids do. The pods have a lot of seeds in them in papery strips. In ther spring, fill small containers with potting soil (one that has no fertilizer in it) mixed with sand (3 parts potting soil and 1 part sand). Place the seeds on top of the soil. Then, sprinkle about1/4 inch or less of soil on top of them. Keep the soil moist (I'd spray the soil with a spray bottle so as not to disturb the seeds) and place the containers where they receive full sun. They may not sprout until the temperatures warm into the upper 80s and above. I have some that germinated in several containers that were below the mother plants and, as I said, a lot sprang up from just falling on the ground so they do not need to be covered with a lot of soil. Also, you might try just putting some seeds on top of the soil and not covering them with soil. You can also try propagating them from semi-ripe or partial green cuttings during summer and keeping the cuttings through the winter months protecting them from freezes. Good luck. :o)

Melanie,
Yucca Do Nursery in Hempstead sells the orange one. I ordered one last year, but I think I drowned it.

thanks. I will keep my eyes out for one!

I have received numerous emails about plants that will do well in our heat. The list contains plants that were doing well in August. I am bumping this back up even though it is still winter.

This message was edited Jan 10, 2006 9:30 AM

Hi Hazel! Good timing, as people need to be planning now for what they will plant soon, that will survive next summer.

C'mon, Spring...

Cornelius had the orange esperanza last summer too--I could still kick myself in the butt for not getting it when I saw it.