RE: Was Penstemons, now plants that are excelling in the heat/drought

We have all been lamenting the heat and lack of water in most areas.  But there are some things that seem to excel in these conditions.  What is doing well for you?

I agree with Chris or is it Colin?  Penstemons are doing very well.  Also platycodon (baloon flower), dahlias of course (I have a smashing new one called 'Roxy' with dark foliage and hot pink flowers, about 24"), rudbekia triloba, coleus in part shade (and aren't there amazing colors available this year!), another hurrah for persicaria 'Painter's Palette,' bog sage, all sages, actually, asters, campanula 'Kent Belle,' the grasses, catmints, astrantia (in part shade), eupatorium 'Gateway' (as stunning as seen on TV or in books, clearly different from the species -- wonderful purple stems), helenium (really love the Redgold and Morheim Beauty) sedum, of course, solidaster, solidago, and buddlea.  

I am very impressed with an oakleaf hydrangea in part shade, competing with a huge tree that has bloomee stupendously this year, I think the cultivar is "Snow Queen."

But the true star of the garden right now is angelica gigas.  I wish I could find more, as I understand it is a biannual and this is it for the show (this year).  Cann anyone tell me more about this plant?

The REAL surprise in my garden is the annual snapdragons, from the Rocket series.  I planted these all over the place in probably March and April.  I always think of them as cool weather plants, but they are hale, hearty, blooming their hearts out and not showing any signs of stress -- and we had a week of near and a few days over 100 last week.  Go figure.  They are in full sun, too.



-----Original Message-----
From: CAMOAT@aol.com [C*@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 5:50 AM
To: perennials@mallorn.com
Subject: Penstemons


In a previous post someone was asking about plants that look good this time 
of the year, one of the best perfomers in the uk at this time is Penstemons 
and also perennial lobelia 'Fan deep red' etc, but i don't recall these being 
mentioned in past listings. I'm intrigued as i believe that some penstemons 
are native to the US and i would have thought that they would be as popular 
as Hosta, Hem's and Heuchera, and assuming that it's not that it doesn't 
begin with an 'H' is it because they are not consistantly hardy? 
As part of the local Hardy Plant Soc conservation programme i have just been 
given responsibilty of Heuchera 'David' and wondered if anyone has knowledge 
of this and any special requirements or peculiarities?
Following the thread on ' ornamental grasses' Stipa Gigantea always does 
spectacularly well, but the grass that seemed to benefit from the wet spring 
was Deschampsia Caespitosa 'goldschleer' , has turned from white frothy 
fountain of new flower spikes to a wonderful gold haze, obviously likes 
moisture.
Great turnout to our local summer flower show weekend at 'Great Comp' over 
1200 visitors.
relieved to delete half my 'mail to be read' small price for such a good list 
Chris
Colin Moat
Kent England 

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