Re: Drought tolerant perennials

Kris,
Took me about 10 years to realize that, in places with heavy clay soil
and cold winters, an overhang is an opportunity rather than a problem...
I can grow many things that will normally be very short-lived perennials
and they will live for many, many years, because they aren't wet in the
winter. You might also be able to grow things that require a zone warmer
than you have where you are, things overwinter very well. I have
verbascum that are 6 years old and very large plants, where they'll die
in a winter or two in my regular beds (and they sometimes are still
blooming in December...) . Same with lavendar, nepeta, oregano, oriental
lilies,  rudbeckia, centranthus, achillea. Added oenethera speciosa last
year and it's way too invasive but absolutely gorgeous, and the same
plant put in at the same time 6 feet away but not under the overhang
promptly died. I've put in some bulbs (iris reticulata)  that like dry
summer conditions to try for this year. Look for things that want
"well-drained" soil and supply enough water during the summer, but in
winter just give a good watering at the beginning of winter and then
forget it til spring.

			Mary
			zone 6 MO

 
> This is the problem I had last year with alot of things. I want to 
> plant 
> agianst the foundation of my house but due to the overhang it 
> doesn't get 
> alot of water from the rain. I tried to keep the are watered with 
> the hose 
> but you know how that goes. Last fall I lifted a few plants and 
> amended the 
> soil so I hope that will be better this spring. I have also been 
> looking at 
> putting in more drought tolerant perennials. 
> 
> Kris p  IL
> 
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