With all the excess snow and rain we’ve had this spring, I was surprised to see this drought map recently released by the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University. Only the upper right quadrant shows favorable conditions from all this spring precipitation. The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) is a relatively new drought index based only on precipitation. It's an index based on the probability of precipitation for any time scale.
After seeing this I realized that my business-as-usual
approach to planting spring annuals needed some tweaking. What are some of the
alternatives for annuals that can take the heat?
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| Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’ |
Known as the Spider Flower, Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita' is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun but tolerates light shade. It does better with consistent watering during the growing season. Once established, it tolerates heat and drought. This cleome is a sterile plant that will not reseed in the garden. It is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10 and is grown as an annual in Zones 3-8.
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PINK CRYSTALS® ruby grass Melinis nerviglumis
Photo: Plant Select |
Melinis nerviglumis is an annual here and many gardeners consider the shimmering heads of bright ruby
and silver flowers the most beautiful new contribution to bedding or the
border. It sparkles like champagne bubbles. Tips from the pros: Plant
larger plants as they will bloom earlier and provide longer bloom.
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Silver Dollar Plant Plectranthus argentatus
Photo: Plant Select |
The plush, silver, heavily textured leaves of Plectranthus argentatus make a trim mound through the summer months. Very easy and adaptable in a variety of sites and soils, it is considered a xeriscape plant. Excellent as an accent or massed, in containers, in annual plantings or borders.  |
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Autumn Colors’ |
Gloriosa Daisy hybrids are short-lived perennials, sometimes treated as annuals. Often these will survive a few winters or at least self seed. This mid-sized strain produces large brown-eyed daisy flowers for months on end, in a range of bicolor shades from yellow through gold, orange and bronzy-red. An outstanding cut flower. Removing faded blossoms regularly will greatly increase the flowering time.
For a larger list of xeriscape perennials and annuals see:
