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Tucker, GA on Sep 15, 2011

Can you suggest a low growing (about 1 to 1.5 feet) plant that likes drought and sun?

Our subdivision has dwarf (about 4 feet high) youpon holley in front of a fence. Now we need something to replace the Nearly Wild roses that have not done well the past two summers. The roses grew in front of the youpon holley. Are there any native plants that would do well? There is no water available at the subdivision entrance except for jugs lugged by "little old ladies."

Thanks.

Mary in Tucker

10 Comments

Paul M Fairburn, GA

You could always plant a prickly pear cactus. They are great looking plants to me and when they get larger they have wonderful yellow flowers in the spring and lovely purple fruits in the fall.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Darby C Flowery Branch, GA

Try Indian Hawthorne. It loves sun, blooms in late sping, and is very hard to kill.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

Mary, whatever you plant you will have to water it to get the planting established. Yucca 'Color Guard' is a tough drought tolerant perennial and would be evergreen too. You could also try evening primrose (Oenothera missouriensis) which has yellow flowers.
Here is a photo of the Yucca with Canna 'Australia'
on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

There is no plant that "likes drought". Even Cactus wan ts water to bloom and look good.

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Plant some native gaillardia, or blanket flower, at the base of Erica's yucca. Yes, the "little old ladies" will have to water them to get them established, but after that they are one tough plant. They bloom all summer long in Florida's heat, even right on the dunes at the beach, with nothing more than nature's rainfall (which this year has been slim indeed).

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 1
Mary O Tucker, GA

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Donna Dixson Buford, GA

If you want to go back in with a Rose you could use a carpet rose, they are pretty tough and don't get nasty looking like the Nearly Wilds. You could also use a dwarf Spirea. But you will need to cut that back every year to maintain in some type of order for bed.

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

I don't have much experience with carpet roses, I have never seen them looking great but the Rosa rugosa selections are tough, pretty flowers and big rose hips in fall

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 1
Donna Dixson Buford, GA

I wa dubious about them as well but it appears that the new ones are holding up as well as the knockouts this year with plenty of repeat bloom & resistance to black spot which just ruins the nearly wilds

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

@Four Seasons, thanks. I am just crazy for old fashioned roses!

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0