"...even in the desert Southwest, even in the driest part of the country, a Xeriscape landscape can still be green and luxuriant."
From Xeriscape Gardening; Water Conservation for the American Landscape. C. Ellefson, T. Stephens, D. Welsh. 1992
From Xeriscape Gardening; Water Conservation for the American Landscape. C. Ellefson, T. Stephens, D. Welsh. 1992
Take steps now to prepare your garden for our increasing heat and decreasing rain....
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Featured above is Gaillardia pulchella, commonly known as Firewheel or Blanket flowers. They are native to our western states, but have naturalized much further east, including North Carolina. We frequently see them in the wild along out Coast.
They thrive in heat and dry conditions, but may grow a little taller (about 2') with occasional water. These plants, besides being cheerful additions to any garden, have a history of medicinal uses including gastroenteritis; chewed powdered root applied to skin disorders; nursing mothers bathed in tea made from the plant; and to ease sore eyes. Currently we use them simply to brighten a corner of a garden. RECOMMENDATIONS*...
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum
Garlic, Allium sativum Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum Calendula, Calendula officinalis Bay, Laurus nobilis Echinacea, Echinacea purpurea Lamb's ears, Stachys byzantina Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus Marshmallow, Althaea officinalis Marjoram, Origanumm marjorana Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Salad burnet,Sanguisorba minor True Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia Thyme, Thymus vulgaris Oregano, Origanum vulgare Yarrow, Achillea millefolium German chamomile, Matricaria recutita Agave, Agave americana * this does not imply the plants need no water, just that they will survive higher temperatures and less water than will some other plants. 
Green peppers are drought and heat tolerant, making them good choices these days. This photo, which has a strange resemblance to a dried boutonnière , is actually the seeds of a dried green pepper - artfully arranged!
Elaine C.
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PARTICIPATE in Leave the Leaves - your soil will benefit and so will the pollinators. You will both be happier next year!
One of the many gardens created by Madalene Hill in Round Top, Texas, a place that needs to pay attention to average rainfall and temperatures. Rosemaries, artemisias, and lavenders were stars. Those plants do best with a small gravel base or sand to reflect light into the plants and keep rainfall from splashing into the plants, thus discouraging disease.
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