Yikes, linnea, I remember your other post, I would have thought you'd experience success with the sweet potato vine and coleus. Out of say 30 cuttings of coleus I'd done in the past 2 years with the water method, I've only had one rot, the rest developed roots so that within 10 days of first putting it in water I could place in soil. I don't even change the water, unless it's gone past the 10 days. I've only done the 'blackie' spv, and that one produced root buds in 2 days (so I plunked in soil right away). And tapla is correct about the soil method allowing the plant to make stronger roots right off the bat, but I've tried both and have better success with the water. I don't know what kind of temps you have there, I assume warmer than what I have here, but the time of year, and the temperature of the area where you've got the cuttings does matter. We've had several light frosts, and if I decided today I wanted to try to save a plant with a cutting, I wouldn't place too much hope in getting it to root, since the nights have been quite cool for 3 weeks now. I usually start taking my cuttings mid august, when the plant is still growing robustly, and the nights are still warmer. I place the cutting in a bright spot, not direct sunlight, on my windowsill, but later in the year, I would move it to a table near the window, since the temperature is lower right up next to the glass at night. This year my successful rootings in water are: coleus, plectranthus (nico and the variegated), lotus vine (parrot's beak), emerald fall dichondra, duckfoot ivy, and at the last minute I clipped my large leaf wirevine (muelenbeckia or something like that), but it's taking it's time (I'd done the small leaf a few years ago, it had no problem setting roots, but maybe the big leaf resents it?) Keep notes, try different methods, you should be able to find what works for you. Good luck.

I just ordered several Veronica 'Speedwell' plants that are supposed to be evergreen in mild climates (it is listed for zones 4-7, so 7 seems like it would be considered mild for the plant). I am hoping it is because that is what I am looking for, too. It is a low growing perennial groundcover, so it may not be what you want. I also just bought two boxleaf euonymous shrubs. They are slow growing and reach 1-2 feet in height according to what I have read and judging by those in a neighbor's yard, but I would imagine you could keep them trimmed down if they get too big for your space. They have pretty, small glossy green leaves and might be perfect for what you want.

okey your many many thanks fot the great info. thanks

I was thinking of vincas - do you think they'd establish ok at this point? The zinnias were several varieties I grew from seed. Señorita, Cactus Flowered Giants, and Candy Cane. They're all pretty tall and the lower foliage is looking particularly bad. What are the varieties you grow that do well in the heat? It seems like I see a lot of the shorter varieties (Profusion, maybe?) planted around our neighborhoods by the landscapers. I had sort of assumed that the taller varieties would be ok in the heat too, but maybe I was wrong. I like the idea of vinca, though - maybe I'll try those...