Scotch broom is very drought tolerant, but it doesn't bloom for all that long.... but when it does, it's a SHOWER of gold! :o)

Succulents are nearly indestructible, and many have interesting colors and flowers.

Coreopsis! Those have become my all time favorite. I have some that get about 4 ft high and some low growing ones that are only about 18 inches.

Try looking at some California native plant sites. They have just what you want! Here are some examples:

http://www.mynativeplants.com/

http://www.theodorepayne.org/index.html for ideas.

Scotch Broom is on the list of invasive plants. It takes over. Penny

Thanks everyone for your quick response. I am leaning towards coreopsis. Catkim, I am going to have succulents in the back intermingle with geraniums but for the front I was thinking more of flowers. Jcin los angeles, I just might sprinkle a packet or two of California natives which I do grow in my own yard. Thanks heathen 1 and napapen for your responses.

Canna lilies. Amazing how much abuse they can take!

If you're surrounded by concrete as many urban gardens are, Scotch broom would not be a problem.

I agree with jcin. Natives would be a good choice. Scotch broom is displacing natives in the wild.....

I know you are well-meaning, but please do not promote the use of scotch broom. Although you may feel that it can be contained by concrete, chances are it will not be. See this page for some information on how and why it is a bad choice.

there are a lot of different brooms out there. I had one for several years... didn't spread anywhere. But I can see there's a problem. You realize that nurseries and Home Depots and Walmart sell it.

What about Dusty Miller? It's mostly silver/grey in color, the sprays of flowers are rather non-descript yellow, but it stays all year, gets to a good size, and I have never had a problem containing it. I have been re-planting every year when I cut back the roses to give a little color, then when the roses leaf out, pulling the Dusty Miller out.

Yeah, it takes a lot of work to get nurseries to stop selling problem plants. That's why word of mouth efforts are needed at all levels. I've taken to doing extensive research on every plant I consider putting in my garden.

Just as a followup to my last comment: if something is a really bad seed, it probably doesn't take "extensive research" to discover that. I just did a google search for "scotch broom", and 5 of the first 9 links contain the words "invasive", "noxious", and "weed". Another of those links is the one that I sent earlier, to a page that describes why it's bad. Enough to make you take a closer look, I think, if you were considering planting it :-)

Verbena blooms heavily here in full hot sun and is very drought tolerant. It seems to be one of the very few plants that just never stop blooming in the heat and sun, in fact the plant remains covered with deep violet-purple blooms. I have the variety with the arrowhead-shaped leaves, not the lacey leaves which I believe are more prone to mildew.

Gaura also takes the heat and sun very well.

The 110° heat we had a few weeks ago didn't seem to phase these plants.

Check out some of the South African stuff. Many are deciduous, but make colorful displays. Watsonia comes to mind for a very colorful show (hot pinks, oranges, reds) in spring. Aloes are great too! Lots of variety...different sizes, different bloom times (some are winter flowering, some summer flowering) and blooms in various hot colors (yellow/red/orange).
Other succulents such as cotyledons and Aeoniums make nice shows too.

Yarrow is an excellent drought tolerant plant and comes in a variety of colors.

Wanda

I just checked again for to see if there were more suggestions and I couldn't believe your reponses! I forgot about the verbena, gaura and yarrows. Never heard of Dusty Miller before - will have to look for that. I think I will stay away from the controversial Scotch broom for now. Great ideas and now it's off to the nursery. Thanks all.

I'm pretty sure you've seen Dusty Miller, it seems to grow all over. As I say, the flowers are no big deal, but the silver/grey foliage always does well for me. If you leave it, it can get rather large but I've never heard it gets invasive. I've also heard good things about a plant called "Kangaroo Ears", saw it once but have never grown it - interesting looking. And some of the Sedums bloom and are reportedly very hardy. I have just started a new project - using herbs and lettuce for foliage plants. (saw it at Disneyland, it looked great). I found some dwarf basil I'm thinking will make a good border. And some colorful lettuce (Park seed $1 a packet sale).

Are you the same Malibu Rose on the Rose forum? HI!

Hi Gigi! Yes, I am the Malibu Rose that is on the Rose Forum.
Hope you and family are fine! Thanks for your advice.

Could the "Kangaroo Ears" be "Kangaroo Paws"? Anigozanthus flavidus cultivars are one of my favorite drought tolerant colorful plants, I love the fact that they are so long lasting in bloom over a 9 month season. Other dead easy plants that survive on winter rainfall alone would have to include Pink Naked Ladies, Amaryllis belladonna, in full bloom now. Kniphofia uvaria cultivars are also good in coastal influenced gardens with minimal monthly watering, as is Salvia greggi and Salvia clevelandii, and many of the Lavenders such as L. multifida, L. stoechas, etc. Aloes such as A. arborescens, A. striata and A. marlothii are all great. Calandrinia grandiflora is another good succulent that blooms nearly all year round in southern California.

Agapanthus - There are a few cultivars available with different shades ranging from white to deep purple/violet. They actually look good mixed together. Be sure and check height of the individual cultivars, and place the shorter ones toward the front of the bed.

Agastache - Many heat and drought tolerant cultivars.

Buddleia - Dwarf varieties available.

Epilobium californica (Zauschneria)

Gaillardia - Indian Blanket Flower, several different colours available.

Lantana

Lavandula - Lavenders, especially Spanish Lavender.

Leonotis - Lion's Tail

Lobelia laxiflora - Mexican Lobelia

Penstemon - There are quite a few native Penstemons that are drought and heat tolerant. Scarlet Buggler is a good choice.

Ratibida species - Mexican Hats/Prarie Coneflower. Perennial, but only available from seed.

Salvias - There are many that are very drought tolerant. Try Salvia coccinea and Salvia greggii.

You can also try short/dwarf varieties of the following shrubs:

Oleander, Grevellia, Crape Myrtle, Mahonia, Blue Hibiscus, Pineapple Guava, Ecallonia, Bottlebrush.

Depending on the type of people you rent to, you should probably consider something shrubby, or a subshrub type perennial (Lavender, Salvia greggii, etc) or the plants that have a reputation for taking neglect (Lantana, Agapanthus), unless you have tenants that appreciate gardens.

Just wanted to add - around here, Oleander is extremely popular. It grows like a weed, and it's really pretty, very drought tolerant, which is why it's so popular.

It is also EXTREMELY toxic! I would suggest anyone in an area where small children play, or people have animals in the yard, be very careful where this plant is positioned.

BTW - Oleander is not the only common plant that is extremely toxic.

Definitely, salvias and penstemons! And if you want larger plants with loads of color, try some of the shrub roses. They aren't as thirsty as regular roses. Mine get about an inch of water a week. I have Lady Elsie May on the west side of my house where temps can really bake in the afternoon. The shrubs keep right on pumping out the blooms regardless of the heat. And the icebergs, white and brilliant pink, are great repeat bloomers, too. In the pic, the large shrub with pink blooms is a BP iceberg. I have 10 of them, 5 on the outside of the fence and 5 inside.

Diana

Here is a link that might be useful: BP icebergs

Well, I planted geraniums, agapanthas, and verbenas so far. Angelcub, I wanted so much to plant shrub roses but was afraid that the tenants will not give it any water and it would be a waste. I started to plant some bougavilla twigs behind the agapanthas, hoping they will root. Toyon, that is an extensive list which I will copy and paste. I still have the back to do and I will be planting some of the ones suggested here such as some succulents. Thanks again everyone for your wonderful suggestions.