You know, there is a garden company here called "High Country Gardens", and even though you probably can't order from them, you can go to their website and check out their plant list. The reason I recommend them is because they are located in the desert, and for that reason they carry mostly xeriscapic plants (mostly perennials, also shrubs and some trees). I don't live in the desert, and I am still a fan of many of the plants they carry. Perhaps when you find plants you like on the site, you can seek them out where you live. One thing I like about them is that they specify which plants are especially drought resistent. Sometimes, there are plants that I didn't think could be xeric (like Iris pallida variegata). Don't let the term xeric scare you, as they have MANY plants that would blend beautifully into a cottage garden. My favorites: Gaura Perovskia Echinacea Salvias Agastaches Lamb's Ears Dianthus LAVENDER Iris pallida variegata Desert Willow tree Bush Sunflowers and others... Hope this helps!

Hello everyone, I am seeking varieties of perennial plants that would work well in a drought tolerant cottage garden. Preferably the plants would be long flowering (6+ months) and easily cloned via cuttings. So far my list looks a little slim. Currently I have: 3 Varieties of lavender Seaside Daisy Blue Marguerite Daisy Cigar Plant Wild Iris Violet Cuphea Lantana-Spanish Flag These are to be interplanted with long lived/flowering annuals like alyssum, california poppy, snapdragons and nasturtiums and a few interesting but non-flowering/short flowering perennials. I was wondering if anyone might be able to suggest some other drought tolerant and long-flowering perennials to go with those mentioned above. Thanks in advance everyone

Many English gardens have Russell Lupins as a metre tall flower spike with pea like flowers. They are very popular. Another is Aquilegias also known as granny's bonnets. They are very colourful and redily self seed without becoming a nuisance. I see a suggestion of forget-me-nots but once you sow them they are hard to control and virtually need poisoning to get rid of or a lot of hard work pulling them out. If you would like seeds of the two I have mentioned I may have some left over. Both should be planted soon.

Hi Viv You are talking one of my favourite plants, when you talk about Erigeron karvinskianus. I know it as Seaside Daisy. It always makes me smile when I see them. Tough as old boots, seems to be able to grow anywhere. I first grew it in Australia. Flowered day in, day out, under full sun and shade temps of 30 - 35C. Winters still flowered but not as extravagantly. I now live in Devon, and I see plants everyday growing out of cracks in old walls all over the place. I have one in a container out the front which I have to admit does get somewhat neglected, but flowers all summer and will stop for a couple of months during the winter. Heather and moss. Both like ericaceous media; mosses tend to like plenty of moisture. Calluna vulgaris (Purple Heather) does grow in bogs as do some or all of the Ericas. Worth a try. Happy growing Fof