Flowers that survive

[Patf]

I don't know a lot about flowers and it has been trial and error up to now. In a flowerbed of rockhard clay, no rain for weeks, we still have quite colourful show of nicotinia, (especially the dark red,) petunia , ( the climbing type)  a bushy plant with bright yellow star shaped flowers,  some dwarf conifers and a miniature rose. Any other survival stories? Pat.

[val douest]

Like you, Pat, we have had no rain for over six weeks and have watered

very sparingly. Our toughest shrubs, still in full flower, are the

blackcurrant sage (covered in bright pink/red pea flowers since the

Spring) and the small lavenders. The oleander has been great too though

it only went in this year - others locally are still in full bloom.

And the solanums climbing on both north and south sides of the adjoining

cottage are still flowering, and they've been covered in blossom since

late March. Your miniature rose sounds a good choice; our roses are still

flowering but the bushes are looking very tired and covered in black spot

despite being sprayed regularly. Some good heavy rain would be very

welcome but it would be nice if it came at night!

Best wishes, Val

[Jomoon<P>landaise gardener<P><P>Les Landes<P>]

I find zinnias are great in the heat, bloom from June to the first frost and never seem deadheading. I also planted Dahlias this year and they look lovely alongside love lies bleeding, also the tropical plant Cassis, been blooming for months.....and a great surprise this year has been the blue plumbago, bloomed much longer than the white one and still going strong, and of course cannas never cease to bloom on and on. sages as you said are good, lots of different colours as well.

[Patf]

People grow zinnias here too and I've bought some as cut flowers in the market. Do you think they're related to gerberas (?sp) Thanks for the other suggestions which I might try next year. Pat.

[Jomoon<P>landaise gardener<P><P>Les Landes<P>]

I don't know Pat, must look it up.