One the few things that have lifted my spirits during this summer’s drought are the cheerful faces of the black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) that run riot in my garden along with golden rod (Solidago) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). They’re practically the only plants still standing and I’m happy to let them do their thing. Rudbeckia hirta is a naturalized variety that grows wild along roadsides and in fields, adding a welcome dash of color to landscapes that have turned a monochromatic brown. We tend to take these simple, forthright flowers for granted. They aren’t fancy show-stoppers but they don’t throw in the towel when other plants are wilting and shriveled.
Sometimes it feels like all I do in August is drag hoses from one bed to another, practicing triage as I go. I let established perennials fend for themselves and hope that rain will arrive soon enough to save them. I concentrate on newly planted areas that can’t survive long periods of dry weather. It’s always a gamble; how many days without water can they tolerate? I check my phone’s weather app constantly. I ponder the likelihood of rainfall when the phone tells me there’s a 50% chance of rain. An endless column of yellow suns tells me to keep the hoses unspooled. I envy people with postage stamp-sized gardens that can be watered with a watering can.
I think it’s safe to say that from now on our summers are likely to have long dry spells. Last weekend, I found myself chatting with Allen Ross, a long-time associate of Dan Ziomek’s who volunteers at Sugarloaf Nurseries, about plants that can tolerate hot summer sun and dry spells.
If, like me, you’d like to spend less time watering and fretting about the weather, you might want to consider Ross’ recommendations.
There are many Rudbeckia species; R. hirta and R. fulgida are among the most common. Many appealing cultivars have been developed from these two species. Some are shorter and denser. Some have smaller, more numerous blossoms. Others have petals shaded deep crimson or brown near the center. One of my favorite Rudbeckias is R. subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers,’ which grows very tall and has rolled petals that resemble quills. Next time you’re plant shopping, take a look at the varieties of Rudbeckia on offer.
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a natural companion for Rudbeckia. It is happy in dry sun and in any soil except that which is extremely acidic. Its pink-purple daisy-like flowers begin blooming in midsummer and continue into the fall. The flowers have a prominent, spiny center cone, hence its name, which comes from the Greek word echinos, meaning sea urchin or hedge hog. Coneflower stalks add visual interest to the winter garden and the cones provide valuable seed to goldfinches and other birds, so leave them standing if you can.
One of Ross’s favorites is butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a native plant that’s a member of the milkweed family. It tolerates dry conditions once established. Its bright orange flowers and their copious nectar draws butterflies and other pollinators. It is also valuable as a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Ross said he finds that butterfly weed and purple salvia make a winning combination. (The salvia might need to be trimmed back so that it blooms at the same time as the butterfly weed.) Salvia, which comes in a range of colors from white to pink to dark blue, is another sun-loving, drought-tolerant plant whose flowers attract pollinating insects and hummingbirds.
Monarda fistulosa, also known as wild bergamot, is a lovely native plant that tolerates dry weather. It has beautiful lavender flowers that attract pollinators and hummingbirds. Bergamot is a member of the mint family and is a host plant for the Hermit Sphinx moth and the Raspberry Pyrausta.
Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) is another native stalwart that tolerates lean, dry soil. It’s a host plant for several types of moths and butterflies. The plant was named for Achilles, the famed Greek war hero of Homer’s “Iliad.” It is said that Achilles carried the plant into battle because of its power to stop bleeding and heal wounds. In fact, yarrow does have astringent, antiseptic and hemostatic properties. Known as “soldiers’ woundwart,” it was used by soldiers in the Civil War, ground into a poultice or brewed as a tea.
Ross noted that most sedum varieties thrive in hot dry places. Sedum is a truly under-appreciated plant, in my opinion. Like cactus, it is a succulent, meaning that its leaves and stems store a lot of water and often have a waxy coating to minimize water loss. Sedum comes in a multitude of shapes and growth habits and its spectacular foliage offers an endless variety of leaf patterns and colors. Sedum is also called stonecrop because it often grows in stony places, so it’s a workhorse in rock gardens. Many sedums, including moss stonecrop and Angelina, are excellent, low maintenance ground covers that keep weeds at bay. I have a rocky sun-baked ledge where several low-growing sedums are happily weaving a colorful patchwork, oblivious to the lack of rain. The upright varieties, including Autumn Joy and Purple Emperor, add interest to sunny perennial borders. Readers who pay attention to the latest plant classifications should know that some sedums, including Autumn Joy and Japanese stonecrop, are now categorized as belonging to the Hylotelphium genus.
When planning next year’s garden, consider incorporating some of these varieties. As an added benefit, these plants tend not to mind poor-quality soil, so long as it’s not soggy clay.
The final garden tour of the season
As part of the Garden Conservancy Open Days program, Carol Pope’s garden at 119 High St. in Amherst, will be open on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pope’s mostly shade garden offers many delights, including a stunning assortment of Japanese maples just turning color and interesting fall bloomers like the delicate, orchid-like Tricyrtis, whose common name, Japanese toad lily, hardly does it justice. As you wander the curving paths across bridges and past the gazebo and Goshen-stone swale, you’ll see an unfolding tapestry of Pope’s artfully composed garden vignettes. This garden never fails to enchant and inspire. Tickets are $10 for non-members (consider becoming a Conservancy member!). For more information, go to gardenconservancy.org.
Mickey Rathbun is an Amherst-based writer whose new book, “The Real Gatsby: George Gordon Moore, A Granddaughter’s Memoir,” has recently been published by White River Press.