Question
Hello

I have about 25 feet of walkway to my front entrance. On the border, I planted a mini rose followed by an agapanthus, using this pattern through out the whole 25 feet. So there is 6 Agapanthus and 6 mini roses. I later found out that the watering schedule for these plants are different, the mini roses need more watering.

Can you please suggest some replacement perrenials with flower that can compliment the agapanthus and have similar water needs? I live in S. California in zone 10.

Thank you,

Will

Answer
Hello Will

This is an interesting challenge. Agapathus blooms from spring to fall, enjoys neutral soil, and is drought tolerant.

I personally like a full season of bloom, and although my season is shorter than yours, I have some ideas.

Nepetas would work really well. It is drought and heat tolerant, and with deadheading, blooms for months. I can personally recommend 'Dawn to Dusk', which is pink, 'Snowflake, which is white' but the best is Joanna Reed, and another great one is 'Six Hills Giant'. Here is the link to a wonderful article from the Chicago Botanic Garden evaluating them.

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no29_catmint.pdf

Low maintenance, always beautiful, great ground cover.

Here is a link to a picture of Joanna Reed:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=crmas&p=nepetas+drought+tolerant

More ideas?

Hardy salvias, lavendars, penstemon, perennial verbenas, baptisias - you have many options. And the color range is extensive. All low maintenance, most long blooming with deadheading, all drought tolerant, all beautiful.

Does this help? Google some of these to have a look. And please feel free to write again. This is one of my favorite topics.

Regards,

Donna