Question
QUESTION: I planted mexican heather in mid-july and they are turning brown one by one.
because it is so hot I have watered frequently.  The temps have been over 100
degrees.   when I leave out a day of watering, the next one starts getting brown.
Should I just leave them alone and not water them?

ANSWER: Hi Sylvia,
Thanx for your question.  Mexican heather or Cuphea hyssopifolia is native to Mexico down to Guatemala.  It is a tropical plant that enjoys heat and has average water requirements.  If you have sandy soil, you soil may be too freely draining resulting in soil that is too dry.  This means you must water every day.  If you're in a desert climate like Southern Arizona, Southern Nevada or the California desert, you may even have to water twice a day.  If the soil is getting bone-dry, not watering them for more than a day or two could result in their permanent demise.  One thing you can do to help the plants retain water is to mulch around them with cypress chips or some other kind of mulch.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much.   I just got your letter.  More have died. The soil was very
heavily clay soil and alkaline.  I worked very hard before I planted them to
work in some mulch and sprinkled a bit of fertilizer in each hole before
putting the plants in.  I have very little experience since my husband did all of
the gardening.  Perhaps I should have planted something easier to grow.  
There is still a lot of room for something in that full sun area.  can you
suggest something that will overwinter and live in spite of this texas heat that
is bound to continue for another month>?
Thanks so much.
Sylvia


ANSWER: Hi Sylvia,
Can you tell me what part of Texas you live in?
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live in Austin, in an area where the soil is clay, and alkaline.

Answer
Hi Sylvia,
Thanx for the additional information.  I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back.  I've been a bit behind on things and the holiday put me even farther behind.  Have you tried using Lantana?  Lantana comes in a number of different colors including a lavender variety and will grow as a low shrub.  It blooms almost constantly and should do well in Austin.  It doesn't mind a little drought every now and then and heat is no problem either.  Another idea is African Iris and Lily of the Nile is also another good one that will bloom in purples.  The African Iris comes in whites and yellows I believe.  Let me know if you need more information.

Another great resource for you for local growing conditions is the Travis County Master Gardeners.  You may want to get in touch with them too.  Here's the link below.

http://www.tcmastergardeners.org/

I hope this helps.
Tom