Hardy flower/plant suggestions for zone 9 garden (for the non-greenthumbed)?

Question

I live in gardening zone 9 (whatever that means!) in the San Francisco bay area. I have made several attempts to plant flowers in my front yard, but most of them die and it's a huge disappointment to me, not to mention my neighbors.

The only plants I have not managed to murger are: mexican sage, shasta daisies, a rosemary bush, and a geranium.

I am looking for greenery that is simple to maintain and will not die. I'm okay with having the same plant/flower everywhere as long as it looks nice and alive.

I have all the tools and some soil. My budget for flowers is about $50 or so. Any recommendations?

Thank you.

Answer 1

HGTV has a Gardening zone finder that can tell you what to plant and how to care for it, and if it is hardy or wussy

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/te...

Answer 2

Are you watering enough? You would need to give a deep soak every 3-7 days. Deep infrequent watering is always better than a small amount each day. I'm in Sonoma County so I know about our hot, dry summers!

Well, there are a few ways to go...you can add more of the plants that you are successful with. Planting in odd numbers (like 3 of one plant, 5 of one plant, and so on), keep the look uniform.

Here are some other easy drought tolerant plants that do well here:

-Sedum (stonecrop)-these are succulent type plants and they have vary in foliage colors, plant sizes and flower colors

-Thymus (thyme)-great for using as a green ground cover where you need it

-Geranium (crane's bill)-try Geranium 'Russell Pritchard' or Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' as they can take sun, they have pink flowers and make a taller ground cover

-ornamental grasses-lots to choose from! These make great focal points and are easy

-Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara daisy)-gets between 1-2' in height and has loads of small white daisy flowers for a good part of the year, I love this plant

-Hebe-these are shrubs that have pretty flowers, they foliage varies depending on the type but they foliage is nice all year when the plant isn't in flower

-Santolina (lavender cotton)-small shrubby plants that stay green or gray all year, they have small button-like flowers but the foliage is nice all year

-Teucrium chamaedrys (wall germander)-a staple for this climate, nice shiny evergreen leaves with reddish purple flowers in summer-fall

These are just a few suggestions. I don't know where you are but go to a good local nursery (not the big box stores) and ask for advice. A good nursery will be able to help you make good plant selections. Tell them you want hardy, easy and drought tolerant plants to add to what you have. Hardy means it will last through the winter. Easy means you don't have to do much to it. And drought tolerant means that it will tolerate minimal watering once it is established.

You can also wait for the fall sales to come and maximize your dollar. Fall planting is the best time to plant as the soils are still warm and the new plants will get their roots settled in before winter and will be ready to go ahead come spring. Also, try to get plants in smaller containers to save money too. You most likely don't need 1 gallon plants for perennials and you can save money by getting 4" pots. In a few weeks time they are generally the same size anyway.

Also, zone 9 is what USDA zone you are in. Plants are rated to a zone so that you will know if it will tolerate your climate. A plant rates for zone 9 will thrive there but will struggle in zones 1-8. A plant rated for zone 5 will thrive there but will struggle in zones 1-4. It will most likely be okay in zones 6 and up. There are a few exceptions for plants that need a cold snap and will not be okay in a warmer zone but for the most part a plant can go up in zones but will struggle going into a lower zone.

Hope this helps! Good luck.