What is a good hardy flower to plant in the backyard (in California)?

Question

Good flowers that last... without much care. Flowers require care to some extent, that's a fact, but I want to plant one that lasts very long and is hard to kill, if you know what I mean. And survives throughout most if not all the year(s). Annuals?

Answer 1

Try calling a nearby florist and they can answer your questions. I found a huge list of California local florists. http://www.localfloristsonline.com/Calif... Try phoneing a florist close to where you live.

Answer 2

Zinnias do well in California heat. They come in a large assortment of colors. Also, For the past 20 years I have always planted sweet peas in the Fall. I buy the bush type seeds so I don't have to stake them us. The seeds take a while to germinate but  in late winter and early spring I get a big show. I get a lot of compliments from the neighbors.

Answer 3

Gazanias, Arcotsis, Oenothera, osteospermum, are all good perennials that should perform without much effort.  If you want foliage colour gray plants are usually heat and drought tolerant eg artemisia, stachys, cineria.

In the shrub line plumbago, viburnum tinus, flowering quince, raphiolepis (indian hawthorn), nandina varieties (foliage colour), hibiscus syranicus, oleander.  Variegated leaf plants such as euonymus are very drought tolerant.

Annuals are generally lots of work, weeding etc try to get a perennial you like if you want something low.  Better Homes and Gardens site has a plant selector that may help you.