Water-Wise Annuals
In the vast realm of annuals, there are some plants that can be relied upon to thrive in areas where rain is scarce. Once established, these favorites are a boon to gardeners in arid locations. They also earn their keep in any garden that has a dry spot here or there. From Cleome (Spider Flower) to Annual Salvias, Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth), Lantana, Tagetes (Marigold), Pennisetum (varieties of an Ornamental Grass), and Annual Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan), there are abundant choices for bedding and containers. Use all annuals to add splashes of color to patio pots and gardens. They are also superb for filling in bare spots in the garden, especially newer beds and borders where perennials and shrubs have yet to achieve their full size.