This summer I was excited to visit a new to me nursery – Sandy’s Plants in Mechanicsville, VA. One of the plants I came home with was Gaillardia aestivalis “Grape Sensation”, a Texas native, hardy to zones 6-9, with extreme drought tolerance. I planted a group of 3 in my very summer-dry front yard, where a mature willow oak takes most of the limited summer rain.
I selected this perennial not just for it’s unusual purple flowers, but also because it was native to hot, dry Texas. As we face higher temperatures each year, I’m turning my attention to North American natives that thrive in those hot temperatures right now. As a gardener in zone 8, adding plants that grow well into zone 9 gives me some assurance that they will be a good fit even as our climate changes.
So far, Grape Sensation is doing great – and attracted pollinators all summer and into the fall. I’m looking forward to seeing it thrive in another, sure-to-be-hot summer next year!
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