How often do you water your drought-tolerant plants? (Heath: gardening, backyard)

[fierce_flawless]

I know it's really general but I am new to gardening and I don't do well with vague instructions on plants, such as "medium water" or "evenly moist" or whatever.

I have recently planted some plumbago and lantana in a large raised bed right in front of my front porch and next to my front porch stairs. They get full sun. How often do y'all water plumbago and lantana? I was overwatering when they were in pots.. very hard for me to hold back and remind myself they need LESS water.. but how often would you suggest watering? What about after I mulch? (haven't yet)

I also have some mint, rosemary, red salvia, vinca, and a large esperanza plant. The esperanza seems to do well left alone (it's fairly established and in the ground).. but what about the others? I was going to plant them elsewhere in a part sun area since they seem to like more water (well maybe not the rosemary so much) but do they need a raised bed, ya think?

Oh and I have a rosebush, transplanted from backyard to front and it recovered nicely but now that it's "safe" how often to water?

My mom me bought marigolds and I seem to have killed them within a week. They were in full sun, plenty of water.. what did I do wrong?

I am so clueless and don't want to kill anything else. Plants are expensive and I already killed some lavender and some ivy!

Any other suggestions on low-water use plants would be great too. Just to share what you like.. I know there are "lists" out there already a mile long.


TIA

[TXtrkgrl]

The red salvia, lantana & plumbago will not take a lot of water (maybe once a week or so). The vinca doesn't need a lot either, it will start looking droopy but as soon as you water it will bounce back. I very seldom water my rosemary, it is old and huge though.
I'm not sure about the mint or esperanza. The rose bush I would just water once or twice a week. You water roses by the roots, do not sprinkle. Make a little dirt dam around the bottom and just lay the hose there, the dirt dam will keep the water around the bottom of the bush.
It sounds like you have a good choice of drought tolerant plants.

[Chaka]

I also just planted the lantana and plumbago. The plant guy at Fannicks said I need to water them more often than not initially, until they really get established, and then less frequently (1x/week).

[goodmanm]

One of my favorites is Mexican Heather Floridata: Cuphea hyssopifolia

I have a border which gets full sun. I water them about once a week and they look great.

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by goodmanm

One of my favorites is Mexican Heather Floridata: Cuphea hyssopifolia

I have a border which gets full sun. I water them about once a week and they look great.

Thanks!! I had totally forgotten about Mexican Heather. I used to have some years ago. I have the PERFECT place for it. I was trying to figure out what to plant in one part of my yard, this is perfect. I even repped ya for it!!

[sapphire]

I love Mexican heather! The bees love it more!!

[fierce_flawless]

My mom bought me a large Mexican Heather plant last year and I killed it. I couldn't believe it.

Thanks for the tips. Sometimes the plumbago looks great and is all full of flowers then the next day it looks like hell and I never know why.

The red salvia is still in flats and looks BAD if I don't water a lot. Hopefully that will change when it's in the ground?

[sapphire]

Yes, they dry out very fast in flats. More air flow.

[fierce_flawless]

Okay, thanks everyone...

Chaka, how is your plumbago doing?

I am concerned. My big one looks like hell. The little ones look GREAT and are in bloom. They are all planted in the same bed and getting the same sun, the same water. The large one looks half dead, dry, scraggly, and it bloomed a couple days after planting but hasn't now in a week.

I don't know what's up but I don't want to lose the big one, it was gorgeous when I got it and I want these plants to grow BIG, up to level of my raised porch!

[Chaka]

Mine are small. They're fine, not blooming anymore, but looking healthy.

I've been watering daily with a can (using a/c water) in the mornings - so not as much water as they'd get with a hose, but still getting regular water.