I think a shrub like Physocarpus would struggle. You will need to water it a lot in the summer time. Look into Sedum plants. Plenty of dark foliage ones that last for months, and keeps their form right over winter. Purple Emperor, Jose Aubergine and Firecracker are all a lovely shade of dark purple. They would go well with the cool shades of Eryngiums. Both plants thrive on well drained and sunny hot conditions.
Al contrario, Firefly, you and everyone else have been extremely helpful and I am very grateful. I forgot to say that your suggestion of Kangeroo Paw was spot on too, having looked up the Latin name! It’s just become available here, although it’s impossible to know height or variety as it’s just labelled red or orange
It’s weird, Borderline, some things that should grow well here (can’t grow lavender, it sulks) and others that shouldn’t do (a Christmas gift Hellebore, stuck in the ground and it’s thriving) so I am rashly prepared to give the Physo a go in a shadier spot!
The purple sedum foliage is lovely, I agree (not so keen on the flowers) but unfortunately too short - In this instance I was looking for ‘1.5-2 metre back of border to set off stone wall’ stuff.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Could you not persuade the OH with the Bishop variety of Dahlias? Just don't mention they are Dahlias they are single flowered, darkest of foliage and tall.
What about a cercis forest pansy or cercis canadensis merlot , beautiful small trees, supposed to be drought and heat tolerant. Merlot is more drought / heat tolerant. Might struggle finding one though .
Working on the dahlia issue Mark, almost there using an argument based on the ‘but darling I bought you a yellow rose and you know how I hate yellow roses’ theme. The Bishop series, not looking like a dahlia dahlia was just what I was thinking.
Now Perki you are just spoiling me, what a lovely tree! Again, French supplier came to the rescue with the forest pansy variety, but at 48.50 plus goodness knows what postage for a 70cm plant, its a budget buster, sadly. Think I am set with the other three just now, even though I only need two, plus a stealth dahlia perhaps
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Posts
It’s weird, Borderline, some things that should grow well here (can’t grow lavender, it sulks) and others that shouldn’t do (a Christmas gift Hellebore, stuck in the ground and it’s thriving) so I am rashly prepared to give the Physo a go in a shadier spot!
The purple sedum foliage is lovely, I agree (not so keen on the flowers) but unfortunately too short - In this instance I was looking for ‘1.5-2 metre back of border to set off stone wall’ stuff.
Now Perki you are just spoiling me, what a lovely tree! Again, French supplier came to the rescue with the forest pansy variety, but at 48.50 plus goodness knows what postage for a 70cm plant, its a budget buster, sadly. Think I am set with the other three just now, even though I only need two, plus a stealth dahlia perhaps