Purple lantana

Bolivian sunset flower

I know, I know, another photo of these...but they are so darn cool looking...right now I have a little carpet of these right by our front door & can see them from the kitchen window. Love 'em.

It is a wonderful spreading perennial that adds color during our cooler months. It spreads by rhizomes so if you have a very small area for it or if you are a neat freak you might want to skip this plant. Why not keep it in a pot? You may ask...my experience is that they don't do that great in pots...they like to spread their wings and conquer (but they are not invasive)...plus, if you keep them in pots you will be a slave to their watering needs. Whereas in the ground, after becoming established, they are drought tolerant.

Tampa Verbena

This little one is worth trying.

Positives: Perennial (I am not an annuals hater, but I am all for spending the dough just once whenever possible), drought tolerant, well behaved (not rampant spreader), attracts butterflies. Oh yeah, pretty too.

Negatives: I have been growing this plant for over a year and cannot find any negatives...