Plants require only minimal maintenance, especially if they're well suited to your site and environment. Joe Freeman, chief horticulturist for Cypress Gardens in Florida, recommends some of his favorite low-maintenance choices. If you have a hot, dry spot, for example, consider Mexican Bush sage (Salvia leucantha), which grows 3' to 4' in height, producing graceful, arching spikes of velvety purple flowers. Mexican bush sage requires full sun and fast-draining soil. It's grown as an annual in cold climates but is perennial elsewhere and should be cut to the ground in winter to promote bushy new growth. Like many sages, this species attracts hummingbirds and some beneficial insects. 'Blue Daze' (Evolvulus glomeratus) requires the same conditions and care. For shady areas, you can't go wrong with impatiens, or "busy Lizzie." Impatiens requires filtered light and fast-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. These annuals produce delightful exploding seedpods that fascinate young gardeners. If the garden is shady and dry, amend the soil with organic matter to increase the soil's moisture-holding capacity. Flowering annuals provide a mass of color for a single growing season. Many require heavy feeding to produce good results and at the end of the year are fodder for the compost bin. Perennials (herbaceous plants that return year after year) will become the backbone of your garden and need little care beyond annual fertilizing and occasional division. The perennial Pentas lanceolata (figure A) requires full sun or partial shade. To encourage lush blooms, feed monthly in the summer with 0-10-10 fertilizer. Marigolds (Tagetes) and zinnias provide classic color accents. Marigolds are easy to grow, even for beginners, and have a reputation for repelling certain destructive insect pests. They require full sun. Zinnias prefer the same conditions and come in a wider range of colors. They are subject to mildew, but healthy, well-watered plants are less likely to succumb. Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) is a perennial shrub grown as an annual in colder climates. It requires full sun, excellent drainage and an occasional shearing to keep the plant bushy. Dusty miller's velvety gray foliage is excellent for highlighting areas of the garden. The trailing petunia 'Purple Wave' makes a fine annual groundcover and is often planted in hanging baskets. It grows just 4" to 6" tall, with a spread of 3' to 5'. 'Purple Wave' requires the same care as other petunias: plenty of water, full sun and a careful watch for the petunia bud worm (actually a caterpillar), which eats the blossoms. Use Bacillus thuringiensis as a control for destructive caterpillars.
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