Portland, Oregon, averages 10 days per year over 90°F. This year we broke a record with 30 days over 90°F.

I’ve been working on my low-water front garden this year, and the heat (plus severe drought) have tested my choices. I garden in full sun on dry, rocky silt, and I water just enough to help new plants get established and keep them from frying. Here are the winners and losers for 2018. Photos are from August, unless stated otherwise.

Winners

I’m really getting into penstemons. This is Penstemon kunthii, and it’s fabulous. It blooms and blooms and blooms, and the foliage is attractive and lush. Deadheading isn’t arduous, and it helps keep the plant looking thrifty and encourages more flower buds to form. P. kunthii is native to Mexico. Hardy to zone 7.