We (those of us in Boise) are facing a heat wave this week, and I wanted to share a couple of bright ideas with you for ground covers. This saponaria ocymoides (soapwart) was looking especially good on a garden tour yesterday. 

And while you can’t see the whole shrub, the Chamaebatiaria millefolium (fernbush) is going to be wonderful when it blooms. Fernbush is great for our high and dry gardens. It does better with less water. 

What are some of your favorite ways to deal with heat and drought in your gardens?