[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hat can I plant that’s easy to grow, and will provide me with some beautiful summer color through the hot months ahead?’ This is always a popular question for us at the nursery.

I always direct folks to some of those tough and beautiful summer annuals that bloom constantly until fall and even beyond … and do this with little care or water.

Top of my list are the succulents purslane, and moss rose (portulaca).

Purslane flowers provide bright color. (photo by Bob Peterson)

These low-growing groundcovers flourish during our hot summers. As with all succulents, they store water in their leaves and can handle long periods without water. They flower during the day, and come in a multitude of pretty colors and flower forms.

Purslane flower form is usually single petal (unlike the double- petals of most rose flowers). The largest of purslane flowers are the 2 inch wide Yubi series.

A new series of purslane is called Cinderella. The flowers are small, and are an attractive bi-color of pinkish-red with yellow.

Purslane, which looks a little bit like a miniature jade plant, is edible and has been hailed as a superfood by nutritionists for the high levels of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and beta carotene found in the leaves.

The moss roses are almost always double-flowered. The largest are the Marguerita series, which comes in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, and the bi-color peppermint – a red and white combo.

Another pretty one is Spanish moss. It has large, single flowers of deep purple fuchsia with an occasional flower that’s mixed with white.

Besides being planted as a showy groundcover in the landscape, purslane and moss rose look good in hanging baskets, and with mixed-succulents in cactus bowls. They can cascade over the edges and create the perfect basket.

Finally, as an added benefit, if you forget to water them at the beginning of a hot and windy day, they’ll still look okay when you get home. Happy gardening everyone!

If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to iathyme@yahoo.com.  Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme:11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748  www.itsaboutthyme.com