Lantana Indian Hawthorn Cape Plumbago Bougainvillea Aptenia Cordifoli

Question

HI, there, thanks for reading my email, I have already read your articles and watch you tube before I reach out to you. since I grew my plants in 2021, as my plants which are drought tolerant and low maintenance do not grow very well. None of my plants: Crape Myrtle Tree, Lantana, Indian hawthorn, Cape Plumbago, Bougainvillea and Aptenia Cordifol blossomed. I did prune them last year, and I cut the dead branch of Crape Myrtle Tree. I do not water them much but due to the heavy rain in CA this year, they are already had more than enough water. I did not apply any fertilizer as I heard draught tolerant plants do not need fertilizer. They never blossomed since I grew them but I am so determined to learn to grow them because beautiful flowers do make our life more enjoyable. That is why I am trying every way to learn. Thank you and best regards.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer 1

These plants may not be getting enough sunlight, water, and nutrition. They are very close to the house, which may be limiting their sun and rain, as well as air circulation and place for roots to grow. All these plants need full sun. And even though you may have a lot of rain at one time, plants need regular water to perform well. So, in times of little water, they benefit from a drink.

They also look like they are competing with grass for water and nutrition. Even drought tolerant plants are not drought tolerant till they are established. Until then they need regular water.

Here is information on the care of your plants:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lantana/lantana-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-care.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/indian-hawthorn/growing-indian-hawthorn.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/bougainvillea/bougainvillea-garden-care.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/plumbago/growing-plumbago-plants.htm

https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/databases/interiorscape/Aptenia_cordifolia.html