Next to the door of my shop is a strip about 8' long and 3' wide, directly south-facing against a metal wall, in well drained gravelly soil. It's very hot and dry and I have been growing Verbascum nigrum there for several years. Customers often remark how beautiful it is, but I'm thinking of switching it up because the odd one complains about the bees, and I have to deadhead it so religiously. Plus it looks gross out of bloom.

I need something in the same scope as V. nigrum, fairly tall and straight and that likes hot dry soil. Prickly or spreading would be undesirable. I thought of cannas but I'd have to dig them in the fall. Any thoughts?