It's a hundred degrees and we haven't seen a drop of rain in months west of Austin, TX. I had to water my lantanas yesterday because they are wilting!

This fall I will be planting a new very large butterfly and hummer garden and I am planning it out. The challenges include alkaline soil, totally xeric, and we have lots of hungry deer.

Some plants I am going to use are salvias, sages, verbenas, esperanza, pride of barbados, budelias, mexican oregano, chili pequin, flame acanthus, shrubby boneset, a desert willow tree. What else can stand up to the heat, the drought, and the deer? I never want to water!

Any ideas, books, and websites are welcome!

Thanks!