Conclusion on the front yard, which was replanted this spring, after three weeks of heat without rain or watering... The goal was to choose shade-tolerant (east side of the house, two trees in the bed, hedges and trees all around) and drought-resistant plants that look good all year round. That only worked out partially. First, the positives: Small and large periwinkles (Vinca minor and major) and the heart-leaf lily are doing great. Bergenias are letting their leaves droop a bit. The same goes for the smaller of the two shade bells, but the rain we’re getting now should help. Spring hellebores seem okay. Mixed results: The spirea seems to be done for the year. Hopefully, it will sprout again next year. The Waldsteinia desperately needs water, but it hasn’t dried out yet. Bad: The lilac cushion was intended as a walkable lawn substitute under the apple tree. The part that gets direct morning sun is completely brown. It’s unclear whether the “Millennium” rhododendron (which prefers a sunny to partially shaded location) will survive—and if so, with how many leaves. The larger shade bellflower has only one branch left with leaves. What do you think? Should I leave the rhododendron and the shade bellflower as they are and hope for the best, or replace them? With what? I was planning to put some specimen plants there to add variety. Overall, I’m hoping things will improve once the groundcovers have spread out more and the plants are better established. The soil is loamy and should actually retain water quite well, but this year there was still too much bare soil. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any more grass clippings left for mulching. I should also think about providing temporary shade—my concern at the beginning of the year was a lack of light, but now it’s the scorching sun...