I live in Florida and the most drought tolerant and attractive plant I
know of is the alamanda. It has big showy yellow trumpet flowers. It
grows quite fast and survives the dry season rather well here. If it
doesn't grow fast enough for you, you can cut it down and the roots will
send up numerous shoots in its place. I hired a plumber to fix my kitchen
sink once and with my bill he brought me my alamanda plant in his other
hand. Two weeks later it was back in full force.
Bogenvilla does quite well here too. They come in all colors, grow fast,
they need a good soaking once in a while, but they do have thorns.
Dawn
Satellite Beach, FL