Full Sun

Rainwater Only

Mature Size: 1’X 18”
Blooming Season: Spring into summer
Flower Color: White, pale pink or yellow

No matter where you live in the arid Southwest, there is probably a Wild Buckwheat native nearby. All have nectar-rich flowers that attract butterflies, and their nectar also supports the tiny parasitic insects that help rid our gardens of pests such as aphids and thrips. After blooming, they develop seed heads of rust brown or deep red that provide color well into autumn. Luckily several species are offered as garden plants at nurseries that specialize in native plants.

Full Sun

Medium Water

Mature Size: 24”X 24”
Blooming Season: Summer
Flower Color: Yellow

Coreopsis is a carefree perennial with fine, thread-like foliage and pale, 2-inch wide yellow flowers that cover the plant all summer. Performs best in compost-enriched soil. Add soil sulphur to keep the foliage nicely green. It is relatively late to awaken from its winter dormancy, so be patient! The “Moonbeam” cultivar is one of the most drought-tolerant varieties and bears flowers that are pale yellow.

Full Sun, Part Shade

Medium Water

Mature Size: 36”X 36”
Blooming Season: Late Spring-Summer
Flower Color: Red

Red Valerian is a versatile plant, being equally at home in both the xeric garden and traditional perennial border. Not fussy about its growing conditions, the showy rose-red flowers are continuous from late spring through summer. A willing reseeder under favorable conditions, Centranthus ruber prefers well-drained garden soil not clay.

Full Sun

Low Water

Mature Size: 18”X 18”
Blooming Season: Spring-Summer
Flower Color: Yellow

This spectacular native wildflower is everblooming with a profusion of large, bright yellow, four-petaled flowers. The narrow gray-green foliage gives the plant a lacy look in the garden. Calylophus thrives in the heat, and grows well in a wide range of soils, as long as they’re well drained. This tough plant is the star of any dryland rock garden or xeriscape. A good shearing before the growing season starts in late spring will keep it looking tidy and loaded with flowers.