Type: Deciduous
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Low
Mature Size: 30” x 2’
Salvia darcyi provides an upright burst of firecracker red blooms in the hot days at the end of the summer into the fall. It can shine on its own but it looks great mixed behind a perennial border garden with chocolate flower and ice plant or other flowering groundcovers. Plant near a patio and watch the hummingbirds flock to this flower.
Type: Deciduous
Exposure: Sun/Shade
Water Use: Medium
Mature Size: 18” x 18”
Dainty sky-blue blossoms appear daily on the top of tall wispy stems between the months of April and September. Blue flax is a short-lived perennial that reseeds itself in a sunny garden bed or a native grass meadow.
Type: Flowering Plant / Deciduous
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Low
Mature Size: 1’ x 3’
This plant is used as a groundcover, and its beautiful 2-inch wine-colored, cup-shaped flowers grace the garden. The flowers hang on long cord-like stems that weave into the plants around them, almost looking like they are floating around other plants in garden beds. Also known as purple poppy mallow, they are great in sandy soil, rock gardens and cascading over walls. Winecups will go dormant in winter, shrinking to just a few leaves above the ground. But beware, rabbits find this plant delicious.
Type: Flowering Plant / Deciduous
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Medium
Mature Size: 3’ x 3’
This airy plant bursts with delicate white and pink flowers whirling off of a central stem. In fact, one of its cultivars is called “whirling butterflies” due to the nature of the plant. The graceful stems are tall, narrow and fan out in a whirl that blows in the breeze. This airy plant flowers from June through September and brings a unique spray of flowers to the garden.
Type: Deciduous
Exposure: Sun/Shade
Water Use: Medium
Mature Size: 8”x2’
Just as its name declares, this perennial brings a little bit of white brilliance to the summer garden. It thrives well in shade and in part sun, thereby spreading and filling in a lot of space. The name doesn’t tell the entire story because this plant is also admired for its delicate silvery leaves. It makes an excellent ground cover for dry areas. The leaves spread a mat of foliage from which the flower stems rise. It also will cascade over rocks and walls.
Type: Shrub, Flowering Plant
Exposure: Sun/Shade
Water Use: Low
Mature Size: 8” H x 2’ W, varies depending on species
Catmint has become a cornerstone of many xeriscapes because of its hardiness and long bloom period. The first flush of blue flowers comes in late spring. When deadheaded promptly, a second flush blooms in late summer. Out of flower, the neat mound of gray-green foliage has a pleasing fragrance and texture. Adaptable to any well-drained soil, catmint can handle a range of light from full sun to light shade. Trim back in late winter for prolific blooms the following spring. Pollinators enjoy this plant along with house cats as this plant is similar to catnip. Walker’s Low is a great variety if you are looking for a more compact catmint. Six Hills Giant is one of the tallest catmint varieties with long lasting blooms.