Goldenrod

(Solidago) This perennial adds bright yellow color to the late season garden.  Deer & rabbit resistant and drought tolerant once established.  Plant in the front of your garden border as an edger.  Pairs well with asters.

Exposure: Full to part sun

Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall

Varieties:

  • Little Lemon: 12″H x 15″W.  Bright yellow flowers

Sun Daisy

(Osteospermum) Dazzling white flowers with metallic backing are produced from April through summer over glistening mats of lustrous, nearly succulent, evergreen foliage. Giant blossoms close at night to reveal a metallic reverse of ray flowers. A spectacular addition to the sunny border or  water-smart landscape. Not well suited to areas that are frequently irrigated, in poorly drained soils, and in soils highly amended with organic materials. Deadhead spent flowers periodically to keep plants attractive.

Exposure: Sun to Part Sun

Bloom Time: Late Spring thru Late Summer

Varieties:

Avalanche 12″H x 24″W.  A Plant Select Perennial. Zone 4.   More Info Here.

Mandy 12″ x 24″W.  A pink hardy Osteospermum! Zone 4. NEW!

Avalanche
Avalanche
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Marian Sampson

Monardella

Also known as Hummingbird Trumpet Mint, this is a “small but mighty” perennial.  Vibrant blooms will stand out in the garden despite its small stature.  Intensely aromatic herb from the mountains of California forming low mounds of semi-evergreen leaves virtually hidden beneath exotic-looking clusters of brilliant, scarlet-orange trumpets late spring through summer. A focal point of color on a wall, rock garden or container. Provide protection from heat of summer sun for best performance; may need winter protection in some areas. Plant benefits from placement near a large rock or boulder and does best in part to full, but dry, shade. Avoid bark mulch.

Exposure: Part to Full Shade (dry shade is best)

Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer

Varieties:

Marian Sampson: 6″H x 12″W.  A Plant Select Perennial. Zone5.   More Info Here.

Marian Sampson
Marian Sampson
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Marian Sampson
Marian Sampson
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Silverheels

Horehound

(Marrubium) Vigorous mat-forming groundcover that thrives in many sites and soils. Bright silver lining shimmers on the fringes of rounded foliage. Native plant from Turkey. Groundcover. Not well suited to areas that are frequently irrigated, in poorly drained soils, and in soils highly amended with organic materials. Try to avoid overhead watering in the hottest months.

Exposure: Full Sun

Bloom Time: Early Summer

Varieties:

  • Silverheels: 4″H x 24″W. Blooms white. A Plant Select Perennial.   More Info Here.
Silverheels
Silverheels
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Silverheels
Silverheels
Photo Courtesy Plant Select

Yucca

Yucca plants are the ultimate drought tolerant plant.  Planted in well-drained soil, they need very little water once established.  They have lovely blooms in summer.  In winter, their leaves are striking when covered in frost.  A low maintenance choice that gives beauty in all seasons.

Exposure: Full Sun

Bloom Time: Summer to Fall

Varieties:

Red Yucca (False Yucca) (Hesperaloe parviflora): up to 4′ H x 2′ W. A Plant Select Perennial. Zone 5.  More Info Here.

Narrowleaf Yucca/Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca) up to 2′ H x 2′-3′ W. Native to the Southwest.  Showy, creamy white flowers in late Spring/Early Summer.  Zone 4.

Variegated Yucca (Yucca filamentosa): up to 4′ H x 2′ W.  Variegated leaves

Red Yucca
Red Yucca
Photo Courtesy Plant Select
Red Yucca
Red Yucca
Photo Courtesy Plant Select

Gazania

This plant has glossy mounds of deep green, strap-shaped leaves with three-inch, shiny yellow flowers throughout the season. This selection is cold hardy compared to the annual bedding gazanias. It does well under ordinary garden treatment, or in unamended, dry soils (once established).

Exposure: Full to Part Sun

Bloom Time: Late Spring to Frost

Varieties:

Colorado Gold: 6″H x 12″W. A Plant Select Perennial.   More Info Here.

Colorado Gold
Colorado Gold
Photo Courtesy Plant Select

Sulphur Flower

(Eriogonum) Also known as Buckwheat. Masses of yellow flowers turn orange as they age. Spreading green foliage changes to a vivid purple-red in winter. Vigorous and adaptable western native.  When sited properly, requires very little attention. Not well suited to areas that are frequently irrigated, poorly drained, or soils highly highly amended with organic materials.
Exposure: Full to Part Sun

Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer

Varieties:

  • Kannah Creek (Eriogonum): 15″H x 24″W. A Plant Select Perennial.   More Info Here.
Kanna Creek
Winecups

Winecups

(Callirhoe) This native thrives at the front of the border, in the wild garden and Xeriscape where it enjoys the full sun, blooming with hot pink flowers most of the season. Drought tolerant once established.

Exposure: Full to Part Sun

Bloom Time: Late Spring to Frost

Varieties:

  • Winecups: 12″H x 4-6 Feet W. A Plant Select Perennial.   More Info Here.
Chocolate Flower

Chocolate Flower

(Berlandiera) Ever blooming native wildflower from the Southwest that produces a continuous succession of dark-eyed, yellow daisies over a compact rosette of foliage. The flowers exude a rich chocolate aroma in the morning hours. Best with minimal water once established. Can reseed. Perennial. Xeriscape.

Exposure: Full Sun

Bloom Time: June to Frost

Varieties:

Chocolate Flower: 12″-20″H x 12″-20″W.  A Plant Select Perennial.  More Info Here.

Artemisia

Easy care plant that adapts to hot, dry, sunny locations.  Requires good drainage and performs well in lean soil.  Drought tolerant once established.  Adds a light silvery mound to gardens.

Exposure: Full to Part Sun

Bloom Time: Bloom is insignificant.  Grow this for the lovely silver foliage it provides all season.

Varieties:

  • Sea Foam: 12″H x up to 36″W.  Fine, silver foliage. A Plant Select perennial. More Info Here.
  • Silver Mound: a very lacy, silvery short mound of neat foliage.  12″H x 15″W.
Sea Foam