Waterwise plants

 

Yarrow (Achillea). Flower colors include salmon and rusty red. A. filipendulina 'Coronation Gold' has yellow blooms. Grows 4 feet tall. Zones A1-A3, 1-24.

Zauschneria californica latifolia 'Arizonica'. Mounding plant to 3 feet tall; bright orange flowers. Zones 2-11, 14-24.

UNTHIRSTY TEXTURE

Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii). Mounding lavender-blue perennial 1 foot tall, 1 foot wide. Zones 1-24.

Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos). A. flavidus has branching stems to 5 feet tall in clumps 2 to 3 feet wide; yellow-green flowers. Smaller hybrids, with flowers in a range of colors, grow 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall. Needs excellent drainage. Zones 15-24.

Russian sage (Perovskia). Velvety, lavender-blue flowers on plants 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Zones 2-24.

Santolina. Two kinds; both have small buttonhead flowers. S. rosmarinifolia has green foliage, yellow flowers; zones 3-9, 14-24. S. chamaecyparissus has whitish gray leaves, yellow flowers; zones 2-24, H1, H2. Both grow 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide.

Sea lavender (Limonium perezii). To 3 feet tall, with rich purple blooms spring and summer. Zones 13, 15-17, 20-24. Good near the beach; needs afternoon shade in the desert.

Thyme. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) grows about 3 inches high, 3 feet wide; purplish summer flowers; zones A2, A3, 1-24. Common thyme (T. vulgaris) grows 1 foot high, 2 feet wide; white to lilac flowers in late spring, early summer; zones 1-24.