Ruta graveolens
Rue
Rue is a mounding, shrubby, perennial herb. Leaves are fernlike and have a pungent scent. Handling foliage and flowers can irritate the skin. Do not ingest because plant parts are toxic. Flowers of species are yellow. 'Jackman's Blue' and 'Blue Mound' (shown in photo) have blue flowers and are more compact growers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Salvia azurea var. grandiflora
Prairie Sage, Pitcher Sage
Prairie Sage, also known as Pitcher Sage, is a shrubby perennial with sky blue flowers. It is a tough plant that accepts about any well drained soil. In its native habitat it competes with prairie grasses. Cut back in midsummer to develop multi-branching plants that produce more flowers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Salvia chamaedryoides
Mexican Blue Sage, Germander Sage
Mexican Blue Sage has a mounding growth habit; plants spread by underground runners. Flowers as blue as blue can be are striking against the silvery leaves. Long bloom period concentrating during spring and early fall. Native to high elevation regions in Mexico. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Salvia coccinea
Scarlet Sage
Scarlet Sage is a flowering perennial most commonly grown as an annual. Plants are perennial and short-lived, but reseed vigorously. Strong winds can snap the brittle branches so locate in protected locations.
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Salvia farinacea
Mealy Cup Sage
This is an attractive, easy-to-grow perennial, best planted in masses. Blue-violet flowers are tall spikes above the foliage. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Salvia greggii
Autumn Sage
Autumn Sage is a small-scale shrub called a subshrub. It is one of the more forgiving flowering plants for desert regions. Best with some afternoon shade. Many selections are available in a range of flower colors. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Salvia muelleri
Royal Purple Autumn Sage
This subshrub (small shrub) perennial works well at the front of a border planting, or blended with other dry-climate plants. Similar to Autumn Sage but with deep purple flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Scabiosa columbaria
Pincushion Flower
A must for the butterfly garden. Deadhead (remove) spent flowers frequently for continuous bloom. 'Butterfly Blue', shown in photos, is a popular selection. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Autumn Joy Stonecrop
This succulent is a hybrid of Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile. 'Autumn Joy' grows as a rounded clump. Flowers bloom in late summer, emerging as salmon pink then turning bronze to rust in the fall. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive some afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Sphaeralcea ambigua
Globe Mallow
The form of Globe Mallow is natural and casual. It is a tough plant, thriving in less-than-ideal conditions. Additional water will improve appearance. Look for the selection 'Papago Pink'. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Lamb's Ears
The fuzzy, silvery gray leaves of Lamb's Ears makes it a great choice to contrast with dark foliage plants. Better with afternoon shade in hot-summer climates. Spreads by runners. Selection 'Silver Carpet' does not produce flowers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Tagetes lemmonii
Mountain Marigold
Mountain Marigold is shrublike in form. Leaves are aromatic when brushed. It is a tough plant that does well in extreme heat. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Tetraneuris acaulis
Angelita Daisy
The daisylike flowers of Angelita Daisy are profuse, blooming almost year-round. Grows in a rounded clumping form, with flowers on top of tall stems that rise above the foliage. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum'
Creeping Germander
The mature height of Creeping Germander is listed at 1 foot high, but it actually stays lower—to just 6 inches high. Fragrant foliage is appealing when planted between stepping stones or other close-up locations. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta
Golden Dyssodia
Golden Dyssodia is a short-lived, wildflower-type perennial that is sometimes grown as an annual. It is low-growing, typically reaching only 7 inches high and as wide. Used successfully on slopes for erosion control. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Thymus praecox
Pink Creeping Thyme
Pink Creeping Thyme makes an interesting, mat-forming groundcover in small locations. 'Elfin', shown in photos between pavers and steppingstones, hugs the ground even closer. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Thymus vulgaris
Garden Thyme, English Thyme
A Thyme useful for cooking and as an ornamental. Form may be somewhat variable. 'Argenteus', Silver Thyme, takes on more of a shrubby form. Leaves are green with a yellowish white band. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Tulbaghia violacea
Society Garlic
The pale purple flowers of Society Garlic bloom on top of small thin stems. Foliage produces a faint garlic scent when brushed or bruised. Selections with variegated foliage are also available. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Viguiera deltoidea
Goldeneye
Goldeneye grows as a small shrub form, free-flowing for naturalistic plantings. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Zephyranthes grandiflora
Fairy Lily
The upright mounding form of Fairy Lily catches your eye with its striking flowers. Similar plants worth considering include 'Prairie Sunset', a hybrid. It remains more evergreen during the hot-summer season. Another, known as Rain Lily, has attractive white flowers. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Zinnia acerosa
Desert Zinnia
Desert Zinnia develops into a low, mounding cover. It is at home tucked between rocks and boulders. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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