Ratibida columnifera
Mexican Hat
This is an easy-care wildflower perennial. The flower petals droop downward around an upright brown cone, giving the yellow to brown flower the appearance of a drooping Mexican sombrero—a "Mexican Hat." Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
Grown for its spectacular, crepe paper flowers up to 9 inches across. They are pure white with a yellow center, thus one of its common names Fried Egg Plant. Best for an informal, naturalistic landscape. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan
The large, daisylike flowers of Black-eyed Susan bloom on tall stems. The central cone is dark brown. A wide range of selections are available; check with your local nursery. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Rudbeckia laciniata
Cutleaf Coneflower, Greenhead Coneflower
The common names of this sunflowerlike perennial helps describe its appearance. Petals droop slightly, and the cone is greenish rather than a rich brown. The species grows quite tall, but 'Herbstsonne' remains in scale with the average garden, topping out at about 6 feet high. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie'
Dwarf Ruellia, Desert Petunia
Katie' is a robust bloomer during the warm season. It works well as a small-area groundcover, growing to 12 inches high. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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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 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 elegans
Pineapple Sage
Pineapple sage is grown for the profuse numbers of small, tubular, scarlet-red flowers that bloom during the warm season into winter. Flowers can be used in salads and other edibles. Leaves have a fresh pineapple scent. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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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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Salvia officinalis
Garden Sage, Common Sage
Garden Sage is often grown in the herb garden for its ornamental as well as its culinary attributes. 'Aurea' and 'Tricolor' are popular selections. It is common to replace plantings after a few years due to their woody growth. Must have well drained soil. 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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Sedum kamtschaticum
Russian Stonecrop, Orange Stonecrop
Russian Stonecrop is a low, mounding succulent, well-suited to rock gardens and in the foreground of the border. Leaves have interesting serrated edges. Flowers are tiny stars that emerge yellow then turn red. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive 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.
[Read More]Stachys byzantina
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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Stachys coccinea
Scarlet Betony, Texas Betony
Leaves of Scarlet Betony grow to 3 inches long and have a wrinkled appearance. Clumping growth habit. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Strelitzia reginae
Bird of Paradise
If your garden would benefit from a tropical fix, this is the plant to consider. Ideal for an oasis planting. Bird of Paradise is cold tender so requires a sheltered location, or grow in containers so plants can be moved to a frost-free location. Flowers bloom during cooler times of the year and are valued for cutting. Prefers an improved soil but adapts to poor soil. Actually drought tolerant once established but better with regular water. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Tagetes lucida
Licorice Marigold
The common name Licorice Marigold is due to the fact that leaves emit a fragrance similar to anise. Appearance is similar to its cousin, Mountain Marigold, but growth is more compact. Canopy coverage: 13 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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