Water-efficient Plants Guide

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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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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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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