Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem Sage
Jerusalem Sage is shrublike in form, and blends well with other dry-climate plants. Accepts full sun in some regions but overall better with afternoon shade, particularly in hot summer climates. Foliage is aromatic when brushed. Flowers are borne in whorls of yellow along upper stems. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Phlomis russeliana
Sticky Jerusalem Sage
Sticky Jerusalem Sage grows as a clumping low shrub or groundcover with large, heart-shaped leaves. Flowers are borne on tall stems like other Phlomis species. Spreads by underground runners. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Phlox paniculata
Garden Phlox
Also known as Tall Garden Phlox and Summer Phlox, plants grow to 3 feet high. Flowers are small, just 1 inch across, but are borne in large, dome-shaped clusters. Mildew is a common problem; select resistant varieties to help curtail. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Phormium tenax
New Zealand Flax
New Zealand Flax is a large perennial grown for its colorful leaves. The leaves are narrow, sword-shaped, reaching up to several feet in length. Form is clumping and variable: Select from upright, semiupright, arching and dwarf versions. Many cultivars are available in a range of colors. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet, more or less, depending on selection grown.
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Physostegia virginiana
Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead
"Vigorous" is a word often used to describe Obedient Plant. It spreads by rhizomes—underground or soil surface stems—and can be highly invasive. Flowers resemble those of Snapdragon and are excellent for cutting to enjoy indoors. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Psilostrophe cooperi
Paperflower
Paperflower has a rounded growth habit. It works well planted among boulders or rock gardens. Plant where it will receive afternoon shade in hottest regions. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Psilostrophe tagetina
Texas Paperflower
The daisylike flowers of Woolly Paperflower have a longer bloom season compared to Paperflower, but it is not quite as cold hardy. Best with some protection from the sun in hot summer regions. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Pyracantha koidzumii 'Santa Cruz'
Pyracantha, Firethorn
This Pyracantha grows as a shrubby groundcover form that can be pruned to control height as needed. Red berries are profuse and attract birds. Sturdy thorns make it a good barrier plant; handle and prune with caution. Canopy coverage 13 square feet.
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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 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 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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