Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert


A R I Z O N A M U N I C I P A L W A T E R U S E R S A S S O C I A T I O N

HOME OUR MEMBERS CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUB-REGIONAL OPERATING GROUP WATER RESOURCES SITEMAP

LIBRARY

EDUCATION

NEWS

CONTACT AMWUA

LOW-WATER PERENNIALS
Perennials are reliable performers that add splashes of color to the landscape. Although some perennials are short-lived, lasting two to four years, they often reseed, so new plants grow to enliven the garden year after year. Others are longer-lived and become an almost permanent part of the landscape. Many of the perennials listed here are considered to be perennial wildflowers, such as the Penstemon species, and are frequently used in combination with annual wildflowers. Others in this adaptable group of plants can be used as groundcovers, accents, borders, or even as container plants. To keep these plants looking fresh, remove flowerheads after the bloom period and occasionally prune lightly to encourage new growth.

Click the photo or [more info] link to get detailed information about each plant.


Common Name: Desert Marigold Botanical Name: Baileya multiradiata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 1' W Form: low mound E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: silvery-gray Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow daisylike Flower Season: year-round Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, northern Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Undemanding. Reseeds easily. Long period of color. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Chocolate Flower Botanical Name: Berlandiera lyrata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow daisylike Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Flowers have distinctive chocolate scent. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Desert Coreopsis Botanical Name: Coreopsis bigelovii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: Growth Rate: Mature Size: 1 1/2' H X 1 1/2' W Form: E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Golden yellow flowers Flower Season: early spring to early summer Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: Other Features: Attracts butterflies. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Gaura Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 1 1/2' W Form: rosette E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: White to pink on long spikes Flower Season: summer to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Flowers resemble butterflies. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Angelita Daisy Botanical Name: Hymenoxys acaulis		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 1' W Form: round clumps E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Golden yellow daisylike Flower Season: year-round Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Recently reclassified as Tetraneuris acaulis. Native to: southwest U.S. Other Features: Colorful and persistent. Good for small spaces. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Blackfoot Daisy Botanical Name: Melampodium leucanthum		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: low mound E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: White daisylike Flower Season: year-round Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Bright and colorful groundcover. Plant in well-drained soil. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Rock Penstemon Botanical Name: Penstemon baccharifolius		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate-fast Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Cherry red flowers Flower Season: late spring to late summer Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Other Features: Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Firecracker Penstemon Botanical Name: Penstemon eatonii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 1 1/2' W Form: rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Scarlet spikes Flower Season: late winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Parry's Penstemon Botanical Name: Penstemon parryi		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1 1/2' H X 1 1/2' W Form: rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Hot pink spikes Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Arizona, Mexico, Sonora Mexico, southern Arizona Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. Also try P. palmeri. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Canyon Penstemon Botanical Name: Penstemon pseudospectabilis		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1 1/2' H X 2' W Form: rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Rose-purple spikes Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: southwest U.S. Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. Also try P. triflorus. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Coral Penstemon Botanical Name: Penstemon superbus		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: large clump E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Bright coral Flower Season: late spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Jerusalem Sage Botanical Name: Phlomis fruticosa		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: shrublike E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: green to gray Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Intense yellow flowers Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: Other Features: Green foliage has silvery-grey undersides. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Paperflower Botanical Name: Psilostrophe cooperi		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: rounded E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow daisylike Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Great summer color. Flowers following monsoon rains. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Mexican Hat Botanical Name: Ratbida columnaris		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: Growth Rate: Mature Size: 2' H X 1' W Form: E/D: deciduous	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Yellow or maroon conelike flowers Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: Other Features: Good cut flower. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Purple Ruellia Botanical Name: Ruellia brittoniana		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: Growth Rate: Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: upright shrub E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Purple flowers Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Chaparral Sage Botanical Name: Salvia clevelandii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: rounded shrub E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Blue to violet clusters Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Baja California, southern California Other Features: Foliage is highly fragrant. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Mealy Cup Sage Botanical Name: Salvia farinacea		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: low to moderate Growth Rate: Mature Size: 1 1/2' H X 1 1/2' W Form: low growing E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Blue-purple flowers Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Autumn Sage Botanical Name: Salvia greggii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low to moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 2' H X 2' W Form: sprawling shrub E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Red, pink, or white flowers Flower Season: spring and fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: hummingbirds
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Mexican Bush Sage Botanical Name: Salvia leucantha		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: low to moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 4' H X 4' W Form: rounded shrub E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: olive green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Purple velvety flowers Flower Season: late spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: hummingbirds
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Desert Senna Botanical Name: Senna covesii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: Growth Rate: Mature Size: 1 1/2' H X 1 1/2' W Form: shrublike E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: gray green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Bright yellow flowers Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Globe Mallow Botanical Name: Sphaeralcea ambigua		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 5°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: rounded shrub E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Orange, white, pink, or lavender Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate eyes and skin
Native to: Sonoran Desert Other Features: Purchase in bloom to select desired flower color. Look for selections that offer a wide range of flower colors. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Mt. Lemmon Marigold Botanical Name: Tagetes palmeri		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: partial sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Orange-yellow flowers Flower Season: fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Moss Verbena Botanical Name: Verbena pulchella		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 3' W Form: spreading E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Purple clusters Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterflies
May be sold as V. tenuisecta Recently reclassified as Glandularia pulchella. Native to: South America Other Features: Colorful cover for bare surfaces. Attracts butterflies. Also try V. peruviana and V. rigida. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Hummingbird Trumpet Botanical Name: Zauschneria californica		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: Water: Growth Rate: Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: low arching shrub E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: Foliage Texture: Flower Color: Orange-red flowers. Flower Season: summer to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic: Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Rain Lily Botanical Name: Zephyranthes candida		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 1' W Form: upright clump E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: white Flower Season: summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterfly
Native to: South America Other Features: Flowers often appear after summer rains. Also look for Z. grandiflora, pink flowers; and Z. citrina, yellow flowers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Orange Zexmenia Botanical Name: Zexmenia hispida		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: low to moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: sprawling groundcover E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Orange-yellow flowers Flower Season: late spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: eastern Mexico, Texas [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Desert Zinnia Botanical Name: Zinnia acerosa		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: °F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: Mature Size: 1/2' H X 1' W Form: low mounding cover E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: White daislylike flowers Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: Thorns: Allergenic:
Native to: [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Prairie Zinnia Botanical Name: Zinnia grandiflora		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 1' W Form: spreading E/D: semievergreen	Foliage Color: light green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Yellow-orange daisylike Flower Season: summer to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Summer color. Attracts butterflies. [More information about this plant.]

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy.