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Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert Online Home | Plant Index | Glossary | Advanced Search | Trees | Shrubs | Groundcovers | Vines | Grasses | Cacti | Succulents | Perennials | Annuals

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.]



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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.