water conservation arizona landscape plants
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LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR THE ARIZONA DESERT
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Low-Water Perennials

Perennials are reliable performers that add splashes of color to the landscape. View planting and selection information for Perennials.

Click the photo or [plant info sheet] links to get detailed information about each plant as well as photos of the plants. For a guide to understanding plant names, click here.

Common Name: Desert Marigold
Botanical Name: Baileya multiradiata


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Yellow daisylike
Sun: full or reflected sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: year-round
Water: very low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: silvery-gray
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: low mound low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Undemanding. Reseeds easily. Long period of color.
Native to: Mexico, northern Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Chocolate Flower
Botanical Name: Berlandiera lyrata


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Yellow daisylike
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: medium green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rosette low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Flowers have distinctive chocolate scent.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Desert Coreopsis
Botanical Name: Coreopsis bigelovii


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 1 1/2' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Golden yellow flowers
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: early spring to early summer
Water: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color:
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: butterflies growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Attracts butterflies.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Gaura
Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: White to pink on long spikes
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: summer to fall
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: medium green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rosette low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Flowers resemble butterflies.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Angelita Daisy
Botanical Name: Hymenoxys acaulis


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Golden yellow daisylike
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: year-round
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: medium green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: round clumps low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Colorful and persistent. Good for small spaces.
Recently reclassified as Tetraneuris acaulis.
Native to: southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Blackfoot Daisy
Botanical Name: Melampodium leucanthum


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: White daisylike
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: year-round
Water: very low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray-green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: low mound low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Bright and colorful groundcover. Plant in well-drained soil.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Rock Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon baccharifolius


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Cherry red flowers
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: late spring to late summer
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color:
Growth Rate: moderate-fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Attracts hummingbirds.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Firecracker Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon eatonii


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Scarlet spikes
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: late winter to spring
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: bright green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rosette low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Parry's Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon parryi


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1 1/2' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Hot pink spikes
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: blue-green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rosette low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
Native to: Arizona, Mexico, Sonora Mexico, southern Arizona
Also try P. palmeri.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Canyon Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon pseudospectabilis


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 1 1/2' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Rose-purple spikes
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: medium green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rosette low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
Native to: southwest U.S.
Also try P. triflorus.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Coral Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon superbus


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 2' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Bright coral
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: late spring
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: blue-green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: large clump low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Reseeds. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Jerusalem Sage
Botanical Name: Phlomis fruticosa


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 3' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Intense yellow flowers
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to summer
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: green to gray
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: shrublike low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Other Features: Green foliage has silvery-grey undersides.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Paperflower
Botanical Name: Psilostrophe cooperi


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 1' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Yellow daisylike
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: very low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray-green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rounded low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Great summer color. Flowers following monsoon rains.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Mexican Hat
Botanical Name: Ratbida columnaris


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 2' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Yellow or maroon conelike flowers
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: bright green
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? deciduous
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Other Features: Good cut flower.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Purple Ruellia
Botanical Name: Ruellia brittoniana


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

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Mature Size: 3' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Purple flowers
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color:
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: upright shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: butterflies growing plants in the desert southwest
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Chaparral Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia clevelandii


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 3' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Blue to violet clusters
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to summer
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray-green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rounded shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Foliage is highly fragrant. Attracts hummingbirds.
Native to: Baja California, southern California
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Mealy Cup Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia farinacea


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 1 1/2' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Blue-purple flowers
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: low to moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: bright green
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: low growing low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Autumn Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia greggii


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 2' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Red, pink, or white flowers
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring and fall
Water: low to moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: dark green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: sprawling shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Mexican Bush Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia leucantha


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 4' h x 4' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Purple velvety flowers
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: late spring to fall
Water: low to moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: olive green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: rounded shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Desert Senna
Botanical Name: Senna covesii


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 1 1/2' h x 1 1/2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Bright yellow flowers
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray green
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: coarse
Form: shrublike low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Globe Mallow
Botanical Name: Sphaeralcea ambigua


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 3' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Orange, white, pink, or lavender
Sun: full sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring
Water: very low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray-green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: coarse
Form: rounded shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: yes, may irritate eyes and skin growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Other Features: Purchase in bloom to select desired flower color.
Native to: Sonoran Desert
Look for selections that offer a wide range of flower colors.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Mt. Lemmon Marigold
Botanical Name: Tagetes palmeri


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 3' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Orange-yellow flowers
Sun: partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: fall
Water: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: bright green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Moss Verbena
Botanical Name: Verbena pulchella


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 1' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Purple clusters
Sun: full sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: dark green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: spreading low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: butterflies growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Colorful cover for bare surfaces. Attracts butterflies.
May be sold as V. tenuisecta
Recently reclassified as Glandularia pulchella.
Native to: South America
Also try V. peruviana and V. rigida.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Hummingbird Trumpet
Botanical Name: Zauschneria californica


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 1' h x 2' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Orange-red flowers.
Sun: plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: summer to fall
Water: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color:
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture:
Form: low arching shrub low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Attracts Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds growing plants in the desert southwest
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Rain Lily
Botanical Name: Zephyranthes candida


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 1' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: white
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: summer
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: dark green
Growth Rate: moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: upright clump low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 11-20° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: butterfly growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Flowers often appear after summer rains.
Native to: South America
Also look for Z. grandiflora, pink flowers; and Z. citrina, yellow flowers.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Orange Zexmenia
Botanical Name: Zexmenia hispida


[Plant Info Sheet]

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Mature Size: 2' h x 3' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Orange-yellow flowers
Sun: full or reflected sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: late spring to fall
Water: low to moderate plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: dark green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: medium
Form: sprawling groundcover low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Native to: eastern Mexico, Mexico, Texas
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Desert Zinnia
Botanical Name: Zinnia acerosa


[Plant Info Sheet]
plants good for pools low litter

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 1/2' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: White daislylike flowers
Sun: full sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: spring to fall
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: gray green
Growth Rate: plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: low mounding cover low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? evergreen
Hardiness: <0° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter:
Allergenic: growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns:
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]


Common Name: Prairie Zinnia
Botanical Name: Zinnia grandiflora


[Plant Info Sheet]

[bookmark]
Mature Size: 1' h x 1' w plant photos and information for the desert southwest Flower Color: Yellow-orange daisylike
Sun: full sun, partial sun plant size and pictures for the desert southwest Flower Season: summer to fall
Water: low plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Color: light green
Growth Rate: fast plant flower color for the desert southwest Foliage Texture: fine
Form: spreading low litter plants for the desert southwest Evergreen? semievergreen
Hardiness: 1-10° F yard plants for the desert southwest Litter: low
Allergenic: no growing plants in the desert southwest Thorns: none
Attracts Wildlife: butterflies growing plants in the desert southwest
Other Features: Summer color. Attracts butterflies.
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S.
Plant Type: perennial
[Plant Info Sheet]