Trees | Shrubs | Grasses | Perennials | Ground Covers
Robinia ambigua ‘Purple Robe’ (Purple Robe Locust)– 35-45’ H, 25-30’ W, drought-tolerant, compact, rounded tree bearing dark purple, fragrant flowers in May-June.
Fraxinus americana ‘Autumn Purple’ (Autumn Purple Ash)– 40-60’ H, 40-50’ W, drought-tolerant, upright, oval tree with striking purplish-red fall color. Seedless.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Summit’ (Summit Ash)– 50-60’ H, 30-40’ W, drought-tolerant, very fast-growing, uniform, oval tree with golden-yellow fall color. Seedless.
Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ (Greenspire Little-leaf Linden)– 30-40’ H, 25-35’ W, drought-tolerant, uniform conical shaped tree with small round to heart-shaped green leaves turning to yellow in fall. Tiny, pale yellow flowers in summer are fragrant.
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis ‘Shademaster’ (Shademaster Honeylocust)– 40-50’ H, 30-40’ W, drought-tolerant, fast-growing, graceful tree with thornless, spreading branches forming a rounded crown. Soft- yellow fall color. Seedless.
Malus x ‘Radiant’ (Radiant Crabapple)– 20-25’H, 15-20’W, drought-tolerant, densely-rounded tree. Deep red buds open to deep pink flowers in spring producing bright red fruits in summer. Bronze-green foliage through fall.
Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’ (Thundercloud Plum)– 15-20’ H, 15-20’ W, drought-tolerant, rounded tree with dark, coppery leaves. Flowers in spring are light pinks to white and sometimes set a good crop of delicious, red fruit.
Pinus flexilis ‘Vanderwolf’ (Vanderwolf Limber Pine)– 30-50’ H, 15-30’ W, adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. Striking, bluish-green needles on ascending branches form an upright, pyramidal tree. Needles are soft and flexible.
Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)– 30-50’ H, 20-30’ W, adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. Distinctive, heavily plated, yellowish-orange bark and layered branches create an interesting, round to conical shaped tree. Short needles are blue-green. This tree is pest and disease resistant to our local ‘problems’, so it is an excellent alternative to Pinus edulis ‘Pinon Pine’.
Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine)– 40-60’H, 30-40’ W, drought-tolerant, broad growing, pyramidal to oval tree. Wide-spreading branches have long, shiny green needles. It is pest and disease resistant to our local ‘problems’, so it is a great replacement for Pinus ponderosa ‘Ponderosa Pine’.
Trees | Shrubs | Grasses | Perennials | Ground Covers
Cercocarpus ledifolius (Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany)– 10-25’ H, 10-20’ W, drought-tolerant native shrub. Small, dark green, lustrous, evergreen leaves. This may be pruned into a small clump tree shape.
Forestiera neomexicana (New Mexico Privet)– 8-12’ h, 6-8’ W, drought-tolerant native shrub. Beautiful, golden-gray bark on erect finely branched twigs form a dense shrub. Small gray-green leaves turn gold in fall. Tiny flowers in spring produce blue-black berries desired by birds.
Caryopteris clandonensis (Blue Mist Spirea)– 3-4’H, 2-3’ W, drought-tolerant shrub with gray-green leaves and bright blue flowers blooming mid to late summer. A butterfly favorite.
Rhus trilobata (Three-leaf Sumac)– 3-6’ H, 3-6’ W, drought-tolerant shrub with shiny deep green leaves. Fiery red fall color. Complex root system stabilizes hillsides and washes.
Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’ (Black Knight Butterfly Bush)– 6-12’ H, 4-8’ W, adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. Arching branches with violet- purple flowers mid to late summer. Loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.
Prunus x cistena (Purple Leaf Plum)– 6-8’H, 4-6’ W, adaptable water requirements, upright, rounded shrub with purplish-red leaves. Nice contrast in the landscape. Small pale- pink flowers in spring.
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)– 3-4’ H, 3-4’ W, drought-tolerant upright shrub with finely cut gray leaves. Downy white stems bear fragrant, rich- blue flowers mid to late summer.
Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn)– 20-25’ H, 15-25’ W, adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. Upright slender branches with narrow thorns make an oval to rounded- shape shrub. Clusters of small white flowers in spring produce bright red berries readily eaten by birds. Exciting scarlet- red fall color.
Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rock Cotoneaster)– 2-3’ H, 8-12’ W, adaptable water requirements. Stiff horizontal branchlets form a herringbone pattern. Leaves are small, round and bright green. Showy, red fruit appears in summer after flowering in late spring. Orange-red fall color. This shrub makes a great groundcover.
Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume)– 3-6’ H, 3-6’ W, drought-tolerant native with fine, green leaves creating a lacy-looking shrub. Dainty, white flowers all summer leave behind pink, feathery-tailed seedsLet’s talk about VINES:
Campsis radicans (Trumpet Vine)– adaptable water requirements, fast-growing up to 40’. This is a dense vine with orange colored trumpet flowers appearing mid to late summer. Favored by hummingbirds.
Polygonum aubertii (Silver Lace Vine)– drought-tolerant, vigorous, twining vine with sprays of small, white flowers mid to late summer. Grows up to 40’ easily. Great screen plant.
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)– adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. Growth may extend 30’ or more quickly. Violet-blue flowers appear before leaflets in mid to late spring. Wonderful vine for arbors.
Vitis labrusca ‘Concord’ (American Concord Grape)– adaptable water requirements for this vine. Place on trellis or arbor for a leafy contrast in the landscape, not to mention America’s favorite great-tasting
grapes.
Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Green Showers’ (Green Showers Boston Ivy)– adaptable water requirements, filtered shade. Shiny, large green leaves on vine that clings to walls. Excellent burgundy fall color. Nice winter tracery on walls in winter extending 40’ or more.
Trees | Shrubs | Grasses | Perennials | Ground Covers
Helictotrichon sempervirons (Blue Oat Grass)– adaptable water requirements for this grass. It has 2-3’ sprays of bright, blue-gray, narrow leaves that are semi-evergreen, resembling a fountain in the garden.
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)– adaptable water requirements. 1-2’erect, arching clumps of fine, light- green leaves. A very soft accent for native gardens.
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Elijah Blue Fescue)– adaptable water requirements for this bright powder-blue grass. This is a clump grass 1-1.5’ H. Terrific for borders and accents. Finches love the seeds.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ (Morning Light Eulalia or Japanese Silver Grass)– adaptable water requirements but prefers even moisture. This beautiful ‘silver’ grass grows 4-6’ tall. It has fine-textured arching leaves and creamy-white ‘feathers’ appearing in late summer – early fall.
Miscanthus sinensis var. strictus (Banded Porcupine Grass)– adaptable water requirements but prefers even moisture. Short 1-2’ gold-banded green stems that are stiffly erect and striking. Copper flowers in September turn to a fluffy tan after drying.
Trees | Shrubs | Grasses | Perennials | Ground Covers
Let’s Talk About Perennials: 20 Favorites:
1. Nepeta x faassenii (Faassen’s Catmint)– 1-2’ H, drought-tolerant. Soft, gray aromatic leaves. Profuse, lavender flowers early to late summer on mounding plant.
2. Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ (Bowles Mauve Wallflower)– 2-2.5’ H, adaptable water requirements. Very long blooming, late spring to fall, but a summer shearing will ensure a good fall flush of color. Purple flower buds open to mauve blossoms on bushy mounds.
3. Geranium – various cultivars – 6”-2’ H, adaptable water requirements, sun to shade. White, lavender, pink to electric- blue blossoms are your color choices on these plants. Miniature to large mounds. Wonderful accents for native gardens. Blooms early summer to fall depending on cultivar.
4. Campanula rotundifolia ‘ Olympica’ (Olympic Blue Harebells)– 6”-1.5’ H, drought-tolerant, sun to shade. Blue bell-shaped flowers on airy foliage late spring to mid- summer.
5. Coreopsis – various cultivars – 6”-3’ H, drought-tolerant. Single or double daisy-like flowers range in color from yellow to gold with bi-colors in between. Great planted with Nepeta f. Finches eat the seeds readily.
6. Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (Moonshine Yarrow)– 2-2.5’ H, drought-tolerant, gray-green foliage on upright plant with sulfur-yellow flowers all summer. Looks beautiful with Salvia x superba or nemorosa.
7. Salvia x superba or nemorosa (Meadow Sage)– 2-3’ H, drought-tolerant. Narrow, green leaves. Flowers range from violet to blue with 1 or 2 pink species available. Blossoms are borne on erect spikes early to late summer.
8. Linum perenne (Blue Flax)– A drought-tolerant native 1-2’ H. Sky-blue flowers and wiry stems of airy blue-green foliage. Blossoms in early summer. Re-seeds.
9. Oenothera macrocarpa missouriensis (Missouri Primrose)– 1-2’ H. mounding plant. Drought-tolerant. Flowers mid to late summer in the evenings with large, lemon yellow blossoms.
10. Agastache cana (Doublebubble Mint or Hummingbird Mint)– 2-3’H, drought-tolerant. Aromatic, dark green foliage on stems bearing tubular rich pink blossoms. Flowers have a bubblegum fragrance. Hummingbird heaven. Blooms mid- summer to fall.
11. Penstemon pinifolius (Pine-leaf Beardtongue)– 6-10” H, drought-tolerant. Needle-like foliage is dark green. Stems bear a blanket of orange-red tubular flowers in mid- summer. A knockout planted with Nepeta f.
12. Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton)– 1-1.5’ H, drought-tolerant. Finely cut, fragrant foliage, silvery-gray in color. Flowers are yellow buttons on rounded clump plants in mid- summer.
13. Lamiastrum galeobdolon ‘Herman’s Pride’ (Herman’s Pride Yellow Archangel)– 1-1.5’ H, mounding clump. Adaptable water requirements. Filtered shade to shade. Beautiful silver and green etched leaves. Seldom bothered by insects. Flowers early summer.
14. Centranthus ruber (Jupiter’s Beard or Red Valerian)– 2-3’ H, drought-tolerant bushy clump. Leaves are blue-green and stems bear reddish-pink tubular flowers that butterflies are crazy about. Flowers in early to late summer.
15. Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Magnus purple coneflower)– 2-3’ H, erect, broad clump. Daisy-like flowers are purple-rose color and petals stay flat instead of curving downward like other coneflowers. Echinacea is a useful herb blooming in summer.
16. Gaura lindheimeri (Whirling Butterflies)– 2-3’ h, drought-tolerant, graceful clump bearing green willow-like leaves and loose spikes of white flowers resembling butterflies. Plant next to Echinacea for striking contrast. Blooms in mid to late summer.
17. Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (White Bleeding Heart)– 1.5-2.5’ H, adaptable water requirements, filtered shade to shade. Loose clumps with bright green leaves produce white, heart-shaped flowers on arching stems in early spring.
18. Papaver orientale ‘Princess Victoria Louise’ (Princess Victoria Louise Oriental Poppy)– 2-3’ H, adaptable water requirements. Large salmon-pink flowers with black eye in center bloom in early summer. Coarse, fuzzy foliage dies back in mid-summer. Plant with ornamental grasses for nice effect.
19. Kniphofia uvaria (Red-hot Poker)– 2.5-3.5’ H, drought-tolerant, Blossoms are borne on stems above spiky green foliage in early to mid-summer depending on cultivar. “Pokers” are generally yellow to orange to red on top. These plants are striking against walls and fences.
20. Aquilegia - various cultivars (Columbine)– 6”-3’ H, adaptable water requirements, sun to filtered shade. “Crown” flowers appear in late spring to mid-summer and show in a wide color range of blues, pinks reds and bi-colors. Hummingbirds desire their sweet “honey”. Leaves are usually bluish-green and airy.
Trees | Shrubs | Grasses | Perennials | Ground Covers
Let’s talk about Perennial Ground Covers: 10 Favorites
1. Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ (White Nancy Nettle)– 6-12” H, spreading up to 18”. Adaptable water requirements. Shade. Silver centers on dark green leaves make a show in shady areas. White, “snapdragon” flowers bloom in early to late spring.
2. Delosperma cooperi (Purple Iceplant)– 2-4” H, spreading up to 18”. Drought-tolerant. Vivid, violet purple flowers bloom early summer to fall on a gray green succulent carpet of stems and leaves. Evergreen foliage is often purple through fall and winter months.
3. Veronica liwanensis (Turkish Speedwell) - .5-1” H, spreading up to 18”. Drought-tolerant. Small, rounded, glossy green leaves form a dense mat that becomes blanketed with bright blue flowers late spring to early summer. Great for using between flagstone.
4. Thymus serphyllum ‘Elfin’ (Elfin Thyme)– 2-3” H, spreading up to 18”. Dark green leaves form a dense carpet on this fast growing variety of Thyme. A profusion of reddish-pink blooms appear in late spring. Nice creeper for rock gardens.
5. Anacyclus depressus (Mat Daisy)– 4-6” H, spreading up to 12”. Drought-tolerant. Broad mats of gray green foliage resemble chamomile. Charming white daisies blossom in early spring to early summer. Prolific re-seeder.
6. Sedum kamtschaticum (Kamtschaticum Stonecrop)– 2-4” H, spreading up to 18”. Drought-tolerant. Triangular leaves are succulent. Trailing stems produce yellow flowers that turn red with age late spring to early summer. A must for the rock garden.
7. Cerastium tomentosum (Snow- in -Summer) - 6-12” H, spreading up to 18”. Drought-tolerant. Downy, silver gray foliage forms mound covered by snowy-white flowers in late spring to early summer. Wonderful border plant.
8. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Hardy Plumbago)– 8-12” H, spreading up to 2’. Adaptable water requirements. Electric blue flowers intermingle with shiny, green oval leaves to form an attractive mound. Foliage turns burgundy-red in fall.
9. Artemisia stellerana ‘Silver Brocade’ (Silver Brocade Sage)– 1-2’ H, spreading up to 3’. Drought-tolerant. Beautiful, deeply cut leaves are covered with silvery “velvet” hair. This plant can withstand extreme heat.
10. Oenothera berlandieri (Mexican Evening Primrose)– 10-12” H, spreading by runners up to 2’ or more. Drought-tolerant. Blooms all summer during the day. Flowers are light pinks to dark pink, depending on cultivar. Thrives with little or no care.