#plant ref

Broadleaf Sedum (Sedum spathulifolium)

Info link

You can create a no-maintenance, drought-tolerant carpet of blue-gray in your garden with this. In summer, the wonderful foliage is accented by starry yellow blooms. 

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 6 inches tall Zones: 5-9

Godetia (Clarkia amoena)

info link

It's an annual that loves poor soils and thrives just anywhere. The long-lasting flowers appear though summer in luscious shades of lavender, pink, carmine, and white.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall Zones: Annual

Pineleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius)

info link

A hummingbird favorite, pineleaf penstemon offers delicate, fine textured foliage and bright, orange-red or yellow flowers through the summer.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall Zones: 4-9

Fried-Egg Flower (Limnanthes douglasii)

Info Link

This compact, showy annual will cheer up any dull spots in your landscape. The flowers are bright colored and fragrant. Though it's an annual, it will self-seed, often profusely, and come back year after year.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall Zones: Annual

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Info Link

A wonderful annual with a low habit and sky-blue blooms, baby blue eyes adds lovely color to the front of your spring and summer border.

Growing Conditions: Part sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 8 inches tall Zones: Annual

Eaton's Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

Info Link

Sometimes called firecracker penstemon, this desert plant's scarlet-red flowers make an eye-popping effect in the garden.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall Zones: 4-9

Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)

Info Link

This coreopsis is a carefree, self-seeding annual that creates loads of bright yellow color all summer long. It's as tough and drought tolerant as it is charming.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall Zones: Annual

Hummingbird Trumpet (Zauschneria californica)

Info Link

Another hummingbird favorite (as you probably guessed by the name), this plant offers beautiful late-summer orange and red flowers and a ground-hugging habit.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall Zones: 8-10

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Info Link

Black-eyed Susans are much-loved garden plants that feature daisy-like, golden flowers in summer and autumn. A delightful array of varieties is available. They range in color from rusty red to lemon yellow to the more traditional gold.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall Zones: 11-12 (though considered annual in most zones)

Sea Pink (Armeria maritima)

Info Link

A beautiful groundcover, sea pink offers tight, grassy foliage. In spring and summer, it produces little clusters of white or pink flowers that can almost cover the plant.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 8 inches tall Zones: 3-9

Desert Evening Primrose (Oenothera californica)

Info Link

This creeping evening primrose is an ideal groundcover. Nearly pest-free, it has shimmering white flowers that have a delightful fragrance.