Common name:New Zealand Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Common name:Idaho Locust
Botanical name:Robinia X ambigua 'Idahoensis'

This tree will grow 40' tall by 30' wide and has small, light green leaves with clusters of bright magenta flowers that bloom in spring.

Common name:Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage
Botanical name:Salvia leucantha

The Mexican Sage is a bushy shrub that grows 3'-4' tall and wide. It has hairy white stems, gray green leaves and velvet-like purple flower spikes that bloom summer through fall. This shrub tolerates sun, light shade, little water, and is hardy to 15 degrees F. The Mexican Sage is drought tolerant and attracts hummingbirds. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Pink Breath Of Heaven
Botanical name:Coleonema pulchellum

Pink Breath of Heaven is a fine, textured, wispy shrub growing 5' high with tiny pink flowers and fragrant leaves. It blooms sporadically throughout the year. It needs good drainage and is drought tolerant. - Cornflower Farms

Common name:Blanket Flower
Botanical name:Gaillardia X grandiflora

This perennial has daisylike flowers in warm colors on sturdy stems. Plants form medium-sized clumps. It likes full sun and well-drained soil but tolerates poor soil and drought. It makes a great cut flower.

Common name:Mexican Fan Palm
Botanical name:Washingtonia robusta

The Mexican Fan Palm is a very tall, rapidly growing palm with large, fan-shaped leaves. It has a tropical look, and can grow several feet a year. This species is excellent for larger gardens and lining streets and avenues.

Common name:Cleveland Blue Sage
Botanical name:Salvia clevelandii

The Cleveland Sage is a perennial shrub that grows 4' tall and wide. It has fragrant gray foliage and blue flowers that bloom between May and August. This shrub needs full sun and prefers well drained soil. The Cleveland Sage is native to California and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Butterfly Bush, Summer-Lilac
Botanical name:Buddleja davidii

Butterfly bush is a fast growing deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub ranging from 3' up to 10', with an open, rangy growth habit. It should be cut back nearly to the ground in fall for size control and appearance. Purple, pink, white or red flowers appear in spring and summer, attracting butterflies. This shrub looks great in mass plantings.

Common name:Royal Purple Smokebush
Botanical name:Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

Royal Purple Smokebrush is a large shrub with handsome, oval purple leaves all summer and silvery-purple clouds of seed heads in fall. It is subject to winter dieback. It is best in a protected location. It needs full sunlight. -Fort Collins Nursery

Using Water Wisely

An efficient watering system applies the right amount of water to the right parts of the garden at the right time. This conserves water and saves you money.

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