Top 30 Low-Water Use Perennials

There is an almost endless list of low-water-use perennial flowering plants that do well in desert gardens and in soils that are lean and sandy. These are my top 30 choices, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many, many more plants that will thrive in your desert garden. Many of these plants will grow in better soils, but most of them have adapted themselves to desert, arid and semi-arid conditions.

The list here includes plants ranging from several inches high to several feet high. Their scientific name and mature heights and widths are included.

Fragrant sand verbena, Abronia fragrans, 1.5′ high X 3′ wide.

Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, 1.5′ high X 6-8 inches wide.

Blue Star, Amsonia spp. , 2′ high X 1′ wide.

Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberose, 2′ high X 2′ wide.

Chocolate daisy, Berlanderia lyrata, 2′ high X 1′ wide.

Desert marigold, Baileya multiradiata, 1.5′ high X 1′ wide.

Sundrops, Calylophus hartwegii, 1′ high X 3′ wide.

Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja integra, 1.5′ high X six inches wide.

Blue Mist, Conoclinium gregii, 3′ high X 2′ wide.

Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata, 2′ high X 1′ wide.

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpera, 3′ high X 1′ wide.

Cutleaf daisy, Engelmannia pinnatifida, 3′ high X 2′ wide.

Spreading fleabane daisy, Erigeron divergens, 1.5′ high X 2′ wide.

Western Wallflower, Erysimum capitatum, 3′ high X 1′ wide.

Siberian Wallflower, Erysimum hieracifolium, 1.5′ high X 1′ wide.

Red Indian Blanket, Gaillardia amblyodon, 1′ high X 2′ wide.

Blanket Flower (Firewheel), Gaillardia spp. , 1′ high X 1′ wide.

Golden Aster, Heterotheca villosa, 1.5′ high X 1.5′ wide.

Gayfeather, Liatris punctata, 3′ high X 1′ wide.

Blue Flax, Linum lewisii, 2′ high X 1′ wide.

Plains Penstemon, Penstemon ambiguous, 4′ high X 3′ wide.

Scarlet Bugler, Penstemon barbatus, 2′ high X 2′ wide.

Canyon Penstemon, Penstemon pseudospectabilis, 3′ high X 2′ wide.

Blue Sage, Salvia farinaceae, 1.5′ high X 1′ wide.

Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha, 4′ high X 4′ wide.

Globe Mallow, Sphaeralcea sp. , 3′ high X 5′ wide.

Mountain Marigold, Tagetes lemmonii, 3′ high X 3′ wide.

Angelita Daisy, Tetraneuriis acaulis, 1′ high X 1′ wide.

Hummingbird Trumpet, Zauschneria California, 2′ high X 3′ wide.

Rain Lily, Zephryanthus spp. , 1′ high X six inches wide.See also:

1. Top Low-Water-Use Desert Shrubs
2. Top Low-Water-Use Desert Trees