Notes: Click on the column headings to sort the table. The first click sorts the column into ascending order; the second click sorts in reverse order.
Common names link to external pages with pictures and further descriptions of plants. Links are to non-commercial sites only. Additional information about a plant may be available from the results of a general Web search. Plant and seed vendors want you to succeed in growing their plants as much as you do and often offer excellent advice for selecting and growing plants.
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Size | Water | Sun | Native? | Evergreen? | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achillea 'moonshine' | Moonshine Yarrow | 1.5' - 2' H 2' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennials - Flame resistant - Silver-gray foliage, deep yellow flowers | |
| Achillea filipendulina | Fernleaf Yarrow | 4-5'H 3'W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Deep green fernlike leaves - Bright yellow flowers - Several varieties | |
| Achillea millefolium | Common Yarrow | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Flame resistant - Many varieties of different colors - Spreads by underground runners | |
| Achillea serbica | Serbian Yarrow | 4" H 15" W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Flame resistant - Slow-growing mats of leaves covered with numerous white flowers | |
| Achillea X kellereri | Keller's Yarrow | 6" H 12 ' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Flame resistant - Large white flower clusters continue through summer | ||
| Agastache spp. | Agastache | 2-4' H & W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Check nursery for interesting hybrids and water requirements - Reblooms if deadheaded - Favorites with hummingbirds | ||
| Alyssum montanum | Mountain Gold Alyssum | 4"H 18""W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial or groundcover - Flame resistant - After blooming is finished, shear off the faded flowers just above the foliage and enjoy the texture of its low-growing gray-green mat of leaves | ||
| Alyssum wulfenianum | Alyssum | 1.5' W mound | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Prostrate & trailing with pale yellow flowers | ||
| Amorpha canescens | Leadplant | 2-4' H 3' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Prune to one foot in fall to increase flowers | ||
| Anacyclus depressus | Mount Atlas Daisy | 3" H 15" W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Silvery-gray foliage with white daisy flowers - Good plant for edging pathways | |
| Artemisia filifolia | Sand Sagebrush | 4' H 5' W | No to little water | Full sun | Perennial - Toxic, noticed primarily by people who suffer from allergies - From spring through fall, yellowish white flowers bloom - Many-branched shrub | ||
| Artemisia frigida | Fringed Wormwood | 1.5' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Cut back as needed | |
| Artemisia spp. | Artemisia spp. | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Some Perennials & shrubs - Many species - Inquire at nursery for size, exposure and hardiness |
| Artemisia stellerana | Old Woman/Dusty Miller | 2.5' 'H 3'W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial | |
| Asclepias spp. | Milkweeds | See remarks | No to little water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennials or vines - Some - Toxic, all parts of many Asclepias species are poisonous if ingested - Height and width vary by species | |
| Asclepias tuberosa | Butterfly Weed | 3' H 1' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Toxic, all parts of many Asclepias species are poisonous if ingested - Long lasting cut flowers | |
| Aurinia saxatilis/Alyssum | Basket of Gold | 8-12" H mound | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Many varieties - Shear lightly to one half right after bloom | |
| Bahia absinthifolia | Bahia | 1' H & W | No water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Perennial, can be used as a groundcover - Shallow caliche soil OK - Fast growth rate - New plants volunteer readily |
| Baileya multiradiata | Desert Marigold | 1.5' H & 1' W | Little water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Annual or Perennial - Flame resistant - Short-lived, but freely reseeds |
| Berlandiera lyrata | Chocolate Flower | 1.5 - 3' H & W | Little water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Perennial - Shear seedheads lightly to encourage more bloom - Dry for winter bouquets |
| Callirhoe alcaeoides | Logan Calhoun | 6" H 18-24"W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Summer bloomer - White flowers | ||
| Callirhoe involucrata | Poppy Mallow | 5" H 24-30"W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Wine-red flowers with a white eye all summer - Good cascader | ||
| Calylophus spp. | Sundrops | 1.5 'H 2' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Some Perennial - Flame resistant - Prune just before spring growth begins - Flowers in spring and from late summer to late fall (actually into winter) | |
| Centaurea, Artemisia, Senecio spp. | Dusty Miller | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Annual, Perennial or Biennial - Common name given to many plants with lovely gray foliage - Height & width varies | |
| Centranthus ruber | Jupiter's Beard | 3' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Not fussy about growing conditions - Blooms late spring through summer | ||
| Chamaemelum nobile | Chamomile | 3-12" mat | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Small yellow button flowers - Useful between stepping stones | ||
| Conoclinium (Eupatorium) greggii | Mistflower 'Boothill' | 1.5 -2'H 1-3'W | Little water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - First found near Tombstone - Fluffy lavender flowers late spring to fall | |
| Coreopsis spp. | Coreopsis | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Annual and Perennial - Many species - Check with nursery for hardiness, size and interesting varieties | ||
| Cosmos spp. | Cosmos | See remarks | Moderate water | Full sun | Annual and Perennial - Several varieties from 1 to 7' H - Various colors | ||
| Dalea purpurea | Purple Prairie Clover | 18" H & W | Little to moderate water | Perennial | Marginal - Heavy summer bloomer | ||
| Delosperma spp. | Ice Plant | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial or Succulent - Flame resistant - Several species - Check with nurseries for size and hardiness | |
| Dianthus gratianopolitanus | Firewitch | 1' W mat | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial or ground cover - Gray-blue foliage, hot-pink flowers | ||
| Echinops spp. | Globe Thistle | 2-4' H 2' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Several species - Check with nursery - Excellent for dry arrangements | ||
| Erigeron spp. | Fleabane | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Yes | Some Perennial - Flame resistant - Check with nursery for sizes and hardiness |
| Eriogonum alberti | Albert's Buckwheat | 1.5' H 1'W | No water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial -Tiny pink flowers appear in clusters mid-summer through fall | |
| Eriogonum umbellatum | Sulfur Flower | 1.5' H 3' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Prune to shape when plants are young | ||
| Eriogonum wrightii | Wright's Buckwheat | 18" H 24" W | No to little water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Flammable - Tiny white or pink flowers appear in clusters midsummer through fall | |
| Erodium chrysanthum | Yellow Stork's Bill | 5" H 12"W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Late spring blooming - Primrose yellow flowers with lacy greeen foliage | ||
| Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | California Poppy | 8" H 1' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial often grown as an Annual - Flame resistant - Deep golden flowers in spring | |
| Euphorbia spp. | Euphorbia | See remarks | Little water | See remarks | Yes | Yes | Water requirements, exposure, and size vary by species - Some native - Some deciduous, some evergreen - Annual, perennial or biennual - Toxic, All euphorbias have a milky -white sap that is toxic on contact, including gopher plants and poinsettas - About 2000 species in genus - Only buy plant species that use moderate or less water - Can also be be trees or shrubs. |
| Evolvulus arizonicus | Arizona Blue Eyes | 1' H & 1' W | No water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial ground cover - Usually grown as an Annual | |
| Gaillardia spp. | Gaillardia | 2-4' H 1 1/2' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Some Annual or Perennial - Flame resistant - Height of the several species vary - Check with nursery | |
| Gaura lindheimeri | Gaura | 2-4' H 2-3' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Flame resistant - Several varieties - Remove seed-bearing spikes to improve appearance - Long bloom period | ||
| Gilia spp. | Gilia | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Some Annual - Check nursery for sizes - Flowers late spring to early fall | |
| Helianthus maximiliana | Sante Fe Helianthus | 6-8' H 4' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Annual or Perennial - Fall bloomer has large golden-yellow flowers - Grows in any soil | ||
| Heliomeris (Viguiera) spp. | Goldeneye | 3' H & 3' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Some Annual or Perennial - Cut back after bloom or before new growth begins - Can be grown from seed | |
| Hesperaloe parviflora | Red Yucca | 3 - 4 ' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Heat tolerant - Red flowers - There are yellow and yellow-red -flowered forms | |
| Kniphofia uvaria | Red Hot Poker | 3' H & W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Marginal - Easy to grow - Grasslike foliage - Red & yellow spikes in summer | ||
| Lavandula spp. | Lavender | See remarks | Moderate water | Full sun | Annual or Perennial - Flame resistant - Many species and varieties available - All are water wise, but some are not hardy in our zone - Check with nursery for hardiness and size | ||
| Limonium latifolium | Perennial Blue Statice | 30" H 24" W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Annual or Perennial - Airy summer bloomer with lavender-blue sprays - Good dried cut flower | ||
| Linum lewisii | Western Blue Flax | 3' H 1' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Annual or Perennial - Flame resistant - Easy to grow from seed - Hard to divide - Other linums OK | |
| Melampodium leucanthum | Blackfoot Daisy | 1' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - If straggly, cut back in fall - Grows best in decomposed granite | |
| Nepeta spp. | Catmint/Catnip | See remarks | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Great for attracting every cat in the neighborhood into your yard - Many varieties - Check for height, width and hardiness | ||
| Nolina matapensis | Tree Bear Grass | 10-25'H 10'W | Little water | Full sun | Perennial - Lush looking species - Allow ample space for growth | ||
| Nolina microcarpa | Bear Grass | 3'H 6'W | No to little water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial, but looks like a tall grass - Strong vertical silhouette - Good for dry landscapes - Handle carefully as it may cut your hand | |
| Oenothera spp. | Evening Primrose | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Flame resistant - Open during day - Stems die back in winter All except Oenothera elata hookeri OK for our area - Sizes variable, check with nursery | |
| Origanum spp. | Oregano | 2' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Usually Perennial - Marginal - Many species, some not hardy in our area - Check with nursery for exposure and hardiness - Culinary herb | ||
| Penstemon spp. | Penstemon | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Many natives - Perennial - Flame resistant - Over 250 species - Check nursery for size, hardiness and water requirements - If plants require regular water, then they are not recommended. | |
| Perovskia | Russian Sage | 3-4' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Flame resistant - Trim spent blossoms to extend bloom season - Several varieties | |
| Phemeranthus calycinum | Flame Flower | 8-12" H 5' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Long summer bloomer - Often goes dormant before first frost | ||
| Phlomis russeliana | Hardy Jerusalem Sage | 36" H 20" W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Yellow flowers, olive-green leaves | ||
| Phlox tenuifolia | Desert Phlox | 2' H & W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Mounded white flowers | |
| Psilostrophe spp. | Paper Flower | 18" H & W | No to little water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Perennial - Dried flowers can be used in arrangements |
| Ruschia calvinia pink | Shrubby Ice Plant | 18"H & W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Shrublet - Clear pink flowers - Winter foliage is purple | |
| Salvia chamaedryoides | Blue Sage | 1-2' H 2-3' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Marginal - Flame resistant - Deadhead to encourage rebloom | |
| Salvia sclarea | Clary Sage | 3-4' Flower Stalks & 2-3' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Biennial or Perennial - Flame resistant - Cutting stems before seeds form produces rebloom and may prolong plant's life | ||
| Scutellaria spp. | Prairie Skullcap | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Some Perennial - Neat mound of lavender-blue flowers in late spring - Check with nursery for size |
| Scutellaria x hybrid | Violet Cloud' | 6" H 15" W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Mounding habit - Water regularly first season | |
| Sedum spp. | Sedum/Stonecrop | See remarks | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Yes | Some Perennial - Flame resistant - Many species - Check nursery for sizes - Will not take foot traffic |
| Sempervivum tectorum | Hens and Chickens | 2-5"W rosettes | Little water | Partial shade | Yes | Perennial or Succulent - Water only to prevent shriveling | |
| Silene laciniata | Mexican Catchfly | 15" H & W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Summer blooming - Too much water after established will cause plant to get floppy | |
| Solidago spp. | Goldenrod | 1-3'H 2'W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Four native Solidago species in Cochise County - Perennial - Does not cause hay fever | |
| Sphaeralcea spp. | Globemallow | 2-4' H 1.5-3' W | No to little water | Full sun | Yes | Some Deciduous Perennial - Cut old stems almost to ground in spring - Many colors available | |
| Stachys byzantina | Lamb's Ears | 18" H | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial -Tongue-shaped woolly white leaves - Spreads by surface runners | |
| Stachys spp. | Stachys | Sizes vary | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Coccinea native in Cochise County - Not fussy about soil type - Needs good drainage | |
| Stanleya pinnata | Prince's Plume | 36"H 18"W | Little water | Full sun | Perennial - Clear yellow flowers - Cut off entire flower spike after blooming to fill out the plant | ||
| Tagetes lemmonii | Mountain Marigold | 3-6' H & W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Semi- or deciduous Perennial - Leaves fragrant when rubbed - Can flower all year- Cut back after heavy bloom - Can get frost damage |
| Tetraneuris acaulis | Angelita Daisy | 8" H 12' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial -1' stems - Daisy yellow flowers nearly all year in mild winter climates - Cut off faded flowers to prolong bloom | |
| Tetraneuris scaposa | Clustered Goldflower | 8"H 12"W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - 16" stems - Cut off faded flowers to prolong bloom | |
| Teucrium x lucidrys | Germander | 1' H 2' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Thin and cut back before spring growth begins - T. prostratum is four to six feet high and three or more feet wide | |
| Thymophylla spp. | Dyssodia (Includes Dogweeds,Dahlberg Daisy and Golden Fleece)) | 4"-1'H 4"-1.5'W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Yes | Perennial, some grown as Annuals - Mounds - Blooms summer to fall - When plants get ragged, pull them out - Can easily be started from seed |
| Thymus lanuginosus | Woolly Thyme | 2" H 18" W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Low maintenance variety with tiny, felted, gray leaves - Good for high traffic areas - | |
| Thymus spp. | Thyme | See remarks | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial, some grown as Annuals - Many species and varieties - Check water use and size - Small space groundcovers - Culinary herb | ||
| Verbascum olympicum | Mullein | 5' H 3' W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Soft downy-white leaves, bright yellow flowers | ||
| Verbena bipinnatifida | Verbena | 8-16"H 18"W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial or Groundcover - Some grown as Annuals -Flame resistant - Eight native verbenas in Cochise County - Fast-growing ground covers - Attractive in crevices and hanging baskets - V. bonariensis, V. gooddingii, V..x hortensis, V. peruviana | |
| Verbena peruviana | Verbena | 1'H 3'W | Moderate water | Full sun | Yes | Perennial - Pink, red, white or purple flowers - Spreads by above-ground runners | |
| Veronica incana | Silver Speedwell | 10" H 15" W | Moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Blooms late spring, but will keep flowering all summer if deadheaded | ||
| Veronica orientalis | Oriental Speedwell | 8" H 18" W | Moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - Compact mounds of gray-green foliage, deep blue flowers | ||
| Viguiera stenoloba | Skeletonleaf Goldeneye | 3' H & W | No to little water | Full sun/partial shade | Yes | Perennial - Differs in both culture & foliage from other desert plants - Can be utilized in medians, parking lot parking strips, and planter boxes | |
| Zauchneria californica latifolia | Hardy Hummingbird Trumpet/California Fuschia | 1.5' H 2' W | Little to moderate water | Full sun | Perennial - 'Everett's Choice' is an improved variety - 'Arizonica' is 3' high and has bright orange flowers | ||
| Zexmenia hispida | Zexmenia | 2-3' H & W | Little to moderate water | Full sun/partial shade | Perennial - Can lose leaves in cold winters | ||
| Zinnia grandiflora | Prairie Zinnia | 4"H 15"W | No to little water | Full sun | Yes | Annual or Semi-Annual in our zone - Late summer bloomer - Can be difficult to grow |
