Shrubs

Dainty looking but durable dwarf selection with purple flowers. This is a dwarf selection of Mexican Ruellia found in a batch of seedlings at a nursery, years ago in Conroe, TX. ‘Katie’ is a vigorous, herbaceous small mounding plant that eventually form woody stems. They have long soft, linear dark green somewhat ruffled, dagger-shaped leaves. Stems grow in a well-behaved mound to about 10 in. tall, rarely to 1 ft. The trumpet-shaped flowers are violet purple and hug the top of the plant. Heat and drought tolerant as others are, but they do appreciate well-drained soils and a bit of extra moisture during summers in low deserts. Plants can be cut down to the ground to refresh their foliage or if they suffer from winter freezes. Easy to grow and long-blooming.

Durable naturally rounded desert evergreen shrubs. Light green, oval leaves against light gray to white stems highlight the native, heat tolerant nature of this tough landscape plant. They form short trumpet-shaped purple to blue flowers mostly in spring, but they can flower during the entire growing season. They have low water needs, but regular consistent water keeps the foliage looking lusher as does growing in shade. Even though they can tolerate shade they tend to grow more open and leggier with fewer flowers. They are considered clean enough for pool or patio plantings, and they make good solitary specimens as well as informal hedges. Their durability and adaptability make them a great choice for clients who need tough low desert plants that require little to no maintenance, whether that is for a residential or commercial project.

Astonishing performer in harsh conditions. Woody but herbaceous looking plants that form sizable dense mounds of bright green leaf-less stems that become covered with masses of red to orange tubular flowers from spring to fall. They are drought tolerant, but as with other tropical plants they will perform best with some additional summer moisture in low desert landscapes. Their sprawling graceful habit makes them well suited for planters, raised beds, spilling over walls or other hardscape elements, especially around the pool or patio. They also work well in containers or hanging baskets. Although they bloom best in full sun, they will still push some blooms in a half day of sun. Hummingbirds cannot resist the masses of red flowers.  Plants can be cut back hard if frozen or to refresh their foliage. This should be done in late winter to early spring, otherwise little to no maintenance is required.

This magnificent drought-tolerant perennial is native to the coastal chaparral regions of California, where it thrives on rocky slopes and basks in the sun. This is herbaceous to shrubby large perennial with soft, oval gray-green aromatic leaves. The spring-to-summer violet-blue flowers form in whorls on tall open spires that can grow a foot tall. Bees and butterflies adore the blooms. Moderate to low water use plants. They appreciate water in the summer but require little during the fall and winter months. Once flowers are spent, old stalks can be removed. Tolerant of heat, but do require well-drained soils. With its adaptability to different garden styles and low-maintenance nature, Cleveland Sage is a resilient choice that brings an enchanting touch of the wild to any landscape.

Durable, low, bright flowered shrubs. Autumn sage blooms best during the later part of the year, presenting a symphony of color. Woody, small growing shrubs have bright to dark green round leaves that make the plant look soft and herbaceous. Flowers are borne on spires above the foliage. Many different cultivars, including magenta pink, red, white, coral, and purple. (Although purple flowered types are most often a different species) Although native to Texas and Mexico, they’re happier with filtered light or dappled shade. In low deserts, they can tolerate full sun exposure but must be watered well if fully exposed, especially in summer. Branches are brittle, so be gentle planting and doing light pruning in late winter to early spring.

Durable, low bright flowered shrubs. Autumn sage blooms best during the later part of the year. Woody, small growing shrubs have bright to dark green round leaves that make the plant look soft and herbaceous. Flowers are borne on spires above the foliage. Many different cultivars or selections exist that have been primarily selected for specific flower colors. Offerings include standard magenta pink, red, white, coral and purple. (Although purple flowered types are most often a different species) In their natural habitat, these plants occur under the dripline of larger evergreen shrubs or trees like mesquite or Acacia sp. where they’re happy with filtered light or dappled shade. In low deserts they can tolerate full sun exposure, but they are no longer considered low-water use plants in hell-strip environments. They must be watered well if they are fully exposed, especially in summer in low deserts. Branches are brittle, so be gentle planting and when doing light pruning in late winter to early spring.

Graceful, soft sprawling floriferous evergreen shrub. Leaves are a few inches long, linear, and velvety green. Stems gray-green to white upright but arching to form a 3-4 ft. tall mounding plant. Flowers on spires above the foliage are velvety purple with a white noticeably protruding corolla that offers a special textural and colorful effect. Easy maintenance and Mediterranean preferences such as some water in summer and hardly any in fall and winter. This salvia benefits from having old, flowered-out stems selectively removed during the growing season with a bigger cut back at end of winter, early spring as soon as new growth emerges.  Works well in Tuscan designs with evergreens or yuccas, or blended with other desert and tropical plants with similar watering requirements. They can tolerate some shade but bloom best in morning sun and afternoon shade.

Tough, woody evergreen native shrubs. Jojobas are the Sonoran Desert native durable woody shrubs. Their leathery, olive green leaves are consistently pointed ovals, softer when new becoming thicker as they mature. They are not native to China as their species name suggests. Plants are dioecious, meaning male and female plants are separate. The flowers on either are not impressive but properly cross-pollinated female flowers form drooping, acorn-like pods that contain the seed, which is prized for its oil. These woody slow growing plants prefer full hot sun, but immature plants will accept some shade from nurse plants in the wild. Like other native shrubs, well-drained soil is important for their establishment and longevity. They work well with any other native, drought tolerant plants for foundations, accents, or informal hedges. They are clean and considered very low maintenance. Please give them adequate space to grow, as they lose much of their natural appeal when they are sheared into geometric shapes, as most native or drought adaptable shrubs do.

Gray-green floriferous perennial shrubs. Triangular gray-green pubescent foliage grows on vertical stems from basal woody clumps. Wild native plants are summer deciduous, in urban landscapes plants are evergreen, but can be shorter lived. In spring to summer bright orange 1 in. mallow blooms occur on 2/3 of every stem making a bright and striking flower display. They require water to get established but can eventually exist on rainfall alone but will go dormant during the heat of low desert summers unless they are provided periodic water. Globe mallow shows up in mixed grasslands, rocky slopes, washes, and roadsides in association with virtually every other type of native plant. They work well as flowering accent plants with ocotillos, cacti, yuccas and Agave sp. Since they establish and grow fast, planting them periodically year to year will ensure some will always be there blooming if some do peter out.