High + Dry

Stephen Rubin of Altman Plants in Vista, Calif., suggests the following:

Scientific name: Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'

Common name: 'Petite Butterfly' sweet pea shrub

Description: Continuously blooming, round and compact shrub with magenta to purplish pea-like flowers and gray-green foliage. Sweet pea shrub is a coastal species that tolerates dry cycles and seaside conditions. Once established, it can thrive on limited water in well-drained soil. Can be used as a long-lasting cut flower. Winter pruning is encouraged to maintain a desirable shape and plant vigor. It grows up to 2-3 feet high and 2-3 feet wide. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 9

Water usage: Occasional to medium

Scientific name: Hesperaloe parviflora

Common name: Red yucca

Description: Drought tolerant when established, this plant is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas into northeastern Mexico. The leathery long, narrow blue-green leaves have deep grooves and white fraying fibers along the margins, and winter temperatures sometimes turn the foliage slightly purple. In midsummer the clusters of rose-pink flowers are borne on tall red flower stalks to 5 feet. These flowers are quite attractive to hummingbirds. Plant in full sun or light shade in well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant but appreciates occasional irrigation in summer to encourage flowering. It grows to 3-4 feet high and 2-4 feet wide.

Hardiness: Zone 7

Water usage: Occasional (at most)

Scientific name: Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

Common name: 'Ascot Rainbow' spurge

Description: With this spurge, expect a stunning display of variegated narrow grayish-green leaves with yellow edges that change color as you progress up the stem of the plant. Upper leaves tend to yield a pink to reddish tinge in cooler weather. In warmer areas, year-round color will persist and change with the seasons. Will tolerate heat and drought and is deer and rabbit proof. Grows 18-24 inches high and wide.

Hardiness: Zone 6

Water usage: Occasional

For more: www.altmanplants.com

Left: Altman Plants

Leigh Schaffer of Village Nurseries in Orange, Calif., suggests the following:

Scientific name: Mahonia 'Soft Caress'

Common name: ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia

Description: Moderate-growing evergreen shrub, grows up to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide. This unique selection is a thornless variety that features slender, upright-growing branches clad with narrow, medium to dark-green, bamboo-like foliage that is ideal for adding a texture contrast to shadier parts of the garden. This attractive foliage is accented with upright-growing spikes of showy, bright-yellow flowers that create an eye-catching display from fall into winter. Adding further appeal to this unique variety are the large clusters of silvery-blue berries that appear after flowering. Well-suited as a foundation, border or mass planting and is a popular choice for Asian-themed gardens, as well as making a good containerized specimen. It prefers a rich, well-drained soil, and while this variety requires little water once fully established, ample water should be provided during its first initial year of growth. It thrives in a partial shade to shade exposure.

Hardiness: Zones 7a-11

Water use: Low water once established

Sunset Western
Garden Collection

Scientific name: Lomandra longifolia ‘Roma13’

Description: Evergreen, grass-like perennial with a low mounding habit. Soft green leaves banded in a cream white. It looks best in full sun to partial shade. Once established, it requires little water. Use as a slope groundcover, container specimen or in a mixed border. Very low maintenance.

Hardiness: Zones 8-10

Water use: Low water once established

TreeTown USA

Scientific name: Callistemon viminalis ‘Neon Pink’

Common name: Bottle Pop Neon Pink bottlebrush

Description: Fast-growing evergreen shrub, grows 5-6 feet tall and wide. This unique, pink-blooming variety features all the durability and splendor of its full-sized cousins, but in a more compact-growing, easier-to-manage size. Lance-shaped, grayish-green foliage is accented with abundant, bottlebrush-like, neon-pink flowers that appear throughout the warmer months of the year, or nearly year-round in mild climates. A favorite for bees and butterflies and makes a good cut flower. Floriferous and heat-loving, this attractive variety takes well to pruning and is well-suited as an accent, border or hedge, as well as making a good container specimen. It prefers a well-drained soil, requires little water once fully established, and thrives in a full sun exposure.

Hardiness: Zones 8-11

Water use: Low water once established

For more: www.villagenurseries.com