Water-Wise Landscape for the Southwest

Use this plan and plant list to create an earth-friendly entry garden that conserves and recycles rainwater.

Filed under: Eco-Friendly, Plants, Grass, Groundcovers, Shrubs

Use this plan for a space measuring about 28 feet wide. Below is a site plan adapted to a 50-foot-wide area.

Plant List

A. Bladderpod (Isomeris arborea)
Alternative: Purple ceniza (Leucophyllum candidum 'Thunder Cloud')
or other medium shrub 3 to 5 feet tall

B. Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Alternative: Other evergreen, drought-tolerant accent shrub

C. Mexican feather grass (Nasella tenuissima)
Alternative: Other ornamental grass or grass-like plant, one to 2 feet tall

D. Orange hummingbird mint (Agastache aurantica)
Alternative: Sunset hyssop (Agastache rupestris) or other flowering herbaceous plant, 2 to 3 feet tall

E. Hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea)
Alternative: Other flowering herbaceous plant, one to 2 feet tall

F. Mojave verbena (Verbena gooddingii)
Alternative: Mojave aster (Xylorhiza orcuttii), Dorri sage (Salvia dorrii) or other flowering groundcover, 6 to 12 inches tall

G. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Alternative: Other tough, small groundcover, 2 to 4 inches tall

H. Mat penstemon (Penstemon caespitosus)
Alternative: Dwarf white zinnia (Zinna acerosa) or other moisture-tolerant herbaceous plant