Plants
2. Donkey Tail(Sedum morganianum)Donkey tail, also called burro’s tail, was made for hanging containers. The stems are lined with tightly packed, fat gray-green leaves that can reach 4 feet in length, giving the plant its common name. Use it as a single plant or let it drape over the edges of a mixed container. S. burrito, sometimes sold as S. ‘Burro’, is slightly fatter, while the giant donkey tail, which may be sold as S. orpetti, has slightly shorter stems with thicker leaves.Because donkey tail stores water in its leaves, choose a sturdy container and hang it securely so its weight won’t be a problem.
19. Shell-Leaf Penstemon(Penstemon grandiflorus)Drought-tolerant shell-leaf penstemon bridges the gap between spring and summer plants, as its 2- to 3-foot-tall flower spikes welcome hummingbirds and some bees to the garden. Its 2-inch-long flowers are some of the largest in the genus and look best when planted with grasses or prairie-style plants. Bloom season: Spring to summerCold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8)Origin: Native from Texas and New Mexico north to Montana and east through Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana and MichiganWater requirement: Medium to dry soilLight requirement: Full sunWhen to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be put in from late spring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through winter.See how to grow shell-leaf penstemon
18. Mexican Bush Sage(Salvia leucantha)Drought-tolerant Mexican bush sage adds bold, lush color to more arid landscapes, with dramatic purple flower spikes topping a bush that reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. This deer-resistant shrub welcomes butterflies and hummingbirds to its flowers from spring through fall. Bloom season: Spring to fallCold tolerance: Hardy to 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9 to minus 7 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)Origin: MexicoWater requirement: Drought-tolerant once establishedLight requirement: Filtered sunWhen to plant: Spring or fall See how to grow Mexican bush sage
17. Bigleaf Hydrangea(Hydrangea macrophylla)Growing in colors that range from blue to baby pink and purple, bigleaf hydrangea is a garden staple in cottage or traditional-style gardens, but it can find a place in garden spaces of all styles. Reaching 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, shrubs produce long-lasting blooms from summer to fall. Bloom season: Summer to fall Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 28.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)Origin: JapanWater requirement: RegularLight requirement: Partial shade or full sun in the morningWhen to plant: Spring to early summer or in fallSee how to grow bigleaf hydrangea
14. Garden Hyacinth(Hyacinthus orientalis)Cold-winter gardens rejoice the upcoming arrival of spring when garden hyacinth’s showy flowers and sweet fragrance fill the gardens. These bulbs grow well in containers, naturalized with other spring-blooming bulbs or even forced indoors. Caution: Hyacinth bulbs can cause an allergic reaction when handled, so wear gloves and wash hands after handling. The plants, particularly the bulbs, are also toxic to pets.Bloom season: Late winter to springCold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)Origin: Eastern Mediterranean for Dutch hybrids; southern France for Roman hyacinthsWater requirement: Regular while growing and bloomingLight requirement: Full sun; can handle partial shadeWhen to plant: Plant bulbs in fallSee how to grow grape hyacinth
5. Cleveland Sage(Salvia clevelandii)Southern California gardeners know the distinct herbal scent of Cleveland sage, as the plant grows wild in the native landscape. These deer-resistant pollinator-attractors stand 3 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide, doing well as a backdrop or landscape anchor plant. Their blue-purple flowers provide a nice contrast to warmer-hued California natives like California poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Bloom season: Spring through summerCold tolerance: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (zones 8 to 11)Origin: Southern California and northern Baja California, MexicoWater requirement: LowLight requirement: Full sun When to plant: Spring or fallSee how to grow Cleveland sage
Care. Give these mountain-area natives fast-draining soil and at least six hours of bright, direct sunlight. Their color may fade with less light. They do best in temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18.3 to 23.9 degrees Celsius, during the day but can handle very cold temperatures at night. Water sparingly, allow the container to drain completely and let the soil dry out between waterings (water again if the plant shows signs of shriveling). Feed with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer at one-quarter strength four times during spring and summer. The mother plant will die off in four to six years, but you can easily repot the “chicks” once they appear to start new plants. Tip: Echeveria elegans and echeveria hybrids are also sold as hen-and-chicks. They’re very similar in looks and can be given the same care.
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