Hardy Garden
I’m frequently asked what I’d grow if I wanted color throughout the summer but had limited gardening time and wanted to think Xeriscape. Quite an order given the challenging conditions of the San Luis Valley.
The following table shows my selections: a variety of purchased plants (or cuttings), seeds, and bulbs. Let me know what you think. What would you add/delete?
You don't need to plant all of these! This table gives suggestions for types and all-season color.
GOOD SOIL: The first requirement is to make sure you have good soil – not just dirt! I find much of the soil/dirt in my yard becomes very compacted, so I dig at least 10 inches deep and mix in compost, peat moss, and possibly soil conditioner and some good potting soil. Some sources suggest only scratching the soil surface before sowing ‘wild flower’ type seeds so that you don’t bring up weed seeds. I don’t find this works for me.
MONTH | Click names for details | |||||
Common Name | Blossom Color |
Category | Height | Source | Scientific Name(s) | |
APRIL: Often this month is very cold, but a few things tend to bloom. | ||||||
Bulbs, short (more coming) Iris, Danfordiae |
Yellow |
Bulb |
6 in. |
bulbs |
||
Bulbs, Daffodil tete-a-tete | Yellow |
Bulb |
6 in. |
bulbs |
||
Phlox, Creeping: Lavender is hardiest |
Lavender | Groundcover - Perennial | 4 - 6 in | nursery stock, divisions |
phlox stolonifera | |
MAY: Hope springs eternal! The start of summer – a few flowers start blooming | ||||||
Alyssum, Gold Dust |
Yellow | Groundcover - Perennial | 4 - 6 in | nursery stock | aurinia saxatillis | |
Aster, Alpine |
White | Groundcover - Perennial | 4 - 6 in | nursery stock, divisions |
aster ? | |
Cushion spurge: clump-forming herbaceous perennial |
Yellow | Perennial | 1/2 - 2 ft. | nursery stock, transplants, cuttings, |
euphorbia polychroma | |
Flax, Blue |
Blue | Perennial | 1-2 ft. | nursery stock, transplants, self seeds |
linum lewisii | |
Poppies, California |
Yellow- orange |
Annual | 6-12 in. | nursery stock, seeds, self seeds |
eschscholzia californica | |
Poppies, Icelandic : |
Yellow, orange |
Perennial | 8-14 in. | nursery stock, transplants, self seeds |
papaver nuudicaule | |
Soapwort : |
Pink | Perennial | 6-16 in. | nursery stock, divisions, self seeds |
saponaria ocymoides | |
JUNE: | ||||||
Asters, Early: |
Blue | Perennial | 10-15 in. | nursery stock, divisions |
aster alpinus 'Goliath' | |
Blanket Flower |
Yellow- red |
Perennial | 10-30 in. | nursery stock, seeds, divisions, self seeds |
gaillardia | |
Columbine: |
Blue, yellow, red, burgundy |
Perennial | 1-3 ft. | nursery stock, self seeding, transplants |
aquilegia species | |
Penstemon: |
Blue, pink | Perennial | 2 ft. | nursery stock, divisions, self seeding, seeds |
penstemon strictus | |
Poppies, Oriental: |
Orange, red | Perennial | 2ft. | nursery stock, |
papaver oriental | |
Poppies, Shirley |
Pink, red, white |
Annual | 10-24 in. | seeds, |
papaver rhoeas | |
Sage, Midnight |
Purple | Perennial | 18 in. | nursery stock, divisions, self seeding |
salvia nemorosa | |
Snow in Summer |
White | Groundcover- Perennial |
4-10 in. | nursery stock, divisions |
cerastium tomentosum | |
JULY: Many June flowers continue into July | ||||||
Calendula |
Orange | Annual | 6-18 in. | nursery stock, seeds, self seeds |
calendula officinalis | |
Coneflower, Purple |
Purple | Perennial | 18-40 in. | nursery stock, divisions, transplants |
echinacea purpurea | |
Daisy, Shasta: |
White | Perennial | 1-2 ft. | nursery stock, divisions, seeds |
chyrsanthemum maximum | |
Lily, Stella D’oro |
Yellow | Perennial | 12-18 in. | nursery stock, divisions |
hemerocallis stella d'oro | |
Sedum, creeping/low: |
Yellow | Groundcover- Perennial |
2-4 in. | nursery stock, divisions |
sedum ybridum | |
AUGUST: Many July flowers continue into August | ||||||
Asters, Tall Fall |
Lavender, Rose |
Perennial | 1-4 ft. | nursery stock, self seeds |
aster ? | |
Daisy, Gloriosa |
Yellow, Yellow-red |
Perennial | 1-2 ft. | nursery stock, seeds, self seeds |
rudbeckia hirta | |
Sedum, Autumn Joy | Rose | Perennial | 15-18 in. | nursery stock, division |
sedum telephium 'autumn joy' | |
Yarrow, Tall | Yellow | Perennial | 2-5 ft. | nursery stock, division |
achillea filipendulina | |
SEPTEMBER: Many August flowers continue into September if weather is mild | ||||||