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Introducing Xeriscaping
 
Trees
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Shrubs
  Evergreen
  Perennial
    L - Z

Color Perennials

  A - C
  D - L
  M - S
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Grasses, Groundcovers
& Vines

ZiaScapes - Xeric Plant Guide

Perennial Shrubs A - K


Althea, Rose of Sharon Red
Rose of Sharon is valued for large flowers in mid-to late Summer.  Prune in late winter or early spring.  Frequent, severe pruning gives less but large flowers and little pruning produces many small flowers.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 12 feet
Width 10  feet
Drought Tolerance Medium


 


Apache Plume
This is one of the showiest of our native shrubs. Everblooming with white, five-petaled flowers, Apache Plume really stands out when the pink, silky plumed seed heads are formed and cover the tips of the branches for many months. Striking when underplanted with low growing ground cover junipers.

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 4 feet
Width 4 feet
Drought Tolerance Extremely High




 


Barberry, Rose Glow
This deciduous shrub is variety of the Red Leaf Barberry with attractive variegated foliage.  Rose-red maturing to maroon.  Fruit is red. Best color in the sun.  Makes for an interesting colored hedge.  Prune after flowering.

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 4 feet
Width 4 feet
Drought Tolerance Extremely High



 


Bluebeard, Blue Mist

An attractive compact, mounding shrub with fragrant powder blue blooms. It has a long blooming season.  This plant creates a wonderful border for perennial beds, or use along walks and entryways.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 2 - 4 feet
Width 3 - 4 feet
Drought Tolerance High



 


Bluebeard, Dark Knight

"Dark Knight" has a deep blue bloom with a compact, upright growth habit. Blooms heavily throughout the summer. It makes an excellent foundation planting. One of our favorite small perennial shrubs with a variety of uses.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Loam, well drained
Height 3 - 4 feet
Width 3 - 4 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate



 


Broom, Royal Gold

A compact broom with a profusion of yellow blossoms in the late spring and early summer. Goes well with Russian Sage. Deadheading will encourage longer blooming. Foilage is denser than Spanish Broom.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 2 - 3 feet
Width 3 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate



 


Broom, Spanish

The Spanish Broom has very fragrant bright yellow flowers,  for a long period from spring to mid-summer.  The erect, bright green stems are rounded (rush-like) and mainly leafless.   The stems branch off at the top, ending with flowering clusters on leafless racemes. When ripe, the pods open abruptly, ejecting the seeds.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 4 feet
Width 6 feet
Drought Tolerance High




 


 Burning  Bush

This shrub is one of the great beauties of the autumn season. It is distinguished by vibrant scarlet foliage and small red-orange fruit in the fall as well as unusual corky "wings" which flare out along its branches. It is effective used in mass plantings, in a shrub border, as an accent plant or as a neat attractive hedge.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 10 - 12 feet
Width 10 -12 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate




 


Butterfly Bush, Blue

Upright Buddleia of pure blue. Vigorous, long lasting cut flower. Commonly known as the Butterfly Bush. Tiny individual flowers are produced in profusion in long, dense trusses.  Lightly scented, Buddleias are very attractive to butterflies.  Blooms June till frost.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 4 - 5 feet
Width 6 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate



 


Butterfly Bush, Dark Knight
The Black Knight Butterfly Bush is a vigorous growing shrub that boasts dark purple flowers from mid-summer to early fall and is easy to grow. Butterflies and bees will flock to the honey-scented blossoms whose dilute nectar is sweetest in midday sun.  Plant near a path or patio and the shrub will provide a delightful scent.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 2 - 3 feet
Width 4 to 5 feet
Drought Tolerance High
 

 


Butterfly Bush, Honeycomb
This incredible new introduction from Holland is a great improvement on older yellow-flowered cultivars.  This flower blooms all summer long with very fragrant orange-eyed deep yellow flowers.  Honeycomb performs very well in sunny, hot places.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 6 - 8 feet
Width 6 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate
 


 


Butterfly Bush, Nanho Purple
Deciduous shrub with arching branches. Purple-red flowers in summer. Lighter fragrance, draws butterflies. Prune back to ground in winter for better spring growth. These show up a little late in the spring.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 5 feet
Width 5 feet
Drought Tolerance High
 


 


Butterfly Bush, Petite Plum
Spectacular summer color from slender flower spikes of lilac-blue. Showy flowers attract butterflies. Useful dwarf form perfect as an accent plant or border. Removal of spent flower spikes during the growing season will encourage additional bloom, but consider leaving final blooms in place to facilitate reseeding.
 

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 5 feet
Width 5 feet
Drought Tolerance High
 


 


Butterfly Bush, Pink Delight
Graceful gray-green foliage arches with flowers from summer into fall. The common name aptly describes this garden beauty. It is sleepy, not waking up until late spring, but it is worth the wait. Flowers form on current growth.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 2 - 3 feet
Width 4 to 5 feet
Drought Tolerance High
 


 


Butterfly Bush, Royal Red
Royal Red" is one of the best Butterfly Bush varieties, valued for its vigor, heavy flowering habit and its intense, deeply colored flowers. Nice deep green foliage too.
 

Exposure

Full Sun
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 6 - 8 feet
Width 5 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate
 


 


Butterfly Bush, Silver Fountain
A small tree or large shrub that does well in a variety of soils and sites. The lavender to violet flowers are produced for several weeks in high spring, making this a centerpiece of the Garden. The foliage is blue gray or sometimes silver, and very finely textured.
 

Exposure

Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 12 - 15 feet
Width 10 - 12 feet
Drought Tolerance High



 


Cliff Rose
This plant does well on dry rocky hillsides among sagebrush.  It has fragrant white flowers and blooms all through the spring and summer.  It is also semi-evergreen.
 

Exposure

Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 5 feet
Width 4 - 10  feet
Drought Tolerance High



 


Forsythia, Beatrix Farrand
The highlight of the spring garden with its profusion of yellow flowers that appear on graceful, arching branches just before the leaves emerge.  Since a forsythia blooms on the previous year’s wood, flower buds that are not protected by snowcover during the winter can be damaged.  Forsythia can withstand heavy pruning after it is done blooming.

Exposure

Full Sun, partial shade
Soil Type Any, well drained
Height 8 - 10  feet
Width 10 - 12 feet
Drought Tolerance Moderate





 

At ZiaScapes we are dedicated to designing, installing and maintaining the finest Xeriscapes in New Mexico. We are very aware of the drought conditions that currently exist in our area and select our plants for their hardiness under these conditions. We also support the efforts of the Village of Ruidoso to conserve our most precious resource - our water.

If we can assist you with your landscaping needs, please call us at 575-336-4356.
There is no charge for your initial landscaping consultation.

Visit our Nursery & Demo Gardens
1110 State Highway 48
Alto, NM 88312
575-336-7674
www.ziascapes.com

E-mail us at sales@ziascapes.com