Check out any of your local nurseries, and you’ll find lots of choices right now for colorful perennials that bloom in summer. There are some great options for South Valley gardens that are low water users once established.
Here are two resources to help you decide which plants will work best in your garden:
UC-Davis Arboretum All-Stars (‪arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum_all_stars.aspx‬) includes 100 plants that are recommended by the horticultural staff of UC-Davis Arboretum. They were selected because they thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate and are tough, low-maintenance, and attractive for most of the year.
The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County Water Wise Garden, located at the Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, includes native and non-native ornamental plants that thrive in our summer-dry climate and clay soil without a lot of extra work. Many of the plants on the following list have been grown in the Water Wise Garden. Check out their favorite plants in the Drought Information section of our website, mastergardeners.org/scc.‬ You can learn about specific sun/shade requirements and other useful information to help make your plant selections.
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African Daisy
Many varieties of African Daisy bloom during the summer. Some of my current favorites include Arctotis Pumpkin Pie for a bright orange pop, or Arctotis Pink Sugar with its pale, shell pink blooms. The soft grey leaves look good even when the plants are not in bloom.
California Fuchsia
There are a number of cultivars of the California native Epilobium, and all of them are hummingbird magnets. The Water Wise Garden is growing Epilobium Select Matteole; it’s a compact grower and doesn’t spread. In my own garden, I’ve planted Epilobium Everett’s Choice.
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon Margarita BOP is a very reliable, long-blooming California native. It was selected as a UC-Davis All-Star because it does well in average garden conditions.
Monkey Flower
Mimulus is a California native with a wide range of colors including white, yellow, orange, red and maroon. Hummingbirds are frequent visitors. I’m a fan of Mimulus Curious Orange, the yellow Mimulus Pamela, and Mimulus bifidus White. There are many new cultivars on the market. It’s tough to choose just one.
Red Hot Poker
Kniphofias are great for a vertical accent in the garden. I’m partial to the smaller varieties and am currently growing Kniphofia Creamsicle, with orange and creamy yellow flower spikes.
Yarrow
Achillea Moonshine is a bright yellow, reliable mid-summer bloomer. Yarrow is a visited by both butterflies and beneficial insects, which is a great reason to plant it. California natives Achillea Island Pink or the white flowering Achillea Sonoma Coast are also good options.
Be smart about watering your new plants. At the water-wise demonstration garden, new plants are hand-watered once a week for the first year, then every two weeks the following year. Once plants are established (about three years), they are watered once every three weeks in late spring, summer and fall using a drip irrigation system.
Even in drought conditions, you can have a beautiful garden. UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County are your resource for learning how to do that. Check out our website for ongoing updates, attend our classes, and learn from and with us about how to help your garden thrive.
Janet Enright is a UCCE Master Gardener, Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional, and QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) certified professional. Call the group’s hotline at (408) 282-3105, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or visit https://www.mastergardeners.org/ask-a-question for help with your garden problems.
