Colorful Perennials

Ozark Coneflower

Summer is almost here, and with it is a nice colorful landscape thanks to a variety of perennials I planted over the past couple of fall seasons, which happens to be the best time for planting here in the High Desert. Perennials are a great addition to the landscape because they come back year after year so there is no need to replant every year like you have to do with annuals. Many perennials die back to the ground during the cold winter and resprout in the spring, while others may simply lose their leaves during the winter, and still others may continue to bloom nearly all year.

If you are looking to put in a few perennials come fall, spend some of the summer doing some research and planning on exactly what you want.

Angelina Stonecrop

There is wide array of perennial plants to choose from, even varieties that thrive in our High Desert climate. They come in many shapes and sizes, leaf colors, flowers, and many attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. By researching what plants you want; it is possible to create a perennial garden that has something blooming nearly all year.

Blanket Flower

One of the books I enjoy on the subject is, "Perennials for the Southwest" by Mary Irish. It offers information about plants that flourish in arid climates. The author clearly recognizes that there are different climates throughout the Southwest and divides them into three distinct zones, our area being considered a mid-elevation desert that is extremely arid with hot summers and cold winters.

The book has a section on designing with perennials, which can be very helpful with visualizing how a selection of perennial will actually look in a landscape setting, and helps to plan for year-round color.

Another chapter goes over the care of perennials such as how to manage the soil, when to plant, pruning, pests and beneficial insects, and everything in between.

Autumn Sage

The best part of the book – plant descriptions – encompasses nearly two thirds of the book. It features a plethora of perennial species along with numerous color photos, and descriptions of when they bloom, mature size and form, what type of sun exposure they prefer, their cold hardiness, and suggestions for incorporating them into the landscape.

This great book can be purchased online at

http://www.timberpress.com/books/perennials_southwest/irish/9780881927610, from Amazon, or in bookstores.

Agastache neomexicana

Among my favorite perennials are penstemons, sages/salvias, blanket flowers, day lilies, society garlic, cone flowers, coral bells, Angelita daisies, Agastache, cone flowers, and bee balm, just to name a few. Most are not too difficult to find. On one visit to The Living Desert in Palm Desert, I was able to find a huge selection of desert-friendly perennials at their nursery. It's a great place for purchasing otherwise hard-to-find desert adaptive plants. Some of our local nurseries carry a number of common perennials. One of my favorite online nurseries is HighCountryGardens.com.

Purple Coneflower

Remember when making selections, make sure the plants will handle the High Desert climate by reading their descriptions, tags, labels or signs. If in doubt, check with the Western Garden Book. Remember the High Desert is generally in Sunset Zones 10/11 or U.S.D.A. Zone 8b.

Day Lily

Angelita Daisy

Salvia