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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Drought-tolerant plants can still bring bloom

Blanket Flowers are one of the easiest perennials to grow. This is the Fanfare cultivar. Special to  (SUSAN MULVIHILL Special to / The Spokesman-Review)

Xeriscaping is landscaping with drought-tolerant plants in order to conserve water.

If visions of cactus are what come to mind, rest assured that your choices aren’t limited at all. There are plenty of plants that bloom in amazing colors and have attractive foliage.

Let’s look at some of the best drought-tolerant perennials for the Inland Northwest:

Achillea (Yarrow) – These tough plants are deer-resistant and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Flower colors include cream, yellow, pale pink, peach and paprika red. They reseed very easily so be sure to deadhead them regularly.

Agastache (Mexican Hyssop, Hummingbird Mint) – With its narrow gray-green leaves and cool flower spikes, this plant is a great addition to the landscape. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Flower colors include peach, lavender, deep rose, blue and purple. They grow to a height of 2 to 4 feet and bloom from midsummer until it frosts.

Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) – The cultivars have white, yellow or orange flower clusters which attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The plants grow to about 2 feet tall and their long, strap-like leaves are attractive.

Coreopsis (Tickseed) – Most gardeners are familiar with the cheery yellow flowers of this plant, but newer cultivars include flowers that are pink with red centers.

Dianthus (Pinks) – Resembling miniature carnations, these small plants have grey foliage and flowers with a spicy, clove-like fragrance. There are a lot of wonderful cultivars available, including ‘Strawberry Sorbet,’ ‘Coconut Punch’ and ‘Rosy Cheeks.’

Echinacea (Coneflower) – In past years, only pink or white cultivars were available but now there ones with yellow, green, orange or ruffled flowers.

Coneflowers grow in full sun to part shade, prefer well-drained soil and grow to a height of about 3 feet. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love them.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) – How can you beat a plant that flowers profusely in bright colors, attracts butterflies and is deer- and rabbit-resistant?

It prefers sun or part shade and grows 1 to 2 feet tall. Great cultivars include ‘Frenzy,’ ‘Fanfare,’ ‘Arizona Sun,’ ‘Oranges and Lemons’ and ‘Burgundy.’

Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower) – If a plant could be called perky, this is it. Growing as tall as 10 feet, the plants are covered with bright yellow flowers all summer long.

Heuchera (Alumroot, Coral Bells) – The plant hybridizers have been busy in the past few years, providing us with a wealth of these delightful plants that are prized for their foliage.

More recent color introductions include plum, peach, chartreuse, mahogany and a very dark bronze. Most plants are less than 2 feet in height, and they prefer part shade and well-drained soil.

Penstemon (Beardtongue) – It’s hard to believe a plant with such delicate flowers could be drought-tolerant. Colors include purple, dusty rose, scarlet and deep pink. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.

Perovskia (Russian Sage) – This plant has become very popular in recent years owing to its tall gray-green stems topped with deep-blue flower spikes. Mature height is 3 to 4 feet.

Salvia ‘May Night’ (Meadow Sage) – This cultivar is very easy to grow. The plants are 18 to 24 inches tall and have violet-blue flower spikes.

Other drought-tolerant perennials that are worth considering include Echinops (Globe Thistle), Helenium (Sneezeweed), Lavandula (Lavender ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’), Stachys (Lamb’s Ear) and Sedum (Stonecrop ‘Autumn Joy’).

Susan Mulvihill can be reached via e-mail at inthegarden@live.com.