Tree
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A fast-growing tree with a graceful, airy form and fragrant, orchid-like blooms from late spring through fall that draw hummingbirds. Not a true willow, it is related to the trumpet vine family. Grows to about 15 to 25 feet tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first two summers, soaking the full root zone to help the deep taproot establish.
Established
Established desert willow often survives on rainfall alone in Sierra County; a deep soak once a month in the hottest stretch keeps the summer bloom going.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil and tolerates rocky or caliche ground once established.
Tree
Early bloomer
Wood mulch
A spiny, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that develops striking character as it ages, with white bark and bright yellow fall color. Female plants produce blue-black berries that feed birds. Grows to about 8 to 15 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to morning sun, afternoon shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first two summers, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks through summer once established. It naturally grows along washes, so it tolerates an occasional heavier soak better than the driest xeric shrubs.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil and tolerates rocky or caliche ground once established.
Tree
Early bloomer
Wood mulch
A tough, long-lived shade tree found along canyons and washes, with corky, ridged bark and rough, net-veined leaves. Small orange-red berries feed birds well into winter. Grows to about 20 to 30 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first two summers to help the taproot reach down past the surface soil.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during summer once established. As a wash-and-canyon native, it appreciates a little more consistency than true desert shrubs.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil and tolerates rocky or caliche ground once established.
Shrub
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A bushy, evergreen native shrub with a long bloom season of white rose-like flowers, followed by feathery, pink-tinged seed heads that persist through the season. Its extensive roots make it useful for erosion control. Grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer while the root system establishes.
Established
Established Apache plume often needs no supplemental water beyond our rainfall; an occasional deep soak during long dry stretches is plenty.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
Shrub
Late bloomer
Rock mulch
An iconic New Mexico shrub with silvery leaves that lights up roadsides and gardens with fragrant, gold blooms in late summer and fall, drawing in pollinators. Grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer while roots establish.
Established
Chamisa develops a deep taproot and rarely needs supplemental water once established, beyond what our rainfall provides.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
Shrub
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
An aromatic native shrub with delicate, fern-like foliage and cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that draw pollinators and serve as a host plant for butterflies. Grows to about 4 to 6 feet tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Fernbush adapts well to poor, dry soils once established. Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks in summer is generous — many established plants get by on less.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
Shrub
Early bloomer
Wood mulch
A native shrub with fragrant, tubular orange-red flowers that bloom over a long season and are a favorite stop for hummingbirds. Grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer to help it establish before its first bloom flush.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season. A bit more consistency than the driest shrubs helps keep the hummingbird blooms coming.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
Shrub
Late bloomer
Rock mulch
A native mint relative with rosy-pink, fragrant flower spikes that bloom from midsummer into fall, drawing hummingbirds and bees. Deer resistant. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer while roots establish.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season; a little extra water in the hottest weeks helps sustain its long bloom season.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
One of the earliest penstemons to bloom, sending up tall spikes of narrow scarlet flowers in spring, an important first nectar source for returning hummingbirds. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, tapering to little or none in winter. Let the soil dry well down between waterings — good drainage matters more than water for this one.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A slender, upright penstemon with scarlet-red tubular flowers from summer through fall, common through the Gila region and beloved by hummingbirds. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, tapering off in winter. Overwatering in heavy soil is a bigger risk to penstemons than underwatering.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
The tallest of the penstemons, with large, fragrant pink blossoms held on tall spikes that attract bees. Grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer — its larger size means a bit more root zone to soak.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, tapering to little or none in winter. Established plants are drought tolerant but appreciate good drainage.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A leafy, upright penstemon with spikes of reddish-pink to magenta tubular flowers each spring, a favorite of hummingbirds in dry washes and rocky slopes. Grows 16 to 40 inches tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, tapering to little or none in winter. Let the soil dry well down between waterings.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A low, spreading perennial with masses of yellow daisy-like blooms from May to frost that genuinely smell of chocolate, especially in the morning, and self-seeds readily once established. Grows to about 1 foot tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer while it establishes.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season. It reseeds readily, so established plantings often spread on their own with the water nearby seedlings need.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Any mulch
A tough, feathery-leaved perennial with flat clusters of small summer flowers in white, pink, or gold that draw pollinators and are prized for their long vase life. Grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to morning sun, afternoon shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first few months while roots establish.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season. Yarrow spreads by rhizome and tolerates both dry spells and occasional overwatering better than most xeric perennials.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Late bloomer
Wood mulch
A mounding, evergreen subshrub with small tubular flowers that bloom nearly continuously from spring through fall, with rich fall color and a steady draw for hummingbirds. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season — a little extra water through the hottest weeks keeps the fall bloom strong.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A well-known native found throughout the West, with daisy-like red and yellow blooms from spring through fall frost that draw butterflies and bees. Finches love the seeds, and the spent foliage makes good mulch. Grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall.
Light
Full sun or light shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer while it establishes.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season — this extends the bloom. Let the soil dry several inches down between waterings, and taper off through the cooler months.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A low, dense mound of narrow leaves covered in small white daisy flowers with yellow centers from spring through fall frost, a reliable, long-blooming groundcover for hot, dry spots. Grows 6 to 15 inches tall and spreads to about 2 feet wide.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, tapering to little or none in winter. Let the soil dry well down between waterings.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Wood mulch
A moisture-loving perennial with tall spikes of vivid reddish-pink flowers that attract hummingbirds and swallowtails. Plant near a pond, stream, or other water source — it will not thrive in a standard bed. Grows to about 2 to 4 feet tall.
Light
Part shade to full shade
Water use
Moderate water
New plant
Water deeply 2 to 3 times a week through the first summer — this one needs consistently moist soil to establish, not just occasional deep soaks.
Established
Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 1 to 2 times a week through the growing season. Cardinal flower will not thrive without a reliable water source nearby, such as a pond, stream, or low spot that collects runoff.
Soil
Prefers rich, well-drained soil with added organic matter.
Flowering
Mid bloomer
Wood mulch
A prolific, honey-scented bloomer with bright yellow flowers from late spring through fall that draw butterflies and are an important nectar source for bees. Grows to about 1 to 3 feet tall.
Light
Full sun or part shade
Water use
Moderate water
New plant
Deeply water twice a week through the first summer while it establishes.
Established
Deep water every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. It tolerates dry spells but blooms best with more consistent moisture than most plants in this palette.
Soil
Prefers rich, well-drained soil with added organic matter.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A low-maintenance, vase-shaped perennial with drooping petals around a tall central cone, blooming continuously from spring to frost. Birds enjoy the seeds once the blooms fade. Grows to about 1 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first few months while roots establish.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Once established, it self-seeds freely and needs little beyond occasional deep watering in the driest stretches.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; too rich a bed encourages floppy growth.
Flowering
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A delicate, vase-shaped perennial with sky-blue flowers that attract bees, fading in the afternoon heat and reopening each morning through spring and fall. Grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall.
Light
Full sun or part shade
Water use
Moderate water
New plant
Water deeply 2 to 3 times a week through the first summer while it establishes.
Established
Deep water every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. It's shorter-lived than most perennials here and reseeds readily when it gets a bit more water than the true xeric plants.
Soil
Prefers rich, well-drained soil with added organic matter.
Shade
Mid bloomer
Wood mulch
A shade-loving perennial grown for its colorful, rounded foliage and delicate, bell-shaped flowers that draw hummingbirds, held on tall stems. Does well in shady rock gardens. Grows to about 1 to 1.5 feet tall.
Light
Part to full shade, morning sun okay
Water use
Moderate water
New plant
Water deeply 2 to 3 times a week through the first summer, keeping the soil from drying out completely while roots establish.
Established
Deep water every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. It prefers light shade and more consistent moisture than the full-sun natives, especially in hot afternoon exposure.
Soil
Prefers rich, well-drained soil with added organic matter.
Architectural
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A rosette-forming succulent with rigid, blue-green leaves that provides bold, year-round structure and rarely needs attention. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water sparingly — once every 2 to 3 weeks — through the first summer. Overwatering is the biggest risk to a newly planted agave, far more than underwatering.
Established
Established agave needs little to no supplemental water beyond rainfall. An occasional deep soak during extended drought is plenty; a wet crown in winter can cause rot.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Architectural
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
An evergreen, grass-like succulent with arching leaves and tall, coral-red flower spikes that bloom over an extended season and draw hummingbirds and butterflies. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet, with flower spikes to 5 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water sparingly — once every 2 to 3 weeks — through the first summer while roots establish.
Established
Established red yucca needs almost no supplemental water; it's one of the most drought-tolerant plants in this palette and holds up equally well in poor soil.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Architectural
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A spiky, rosette-forming, evergreen succulent with a tall, dramatic flower stalk, often used as a bold architectural accent. Grows to about 3 to 5 feet, with a flower stalk to 15 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water sparingly — once every 2 to 3 weeks — through the first summer. Good drainage matters more than watering schedule for this one.
Established
Established sotol needs little to no supplemental water beyond rainfall. Avoid planting it anywhere water collects or drains slowly.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Cactus
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A classic paddle cactus with bright yellow spring flowers and edible, reddish fruit later in the season that also feeds wildlife. Grows to about 1 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water every 2 to 4 weeks through the first growing season, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings — cactus pads are more likely to rot from overwatering than to suffer from underwatering.
Established
Established prickly pear typically needs no supplemental water beyond rainfall. An occasional deep soak during a long, hot dry spell is optional, not required.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Cactus
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A tall, cylindrical-stemmed cactus with a striking silhouette and spring blooms, valued for the shelter it gives wildlife. Grows to about 4 to 6 feet tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water every 2 to 4 weeks through the first growing season, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Established
Established cholla needs no regular supplemental water; it's adapted to survive on rainfall alone and can rot if watered too often.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Cactus
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A compact, clustering cactus with vivid pink spring flowers, well suited to containers and rock gardens. Grows under 1 foot tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water every 3 to 4 weeks through the first growing season, letting the soil dry completely between waterings.
Established
Established hedgehog cactus needs little to no supplemental water. It's a slower grower than prickly pear or cholla and even more sensitive to overwatering.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Cactus
Mid bloomer
Rock mulch
A tall, ribbed barrel cactus with hooked spines and showy orange to red summer flowers, valued as a sculptural accent that needs very little upkeep. Fruits are an important food source for desert wildlife. Grows to about 2 to 4 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water every 3 to 4 weeks through the first growing season, letting the soil dry completely between waterings.
Established
Established barrel cactus needs no regular supplemental water beyond rainfall; an occasional deep soak in the hottest, driest stretches of summer can help its shape and color.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Cactus
Early bloomer
Rock mulch
A hedgehog cactus that forms tidy mounds, with brilliant scarlet flowers in late spring, unusual among cacti for being pollinated by hummingbirds rather than insects. Grows under 1 foot tall.
Water use
Very low water
New plant
Water every 3 to 4 weeks through the first growing season, letting the soil dry completely between waterings.
Established
Established claret cup needs little to no supplemental water. It flowers reliably even in dry years, so extra water mostly speeds up spread rather than improving bloom.
Soil
Needs sharp drainage. Sandy or gravelly soil is best; heavy clay will rot the roots.
Grass
Late bloomer
Rock mulch
An ornamental native grass with fine texture, best known for its billowing, pink-purple plumes that light up the garden each fall and provide cover for wildlife. Grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Water regularly — about twice a week — through the first growing season while the root system fills in.
Established
Deep water every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season once established. Like most native grasses, it develops deep roots that make it genuinely drought tolerant, not just tolerant of neglect.
Soil
Adapts to most well-drained soils, including poor or rocky ground.
Grass
Late bloomer
Rock mulch
A fine-textured, low-growing native grass with distinctive, eyelash-shaped seed heads and a soft, natural look. Grows to about 1 to 1.5 feet tall.
Water use
Low water
New plant
Water regularly — about twice a week — through the first growing season while it establishes.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season once established. As New Mexico's state grass, it's built for exactly this climate and needs the least water of any grass in this palette.
Soil
Adapts to most well-drained soils, including poor or rocky ground.
Shrub
Early bloomer
Any mulch
A mounding native shrub valued for erosion control, with fragrant three-part leaves, tart red berries that feed wildlife, and vivid red-orange color in fall. Grows to about 3 to 6 feet tall.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water use
Low water
New plant
Deeply water once or twice a week through the first summer, soaking the root zone rather than just wetting the surface.
Established
Deep water every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season once established. It's one of the toughest shrubs on this list and tolerates poor soil and neglect well.
Soil
Prefers lean, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged spots.
