Drought tolerant native plants can really thrive in hot San Joaquin Valley gardens during the heat of summer, and here are some native plants that can really stand out in a dry garden.
Salvia, or sage, is one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. The genus Salvia belongs to the mint family and has over 900 species worldwide, some of which are specifically tailored to our climate zone.
Despite its name, Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) blooms from spring to late fall. This small evergreen shrub produces one-inch flowers that range from white to pink to red. In August, when other plants are languishing in the heat, the bright colors of the red, pink and white or deep pink and white “hot lips” can provide a little relief (if only in your mind!).
Cleveland Sage (Salvia Clevelandii) is popular for its fragrance. All sages are fragrant, but the leaves of this evergreen shrub emit a wonderful scent that spreads around the world. In the evening, you can enjoy the scent from up to 30 feet away from the shrub. Widely spaced whorls of lavender-colored flowers on long stalks add to the plant's appeal.
White sage (Salvia apiana) also grows well in our gardens. With large, bushy, fragrant silvery-green leaves, it contrasts beautifully with the other spiky sage bushes. In spring, it produces whorls of lavender-hued white flowers.
California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) is another staple in our gardens. This shrubby perennial has spiky gray-green leaves and orange to red trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds in the fall when other nectar sources are scarce. Some varieties grow up to 4 feet tall with upright, slightly arching stems; others grow 6 inches to 2 feet tall and spread up to 4 feet wide. These fuchsias spread by seed or roots and can become somewhat invasive. They transplant easily, so you can divide them in the fall to share with friends.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) graces many Central Valley gardens. Native to Europe and Asia, one species grows wild in California's Channel Islands, and all that are available locally thrive in our climate. Small red, white, pink, and yellow flowers grow in flat clusters atop a mound of feathery green leaves. The taller plants make good cut flowers or can be dried for winter enjoyment. Blooming in summer and early fall, yarrow requires little care other than deadheading to extend the flowering season. Even when not in bloom, the mound of evergreen foliage adds beauty to the landscape.
Penstemon or Beard Tongue is also popular. Penstemon requires a little more water than other plants and prefers afternoon shade, but its beauty more than makes up for this slightly more demanding requirement. Locally available garden penstemon hybrids are bushy, upright perennials that grow 2 to 4 feet tall with slim green leaves and 2-inch, lip-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors from pink to burgundy.
Penstemons typically bloom from mid-summer through fall. The popular variety 'Garnet' blooms continuously for 10 months of the year, taking a break only in March and April when other plants are flowering. Another popular variety is 'Margarita Bop', which produces lavender-colored flowers in early spring.
Penstemons have another great feature: they look a lot like snapdragons. In our climate, they are perennials, so they don't need to be planted and removed every year. Penstemons are a bit more droopy than snapdragons, so they need support near walkways.
Other drought-tolerant plants that do well in our gardens include Texas ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens), a compact shrub with silvery leaves and pink flowers in summer, and climbing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis “prostratus”), which creates a beautiful green hill 4 to 8 feet wide. This ground cover crowds out the weeds! Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and pink muhly (M. capillaris) are beautiful hill-forming grasses that do well in the Central Valley.
Take a break from gardening during the hot summer months and make plans to plant some of these favorite plants to enjoy next year. October is a great month to plant drought-tolerant perennials, as your new plants will need constant monitoring during the heat of July and August. The cooler fall and winter months also give them time to establish roots before the hot weather sets in. Visit your local nursery to choose plants that don't need much water and plant them in your garden.
