I’m frequently asked what I’d grow if I wanted color throughout the summer but had limited gardening time and wanted to think Xeriscape. Quite an order given the challenging conditions of the San Luis Valley.
The following table shows my selections: a variety of purchased plants (or cuttings), seeds, and bulbs. Let me know what you think. What would you add/delete?
You don't need to plant all of these! This table gives suggestions for types and all-season color.
GOOD SOIL: The first requirement is to make sure you have good soil – not just dirt! I find much of the soil/dirt in my yard becomes very compacted, so I dig at least 10 inches deep and mix in compost, peat moss, and possibly soil conditioner and some good potting soil. Some sources suggest only scratching the soil surface before sowing ‘wild flower’ type seeds so that you don’t bring up weed seeds. I don’t find this works for me.
Click on photos for details
APRIL: Often this month is very cold, but a few things tend to bloom.
Photo
Common Name
Blossom
Color
Category
Height
Source
Scientific Name(s)
Bulbs, short (more coming)
Iris, Danfordiae
Yellow
Bulb
6 in.
bulbs
Iris danfordiae
Bulbs, Daffodil tete-a-tete
Yellow
Bulb
6 in.
bulbs
Narcissus cyclamineus
Phlox, Creeping:
Lavender is hardiest
Lavender
Groundcover - Perennial
4-6 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Phlox stolonifera
MAY: Hope springs eternal! The start of summer – a few flowers start blooming
Photo
Common Name
Blossom
Color
Category
Height
Source
Scientific Name(s)
Alyssum, Gold Dust
Yellow
Groundcover - Perennial
4-6 in.
nursery stock
Aurinia saxatillis
Aster, Alpine
White
Groundcover - Perennial
4-6 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Aster ?
Cushion spurge
Yellow
Perennial
1/2 - 2 ft.
nursery stock, divisions,
self seeds
Euphorbia polychroma
Flax, Blue
Blue
Perennial
1-2 ft.
nursery stock, divisions,
self seeds
Linum lewisii
Poppies, Icelandic :
long blooming if dead-headed
Yellow-
orange
Perennial
8-14 in.
nursery stock,
divisions,
self seeds
Papaver nuudicaule
Soapwort :
lovely mounds of small pink
blossoms and nice foliage rest of season
Yellow-Pink
Perennial
6-16 in.
nursery stock,
divisions,
self seeds
Saponaria ocymoides
JUNE:
Photo
Common Name
Blossom
Color
Category
Height
Source
Scientific Name(s)
Asters, Early:
there are several,
but I love this one.
Blue
Perennial
10-15 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Aster alpinus 'Goliath'
Blanket Flower
Yellow-
red
Perennial
10-30 in.
nursery stock,
seeds,
divisions,
self seeds
Gaillardia
Columbine:
Rky columbine is best
know & does well here.
Other varieties do also.
Blue, yellow,
red, burgundy
Perennial
1-3 ft.
nursery stock,
self seeding,
divisions
Aquilegia species
Penstemon:
Blue is best known &
hardiest,
but pink is also good. Deadheading
causes later rebloom
Blue, pink
Perennial
2 ft.
nursery stock,
divisions,
self seeding,
seeds
Penstemon strictus
Poppies, Oriental:
photo looks more red,
but mine are orange
Orange, red
Perennial
2 ft.
nursery stock,
divisions
Papaver oriental
Poppies, Shirley
Pink, red,
white
Annual
10-24 in.
seeds,
self seeding
Papaver rhoeas
Sage, Midnight
Purple
Perennial
18 in.
nursery stock,
divisions,
self seeding
Salvia nemorosa
Snow in Summer
White
Groundcover-
Perennial
4-10 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Cerastium tomentosum
JULY: Many June flowers continue into July
Photo
Common Name
Blossom
Color
Category
Height
Source
Scientific Name(s)
Calendula
Orange
Annual
6-18 in.
nursery stock,
seeds,
self seeds
Calendula officinalis
Daisy, Shasta:
various varieties
White
Perennial
1-2 ft.
nursery stock,
divisions,
seeds
Chyrsanthemum maximum
Lily, Stella D’oro
Yellow
Perennial
12-18 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Hemerocallis stella d'oro
Sedum, creeping/low:
number of types
Yellow
Groundcover-
Perennial
2-4 in.
nursery stock,
divisions
Sedum hybridum
AUGUST: Many July flowers continue into August
Photo
Common Name
Blossom
Color
Category
Height
Source
Scientific Name(s)
Asters, Tall Fall
Lavender,
Rose
Perennial
1-4 ft.
nursery stock,
self seeds
Aster ?
Daisy, Gloriosa
Yellow,
Yellow-red
Perennial
1-2 ft.
nursery stock,
self seeds
Rudbeckia hirta
Sedum, Autumn Joy
Rose
Perennial
15-18 in.
nursery stock,
division
Sedum telephium 'autumn joy'
Yarrow, Tall
Yellow
Perennial
2-5 ft.
nursery stock,
division
Achillea filipendulina
SEPTEMBER: Many August flowers continue into September if weather is mild
