Digitalis Obscura or Narrow-Leaf Foxglove
A rugged perennial species from the mountains of Spain, Digitalis obscura is very different from the woodland Foxgloves commonly offered. The brown and yellow bell-like flowers are strangely attractive; the upright woody stems and lily-like leaves are also ornamental. Plant Digitalis obscura in full or partial sun in lean to average garden soils (not too much compost) and water deeply but not too frequently.Zones 5-9
Liatris Punctata or Gayfeather
[Now mind you, this grows wild along the road-sides south of here, but darned if I couldn't find it in any nurseries---even Wildseed Farm when we went down there (and darned if I wanted to start it from seed). Butterflies love it.]
Native to the western short grass prairies of the Great Plains and foothills of CO and NM, Liatris punctata is the most xeric of our Gayfeather species. Deep rooted and long lived, this species is the best choice for xeriscapes. Grows in a wide range of soils, including dry clay. Zones 4-8.
Salvia Reptens or West Texas Grass Sage
An amazing native sage originally collected in the Davis Mountains of west Texas by plantsman Pat McNeal. The stiff stems have fine-textured foliage that gives the plant a wonderful grassy appearance. But come late summer, the numerous cobalt blue flowers remind you that it is a very special flowering sage. The foliage is pungently scented and resists browsing animals.
Zones 5-10
Achillea serbica or Serbian Yarrow
[I also have 'Cerise Queen' Yarrow, which has bright pink flowers with yellow centers; for whatever reason I'm kinda 'meh...' about the yellow yarrows.]
This diminutive species is one of the most rugged and xeric of the yarrows. The slow-growing plants gradually form low, tight, gray mats of narrow evergreen leaves. The white flowers are numerous and very attractive. Easily grown in any well-drained soil, Serbian Yarrow is excellent for hot, dry south and west facing slopes. Zones 4-9.Delosperma 'Mesa Verde' or Ice Plant
Forms a dense mat of succulent, green leaves and makes a fantastic, vigorous groundcover. Pink from late Spring through early Fall. Helps cool down hot, gravel mulched areas.
Gymnocalycium bruchii
[I am so planting the following two cacti with the Ice Plant above--pretty in pink!)
One of the most cold hardy South American species, this small barrel-type plant forms clusters of low, thick growing stems covered with white spines. The large flowers are an unusual shade of lavender-white. Zones 6-10.Escobaria leei or Lee’s Dwarf Snowball
This plant clusters quickly, forming a small clump of 20 to 40 tiny pure, white stems. As the plant matures, it covers itself with a profusion of salmon pink flowers that appear in late spring. Plant on a south or west facing slope, wedged between some rocks where it can receive sharp drainage and maximum sunlight. Zones 4-9.
