Spring-Blooming Dry Garden for Sun

While this plant combination offers blooms to enjoy from late winter continuing into fall, the peak bloom of this vignette occurs in spring when Ceanothus 'Dark Star' is smothered in puffs of blue blooms that look fantastic in combination with the orange geum and acid-yellow flowers of Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot'. Later in the season, yellow, daisy-like flowers decorate the gray foliage of the senecio and wispy spires of red wave above the clump of strappy foliage of the red yucca. There is s steady flow of visitors to the scene: for example, the ceanothus is a magnet for bees and the hummers love the red yucca. In addition to color blooms to enjoy, this collection of plants offers excellent all-season structure. The California lilac, daisy bush, Euphorbia, red yucca, and ground-hugging Juniper provide a foliage frame that energizes the scene with varied leaf shape / color / texture and different plant shapes.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 8
Exposure: Full Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Water Needs: Drought-tolerant, Low Water / No Water, Occasional, Low

Design Considerations

Style: Mediterranean, Naturalistic, Northwest Eclectic, Wildlife Friendly, Waterwise
Features: Attracts Pollinator, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fabulous Foliage, Flower Fest, Four Season Appeal, Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Warm Colors, Wildlife Friendly, Winter Interest
Focus: Curb Appeal, Hellstrip / Parking Strip, Mixed Border, Saving Water, Year-round Interest
Seasons of Interest: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Year-round Interest, Three Seasons of Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: low
Maintenance Tasks: Deadheading



Plants In this Combo