Native Woody Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens
Creeping mahonia
Ninebark
Shrubby cinquefoil
Yucca
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Plant Family
Verbena Family (Verbenaceae)
Common Names
Bluebeard, Common bluebeard, Blue mist shrub, Blue spirea
Description
- Blue mist spirea is a small twiggy shrub native to Asia
- A number of cultivars are available in the nursery trade.
- This shrub can range from 24 to about 48 inches tall and wide
- Clusters of blue tubular flowers bloom from late summer through fall
- Does best in well drained dry soils with little to no fertilizer
- Requires full sun for optimal
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa Pursh)
Plant Family
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Note: Shrubby cinquefoil was recently reclassified as Dasiphora fruticosa (L.) and subspeciesDasiphora floribunda (Pursh), Also see Pentaphylloides floribunda
Common Names
Potentilla, Shrubby potentilla, Bush cinquefoil, Widdy, Golden hardhack
Description
- Shrubby cinquefoil is a long lived native shrub distributed throughout the northern and western US, Alaska, and throughout Canada
- It is also native to northern Europe and Asia
- Many cultivars of this popular shrub have been developed for the nursery trade
- A
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Garden: Ninebark (Physocarpus species)
Plant Family
Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Common Names
Mallow or Mallow-leaved ninebark (P. malvaceus), Common or Eastern ninebark (P. opufolius)
Description
There are several native ninebark species found in North America. Two of the most commonly used in the landscape are Physocaropus opufolius and Physocaropus malvaceus
Physocarpus opufolius (Common ninebark, Eastern ninebark)
- Medium to large sized shrub native to central and the Eastern U.S.
- Mature size ranges from 5 to 8 or more feet high
Plants for the Water Wise Pollinator Garden: Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Plant Family
Aster Family (Asteraceae / Compositae)
Common Names
Echinacea, Purple coneflower, Eastern purple coneflower
Description
- Native to the eastern and mid-western United States and parts of Canada
- This popular garden plant is considered a stalwart in pollinator gardens
- Not considered particularly water wise in more arid regions
- Consider grouping Echinacea with other less water wise pollinator plants closer to a water source
- Water requirements range from 14 to 40 inches but coneflower does best on moist
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens, Berberis repens, Berberis aquifolium var. repens)
Plant Family
Barberry Family (Berberidaceae)
Common Names
Ash barberry
Creeping barberry
Creeping holly grape
Creeping mahonia
Creeping Oregon grape
Creeping western barberry
Dwarf Oregon grape
Holly grape
Mountain holly
Oregon barberry
Oregon grape
Description
Creeping mahonia is a small woody evergreen shrub native mainly to western and northern North America. It is a long lived hardy plant that is adapted to USDA Zones 4 through 8 and grows on mountain slopes up to 10,000 feet.
Mahonia has a …
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Plant Family
Aster Family (Asteraceae)
Common Names
Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower
Description
- Perennial plant native to eastern North American
- Although not technically considered water wise, Rudbeckia will grow in dry areas but they perform best in moist well drained soils
- Hardy in USDA Zones 3 through
- Do best in full sun / can tolerate a little light shade
- This plant forms a large clump and is great planted in masses
- Cheerful flowering sunflower-like flowers of yellow / gold have brown
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber)
Plant Family
Valerian Family (Valerianaceae)
Common Names
Jupiter’s beard, Red valerian, Keys of Heaven
Description
- Attractive herbaceous perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region of North Africa, Asia Minor, and Europe
- Classified as a sub-shrub due to woody tissue that develops at the base of the plant
- Plants grow from 2 to 3 feet high and wide
- Reddish pink flower clusters bloom during late spring and through the summer (A white cultivar is also available)
- Deadheading will
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Orange Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Plant Family
Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae)
Common Names
Orange butterfly weed, Butterfly milkweed
Description
- One of many native milkweeds found throughout the United States and parts of Canada
- Hhardy and long lived
- Grows to about 2 to 3 feet high and wide
- Brilliant orange flowers bloom mid-summer
- Some cultivars are available in yellow
- Tolerates dry, well drained soils with no additional fertilizer
- Needs full sun
- Hardy to -33 degrees Farenheit (Cultivars may be less cold tolerant)
Attracts
Orange …
Plants for Water Wise Pollinator Gardens: Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnatus)
Plant family
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Common Names
Cosmos
Description
Cosmos are a drought tolerant annual flower native to Mexico. Plants can reseed under the right conditions. Several species of cosmos are available for purchase.Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnatus are two commonly available species.
Many cultivars are available. Flowers come in a wide variety of colors that bloom from early summer through fall. Leaves are feathery and plants can grow to 6 feet tall.
Cosmos needs little …