Many of us want our gardens to be vibrant with color, to attract birds and butterflies, be low water consuming and easy to maintain. Sounds like a tall order, right? Not really, here are some of our tried and true bloomers with low water needs but gorgeous long lasting blooms.

Calandrinia spectabilis Rock PurslaneThis one seems like its continuously supplying hundreds of bouncy, bright cerise single, rose-like flowers – without deadheading! Mine is in full bloom from April to the end of November! This groundcover-like plant suppresses all weeds as it grows, is pretty hardy and best of all is drought tolerant! Cut back to 6” in Winter & add a bit of compost in Spring for perfect appearance next season.
Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ De La Mina Verbena This evergreen perennial is a wildly fast grower that grows into a mounding shape well suited for meadow gardens. This plant has beautiful, slightly fragrant purple star-shaped flowers on long narrow stalks that are at their best in spring and summer. It will thrive in our gardens as this beauty is a California Native! In my garden in blooms from March until December, no joke!
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ Indian Summer Black-Eyed Susan Large golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with stark contrasting black centers grow on tall narrow stalks up to 3’ tall! These are great for background layers or borders as they will add sunny colors all throughout summer into late fall! This plant will naturalize in wildflower meadows and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, but will need more water on those hot days. Blooms from late spring until fall.  Cut back to the ground in the winter and watch them come back again.
Eriogonum fasciculatum California Buckwheat Imagine a plant that has more flowers than roses and is a California native? This one has small white round clusters of flowers that turn pinkish in the late summer months.  Buckwheat is a very important butterfly plant and is one the hardiest California natives out there. It truly is a must have for a native garden. I find it blooming from late spring until almost winter.
Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’ Autumn Joy StonecropNot many people associate succulents with long lasting blooms, but this one certainly does! Its bloom period which extends from Summer through Fall, last almost two months longer than the average bloom of other succulents. Its flowers open pink, mature to red and finally a turn copper at the end of the season. If you don’t deadhead them right away, you can enjoy the fall color as long as desired. Butterflies love it and I think you will too!

What is your favorite?