These trees, shrubs, and perennials will dazzle you with distinctive blooms all through the growing season
Texas sage is one of the most distinctive native shrub in the Southwest , flower periodically throughout the year but dazzling in summer and fall .
Purpleis for everyone , and specially those in the magnificent world of the Desert Southwest . Pastel coloration may bleach out in our intense Dominicus , but not purple . This is a colour with sincerely no limits . It also pairs well with everything , fromsilverand livid , to live coral and solar - flare yellowness . I have a long list of favorite flora with purple flush , but here are a few I wo n’t live without .
‘Thunder Cloud’ Texas sage
Leucophyllumcandidum‘Thunder Cloud ’ , zone 8–11
A host of common names are used for this bush , including cenizo , Texas silverleaf , and Texas ranger . Whatever you call it , it ’s able of stopping traffic during summer monsoon season , bursting into flower within days of a good shower and higher humidness . blossom colors of this specie can roll from hot pink to purple , with ‘ Thunder Cloud ’ having the deep purple flowers , set off by bright silver leaf . At a matured size of 3 feet grandiloquent and 3 feet wide , there is elbow room in most affectionate gardens for at least one of these native shrubs .
Dotted blazing star
Liatrispunctata , Zones 4–9
This is a tough prairie aboriginal with a wide statistical distribution among the westerly plains and mountains . A deep taproot ensures drought allowance in this long - survive perennial . At just 18 inch tall , its fluffy midsummer spikes of majestic attractpollinatorswhen it ’s found in full sun . Its grandiloquent relative , Rocky Mountain gayfeather ( Liatris ligulistylis , Zones 3–8 ) , appreciates more water and reaches up to 5 feet tall , never betray to attractmonarch butterfliesto my garden .
Siberian statice
Limoniumgmelinii , partition 5–9
Few drought - tolerant perennial shine in the midsummer garden with deeply purple blossom the way this statice does . It features flat , leathery rosettes of nearly evergreen plant parting . Wiry , branched stems bathe the garden with frothy cloud of deep lavender purple in summertime . Reaching 18 to 24 inches tall , this works is the gross makeweight between summertime grasses , salvia , agastaches ( Agastachespp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) , and sculptural accents like yuccas ( Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) and agave ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) . In milder zone , the more cranky Perez ’s ocean lavender ( Limonium perezii , Zones 9–11 ) can provide the same core . Siberian statice also wreak well incontainers .
Snapdragon vine
Maurandya antirrhiniflorasyn . Maurandella antirrhiniflora , Zones 8–10
The delicate - looking snapdragon vine is surprisingly tough and is native to the shrublands and canyon of the Southwest . make up to 4 to 5 foot tall with small triangular leaves , it will scramble over nearby shrubs or twine up small trellises with ease in sun orpartial spook . In my experience , snapdragon vines with red to coral cast seem the most common , making the purple selection ‘ Bluebird ’ ( Maurandya antirrhiniflorasubsp.antirrhiniflora‘Bluebird ’ , Zones 8–10 ) extra special .
Queen’s wreath
Petrea volubilis , zone 9b–11
This vine is also called sandpaper vine , which sounds a routine underwhelming but refer only to the roughtextureof its leaves . “ Queen ’s wreath ” comes a bit closelipped to capturing its elegant appearance when it ’s drape in long panicles of two - tone imperial bloom . As a incentive , spent bloom fall with an entertaining spin . Grow this vine near a sturdy support that it can twine around , and look top of 20 feet or more , although a smaller size can be manage with some routinepruning . In Zone 9 , plant it in a sheltered but sunny spot , and have a plan to protect it during the coldest temperatures .
Mexican petunia
Ruelliasimplex , Zones 8–11
Mexican petunia is a mainstay in scurvy desert gardens , but its note value reaches far beyond , as it ’s even used as an annual in dusty clime . Supremely adaptable , it can tolerate punishing heat and drought , but it is also used in aquatic gardens ! great prime of the richest purplish lambency against the dark foliage , with fresh flower opening every day , all summertime . Additionally , this perennial can recover quickly from a cold snap bean once warm conditions returns . Mexican petunia is consideredinvasivein some parts of the AmericanSouthbut is not considered invasive in the Southwest .
Salvia
Salviaspp . and cvs . , zona 5–11
one C of coinage and hybrids ofsalviaabound , but here are a few that prefer our drier westerly garden . Coahuila salvia ( Salvia coahuilensis , Zones 8–11 ) is a delicately - leave shrub that grows 18 inch tall and shoot a line small-scale galvanic blue - purple blooms over a long growing season . It can spread tardily and appreciates an casual tearing . The interchangeable royal over-embellished fall sage ( Salvia muelleri , Zones 7–11 ) has a deep purple coloring to its flowers , and both species are evocative of the relatedautumn sage(Salvia greggii , Zones 7–9 ) . Many excellent cultivars of salvia abound , but for sheer flower business leader , Mirage ™ Deep Purple autumn salvia ( Salvia greggii‘Balmirdepur ’ , Zones 7–9 ) is among the best .
Purple winter savory
Satureja montanasubsp.illyrica , Zones 3b–9
Though not suited to the raging blue desert locations , this race of winter savoury is an underused gem of a plant . A tightly mound shrub , reaching just 6 to 8 column inch tall and 12 inches widely , it has tiny aromatic leave-taking of nipping dark-green . This foliage is obscured in mid to later summer by a dome of bright over-embellished bloom . Provide sound drainage , periodic weewee , and full sun in all but the hottest setting . Its casual unpaid worker seedling have been welcome in my garden as they get hold their favorite niches .
Solanum
Solanum valerianum , Zones 9b–11
There are many solanums native to the Southwest and throughout the Americas . Some are roadside weeds orwildflowers , and others are alien tropical vine . This metal money merit the latter designation . From the Mexican state of Jalisco , this vine scurry over adjacent bush and cascades over cliffs . It does not twine , so it needs to be guided ab initio . The leaves , which grow on vigorous shank , have clasping leafstalk that will wrap up firmly around anything smaller than a finger . This enables its onward progression . By mid to late summer , branch tips become laden with over-embellished , hotshot - shape flowers that arise in grapelike clusters , each crown with a center of gold anther . Hard frost may damage it , but recovery is warm . This vine also grows well as an yearly in colder zones .
Texas mountain laurel
Sophorasecundiflora , Zones 7–11
This belittled aboriginal tree needs little introduction to most folks in the Southwest , but it ’s abundant for good understanding . Its durability , drouth impedance , compact height , glossy evergreen plant leaves , andfragrant flowersall justify its position in the garden . smack the sweet grapeshot olfactory property of its wisteria - like flowers is a rite of bounce in my Tucson garden , made even mellisonant when the hummingbirds choose to draw close among its sturdy branches . The cultivar ‘ Silver Peso ’ ( Sophoroa secundiflora‘Silver Peso ’ , Zones 7–11 ) is worth condition for its coolheaded silvery folio .
‘Hidcote’ English lavender
Lavandulaangustifolia‘Hidcote ’ , partition 5–9
There are dozens of lavender cultivars , but ‘ Hidcote ’ is one of the most adaptable . Drought tolerantand fragrant , itrebloomswell whendeadheaded . Prolonged heat may restrict its use in the hottest low elevations , but it ’s worth a try if you have a exceptional spot for it . Or you could prefer for Spanish lavender ( Lavandula stoechas , Zones 7–10 ) , which generally has light blushful - purple flowers , but a turn more heat tolerance .
All of these purple - bloom perennials , trees , and shrubs perform well in the Southwest and will provide you with bountiful displays of blooms .
For more Southwest regional reports , come home here .
— Dan Johnson know and gardens in Denver and in Tucson , Arizona . He is an associate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens .
Photos , except where noted : Dan Johnson
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Texas sage is one of the most distinctive native shrubs in the Southwest, blooming periodically throughout the year but dazzling in summer and fall.
The bright silver foliage of ‘Thunder Cloud’ Texas sage shines against its darkly colored flowers.
Dotted blazing star is the perfect plant for adding drama to a stylized meadow.
Siberian statice blooms in airy flower clusters that make it look like purple baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata, Zones 3–9).
Snapdragon vine’s flowers can range from violet to purple, but there are more reliably purple varieties available.
Queen’s wreath makes a great wisteria (Wisteriaspp. and cvs., Zones 5–9) substitute for desert climates.
Mexican petunia’s flowers have a unique, paper-mache-like texture to their petals.
Royal purple autumn sage is so named for its blooms that are a deep indigo color, which is hard to find in many other flowers.
Purple winter savory’s dense, intricate foliage becomes absolute covered in flowers by late summer.
Solanum’s periwinkle-colored flowers contrast well with their mustard yellow centers.
‘Silver Peso’ Texas mountain laurel is a twist on the classic southwestern species and has interesting silver foliage.
‘Hidcote’ English lavender is well-known as one of the best-performing English lavender cultivars.Photo: Jennifer Benner
