Opening Friday, April 12, 2024: 9-5
Open for walk-ins Fridays and Saturdays 9 through the end of June,
and by appointment.
Desert Jewels Nursery
Perennials & Annuals
Blanket flower
Gaillardia aristata
Blooms with the lupines in early summer. Very drought tolerant, but will go dormant if it is very dry. Will rebloom all summer if watered. Very hardy.
Region
Local and Regional. Northern USA
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Yellow with red center
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
1 foot tall
Joe Pye Weed
Eupatorium purpureum, Eutrochium purpureum
Joe-Pye weeds (Eutrochium spp.) are early fall blooming wildflowers that colonize roadside ditches in sunny, moist sites. These native perennial plants grow to 4 – 6 feet tall and bloom along with goldenrods (Solidago spp.), ironweeds (Vernonia fasciculata), and our native grasses to make a beautiful autumn display. The flowers are mildly fragrant and very attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. Full sun to part shade. Native to the eastern half of the US.
Region
Eastern
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Pink
Xeric
No
Flower Time
Summer
Size
4-6 feet tall
Narrowleaf Coneflower
Echinacea angustifolia
This is the most commonly used medicinal echinacea. Echinacea is one of the most widely known herbs in American folk herbalism. The root is used extensively by traditional herbalists and Native Americans alike in North America for generations, Echinacea eventually gained popularity in Europe in the 1900's. One of its main uses is to support healthy immune function.
Region
Midwestern
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Purple
Xeric
Somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
1 - 2 feet tall
Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida
Native to Someprairies, savannahs, glades and open dry rocky woods from Nebraska to Michigan south to Georgia and Texas. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. An adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soils. Flowers are showy and fragrant, attract butterflies and make a good cut flower. It tolerates deer, drought, clay soil, dry soil, and shallow-rocky soil.
Region
Southern midwest, East Coast
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Palw pueple
Xeric
Somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
1-2 feet tall(?)
Sunset Crater Penstemon
Penstemon clutei
A popular plant for dryland gardens. Native only to an area around Flagstaff, AZ, but hardy and evergreen to 20 degrees below zero. (Zone 5.) Height about 3’. Easy, hardy, drought tolerant, thrives in many types of soil and is long-lived.
Region
Arizona
Evergreen
Yes - somewhat
Flower Color
Hot pink
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
1-3 feet tall
Brandegee's Penstemon
Penstemon brandegeei
Quite showy, with its large blue to blue-violet flowers on stout, 2’ tall stems. Forms a multi-stemmed, large bowl, and performs well in western gardens. Generally long-lived. Native to northern New Mexico and Colorado, on plains and slopes at about 7000’. Summer blooming.
Region
Colorado & New Mexico
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Blue-violet with blue and white accents
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Summer
Size
1 1/2 - 2 feet tall
Creeping Hummingbird Trumpet
Zauschneria garretii (Epilobium canum ssp. garrettii)`
Hummingbirds love this low –growing, carpeting plant with orange – red flowers blooming in late summer. Blooms for weeks – generally until fall frosts. Low water requirement.
This is the hardiest of the Zauschneria species, native to AZ, ID, UT, WY.
Region
AZ, ID, UT, WY
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Red
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Summer
Size
1 foot tall and 2 feet wide
Desert Lupine
Lupinus aridus, Lupinus lepidus var. aridus
Only 4 – 6 inches tall, this small, mat forming lupine is a very long bloomer. It loves dry gravelly roadsides and hot, sunny sites. A very choice little plant for the dry garden. Although it is small, it needs space between plants.
Region
Local, Regional, Western
Evergreen
Yes
Flower Color
Bicolor blue/purple and white
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Spring
Size
4 to 6 inches tall
Broadleaf Lupine, Bigleaf Lupine
Lupinus latifolius
Beautiful local native lupine that likes a moist site. This is one of the parents of the Russell hybrid series. A large and very showy lupine, frequently with bicolored blooms. A delight in the garden. Spectacular dense flowerheads and lush mounds of green foliage makes it a beauty throughout the spring and summer.
Region
Local, Regional, Western
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Purple, but seedling flower color may vary greatly
Xeric
No
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
2-3 feet
Silky Lupine
Lupinus sericeus
From dry woods and sagebrush grasslands. Blooms in Ponderosa pine woods after balsamroot. Grows in sun or partial shade.
This plant has a deep taproot, so transplanting large plants is not recommended.
Region
Local, Regional, Western
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Purple
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Late spring/ early summer
Size
2-3 feet tall
Velvet Lupine
Lupinus leucophyllus
One of our native purple flowered lupines from dry woods and sagebrush grasslands. Blooms in Ponderosa pine woods after balsamroot. Grows in sun or partial shade.
This plant has a deep taproot, so transplanting large plants is not recommended.
Native to the west from British Columbia to California.
Region
Local, Regional, Western
Evergreen
No
Flower Color
Purple
Xeric
Yes
Flower Time
Late spring/Early summer
Size
1.5 - 2 feet tall
Cherry Brandy' Gloriosa Daisy
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy'
This beautiful black-eyed Susan has dozens of giant red and maroon daisies with black eyes. They attract butterflies and bees all summer. In autumn, hungry songbirds replace the butterflies and bees, feasting on the seeds.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
red/ black center
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
2 ft.
Azure Sage, Pitcher Sage
Salvia azurea
A tall, linear accent plant most of the season. Flowers with the asters, with the most amazing sky blue flowers. Height depends on watering. Shorter where mostly dry; can get quite tall with watering.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
sky blue
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
Late summer
Size
3-5 ft.
Creeping Hummingbird Trumpet
Zauschneria garrettii
Spreads like a groundcover to 18" wide. Reportedly not browsed by deer. Water regularly when in bloom to keep flowers coming. Prefers some afternoon shade.
Region
W
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
bright orange/ scarlet
Xeric
moderately - does better with some irrigation
Flower Time
Summer
Size
4 - 6"
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
*Native to Canada and the northern tier of the US. Flowers from July through October. Anise scented, deep blue-green foliage. Honeybees love it. Full or partial sun, and moderately moist to dry conditions. More resistant to drought than many others in the mint family.
Region
R, M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
purple
Xeric
Flower Time
Mid to late summer
Size
2 -3 ft.
Apache Sunset Agastache
Agastache rupestris 'Apache Sunset'
Fine-leaved, blue green foliage with a wonderful anise or root beer scent. It flowers from mid to late July until frost. Hummingbirds love it.
Region
W
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
Orange with purple calyx
Xeric
moderately
Flower Time
Summer
Size
2 - 2 1/2 ft.
Blue Star
Amsonia tabernaemontana
The showy blooms make good cut flowers, and the leaves have great fall color. Deer don’t bother this plant. Although it prefers a rich, moist loamy soil, it will tolerate some drought.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
pale blue
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
2 ft.
Narrowleaf milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Dainty pink flowers in a small ball. Narrow leaves circle the stems. Grows at the base of shady slopes in pine woods, along river margins,and in dry intermittent stream beds. A fine upright accent in the flower garden.
Region
L, R
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
lilac - pink
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
late spring
Size
8 - 12 inches
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
This showy and fragrant wildflower is important to many different pollinators, including Monarch butterflies. Prefers site with good spring moisture. Spreads by rhizomes and makes a sizable patch under proper conditions.
Region
L, R, W, M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
pink
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
2 ft.
Orange butterfly flower
Asclepias tuberosa
Grows about a foot tall, with clusters of showy orange flowers. Perennial and mid-summer blooming. Outstanding honeybee plant as well as good for butterflies. Surprisingly drought tolerant. Another Monarch plant.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
orange
Xeric
moderately
Flower Time
Mid-summer
Size
12 - 15 in.
* Arrowleaf balsamroot (only available in spring)
Balsamorhiza sagittata
These cheery yellow daisies decorate regional slopes and woodlands in the spring. The whole plant is edible and was used by all local tribes. Seeds are important food for birds and other small wildlife. Very long lived plant goes dormant in summer.
Region
L, W, M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
yellow
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
spring
Size
12 - 18 inches
Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
This Mid-Western prairie wildflower blooms in late spring with large, lupine-like spikes of blue flowers. Ornamental seed pods follow the flowers and can be harvested for dried arrangements. Deer & rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
deep blue
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
late spring - early summer
Size
18-24 inches tall and wide
Winecups
Callirhoe involucrata
The low spreading stems make this plant useful on slopes and for cascading over retaining walls. A valuable plant for hot south or west facing beds. Grows well in a wide range of soil types, including clay. Zones 4-9.
Region
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
wine red
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
5” x 24-30” wide.
Nuttall's larkspur
Delphinium nuttalianum
This extremely variable delphinium is native throughout the west and into Canada. The flowering spikes are loosely flowered with white to grayish-blue to deep blue-purple, spurred flowers. Self sows profusely. Warning: All Delphinium species, both wild and cultivated, are toxic if consumed
Region
L, R, W
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
deep purple to blue
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
about 1 ft.
Purple coneflower, Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower was and still is a widely used medicinal plant of the Plains Indians. Still used in folk medicine. Great cutflower. Seeds enjoyed by goldfinches.
Region
E, M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
Pink
Xeric
moderately
Flower Time
midsummer
Size
Up to 40 inches.
Yellow Coneflower
Echinacea paradoxa
This is a very rare native wildflower found in the Ozarks, Oklahoma & Texas. The Ozark Coneflower is a tap-rooted plant that requires several growing seasons to reach its full size, so be patient. A narrow growing plan,t so plant in groups of 3 or more. Zones 3 -9. Sun to Partial Shade.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
yellow
Xeric
moderately
Flower Time
midsummer
Size
24 - 36 inches tall
Desert Yellow Daisy
Erigeron linearis
Locally native to dry rock outcrops in the sagebrush desert. Covered with cheery yellow flowers for many weeks in late spring to early summer. Recommended for the dry rock garden, in sun or part shade.
Region
L, R, W
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
yellow
Xeric
very
Flower Time
late spring - early summer
Size
4 inches tall, 6 - 12 inches wide
Spinystar cactus
Escobaria vivipara, Coryphantha vivipara
This small barrel shaped cactus has hot pink blossoms. It is hardy from Canada south to Texas, in the Midwest and inland West. It does well in the ground, but due to its small size it is best displayed in a pot, bowl or trough.
Region
W, M*
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
Hot pink
Xeric
very
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
up to 4 inches.
Eastern Beebalm
Monarda bradburiana
Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The toothed, aromatic, oblong, grayish-green leaves (to 4") may be used in teas. Long summer bloom period. Best grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates somewhat poor soils and some drought.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
Pink to white with purple
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Size
1-2 ft.
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Native to all of the US except CA & FL. Grows in meadows, open forests, clearings, and moist sites in the mixed grass prairie. Wild bergamot contains thymol, a natural antiseptic compound commonly used in mouthwashes. Traditional medicinal, beverage and seasoning. Cutflowers. Hummingbird & bee plant.
Region
L, R, W, M, E
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
purple
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
2 - 4 ft.
Garden Catmint
Nepeta faasinii
A hardy plant that flowers all season, needs a minimum of maintenance, is resistant to drought and sails happily through the coldest and driest of winters. It is a reliable plant, and a magnet for bees.
Region
Introduced
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
Blue
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Summer
Size
2 ft. in bloom
Missouri Evening-primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa
The flowers are a glorious crayon yellow, and measure 3 to 5 inches across. Each mildly fragrant flower is open for only one day, but many flowers are produced over a long spring to mid-summer bloom period. Mature plants are 3 feet across, and have massive tap roots. Can be grown in poor, dryish soils.
Region
M
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
yellow
Xeric
moderately
Flower Time
Summer
Size
6-12 inches tall, 2 - 3 ft. Wide
White Penstemon
Penstemon albidus
Penstemon albidus has a large distribution throughout the Great Plains of North America, from Texas and Oklahoma to Alberta and Manitoba. The flowers are typically white.
Region
M
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
white
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
late spring - early summer
Size
6-10 inches tall
Gilia beardtongue, Pink plains penstemon
Penstemon ambiguus
An unusual, open flowered, shrublike penstemon. Flowering increases with age as the woody base produces more stems. Leaves are thread-like in width, some persisting year-round. Tolerates extreme heat and drought conditions. Quite airy and dainty compared with other penstemons.
Region
M (southern part)
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
pink
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
Summer
Size
1-3 ft. tall
Eggleaf Beardtongue
Penstemon ovatus
Many ¾” bright blue flowers in clusters on wide spreading cymes. Soil with organic matter and regular but not continuous watering and occasional division will keep it going for many years, even in dry climates.
Region
R
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
blue
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
spring
Size
2- 3.5 ft. tall
Pineleaf Penstemon
Penstemon pinifolius
A hummingbird favorite that grows easily in both xeric and traditional perennial gardens. As the plant matures, it forms an evergreen shrublet with bright green, needle-like foliage.
Zones 4-9.
Region
SW
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
red
Xeric
somewhat
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
15 inches tall and wide
Desert Beardtongue
Penstemon pseudospectabilis
This gorgeous plant can be grown over a wide area. In cultivation it can reach 4’ with many stems and a large, broad gray-blue, leaves. Large, glandular flowers are somewhat pendant and usually deep pink to brilliant magenta. Quite long-lived and evergreen.
Region
SW
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
Hot pink
Xeric
yes
Flower Time
Early summer
Size
Up to 4 feet
Cutleaf Penstemon
Penstemon richardsonii
Energizer Bunny' of Penstemons. Very long blooming. Cut back in spring to keep tidy. A perfect plant for a rock wall. It will reseed & spread to fill crevices. Good in a border. Can take cold and dry conditions in sun or part shade.
Region
L, R
Evergreen
no
Flower Color
Hot pink
Xeric
very
Flower Time
Mid to late summer
Size
12 - 18 inches
Cascade Penstemon, Coast Penstemon
Penstemon serrulatus
A vigorous, free-blooming and well-liked plant for a partly shaded, watered flowerbed. Will rebloom if cut back after flowering. Plants have glossy, deep green leaves that turn purple or maroon in winter. Good year-round interest: showy flowers & foliage.
Region
R
Evergreen
yes
Flower Color
Blue-purple
Xeric
moderately - does better with some irrigation
Flower Time
late spring - early summer
Size
24 - 28 inches.