This water wise plant list includes annual flowers, bulbs, ground covers, grasses, perennials, shrubs, trees and vines that are moderate to low water use once established. Each plant is listed by botanical name along with its common name. The list also shows blooming time, size, cold hardiness, water use and sun exposure.

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Some Cool Tips for a water wise landscape:

Even low water use plants need to be watered. For at least the first two years attention needs to be paid to regular watering to ensure a strong root development. Most plant problems are related to not receiving the right amount of water when they need it.
Over watering water-wise plants will make them floppy and ugly. For the best results water deeply, but not too often.
Use a Moisture Meter to check your soil before watering. This will prevent over watering and will help keep from wasting precious water.
A water wise landscape can be beautiful while requiring less work to maintain and less water than traditional landscapes.
Water needs are determined by how fast a soil drains, temperatures, and wind conditions. We recommend using a moisture meter to test your soil before each watering. Moisture meters are very inexpensive and by saving just one plant, will pay for themselves.
Mulching plants with bark chips, compost, gravel or granite and using a drip system significantly reduces water use.
Many plants that are considered to be moderate water use can be "trained" to be low water use over time by watering deeply and less frequently.
For more tips, visit the website for the High Country Xeriscape Council of Arizona.


Photos copyright by Candy Smith