Groundcovers
- Dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor): 4–6″ tall, 3′ wide; lavender-blue spring flowers. Low water; fire resistant.
- Ice plant (Delosperma nubigenum): 1″ tall, 3′ wide; yellow spring flowers. Moderate water.
- Rock soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides): 6–12″ tall, 3′ wide; pink spring flowers. Moderate water.
- Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum): 6–8″ tall, 3′ wide; white summer flowers. Moderate water.
- Speedwell (Veronica pectinata): 3″ tall, 1′ wide; blue spring flowers. Low water; fire resistant.
- Woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus): 2–3′ tall, 3′ wide; pink summer flowers. Low water; fire resistant.
Ornamental Grasses
- Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens): 2–3′ tall/wide; fine blue leaves. Low water.
- Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora): 4–5′ tall, 2′ wide; green leaves, burgundy summer plumes, attractive seed heads. Low water.
- Fescue (Festuca idahoensis 'Siskiyou Blue'): 18″ tall, 15″ wide; blue-green to silvery blue leaves. Moderate water.
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'): 2–3′ tall, 1–2′ wide; pale blue leaves turn red in autumn. Low water.
- Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'): 3–4′ tall/wide; white-edged leaves. Moderate water.
Perennials
- Aster × frikartii 'Mönch': 2′ tall/wide; lavender summer flowers. Moderate water.
- Desert four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora): 1–2′ tall, 3–5′ wide; magenta all summer. Very low water.
- English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): 8″–2′ tall/wide; fragrant lavender summer flowers. Low water; fire resistant.
- Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha): 3–4′ tall, 1–2′ wide; fragrant yellow spring flowers. Moderate water; fire resistant.
- Jupiter's beard (Centranthus ruber): 3′ tall/wide; coral-red summer flowers. Low water; fire resistant.
- Mullein (Verbascum bombyciferum 'Arctic Summer'): 6′ tall, 2′ wide; yellow summer flowers. Low water.
- Ozark sundrops (Oenothera macrocarpa incana 'Silver Blade'): 6″ tall, 2′ wide; yellow summer flowers. Low water.
- Provence broom (Cytisus purgans 'Spanish Gold'): 4′ tall, 6′ wide; yellow spring flowers. Very low water.
- Purple prairie clover (Petalostemon purpureum): 18″ tall/wide; purple summer flowers. Low water.
- Rocky Mountain penstemon (P. strictus): 2–3′ tall, 2′ wide; blue-violet summer flowers. Low water.
- Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland': 18″ tall/wide; violet-blue summer–fall flowers. Low water.
- Statice (Limonium gmelinii): 3′ tall/wide; purple summer flowers. Low water.
- Sundrops (Calylophus serrulatus): 18″ tall/wide; yellow summer flowers. Very low water.
- Wine cups (Callirhoe involucrata): 6″ tall, 2–3′ wide; magenta all summer. Very low water.
- Yarrow (Achillea 'Moonshine'): 2′ tall/wide; silvery leaves, yellow summer flowers. Low water.
Shrubs
- Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa): 3–5′ tall/wide; white flowers + feathery seed heads all summer. Very low water; fire resistant.
- Austrian copper rose (Rosa foetida 'Bicolor'): 4–5′ tall/wide; coppery red spring flowers. Low water.
- Blue mist (Caryopteris × clandonensis): 2′ tall/wide; blue summer flowers. Moderate water.
- Daphne × burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie': 3–4′ tall/wide; fragrant pink spring flowers; gold-edged leaves. Moderate water.
- Dwarf chamisa (Chrysothamnus nauseosus): 1–4′ tall/wide; yellow summer flowers. Very low water.
- False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa): 6–8′ tall, 15′ wide; purple summer flowers. Low water.
- Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium): 6–8′ tall/wide; white summer flowers. Very low water.
- Golden currant (Ribes aureum): 3–6′ tall/wide; yellow spring flowers; edible fruit; red fall foliage. Low water.
- Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii 'Cheyenne'): 7′ tall, 6′ wide; fragrant white spring flowers. Moderate water.
- Western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi): 3–6′ tall/wide; white spring flowers; edible fruit. Low water.
Trees
- Crabapple (Malus 'Coralburst'): 10–15′ tall, 8–10′ wide; rose-pink spring flowers; reddish orange fruit. Moderate water.
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis): 25–35′ tall/wide; rosy pink spring flowers; yellow fall foliage. Moderate water.
- European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia): 20–40′ tall, 15–25′ wide; white spring flowers; red berries; red fall foliage. Moderate water.
- Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata): 20–35′ tall, 25–40′ wide; yellow summer flowers; yellow fall foliage. Moderate water.
- Ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'): 30–35′ tall, 12–15′ wide; white spring flowers; red fall foliage. Moderate water.
- Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia): 20′ tall/wide; white spring flowers; blue-black fruit; red fall foliage. Moderate water.
- 'Princess Kay' plum (Prunus nigra 'Princess Kay'): 15–20′ tall, 15′ wide; white spring flowers; red fall foliage. Moderate water.
- Russian hawthorn (Crataegus ambigua): 15–25′ tall/wide; white spring flowers; red fruit; orange fall foliage. Low water.
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier × grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance'): 15–25′ tall, 15–20′ wide; white spring flowers; purplish-black edible fruit; orange-red fall foliage. Moderate water.
All plants listed for Sunset Western Garden Book Climate Zones 1–3.
