Achillea ageratifolia:
Greek Yarrow
Dense gray-green foliage with profuse small daisy-like
flowers in late spring. Slowly grows to 10" high and
1.5' wide. Deer and rabbit resistant. Cutting-propagated.
Native to the Balkan countries and Greece.
Requires well-drained soil, low water needs once established.
Perennial, evergreen in mild winters. Full sun. USDA
hardiness zones 4-9.
Calylophus hartwegii: Fendler's Sundrops
Dalea capitata:
Lemon Dalea
A leguminous ground cover that grows to 8-12" high
and 3' wide.
Bright green, fine-textured, lemon-scented leaves. Rabbit resistant.
Small yellow flower spikes cover plant spring and fall. Variety
'Sierra Gold' is better bloomer. Attracts butterflies.
Possible scruffy appearance in winter. Trim back to spur
new growth in spring. Native to Mexico. Needs well-drained soil.
Drought tolerant but accepts regular water. Never fertilize*.
Full sun. Deciduous at 27°F. USDA hardiness zones 7-11.
Oenothera speciosa: Mexican Evening Primrose
Oenothera stubbei:
Chihuahuan Evening Primrose
An evening blooming plant that becomes a dark green mat
5" high and 4' wide. Stems root along the ground,
forming offset plants. Yellow 2" flowers bloom in spring
and sporadically rest of year. Native to Mexico. Low water.
Full sun to part shade. Perennial. USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Thymus serpyllum:
Creeping Thyme
With extra water, a vigorous grower 2-4" high and
2' wide. Green leaves with pink flowers in spring.
Longer blooming than most varieties. Rabbit and deer resistant.
Tolerates light foot traffic. Cutting-propagated.
Origins in Eastern Mediterranean. Full sun. Drought tolerant.
Evergreen to cold-deciduous. USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Buchloe dactyloides: Buffalo Grass
Calliandra eriophylla: Fairy Duster
Cynodon dactylon: Bermuda Grass
Dalea greggii:
Trailing Indigo Bush
A leguminous ground cover with a moderate growth rate
to 18" high and 6' to 9' wide. Gray-green hairy leaves.
Small rose to purple flowers in a flower head to 3/4" wide.
Attracts butterflies. Food plant for the Southern Dogface
and Reakirt's Blue caterpillars.
Roots as it spreads. Provides erosion control on slopes.
Does not tolerate foot traffic.
Native to New Mexico, Texas and Mexico.
Water monthly in dry season for best appearance.
Never fertilize*. Full sun. Evergreen. USDA hardiness zones 8b-11.
Duchesnea indica:
Mock Strawberry
Low to the ground with trailing stolons that root
firmly in the soil. Bright green strawberry-like leaves.
Yellow 1/2" flowers followed by red tasteless fruit
that stands above leaves. Drought tolerant once established.
Best used as a ground cover under trees or shrubs.
Native to Asia. Suitable for erosion control on moist, shaded
slopes. Invasive in wet areas. Part shade in summer. Perennial.
USDA hardiness zones 5-10.
Hypericum calycinum:
Great St. Johns Wort
Rapidly spreads by vigorous underground stems.
Grows to 1' high. Leaves are medium green in sun,
yellow green in shade.
Dies back in hard freeze then returns in spring.
Yellow flowers throughout summer. Controls erosion on hillsides.
Set plants 1.5' apart. Mow every 3 years in dormant season.
Native to Bulgaria and Turkey. Low to moderate water.
Needs part shade in summer heat.
Semi-evergreen. USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Lonicera japonica: Japanese Honeysuckle
Macfadyena unguis-cati: Cat's Claw Vine
Mahonia repens:
Creeping Oregon Grape
Slowly grows to 1' high and 3' wide. Spreads by
underground runners. Holly-like green leaves turn bronze
in cold weather. Excellent ground cover and erosion fighter.
Fragrant yellow flowers in dense clusters appear April to
June. Edible blue berries. Native to Western North America.
Drought tolerant. Needs well-drained soil.
Full sun to part shade. Evergreen.
USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Malephora crocea:
Gray / Copper Ice Plant
An evergreen perennial succulent.
Moderate to rapid growth to 1' high and 6' wide.
Reddish-orange flowers appear in spring and throughout year.
Leaves are smooth, gray-green, fleshy and grow to form a
dense mat. Provides erosion control on slopes. Does not tolerate
foot traffic. Salt tolerant. Native to Southern Africa.
Water monthly during drought. Full sun. USDA hardiness zones 9b-10.
Variety purpureo-crocea Tequila Sunrise' survives USDA hardiness
zones 7-9.
Myoporum parvifolium:
Myoporum
Grows 3" to 6" high and 9' wide. Dense covering
of light green leaves. Tiny white flowers bloom in summer
followed by purple fruit. Plant 6' to 8' apart
and plants will fill in within six months. Stems root
wherever moist soil is touched. Provides erosion control on slopes.
Does not tolerate foot traffic. Native to Australia.
Needs well-drained, enriched soil.
Low to moderate water. Part shade or north-facing slope.
Evergreen shrub. USDA hardiness zones 9-10.
Rosa banksiae: Lady Bank's Rose
Acacia angustissima: Fern Acacia
Atriplex canescens: Four-Wing Saltbush
Epilobium canum: Hummingbird Trumpet
Fallugia paradoxa: Apache Plume
Lupinus succulentus: Arroyo Lupine
Nandina domestica 'Harbor Dwarf': Heavenly Bamboo
Opuntia engelmannii:
Cactus Apple
A prickly pear cactus that grows 2-8' tall and 8' wide.
Wide shallow roots and large area of vertical pads allow
this plant to provide good erosion control on slopes
and banks. If soil elsewhere is too hard for digging,
gardeners know that soil around this plant is soft and
can easily be planted. This cactus should be removed by
pickaxe and not by motorized scoop which will also
remove surrounding soil. Replace cactus with any plant
that will provide erosion control. Native to Southwestern
United States. USDA hardiness zones 8-12.
Robinia neomexicana: Desert Locust
